Drama Going Gently is a downbeat study of two elderly cancer patients suffering in hospital. Over the time, the duo (one of whom is an ex-university lecturer and the other a working class former salesman), who initially don’t like each other, develop a strong respect for one another.
Going Gently is not an easy to watch production by any means, in fact its a pretty depressing look at early 1980’s hospital life for terminal patients. All the leads are superb however, especially Wisdom who shows how well he can do serious.
Dench picked up a BAFTA for her performance as a sympathetic sister. The drama was shown as part of the Playhouse strand.
production details
UK / BBC-1 / 1×70 minute episode / Broadcast 5 June 1981
Writer: Thomas Ellice / Novel: Robert C.S. Downs / Music: George Fenton / Costume Design: Robin Stubbs / Script Editor: Brenda Reid / Production Design: Derek Dodd / Producer: Innes Lloyd / Director: Stephen Frears
Series: Playhouse / Series 8 Episode 28
cast
NORMAN WISDOM as Bernard Flood
JUDI DENCH as Sister Scarli
FULTON MACKAY as Austin Miller
STEPHANIE COLE as Gladys Flood
MARGARET WHITING as Sister marvin
PETER ATTARD as George Flood
RAY HASSETT as Priest
GARRY COOPER, IVAN STEWARD as Orderlies
BILL DEAN, JOHN MULCAHY as Painters
ANNQUEENSBERRY as Iris
EDWARD LYON as Surgeon
CHRISTIAN BURGESS as Resident
ROBERT HICKSON as Doctor
