Ghosts 

Oswald Alving is dying. His mother is anxious to keep the precise nature of his illness a secret.

Director:

Elijah Moshinsky

Writers:

Henrik Ibsen (play), Michael Meyer (translation)

Stars:

Judi Dench, Michael Gambon, Kenneth Branagh

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Judi Dench	...	Mrs. Alving
Michael Gambon	...	Pastor Manders
Kenneth Branagh	...	Oswald
Freddie Jones	...	Engstrand
Natasha Richardson	...	Regina

Storyline

Oswald Alving is dying. His mother is anxious to keep the precise nature of his illness a secret.

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Plot Keywords:

based on play | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 June 1987 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Very good, but could have been better.

This is a straightforward adaptation of Ibsen's stage play, wisely making no attempt to "open out" the action with external scenes, or to "modernise" the action. Its only failure in this respect is having Oswald kiss his mother full on the lips, not once but twice. This hint of Oedipal incest is NOT a part of Ibsen's play.

Dench and Gambon are both excellent, but Freddie Jones steals every scene he is in. Branagh, alas, overacts tiresomely, seemingly believing that he can add dramatic impact to Ibsen's dialogue by shouting it. He is wrong.