White Teeth (2002– )

In 1970's England, cultures start to mix and cross with different experiences. Archie is contemplating suicide until he meets Clara, who is fleeing an oppressive Jehovah's Witness mother. ... See full summary »

Stars:

Om Puri, Philip Davis, Naomie Harris

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Om Puri	...	Samad (4 episodes, 2002)
Philip Davis	...	Archie (4 episodes, 2002)
Naomie Harris	...	Clara (4 episodes, 2002)
Archie Panjabi	...	Alsana (4 episodes, 2002)
Deepak Verma	...	Shiva (4 episodes, 2002)
Mona Hammond	...	Hortense (4 episodes, 2002)
Jeff Mirza	...	Mo (4 episodes, 2002)
Geraldine James	...	Joyce Malfen (3 episodes, 2002)
Robert Bathurst	...	Marcus Malfen (3 episodes, 2002)
Kammy Darweish	...	Ardashir (3 episodes, 2002)
Charlie Creed-Miles	...	Ryan Topps (3 episodes, 2002)
Nina Wadia	...	Neena (3 episodes, 2002)
Christopher Simpson	...	Magid (2 episodes, 2002)
Sarah Ozeke	...	Irie (2 episodes, 2002)
Steve Sweeney	...	Lager Lad (2 episodes, 2002)
San Shella	...	Young Samad (2 episodes, 2002)
Bryan Dick	...	Young Archie (2 episodes, 2002)
David Langham	...	Young Devil of Dachau (2 episodes, 2002)
James McAvoy	...	Josh Malfen (2 episodes, 2002)
Jacob Scipio	...	Magid (2 episodes, 2002)
Sophie Winkleman	...	Joely (2 episodes, 2002)
Rufus Jones	...	Crispin (2 episodes, 2002)
Daniel Tuite	...	Paddy (2 episodes, 2002)
Chu Omambala	...	Brother Ibrahim (2 episodes, 2002)

Storyline

In 1970's England, cultures start to mix and cross with different experiences. Archie is contemplating suicide until he meets Clara, who is fleeing an oppressive Jehovah's Witness mother. Meanwhile Samad has arrived in England to meet with his old war-friend Archie and to complete his arranged marriage. The two couples have different experiences of multi-cultural Britain and this differs from their children as the story follows the two generations across the years.

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Plot Keywords:

jehovah's witness | arranged marriage | attempted murder | war comrade | asian | 

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Details

Official Sites:

Channel 4 [uk] PBS Masterpiece Theatre

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hvide tænder

Company Credits

Production Co:

Company Pictures, Channel 4 Television Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

240 min 240 min (4 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Clara: Did the whole of your life flash before your eyes, like dey say, Archie?
Archie: It did, yeah. Thing is, I wasn't really in it.
Clara: You a good man, Archie. Not excitin' - but good. I glad you don kill yourself.
Archie: Thank you.

User Reviews

"White Teeth" laughable in its portrayal of Jehovah's Witnesses

I found this comment on PBS.org and I agree with it... "While the series was great, and the acting wonderful, I would have enjoyed it more had the author bothered to get even the smallest detail about Jehovah's Witnesses correct. There were so many inaccuracies, that I doubt she did any research.

First of all, a Jehovah's Witness would never have a cross in the home. Crosses are pagan relics that have no place in a witnesses' worship. Second, witnesses do not believe in burning hell, nor do they believe in everyone going to heaven. The belief is that while 144,000 will go to heaven, others will live forever on Earth. Third, even in 1974, when some witnesses did believe the end was near, they did not believe they would be taken up to heaven in rapture.

Verna Leep Thoreau, NM" The show is laughable in its portrayal of Jehovah's Witnesses as a stereotype of religious fanaticism. At the same time, it is so inaccurate in its portrayal, I think the average Jehovah's Witness would be vastly amused rather than offended.