Intensive Care (9 Nov. 1982)

When Denis Midgley's father is rushed to hospital, Midgley drops everything to be by his side. They've never really got on, so Midgley wants to be sure he's there if his father ever regains... See full summary »

Director:

Gavin Millar

Writer:

Alan Bennett

Stars:

Frank Crompton, Alan Bennett, Helen Fraser

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Frank Crompton	...	Father
Alan Bennett	...	Denis Midgley
Helen Fraser	...	Joyce Midgley
Thora Hird	...	Aunty Kitty
Colin Douglas	...	Uncle Ernest
Derek Fowlds	...	Hartley
Madge Hindle	...	Jean
Jeremy Mosby	...	Mark
Karen Tunstall	...	Elizabeth
Julie Walters	...	Valery
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	Alice Duckworth
David Major	...	Colin Midgley
Jeanne Doree	...	Mrs. Midgley's mother
Joan Sanderson	...	Miss Tunstall
Ted Beyer	...	Teacher

Storyline

When Denis Midgley's father is rushed to hospital, Midgley drops everything to be by his side. They've never really got on, so Midgley wants to be sure he's there if his father ever regains consciousness. As he hates his job as a schoolteacher, and his home-life with his wife, her senile mother and their insolent teenage son, he has no qualms about lingering around the hospital. But as days turn into weeks, his father obstinately refuses to 'slip away', and Denis' motivation for staying by his father's bedside has more and more to do with Valery, a young nurse.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 November 1982 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

While writing the script, Alan Bennett also wrote a short story "Father! Father! Burning Bright", using the same material. This was published in 1999.

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Quotes

[Denis's father has been rushed into hospital and is not expected to live. Denis discusses him with his father's sister]
Denis Midgley: What was my dad like?
Aunty Kitty: He never had a wrong word for anybody. He'd do anybody a good turn. Shovel the snow, fetch the coal in. He was a *saint*.
[pause]
Aunty Kitty: You take after your mother, more.
[Denis looks dismayed that he has not inherited his father's saintly qualities]

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