pix by electrify
Five lucky Hibs’ fans joined first team star Lewis Stevenson ahead of a VIP screening which takes place at the Dominion Cinema tonight.
Celebrating the best of Hibs, the factual entertainment documentary is the remarkable story of Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull and Ormond, collectively known as the ‘Famous Five’ forward line.
In the post-war period, they entertained football fans at home and abroad, even earning plaudits whilst playing in Brazil.
The inspirational story of their journey from humble working class backgrounds to the most talked about footballers of a generation and beyond is compelling and historically and culturally significant.
Hibs’ fans Irvine Welsh was brought up listening to stories about the Famous Five . Speaking in the film he says: “The post war team has shaped how the club sees itself and how it would like to be seen by the world.
“Getting good local players and bringing them through, encouraging them and getting to a level of success with them. I thinks that’s the model for a club like Hibs. That style of football is so impregnated into the club’s DNA.”
Using beautifully shot archive commissioned by the club in the late 1940s as a backdrop to the story, the Famous Five celebrates Hibernian’s post-war decade showcasing the hugely talented forward line in the most successful period in the club’s history.
As well as hearing from acclaimed writer Irvine Welsh, featuring in the documentary are family members. fellow players and broadcasters and club historian Tom Wright. The film includes archive interviews and drama reconstruction – featuring those talented Development Squad players.
Produced for BBC ALBA by award-winning production company purpleTV, the Famous Five is presented by sports broadcaster Alex O’Henley and is produced and directed by Margot McCuaig.
The same team produced ‘Jock Stein’ the documentary which won the Royal Television Society Scotland awardfor best Sports documentary in 2015.
Margot McCuaig said: “We’re delighted that players past and present have gathered alongside Hibernian supporters to promote ‘The Famous Five.’ a compelling story about a group of post-war footballers whose significance resonates to this day. We look forward to sharing the film with BBC ALBA viewers on the 24th January and with the audience at the preview screening tonight. ”
‘The Famous Five’ produced by purpleTV, will be broadcast on Sunday 24th January at 9.00pm on BBC ALBA.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
