7.4
The National Health (1973)
March 6, 19731h 38mEN
7.0
12 votes
Overview
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.
Director
Jack GoldWriters
Where to Watch
Streaming availability for India
Rent
Top Billed Cast
Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
N/A
Revenue
N/A
Production Companies
Virgin Films
Movies Like The National Health
Recommended for You
User Reviews
CinemaSerf
6.0I think this must have worked better on stage, for once it hits the big screen it really only comes across as a slightly more earnest, lightly politically charged, “Carry On” or “Doctor at…”, concept with shades of the “Likely Lads” added for good measure. Hospitals always did provide very fertile territory for a sitcom, and here the pithy dialogue goes some way to raising a laugh. The characterisations are, however, all a bit two-dimensional - though that does work rather better when we are watching their own television parody of American medical soaps starring the same actors with some truly…
Read full review →