1970: WARREN MITCHELL on life at OXFORD | Nationwide | Comedy Icons | BBC Archive

"Of course, one had to learn how to get drunk like a gentleman, we were not encouraged to drink in pubs" - Warren Mitchell.

Warren Mitchell, best known for his portrayal of Alf Garnett in Till Death Us Do Part, returns to Oxford, where he studied at University College during World War Two.

Warren reminisces about his experiences there, as a middle class Jewish Grammar School boy getting to grips with life among the elite public school boys. He visits his old college room, the historic dining hall where he was 'sconced' for breaking etiquette, does a few laps of the Iffley Road running track, where Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile, and rows on the river. In 1944, he and fellow student Richard Burton joined the RAF. Does he hold any regrets for leaving Oxford?

Clip taken from Nationwide, originally broadcast on BBC One, Thursday 13 August, 1970.

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[hilaryepstein]

A delightful tribute to a much respected actor. You can almost feel his regret at his lost youth and wanting to be back at Oxford again.

[PhilUKNet]

Great stuff, BBC Archive! The company car documentary was hilarious, and this little insight into Warren Mitchell's time at Oxford was fascinating. It's a shame no one makes TV like this anymore, but at least we have archives. More, please!

[jamesgale]

Absolutely one of the best insights into a man's soul I have ever encountered. Alf Garnet for all his rich hilarity fades beside the real Warren Mitchell. Especially the last longing remarks, what you least expect to find behind the facade is the revelation of his first and greatest love { I am sure family apart}.

[cunninglinguist-hudz]

It's hard to believe he and Alf Garnett were the same person.
It really shows how good an actor he was.

[andydixon]

Memories of one's youth grow richer as time passes. Everything yet to be discovered and experienced.

[therealyogibeark]

R.I.P Alf Garnet. In sickness and in health we miss you mate.

[geoffclarke]

A great actor, so different in real life to the Alf Garnett character he played so well. I had no idea he went to Oxford.

[bestbehave]

I don’t know why ts k this came up in my feed, but I’m so glad it did

[CrystalShip]

Great upload, 1970 all them young blokes in the clip have an air of Nick Drake about them .The 60s had ended, The Beatles had broke up.But Warren looks pretty dapper here, and it was always a pleasure when he would be interviewed on tv over the years and I very much enjoyed his reminiscing here.

[lukemccrohon]

I’m from Oxford lived here 44 years and I used to love living here but over the last 10 years I hardly recognise the place anymore.. sad times

[postscript]

The BBC in the 1970s seemed to be good at these personal, reflective, poignant reminiscences. I remember the former foreign correspondent James Cameron producing whole documentaries in similar vein. Wonderful.

[Mudge]

I knew Warren was a world apart from his notorious character, Alf. His Oxford education, until now, was a surprise. Together with this return to his alma mater, it’s interesting and a gentle reminder of how class may shape perceptions of self and others.

[anjke]

Wonderful. Made me smile. I miss Oxford.

[dg-hughes]

I like how in the painting of Lord Beveridge he had a beverage next to him.

[josephasghar]

He has a wonderful way with words — a combination of Harold Pinter and Bob Hoskins. I wonder what he would make of Alf Garnet’s world view gaining ascendancy in today’s Britain.

[stevedickson]

Love it when Alf Garnett is screaming to get out of him lol

[mockbattles]

Love Warren Mitchell.
An underrated talent.

[eireaontaithe]

Oxford graduate and brilliant actor. True Labour man also.

[rob-fbxs]

When I first started watching this video i felt a bit stupid because I’d thought it was going to be the Warren Mitchell from Alf Garnet. Then half way through I realised it was 🤣

[mcvicarross]

The old 'Alf Garnett' just simmering underneath!! 😂😂