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"Great Performances" The Lost Language of Cranes (1991)
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Overview
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TV Series:
Original Air Date:
14 November 1991
(Season 20, Episode 17)
Plot:
When a young gay man comes out of the closet. His friends support him, but when he comes out to his parents, he stirs up a wealth of hidden feelings and secrets in their relationship. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
User Reviews:
Honesty has a Language of its own
See more (16 total) »
Cast
(Episode Cast) (in credits order) (verified as complete) | Brian Cox | ... | Owen Benjamin |
 | Eileen Atkins | ... | Rose Benjamin |
 | Angus Macfadyen | ... | Philip Benjamin |
 | Corey Parker | ... | Elliot Abrahams |
 | Rene Auberjonois | ... | Geoffrey Lane |
 | John Schlesinger | ... | Derek Moulthorpe |
 | Cathy Tyson | ... | Jerene Parks |
| Richard Warwick | ... | Frank |
| Nicholas Le Prevost | ... | Nick |
 | Ben Daniels | ... | Robin Bradley |
| Frank Middlemass | ... | Alex |
| Nigel Whitmey | ... | Winston Penn |
| Edmund Kente | ... | Bob |
| Paul Cottingham | ... | Porno Boy 1 |
| Tom Harden | ... | Porno Boy 2 |
| Sjaak Van der Bent | ... | Singer |
 | Adam Matalon | ... | Doorman |
| Ben McVeigh | ... | Crane Child |
| Episode Crew |
Directed by | |||
| Nigel Finch | |||
Writing credits(in alphabetical order) | ||
| David Leavitt | novel | |
| Sean Mathias | writer | |
Produced by | |||
| Ruth Caleb | .... | producer | |
| Kimberly Myers | .... | executive producer | |
| Mark Shivas | .... | executive producer | |
Original Music by | |||
| Julian Wastall | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| Remi Adefarasin | |||
Film Editing by | |||
| Sue Wyatt | |||
Production Design by | |||
| Bruce Macadie | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| James Keast | |||
Makeup Department | |||
| Fran Needham | .... | makeup designer | |
Sound Department | |||
| John Pritchard | .... | sound | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| Paddy Blake | .... | assistant camera | |
| Sean Savage | .... | assistant camera | |
| Series Crew These people are regular crew members. Were they in this episode? |
Directed by | |||
| John Doyle | |||
| John Glenmeister | (episode "Man Who Married a French Wife, the") | ||
| Nick Havinga | (episode "Girls in Their Summer Dresses") (episode "Monument, The") | ||
Writing credits(in alphabetical order) | ||
| Marion J. Caffey | creator | |
| Daniel Ezralow | creator | |
| Josh Groban | creator | |
Production Companies
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
- WNET Channel 13 New York (in association with)
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1991) (UK) (TV)
- Homescreen (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1992) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
- Lee Lighting lighting
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
UK:87 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
FAQ
Wasn't this originally shown on BBC in the early '90s?See more »
See more (16 total) »
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The film offers two metaphors for the suppression of expression - young twins, who have never been taught an established language, and hence create one of their own; and a neglected child, who's only company is the view it has of a building site with several large cranes from the window: the child begins to imitate the cranes' movements and noises in an attempt to communicate with them. No fear - the symbolism is kept to a minimum.
At the film's core, are three people, all of whom have been suppressing their real feelings (their real selves) from the others for fear of change - for fear of disrupting the balance of their existence. This lack of expressing themselves in language, causes them to create their own "language of cranes".
They're terrified that the truth will rip apart the world as they know it, which it does. The viewer is left with their loose ends, wondering if honesty really was the best. Everything they feared about honesty comes to pass. The family is torn apart without a way back. The mother is left feeling like the punch line of a bad joke and the father will be left with 30 years of remorse and guilt. But they're free. They're alive and free - and they still have time to take advantage of their second chance at life.
There are no action scenes here, but this film is more suspenseful than a thriller. If you have ever kept a secret from someone you loved - beware - this film might make you feel very uncomfortable.
Bottom line: a wonderful script, excellent acting and well directed on a small budget. A must see!