Paper Mask (1990)

A lowly hospital orderly impersonates a recently deceased doctor and goes to work in the busy ER of a small hospital where he meets and befriends a nurse who slowly figures out his secret and helps him maintain his charade.

Director:

Christopher Morahan

Writers:

John Collee (novel), John Collee (screenplay)

Stars:

Paul McGann, Amanda Donohoe, Frederick Treves

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul McGann	...	Matthew Harris
Amanda Donohoe	...	Christine Taylor
Frederick Treves	...	Dr. Mumford
Tom Wilkinson	...	Dr. Thorn
Barbara Leigh-Hunt	...	Celia Mumford
Jimmy Yuill	...	Alec Moran
Mark Lewis Jones	...	Dr. Lloyd
John Warnaby	...	Dr. Hammond
Alexandra Mathie	...	Beverley
Oliver Ford Davies	...	Coroner
Frank Baker	...	Happy
Clive Rowe	...	Ants
Robert Oates	...	Head Porter
Karen Ascoe	...	Alison
Dale Rapley	...	Dr. Simon Hennessey

Storyline

With the papers of a young doctor who died in a deadly accident, the ambitious male nurse Matthew manages to get hired as a doctor in the casuality department of an hospital in Bristol. Nurse Christine believes it's only his nervousness, which makes him "forget" the most basic procedures. But even her help cannot prevent that his lack of qualification soon has deadly consequences...

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Plot Keywords:

nurse | hospital | doctor | orderly | friendship | 

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Taglines:

He wanted to be a doctor, she wanted to be his lover.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sensuality and language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 November 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anestesia letale

Filming Locations:

Bristol, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Screen Productions, Channel Four Films, Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"I Vow To Thee My Country"
(uncredited)
Music by Gustav Holst
Arranged by Philip Rutherford
Chappell Recorded Music Library

User Reviews

One of the most underrated movies ever

If the plot of this movie is somewhat simple, the execution (!) is utterly fantastic. I went to this movie in the cinema when it came out not knowing what we were going to see (I think we walked into the wrong theater!!) What we got was the film of the century, thrilling and gripping and the thought of this really happening made it even more chilling. McGann is fantastic as he realises his "dream". Donohoe gets better and better as the movie moves along and her realisation that her position changes is cleverly acted. Why this movie has not received rave reviews over the years baffles me. Channel 4 have shown it 2 or 3 times and it must come out on DVD. Whilst it is set in the late 80s early 90s, it is pretty timeless. The message is simply don't get sick just in case.....! Enjoy