Blood on the Dole
1994, English. Directed by Pip Broughton.
Alan Bleasdale's touching yet frank drama for Channel 4 about the struggles of a group of young adults leaving school in a deprived area of Liverpool. Starring Stephen Walters, Suzanne Maddock and Amanda Mealing. Based on the acclaimed play by Jim Morris, voted Most Promising Playwright by the Financial Times and Morning Star in 1981. Blood on the Dole shows the lives of four teenagers, two boys and two girls, struggling to cope after being thrust into the real world for the first time after leaving school. Living in deprived Merseyside, the four youths' bright-eyed optimism for their futures and new-found freedom is soon crushed by the realities of unemployment, poverty, and the brutal reality of living and trying to find work in a city in decline. They all soon find themselves in the hopeless situation of facing complete dependence on state handouts, "the dole". The four teenagers instead find themselves turning to each other to find the strength to survive.
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch Blood on the Dole
Blood on the Dole isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 18 October 1994.
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Cast & crew
- Pip BroughtonDirector
- Stephen WaltersJoey Jackson
- Philip DowdRicky Jones
- Suzanne MaddockCathy Thompson
- Rachel CaldwellJean Kavanagh
- Aneirin HughesDavid Williams
- Jake AbrahamPaul Price
- Rachel MaxwellTracey Ryan
- Amanda MealingLaura
- Gill WestJobcentre Receptionist
- Jodie DraperJobcentre Receptionist
- Andrew SchofieldPost Office Supervisor
- Alan IgbonArt Gallery Attendant
Details
- Released
- 18 October 1994
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Written by
- Jim Morris
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News & fan talk
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Blood on the Dole: quick answers
Is Blood on the Dole worth watching?
Blood on the Dole doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is Blood on the Dole?
Blood on the Dole runs 90 minutes (1h 30m).
Does Blood on the Dole have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Blood on the Dole. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Blood on the Dole parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Blood on the Dole yet.
Which OTT platform is Blood on the Dole on?
Blood on the Dole isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 18 October 1994. (Checked 12 November 2026.)
What movies are like Blood on the Dole?
If you liked Blood on the Dole, try Brotherly Love, Kisses, Bastard Out of Carolina.
Who directed Blood on the Dole?
Blood on the Dole (1994) was directed by Pip Broughton and stars Stephen Walters, Philip Dowd, Suzanne Maddock.