"Q.E.D." John's Not Mad (1989)

TV Series:

"Q.E.D." (1982)

Original Air Date:

15 March 1989

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Tourette's Syndrome | Science

Cast

  (Episode Credited cast)

Eleanor Bron	...	Narrator (voice)
Heather Davidson	...	Herself / John's Mother
John Davidson	...	Himself
Lorna Peggie	...	Herself / John's Special Needs Teacher
Oliver Sacks	...	Himself

Runtime:

UK:28 min (DVD version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Certification:

UK:E | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Galashiels, Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK

Company:

Uden Associates Productions

Quotes:

[first lines]
John Davidson: Some of the time I just, when I feel bad, I just feel like killin' myself or somethin' like that; it feels so bad.
Narrator: John Davidson is sixteen. He suffers from a disturbing neurological disorder once regarded as a wild madness. But when you know him better, you discover that John's not mad.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Tourette de France (2007) (TV)

John's not mad - cult legend

'John's Not Mad' was obviously made as a serious documentary aimed at pointing out to viewers what was at the time a little known condition, 'Tourettes Syndrome'. It is a very informative documentary outlining the problems associated with Tourettes, such as a simple trip to the supermarket. However, unfortunately, it gained a, perhaps unwanted, cult status, due to the fact that these moments where problems are created are hilarious, though one feels guilty for laughing. A must-see for anyone with an interest in 'Tourettes Syndrome'. Also see the follow up documentary made more than a decade later, which deals with John and his life as an adult at 31.