The story of Sussex doctor and amateur geologist Gideon Mantell who develops a hypothesis that giant lizard-like creatures once roamed the planet long before man based on his studies of fossils from a local quarry and his struggles to have his theories given credence by the scholars of Victorian society. Narration by Derek Jacobi
production details
UK | Channel 4 | 2×60 minutes | Broadcast 30-31 December 2002
Writers: Steven Clarke, Andrew Piddington, John Wilsher
Book: Deborah Cadbury
Producer: Steven Clarke
Director: Andrew Piddington
cast
HENRY IAN CUSICK as Gideon Mantell
MICHAEL PENNINGTON as William Buckland
ALAN COX as Richard Owen
RACHEL SHELLEY as Mary Mantell
ROBERT MORGAN as Charles Lyell
PAUL BRIGHTWELL as Leney