- Radio Times
- Review by:
- David Butcher
In the later stages of the Second World War a refugee German doctor arrives to treat paralysed soldiers at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Dr Ludwig Guttmann (Eddie Marsan) finds a hospital where those with spinal injuries are heavily sedated, referred to as “moribund”, and left to rot with bed sores.
Not for long. Guttmann launches a care regime that treats the patients as people, young men with a future. “You have life waiting for you, a good life,” he promises the most despairing patient, then sets about creating it, using music, a bit of humour and, of course, sport.
This is veteran writer Lucy Gannon’s recasting of the Paralympics’ creation myth as a tale of prejudice defeated in the fusty 1940s. Marsan is terrific as the enlightened troublemaker treading on all the right toes, but a brilliant turn from Rob Brydon as ward joker Wynne Bowen steals the show from under him. It’s a very moving story and you’ll never see the Paralympics the same way again.
About this programme
Fact-based drama about the birth of the Paralympics in 1948. Pioneering neurologist Dr Ludwig Guttmann arrives at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire and begins to transform the lives of his patients - Second World War servicemen with spinal cord injuries. He suggests using sport as a key part of their rehabilitation, and gets them involved in activities including wheelchair polo and basketball. Starring Eddie Marsan, Rob Brydon, George Mackay and Niamh Cusack.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Dr Ludwig Guttmann
- Eddie Marsan
- Pte William Heath
- George Mackay
- Cpl Wynne Bowen
- Rob Brydon
- Sister Edwards
- Niamh Cusack
- Dr Cowan
- Richard McCabe
- Gen Blake
- Nicholas Jones
- Sgt `Q' Hills
- Tristan Sturrock
- Mr Heath
- Nigel Lindsay
- Mrs Heath
- Rachel Spence
- Nurse Carr
- Leigh Quinn
- Else Guttmann
- Tracy-Ann Oberman
- Neil
- Ben Owen Jones
- Jeremy
- David Proud
- Shirley Bowen
- Mali Harries
- Dr Greene, Houseman
- Stephen McGonigle
- Paul
- Edmund Digby Jones
Crew
- Director
- Tim Whitby
- Producer
- Harriet Davison
- Writer
- Lucy Gannon
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