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

User Rating:

8.9/10   

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)

(more)

Series Directed by
Jon Amiel		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Writing credits
Dennis Potter		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Produced by
John Harris	....	producer (6 episodes, 1986)
Rick McCallum	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 1986)
Kenith Trodd	....	producer (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Original Music by
Stanley Myers		(2 episodes, 1986)

Series Cinematography by
Ken Westbury		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Film Editing by
Bill Wright		(3 episodes, 1986)
Sue Wyatt		(3 episodes, 1986)

Series Casting by
Michelle Guish		(1 episode, 1986)

Series Production Design by
Jim Clay		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Costume Design by
Hazel Pethig		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Makeup Department
Frances Hannon	....	makeup designer (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Production Management
Michael Darbon	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Rosemary Padvaiskas	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Art Department
Joanna Ball	....	graphics designer / graphic designer (6 episodes, 1986)
David Morris	....	properties buyer (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Sound Department
Clive Derbyshire	....	sound recordist (6 episodes, 1986)
Rob James	....	film dubbing mixer / dubbing mixer (6 episodes, 1986)
Colin Ritchie	....	dubbing editor / sound editor (4 episodes, 1986)
John Parry	....	film sound recordist (3 episodes, 1986)
Mark Day	....	sound editor / dubbing editor (2 episodes, 1986)
Susan Metcalfe	....	dubbing editor (2 episodes, 1986)

Series Special Effects by
Chris Reynolds	....	special effects technician (1 episode, 1986)

Series Visual Effects by
Mat Irvine	....	visual effects designer (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Sid Morris	....	gaffer (6 episodes, 1986)
Alfie Williams	....	grip (6 episodes, 1986)
Nigel Slatter	....	camera operator (5 episodes, 1986)

Series Casting Department
Michelle Guish	....	casting advisor (5 episodes, 1986)

Series Editorial Department
Alan Bishop	....	colorist (1 episode, 1986)
Rob Sylvester	....	editing assistant (1 episode, 1986)

Series Music Department
Max Harris	....	music advisor / music supervisor (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Other crew
Garry Boon	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Ian Brindle	....	production associate (6 episodes, 1986)
Diana Brookes	....	production assistant (6 episodes, 1986)
Lynda Pannett	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Anna Price	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Quinny Sacks	....	choreographer (6 episodes, 1986)
Nick Wyse	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Joanna Ball	....	title designer (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Distributors

• BBC Video (video)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1986) (UK) (TV)
• CBS/Fox (video)
• Warner Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)

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:

Producer Kenith Trodd originally wanted Nicol Williamson for the lead role. Director Jon Amiel insisted on Michael Gambon instead. (Ironically, Williamson turned down the role when offered it.)

Quotes:

Philip Marlow: I had on my best pajamas, the ones with red stripes and blue forget-me-nots. I was all dressed up and talcumed under the armpits; a million dollars was about to call. I was ready for it.

Movie Connections:

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

Soundtrack:

Peg o' My Heart

Like a giant jigsaw

This is Dennis Potter's 'Sergeant Pepper' - the work of his life. One of those times when the recurring themes and characters from an artist's collected works come together at the right moment, with the right direction and the right actors.

The story is simple - embittered, sarcastic, over-the-hill author is admitted to hospital with a highly disfiguring skin condition. Whilst lying virtually helpless in his bed, he begins to rewrite one of his pulp novels (The Singing Detective) and to reminisce on his childhood in the Forest of Dean and London. But the memories and fiction start to overlap, with some hallucinations thrown in for good measure!

In the hands of lesser mortals, this could have been a disaster (I fear for the 2003 remake. Robert Downey Jr?!). But the direction of Amiel and the acting of the entire cast are outstanding. Michael Gambon is stunning as the (initially) sour and downright nasty Marlowe. That we sympathise with him given all of his shortcomings is testament to this.

The subtext is of a man exorcising his demons and coming to terms with his guilt: guilt about the death of his mother, guilt about his treatment of the women in his life, guilt about his victimisation of a schoolmate.

One of those films that is like a giant jigsaw - at first what appear to be a random collection of unrelated images which are rearranged, flipped over and pieced together. Ultimately we are presented with solutions to everything - almost.

After all, not everything has a solution...