IMDb > "The Singing Detective" (1986)

"The Singing Detective" (1986) More at IMDbPro »TV mini-series

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Overview

User Rating:
8.9/10   2,079 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Contact:
View company contact information for The Singing Detective on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
Release Date:
16 November 1986 (UK) more
Plot:
Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations. full summary
Awards:
6 wins & 7 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
“Creation” Movie Poster and Trailer
 (From Filmofilia. 3 November 2009, 10:37 AM, PST)

Newmarket Films Picks Up Creation
 (From MovieWeb. 23 September 2009, 6:45 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
As Good As TV Gets more (43 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 31 of 35)

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)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
USA:415 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The scene where a delusional old patient climbs into bed with Marlow, thinking that he is his wife, actually happened for real to Dennis Potter during one of his innumerable stays in hospital. more
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. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Zomergasten: (#5.1)" (1992) more
Soundtrack:
Peg o' My Heart more

FAQ

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29 out of 29 people found the following comment useful.
As Good As TV Gets, 20 February 2002
10/10
Author: shark-43 from L.A. CA

I absolutely adore this piece of work. Jon Amiel's sensitive, clever direction, Dennis Potter's biting, brilliant script and the towering lead performance by the great Michael Gambon makes this a treat to watch. It's for those viewers who like to be treated as if they have a brain in their head and they don't need everything spelled out for them and telegraphed what is about to happen. With patience, this story unfolds with amazing power and in the long run, stunning optimism. There are three stories going on, really: an ill writer with a horrible skin condition is hospitalized and he rants and yells at all of those who come by him; fellow patients, nurses and doctors. But as he lays in bed, he begins to hallucinate from his high fever and he begins to re-write an old crime noir novel he once wrote called, The Singing Detective. He also is completely overwhelmed with memories from his childhood and growing up amongst a poor, ignorant coal-mining family in the woods of England. Aside from the amazing Gambon, this film is loaded with great performances: from Janet Suzman to Bill Patterson to Alison Steadman (as his unhappy Mother). I own a copy of this magnificent mini-series and I watch it over and over. A masterpiece. Mr. Potter, rest in peace, sir.

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