National Health, The (1973, U.K.)

Peter Nichols (Georgy Girl) 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 an 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.  This blurs the distinctions even further!  Jack Gold 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.