Brimstone & Treacle (film)
Introductory statement about this film.
| Brimstone & Treacle | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster for Brimstone & Treacle  Theatrical poster for Brimstone & Treacle | |
| Directed by: | Richard Loncraine |
| Produced by: | Naim Attallah |
| Written by: | Dennis Potter |
| Starring: | Sting |
| Music by: | Michael Nyman |
| Edited by: | Paul Green |
| Distributed by: | United Artists Classics |
| Release date(s): | 1982-11-12 |
| Running time: | 87 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language(s): | English |
| IMDB link | |
Contents
Plot summary
Tom and Norma Bates lead a sad but quiet life caring for their invalid daughter, Patricia. Their lives are turned upside-down upon the arrival of a mysterious man named Martin, who plays a con on them and manages to convince the Bates that he is an old boyfriend of Patricia's and would like to help take care of her. Norma is charmed, but Tom is suspicious that Martin's arrival will reveal the truth behind Patricia's condition and tear their family apart.
Cast
Primary cast members of the film included:
- Sting (Martin Taylor)
- Denholm Elliott (Tom Bates)
- Joan Plowright (Norma Bates)
- Suzanna Hamilton (Patricia Bates)
- Mary MacLeod (Valerie Holdsworth)
Production
Brimstone & Treacle was originally written as a television play by Dennis Potter in 1976. It was commissions as part of BBC Television's Play for Today series in, but this original version was not aired until 1987 due to objections of the BBC's then Director of Television Programmes.[1] Potter then re-wrote it for the stage, in a version that was produced in 1977.
Primary filming location for this 1982 theatrical release starring Sting was Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England. Filming began on 1981-10-12 and ended on 1981-12-18. Sting did some reshoots in England at the end of February / early March 1982.
Release
Brimstone & Treacle was first released in theaters on 1982-11-12.
Video and DVD releases
| Cover art | Release date | Country | Format | Language | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1983 | U.S.A | VHS (Region 1/NTSC) | English | |
|
1993-06-30 | U.S.A | VHS (Region 1/NTSC) | English | |
|
2003-04-14 | U.K. | DVD (Region 2/PAL) | English | 4:3 |
|
2003-09-16 | U.S.A. | DVD (Region 1/NTSC) | English | trailer, 1.66:1 widescreen; French and Spanish subtitles |
Awards
| Year | Winner | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Richard Loncraine | Montréal World Film Festival | Grand Prix des Amériques |
Score
Quotations and trivia
- The role of Martin Taylor was apparently originally offered to both David Bowie and Malcolm McDowell before being accepted by Sting.[2]
