Walter (TV 1982)

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.

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writers:

David Cook (dramatisation), David Cook (novel)

Stars:

Ian McKellen, Barbara Jefford, Arthur Whybrow

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

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:

ugliness | slurred speech | mourning one's mother | pigeon coop | retarded child | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Loving Walter

Company Credits

Production Co:

Central Independent Television, Randel Evans Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shown on the opening night of Channel 4 in the United Kingdom in 1982. It brought a storm or protest however from many of the large first night audience who had expected lighter fare.

---

Connections

Followed by Walter and June (1983)

User Reviews

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 .