"Oktober" (1998) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

2 April 1998 (UK)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

An accidental discovery of a drug for the mass unconscious and a naive schoolteacher's ardor lead to personal and almost global disaster...

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | International | Paranoia | Victim | TV Mini-Series

Cast

Stephen Tompkinson	...	Jim Harper (3 episodes, 1998)
Lydzia Englert	...	Rochelle (3 episodes, 1998)
Maria Lennon	...	Linda (3 episodes, 1998)
James McCarthy	...	Viveros (3 episodes, 1998)
James Duke	...	Daniel (3 episodes, 1998)
Michael Bertenshaw	...	Dr. Franks (3 episodes, 1998)
Stephen Jenn	...	Russian (3 episodes, 1998)
Richard Leaf	...	Bruno (3 episodes, 1998)
Lisa Jacobs	...	Dr. Bauer (3 episodes, 1998)
Michael Harbour	...	Werner (3 episodes, 1998)
James Kerr	...	Stephen (3 episodes, 1998)
Tim Poole	...	Terry (3 episodes, 1998)
Hermione Gulliford	...	Kim (2 episodes, 1998)
Billy McColl	...	Billy (2 episodes, 1998)
Lyndam Gregory	...	Dr. Brandon (2 episodes, 1998)
William Vanderpuye	...	Male Nurse (2 episodes, 1998)

Series Directed by
Stephen Gallagher		(3 episodes, 1998)

Series Writing credits
Stephen Gallagher		(3 episodes, 1998)

Series Produced by
Stuart Doughty	....	co-producer (3 episodes, 1998)
Brian Eastman	....	producer (3 episodes, 1998)
Ted Morley	....	associate producer (3 episodes, 1998)

Series Original Music by
Alan Parker		(3 episodes, 1998)

Series Cinematography by
Bruce McGowan		(3 episodes, 1998)

Series Film Editing by
Andrew McClelland		(3 episodes, 1998)

Series Casting by
Anne Henderson		(3 episodes, 1998)

Series Production Design by
Julian Fullalove		(3 episodes, 1998)
Rob Hinds		(3 episodes, 1998)

Series Art Direction by
Henry Jaworski		(3 episodes, 1998)

Series Costume Design by
Sarah Rogers		(3 episodes, 1998)

Series Makeup Department
Suzan Broad	....	makeup artist (3 episodes, 1998)
Lesley Rawstone	....	assistant makeup artist (3 episodes, 1998)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Matthew Baker	....	second assistant director (3 episodes, 1998)
Roger Simons	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 1998)

Series Art Department
Paul Duff	....	stand-by carpenter (3 episodes, 1998)
Graham Ellis	....	assistant art director (3 episodes, 1998)
Tony Mallett	....	buyer (3 episodes, 1998)
Mike Povey	....	property master (3 episodes, 1998)
Jane Harwood	....	art department assistant (unknown episodes)
Robin Heinson	....	painter (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Rudi Buckle	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 1998)
Jeremy Lishman	....	boom operator (3 episodes, 1998)
David Old	....	dubbing mixer (3 episodes, 1998)
Steve Schwalbe	....	sound editor (3 episodes, 1998)
Harry Barnes	....	foley editor (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Tom Aitken	....	stunt performer (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Keith Blake	....	focus puller (3 episodes, 1998)
Ian Buckley	....	grip (3 episodes, 1998)
Frank Heeney	....	gaffer (3 episodes, 1998)
Nigel Kirton	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1998)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Robert Lever	....	wardrobe (3 episodes, 1998)

Series Editorial Department
Scott Hinchcliffe	....	on-line editor (3 episodes, 1998)
Charlotte Serpell	....	assistant editor (3 episodes, 1998)

Series Other crew
Sallie Beechinor	....	production coordinator (3 episodes, 1998)
Jeffrey Broom	....	production accountant (3 episodes, 1998)
Simon Crawford Collins	....	location manager (3 episodes, 1998)
Lisa Grimes	....	location assistant (3 episodes, 1998)
Mary Haddow	....	script supervisor (3 episodes, 1998)
Alison Bage	....	unit nurse (unknown episodes)
Olivier Servanin	....	location scout: France (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Carnival Films

Distributors

• Koch Vision (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

60 min (3 parts)

Country:

UK

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15

Company:

Carnival Films

Great drama, sadly unavailable anywhere.

I didn't realise that this mini-series of three episodes was only 5 years old! I remember seeing the first episode and thought it was amazing drama. The final scenes were nothing short of breath-taking; although some of it was predictable.

Nonetheless, I'm surprised that the producers never thought of releasing this to the public on DVD or VHS. It would certainly give some people something entertaining to watch on a Sunday night.

I think at the time when Oktober came out, there was a lot of promising British TV, but unfortunately most of them were either canned or really dumbed-down for the audience. I can remember seeing "Crime Traveller" and thought that was fun, although nothing new.

There was also "Cracker", which came out a little earlier, I think. "Cracker" was controversial at the time because, if I recall, there was a sex scene that came just seconds after the watershed and provoked outcry by those members of the UK society who obviously had nothing better to do.

Anyway, catch Oktober if you can. Not sure where you'll get it. But it's fun, albeit in a dark sense!