Uplifting drama The Best of Men tied in nicely with the 2012 Paralympics and was written by Lucy Gannon of Soldier Soldier fame.
The drama (which is based on fact) takes us back to 1948 and the birth of the Paralympics when Dr Ludwig Guttman takes over at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in the heart of Buckinghamshire determined to make sure that the patients in his care (mostly ex-servicemen with spinal injuries) get the best opportunities they can. He realises that sport is an incredible tool to aid their rehabilitation.
production details
UK / BBC Two / 1×90 minute episode / Broadcast Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 9.00pm
Writer: Lucy Gannon / Producer: Harriet Davison / Director: Tim Whitby
cast
EDDIE MARSAN as Dr Ludwig Guttman
ROB BRYDON as Cpl Wynne Bowen
NIAMH CUSACK as Sister Edwards
GEORGE MACKAY as Pte William Heath
RICHARD McCABE as Dr Cowan
NICHOLAS JONES as Gen Blake
TRISTAN STURROCK as Sgt “Q” Hills
NIGEL LINDSAY as Mr Heath
RACHEL SPENCE as Mrs Spence
LEIGH QUINN as Nurse Carr
TRACY-ANN OBERMAN as Else Guttmann
BEN OWEN JONES as Neil
DAVID PROUD as Jeremy
MALI HARRIES as Shirley Bowen
STEPHEN McGONIGLE as Dr Greene, Houseman
EDMUND DIGBY JONES as Paul
