On Giant's Shoulders
On Giant's Shoulders is a 1979
Based on a 1976 book of the same name by
BBC2 on 29 March 1979 as the 'Play of the Week', and was written by William Humble and Anthony Simmons
; the latter was also the director. Terry Wiles had never acted before and, as he was then 17, his voice had to be dubbed by a child actor after filming as it had broken and he had to appear to be much younger, playing himself from age 9 to 12.
The drama tells the story of Terry Wiles, who was born with severe disabilities following his mother's use of the
forklift truck
, so that Terry can live as independent a life as possible. Eventually, through the love and care of his adoptive parents Terry adjusts to life in the ordinary world and attends school with able-bodied pupils for the first time.
Judi Dench was nominated for a Best Actress
BAFTA for her role as Hazel Wiles.[4]
Cast
- Terry Wiles – Himself
- Len Wiles – Bryan Pringle
- Hazel Wiles – Judi Dench
- Sister Page – Hilda Braid
- Mrs Proctor – Anna Wing
- Teacher at Hospital – Barbara Young
- Len Curry – Tim Wylton
- Café cashier – Barbara Keogh
- Solicitor – Frank Barrie
- Hospital Administrator – Tony Church
- Marjorie Wallace – Annabel Leventon
- Registrar – Elizabeth Morgan
- Limb Technician – Anthony Heaton
- Miss Hudson – Jean Rimmer
References
- ^ Newland, Paul (ed), Don't Look Now: British Cinema in the 1970s Published by Intellect Bristol & Chicago (2010) pg 86 Google Books
- . Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ 'The Times' online 5 November 2006
- BAFTAwebsite
External links
- On Giant's Shoulders Radio Times entry at the BBC Genome Project
- On Giant's Shoulders at IMDb
- Website about 'On Giants's Shoulders' the 1979 film of the life of Terry Wiles
- BBC 'Play of the Week' entry for 'On Giant's Shoulders' (1979)
- 'Time Magazine' review of 'On Giant's Shoulders'
- Excerpt from Judi Dench's biography dealing with On Giant's Shoulders
