On Giant's Shoulders (28 Mar. 1979)

Len and Hazel Wiles, a middle-aged childless couple who live on a remote farm, decide to adopt a coloured boy, Terry, who has no limbs because of the effects of Thalidomide. They encounter ... See full summary »

Director:

Anthony Simmons

Writers:

Marjorie Wallace (book), Michael Robson (book),

Stars:

Bryan Pringle, Judi Dench, Terry Wiles

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Bryan Pringle	...	Len Wiles
Judi Dench	...	Hazel Wiles
Terry Wiles	...	Himself
Hilda Braid	...	Sister Page
Barbara Young	...	Teacher at Hospital
Tim Wylton	...	Len Curry
Tony Church	...	Hospital Administrator
Anthony Heaton	...	Limb Technician
Anna Wing	...	Mrs. Proctor
Jean Rimmer	...	Miss Hudson
Frank Barrie	...	Solicitor
Charles West	...	Judge
Annabel Leventon	...	Journalist
Barbara Keogh	...	Café Cashier
Elizabeth Hunt	...	Customer

Storyline

Len and Hazel Wiles, a middle-aged childless couple who live on a remote farm, decide to adopt a coloured boy, Terry, who has no limbs because of the effects of Thalidomide. They encounter a great deal of resistance and scepticism from their friends and neighbours. Terry Wiles plays himself in this play.

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Plot Keywords:

thalidomide | interracial adoption | marriage | wheelchair | birth defect | 

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 1979 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Powerful, moving story

This is a compelling story which takes place in Britain, where a thalidomide child, of a black Jamaican - white Briton couple, is dumped into a home for unwanted children. A local couple tries to adopt him, which gets bureaucrats involved. We see people ignored, feel sorry for themselves, be impatient, deal with social prejudices, etc. Very well done. I wish it was available in VHS or DVD format.