The Stars Look Down (TV serial)

The Stars Look Down is a 1975 British television serial adapted from the 1935 novel of the same name by A.J. Cronin. The serial, produced by Granada Television, was broadcast on ITV.

The story revolves around the lives of miners and their families in a coal-mining town in Northumberland (though Cronin's novel situates the fictional town in Durham). It explores themes of social injustice, poverty, exploitation, and the dangers of mining. The narrative follows several key characters, including David Fenwick, a miner's son who strives for a better life through education; Joe Gowlan, a charismatic but ultimately corrupt union leader; and Jenny Sunley, a complex woman torn between ambition and loyalty.

The serial was noted for its gritty realism and its portrayal of the harsh conditions faced by mining communities in early 20th century Britain. It aimed to capture the social and political climate of the era, reflecting the struggles of working-class people against powerful and often uncaring industrialists. The adaptation was well-received at the time of its broadcast and is remembered as a significant example of British social realism television drama.