The Best Episodes of Play for Today Season 3

Two provincial newspaper reporters - one a young idealist starting out on his career, the other an embittered man who previously wrote for a failed national daily - swap views.

Director: Michael Apted

Writer: Arthur Hopcraft

The story of a man serving a 30-year prison sentence for killing a cop

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

A story about the origin of the Stormont state

Director: Piers Haggard

Writer: N/A

The story of Robinson Crusoe from Man Friday's viewpoint

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

A hippie breaks into the house of a middle-aged couple and forms a relationship with them

Director: Alan Cooke

Writer: David Halliwell

A man celebrating his birthday comes to appreciate the difference between media fantasy and mundane reality.

Director: N/A

Writer: John Elliot

An elderly general woos a shy school teacher.

Director: John Gorrie

Writer: N/A

A washed-up executive is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Director: Christopher Morahan

Writer: David Mercer

A pregnant teenager sets about wooing a sailor in a sectarian council estate in Greenock.

Director: Mike Newell

Writer: N/A

A young couple have a baby boy. However, the new father doesn't take to his new position quite as well as expected.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

The adventures of three Derbyshire miners going to Stratford-upon-Avon on a barge

Director: Michael Simpson

Writer: N/A

Faced with the prospect of being sent to work abroad, Sally Brown returns home from London to Hull, to see if she still feels the same attachment for her home town - and for her old boyfriend Mike Thurlow. Will she decide to take the job abroad or return to live with Mike in Hull?

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

A long-married husband leaves his family for a barmaid.

Director: Michael Apted

Writer: Colin Welland

A man fights council plans to demolish his home to make way for a new bypass.

Director: Michael Apted

Writer: N/A

The story of a defiant football manager in terminal decline

Director: Herbert Wise

Writer: N/A

As a playwright dictates notes about his newest play to his secretary, scenes from the play are acted out.

Director: Robert Knights

Writer: Dennis Potter

Was this the finest hour? Sifting the truth and fiction about the Battle of Britain, Burrows and Harding give their own account of how the nation sees its heroes - and itself.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

David Adler is an operator. He strips assets, other men's wives, and his oldest friend's soul - anything for a cool million.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Malcolmson spends every Sunday taking his children to the zoo, reflecting on the breakdown of his marriage and the events that brought about his divorce. Is there a chance the family can be brought back together?

Director: Philip Saville

Writer: N/A

The trials of an overworked and underappreciated housecleaner

Director: Mike Leigh

Writer: Mike Leigh

"I'm the judge's daughter - I think he's a monstrous old man. I think all men who say 'I'm only doing my job' are monstrous. I've despaired of changing him. But I'd stop short of killing him."

Director: Alan Clarke

Writer: N/A

Three underachievers have fun at a school speech day

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

"Fifteen years since I was forced t' leave, forced t' leave me roots, the territory of me heart." When Gerry takes his fiancée Nita home to Brighouse, what will they find?

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Are Maggie and Tony using each other as a means of communicating with Dr Leafer? Or are they using Dr Leafer as a means of communicating with each other?

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Edward G. is nothing like a film star; his life has been ordinary - until now. But he's just had a shattering experience. This edition is missing from the BBC archives.

Director: James Ferman

Writer: N/A