Walter (1982) (TV)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writers:

David Cook (dramatisation)
David Cook (novel)

Release Date:

2 November 1982 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A man with learning difficulties suffers neglect and ill-treatment, and this is only exasperated when his parents die and nobody seems to know what to do with him. |

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Ian McKellen	...	Walter
Barbara Jefford	...	Sarah - Walter's mother
Arthur Whybrow	...	Walter's father
Tony Melody	...	Mr. Hingley
David Ryall	...	Mr. Richards
Linda Polan	...	Miss Rushden
Keith Allen	...	Mike - Stockroom
Lesley Clare O'Neill	...	Jean - Stockroom
Paula Tilbrook	...	Mrs. Ashby
Marjorie Yates	...	Social Worker
Jim Broadbent	...	Joseph - Orderly
Kenny Ireland	...	Angus - Orderly
Don McKillop	...	Mr. Lipman (as Donald McKillop)
Nabil Shaban	...	Ben Gunn
Bob Flag	...	Harold

Runtime:

128 min (DVD)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Central Independent Television

Movie Connections:

Followed by Walter and June (1983) (TV)

Remarkable acting - Remarkable film

Sir Ian Mckellen is without doubt one of the finest actors performing today. To truly appreciate the depth of his acting talents , I urge you to watch " Walter " ( aka Loving Walter ). Do not let the fact that this being a "made for television" film put you off . It brought Sir Ian's acting talents to the viewing masses in Britain and in doing so raised his profile immeasureably. It is by no means an easy film to watch. With a subject matter of mental illness and societies victorian ways of dealing with it , there is no feel good factor to be found here . It is the strength of Sir Ian's performance that will keep you glued to the screen . I am fortunate enough to have the original videotape of Walter that I recorded some years ago and the follow up film Loving Walter . I am pleased to say that the DVD of Loving Walter is due for release ( and about time too ) on the 2nd December 2003 . Buy it , rent it , watch it . You will not be disappointed .