Micro Men

Micro Men is a one-off BBC drama television show set in the 1980s, about the rise of the British home computer market, particularly the rivalry between Sir Clive Sinclair who developed the ZX Spectrum, and Chris Curry - the man behind the BBC Micro; played by Alexander Armstrong and Martin Freeman respectively.

It was produced as a BBC Drama, shot in the UK, with some scenes shot in and around the colleges of Cambridge on 15 July 2009.

The opening title's theme tune is called 'Pulstar' which is on the 1976 album Albedo 0.39 by Vangelis.

Plot

The ball is centred on two of the arch players and their corresponding companies in the home computer bazaar of the backward 1970s and aboriginal 80s absorption on the chase to become the provider of a home computer for the BBC's programming for schools. Certain genitalia of the ball are based on actual actuality whilst others are bald dramatisation and a adaptation of contest at the time.

Release

It was aboriginal apparent on the UK approach BBC Four on 8 October 2009. The programme was directed by Saul Metzstein and produced by Andrea Cornwell. The programme was created by absolute assembly aggregation Darlow Smithson and was accounting by Tony Saint. It originally had the alive appellation Syntax Era.

Cameo appearances

Sophie Wilson, allotment of the Acorn development team, played the allotment of the pub feudatory calling time (around 1h 21m).

Jim Westwood can be apparent account a annual abaft Martin Freeman in WH Smith.

Props

The computers and abstruse backdrop including the Sinclair C5 were supplied by The Centre for Computing History in Haverhill which is aloof alfresco Cambridge.

Factual Errors

At the computer show, area Curry is announcement the Acorn Atom and Clive Sinclair is announcement the ZX80, library footage at 27:04 shows visitors application Amstrad CPCs, anchored in a counter, with their characteristic coloured keyboards and chip cassette decks. However, Amstrad had not entered the computer bazaar at that time and the Amstrad CPC would not be alien until 1984.

Cast

    Alexander Armstrong: Clive Sinclair
    Martin Freeman: Chris Curry
    Edward Baker-Duly: Hermann Hauser
    Sam Phillips: Steve Furber
    Stefan Butler: Roger Wilson
    Colin Carmichael: Jim Westwood
    Derek Riddell: Nigel Searle
    Rhona Croker: Valerie
    Jason Fitzpatrick: David Johnson-Davies
    Amy Beth Hayes: Cynthia
    Nicola Harrison: Ann Sinclair
    Peter Davison: Bank Manager
    Michael Keating: Holley
    Jon Glover: Radcliffe
    Theo Barklem-Biggs: Ralph
    Renny Krupinski: Foreman
    James Garnon: Journalist
    James Fleet: Kenneth Baker
    Rasmus Hardiker: Luke
    Alison Dowling: Shopper
    Perdita Avery: Susan
    Elizabeth Bower: Mindy
    Tim Downie: Tony Wood Rogers
    Mark Mansfield: Rick Dickinson
    Sophie Wilson (uncredited): Pub Landlady