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IMDbPro

The Singing Detective

  • TV Mini Series
  • 19861986
  • 6h 55m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
The Singing Detective (1986)
  • Drama
  • Musical
  • Mystery
Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations.Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations.Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations.
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Michael Gambon
    • Patrick Malahide
    • Joanne Whalley
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Michael Gambon
    • Patrick Malahide
    • Joanne Whalley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 51User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 6 wins & 8 nominations total

    Episodes6

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season
    1986

    Photos18

    The Singing Detective (1986)
    The Singing Detective (1986)
    The Singing Detective (1986)
    The Singing Detective (1986)
    The Singing Detective (1986)
    The Singing Detective (1986)
    The Singing Detective (1986)
    Alison Steadman in The Singing Detective (1986)
    Patrick Malahide and Janet Suzman in The Singing Detective (1986)
    Joanne Whalley in The Singing Detective (1986)
    Joanne Whalley and Janet Suzman in The Singing Detective (1986)
    Michael Gambon in The Singing Detective (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Gambon
    Michael Gambon
    • Philip Marlow
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    Patrick Malahide
    Patrick Malahide
    • Mark Binney…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    Joanne Whalley
    Joanne Whalley
    • Nurse Mills
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    David Ryall
    David Ryall
    • Mr. Hall
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    Gerard Horan
    Gerard Horan
    • Reginald
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    Leslie French
    • Mr. Tomkey…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    Ron Cook
    Ron Cook
    • First Mysterious Man
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    George Rossi
    George Rossi
    • Second Mysterious Man
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    Sharon D. Clarke
    Sharon D. Clarke
    • Night Nurse
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    Lyndon Davies
    Lyndon Davies
    • Philip (aged 10)
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    Geff Francis
    Geff Francis
    • Porter
    6 episodes6 eps • 1986
    Janet Suzman
    Janet Suzman
    • Nicola
    5 episodes5 eps • 1986
    Alison Steadman
    Alison Steadman
    • Mrs. Marlow…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1986
    Jim Carter
    Jim Carter
    • Mr. Marlow
    5 episodes5 eps • 1986
    Imelda Staunton
    Imelda Staunton
    • Staff Nurse White
    5 episodes5 eps • 1986
    Janet Henfrey
    Janet Henfrey
    • Schoolteacher
    5 episodes5 eps • 1986
    Bill Paterson
    Bill Paterson
    • Dr. Gibbon
    4 episodes4 eps • 1986
    William Speakman
    • Mark Binney (aged 10)…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1986
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The first time Sir Michael Gambon was wheeled onto set in his full make-up, all the cast and crew were reduced to a stunned silence. Gambon broke the ice by saying "What's all this fuss about Chernobyl then? I went there for a holiday and it didn't do me any harm."
    • Quotes

      Philip Marlow: I used to think that all I wanted was the good opinion of honorable men and the ungrudging love of beautiful women. Now I know for sure that all I really want is a cigarette.

    • Connections
      Featured in Arena: Dennis Potter (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Peg o' My Heart
      (uncredited)

      Music by Fred Fisher

      Performed by Max Harris & His Novelty Trio during the credits

    User reviews51

    Review
    Top review
    Like a giant jigsaw
    This is Dennis Potter's 'Sergeant Pepper' - the work of his life. One of those times when the recurring themes and characters from an artist's collected works come together at the right moment, with the right direction and the right actors.

    The story is simple - embittered, sarcastic, over-the-hill author is admitted to hospital with a highly disfiguring skin condition. Whilst lying virtually helpless in his bed, he begins to rewrite one of his pulp novels (The Singing Detective) and to reminisce on his childhood in the Forest of Dean and London. But the memories and fiction start to overlap, with some hallucinations thrown in for good measure!

    In the hands of lesser mortals, this could have been a disaster (I fear for the 2003 remake. Robert Downey Jr?!). But the direction of Amiel and the acting of the entire cast are outstanding. Michael Gambon is stunning as the (initially) sour and downright nasty Marlowe. That we sympathise with him given all of his shortcomings is testament to this.

    The subtext is of a man exorcising his demons and coming to terms with his guilt: guilt about the death of his mother, guilt about his treatment of the women in his life, guilt about his victimisation of a schoolmate.

    One of those films that is like a giant jigsaw - at first what appear to be a random collection of unrelated images which are rearranged, flipped over and pieced together. Ultimately we are presented with solutions to everything - almost.

    After all, not everything has a solution...
    helpful•19
    0
    • nick_oke
    • Jul 26, 2002

    FAQ1

    • How do I get to watch jt

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 16, 1986 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Australia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Den sjungande detektiven
    • Production companies
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      • Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      6 hours 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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