The National Health (1973)
Peter Nichols adapted his own hit play to the screen, based on his experiences in hospitals. A riotous black comedy that's as timely today as ever, it contrasts the appalling conditions in a overcrowded London hospital with a soap opera playing on the televisions there. In an ingenious touch, the same actors appear in the "real" story as well as the "TV" one, thus blurring the distinctions even further. Jack Gould directs such outstanding British actors as Lynn Redgrave, Colin Blakely, Eleanor Bron, Jim Dale, Donald Sinden, Mervyn Johns, and, in only his second film, Bob Hoskins. The renowned Carl Davis composed the score.
- Released
- 1973-03-06
- Genres
- Comedy
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Status
- Released
- Directed / written by
- Jack Gold, Peter Nichols
- TMDB rating
- 7.0/10 from 12 votes
Cast
- Lynn Redgrave as Nurse Sweet / Nurse Betty Martin
- Colin Blakely as Edward Loach
- Eleanor Bron as Mr. Carr / Senior Surgeon Boyd
- Donald Sinden as Mr. Carr / Senior Surgeon Boyd
- Jim Dale as Barnet / Dr. Neil Boyd
- Bob Hoskins as Foster
- David Hutcheson as Mackie
- Mervyn Johns as Rees
- Bert Palmer as Flegg
- Clive Swift as Ash
- Gillian Barge as Dr. Bird
- George Browne as The Chaplain