"The Singing Detective" (1986) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

16 November 1986 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Musical | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations.

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Disease | Hallucination | Hospital | Childhood

Awards:

6 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Michael Gambon	...	Philip Marlow (6 episodes, 1986)
Patrick Malahide	...	Mark Binney / ... (6 episodes, 1986)
Joanne Whalley	...	Nurse Mills (6 episodes, 1986)
David Ryall	...	Mr. Hall (6 episodes, 1986)
Gerard Horan	...	Reginald (6 episodes, 1986)
Leslie French	...	Mr. Tomkey / ... (6 episodes, 1986)
Ron Cook	...	First Mysterious Man (6 episodes, 1986)
George Rossi	...	Second Mysterious Man (6 episodes, 1986)
Sharon D. Clarke	...	Night Nurse (6 episodes, 1986)
Lyndon Davies	...	Philip (aged 10) (6 episodes, 1986)
Geff Francis	...	Porter (6 episodes, 1986)
Janet Suzman	...	Nicola (5 episodes, 1986)
Alison Steadman	...	Mrs. Marlow / ... (5 episodes, 1986)
Jim Carter	...	Mr. Marlow (5 episodes, 1986)
Imelda Staunton	...	Staff Nurse White (5 episodes, 1986)
Janet Henfrey	...	Schoolteacher (5 episodes, 1986)
Bill Paterson	...	Dr. Gibbon (4 episodes, 1986)
William Speakman	...	Mark Binney (aged 10) / ... (4 episodes, 1986)
Wally Thomas	...	Grandad Baxter (3 episodes, 1986)
Charles Simon	...	George Adams (3 episodes, 1986)
Kate McKenzie	...	Sonia (3 episodes, 1986)
Trevor Cooper	...	Barman / ... (3 episodes, 1986)
Charon Bourke	...	Amanda (2 episodes, 1986)
Simon Chandler	...	Dr. Finlay (2 episodes, 1986)
Mary MacLeod	...	Sister Malone (2 episodes, 1986)
Thomas Wheatley	...	Registrar (2 episodes, 1986)
Ken Stott	...	Uncle John (2 episodes, 1986)
Jo Cameron Brown	...	Aunt Emily (2 episodes, 1986)
Niven Boyd	...	First Soldier (2 episodes, 1986)
Angela Curran	...	Mary (2 episodes, 1986)
David Thewlis	...	Second Soldier (2 episodes, 1986)

Runtime:

USA:415 min

Country:

Australia | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:MA | UK:15

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The most controversial scene in the entire production was when the young Philip witnesses his mother having sex in the undergrowth with a local man. This brought howls of protest from the puritanical quarters of the British press, partly for the graphic nature of the scene (Patrick Malahide is seen to be thrusting into Alison Steadman) and the fact that such a scene was being played out in front of a child. In reality of course the latter was simply not true. Child actor Lyndon Davies wasn't involved with the filming of this scene at all, apart from his own close-ups which were shot separately. For his close-ups, Davies was reacting to the director, Jon Amiel. Nevertheless, Amiel and producer Kenith Trodd had to convince BBC1 controller Michael Grade that the scene should air intact. To his credit, Grade agreed to this.

Quotes:

Philip E. Marlow: I've not seriously doubted since that afternoon that any lie will receive almost instant corroboration, and almost instant collaboration, if the maintenance of it results in the public enjoyment of someone else's pain, someone else's humiliation.

Movie Connections:

References Blowup (1966)

Soundtrack:

Peg o' My Heart

One of the Greatest Things Ever Seen on Television

The BBC television production of "The Singing Detective" caused a huge stir when it was first broadcast back in 1986, and now it is commonly acknowledged as a classic.

Hospitalised by a severe case of psoriasis, crime novelist Philip E Marlow, escapes the grim realities of ward life into a rich inner world where he imagines himself as the "singing detective", hero of his own novels. From these fantasies he drifts to memories of his grim childhood during World War Two, and paranoid fantasies about his estranged wife.

The script, by celebrated writer Dennis Potter, is truly remarkable. The acting is good, especially from Michael Gambon (as Philip Marlow) who is perfect in a very difficult role.

The series lasts nearly seven hours and yet never fails to entertain. The series has a rich vain of dark humour and features some hilariously surreal song-and-dance sequences.

This is a true masterpiece and, very possibly, the best TV series ever made. Don't miss any opportunity to catch it.