Osborne said:

Get Carter and a sniper did just that

with a bullet in the back of his head

made sure that he was dead.

It didn't happen like that in the book

he was cut real bad and left to die

open ended like the wound unattended

in Scunthorpe by a brickworks

 

but that's often the way these plots can vary.

 

Now back to the film:

in Gateshead chiefly

where Jack was intending

to do some checking,

nobody wanted him there looking lively

least of all the team from town

 

Next thing we know Cliff Brumby's tipped over

and lands on a car

his aspirations cut dramatically short

(the multi - storey car park now pulled down

was an eyesore but nevertheless iconic)

after jollies and a rout in the councillors' home

over a late night gin and tonic.

 

Talking of cars I remember two

a Sunbeam owned by a luscious tart

and a Cortina Jack apparently drove

through lines of washing as you do

and all distressed was the landlady

stripped down to shocking mauve.

 

The timber staithes with the railway lines

were sadly removed, the area improved

where Eric and Jack came face to face,

set up then beaten to death

where the filthy beach ran down to the sea

tipped into it with coal and gravity.

 

 

Michael of course remains a legend

stacking up his movie credits

and who can forget the train he took

that northern sunset and gantries look

the rawness of that pingy music

drawing us in, and Osborne's dens

Jack's pursuits in well cut suits

rough justice seen to be carried out

with a blend of northern and southern clout.

 

The book was good but the film was great

of that there can be little doubt.