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

Director:

Jon Amiel

Writers:

Dennis Potter (screenplay)
Dennis Potter (story)

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:

Sex | Bittersweet | Private Eye | Doctor Patient Relationship | Disability

Awards:

6 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Alison Steadman

...

Lili / ... (5 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:

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Trivia:

Janet Henfrey, who plays the frightening schoolteacher, played an exact same character in a previous Dennis Potter play, "Stand Up Nigel Barton". Jon Amiel wasn't influenced by this when he cast her.

Quotes:

Philip Marlow: Forget the cops. If they'd got enough they'd've nabbed you already: they're not broody hens, they don't sit on their eggs. You know what they do?
Mark Binney: What?
Philip Marlow: They break the shells straightaway and *fry* what's inside.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Drama Connections: The Singing Detective (#1.7)" (2005)

Greatest television ever made

Dennis Potter was the master of the teleplay and this is the pinnacle of his art. Clever and intelligent dialogue, a brilliant use of non-linear narrative, and a faultless cast all contribute to making this a modern masterpiece.