Complete credited cast: | |||
David Thewlis | ... | The Inspector | |
Lucy Chappell | ... | Edna | |
Miranda Richardson | ... | Sybil Birling | |
Ken Stott | ... | Arthur Birling | |
Finn Cole | ... | Eric Birling | |
Chloe Pirrie | ... | Sheila Birling | |
Sophie Rundle | ... | Eva Smith | |
Kyle Soller | ... | Gerald Croft | |
Flora Nicholson | ... | Miss Francis | |
Gary Davis | ... | Alderman Meggarty | |
Wanda Opalinska | ... | Charity Lady |
In 1912 pompous industrialist Arthur Birling, who has hopes of a knighthood, his superior wife Sybil and young son Eric are celebrating the engagement of daughter Sheila to eligible Gerald Croft when they are visited by blunt Inspector Goole. He tells them of the suicide of a young woman named Eva Smith and though they all claim not to have known her the inspector demonstrates that each in their own way contributed to her downfall, by having her dismissed from work or, in the young men's cases, having sexual relationships and then abandoning her. After Goole has left the youngsters feel ashamed and the engagement is halted but Arthur Birling, doubting the inspector's authority, rings the local police station. This is the prelude to a double shock which will lead to the family's humiliation and ruin. Written by don @ minifie-1
Initially I thought this would be a Christie type thriller, honestly, from the brief synopsis of this piece of dramatic brilliance you would be forgiven for watching under that pretense, but this so far beyond that.
The acting is so good that, while many of the cast have seen some notoriety at various levels in the past, each and every one deserves awards for this. The sets are simple, limited and ample for the story, the flow is perfect the mood is defined to absolute perfection.
The BBC can deliver drama better than any other studio. This is one that I personally would place head and shoulders above anything I have seen out of the BBC before. It is a masterpiece drama.
Without giving anything away, as I highly recommend this, the sting in the tale is delivered so well that you are left wondering what you would have done under the circumstances.
Set a moment aside, take the time to listen and watch with great care, don't miss a moment or a word, it is worth it.