THE PATRICIA NEAL STORY

US, 1981, 100 minutes, Colour.
Glenda Jackson, Dirk Bogarde, Ken Kercheval, Jane Merrow.
Directed by Anthony Harvey and Anthony Page.

The Patricia Neal Story is an interesting insight into the well known Oscar winning actress, her stroke, her rehabilitation and comeback. It also shows her relationship with her husband, novelist Roald Dahl, his devotion to her during her illness and his challenge to her for rehabilitation. The irony, of course, is that after her rehabilitation, they separated.

Glenda Jackson gives a strong performance as Patricia Neal and is well matched by Dirk Bogarde as Roald Dahl. Mildred Dunnock, a friend of the family, portrays herself and her relationship with the couple.

While the film is interesting as Hollywood background, it is a stirring film showing the capacity for human resilience, Patricia Neal's struggle to come back from such a debilitating illness and to rehabilitate herself. Direction is by veterans Anthony Harvey and Anthony Page.

1. An interesting and challenging telemovie? Telemovie style for a wide audience? Themes of illness and rehabilitation? Human endurance and courage?

2. The American locations, the '60s and '70s, Los Angeles and Hollywood? England and the authentic background?

3. The status of Patricia Neal and audience knowledge of her? Films and career, Oscar? The history of her illness? Her husband and his work as novelist? Help and challenge to his wife? The irony of the subsequent separation?

4. Glenda Jackson and Dirk Bogarde, their presence, quality? Mildred Dunnock as herself?

5. The '60s in Los Angeles, Patricia Neal and her film work? Her marriage, Roald Dahl and his career, their children? A normal and happy family?

6. The portrayal of the stroke, Glenda Jackson's skill in portraying the illness? The event itself, Roald's reaction, going to hospital, the handling of the situation, the doctor and the information, the choices available, the details of the operation?

7. The coma and its length, the newspapers? The effect of the stroke when Patricia woke? Roald and his attendance? Bringing the children, their acceptance and nonacceptance of their mother's condition? The doctor and his information?

8. The recovery, meeting the children, going home, Mildred Dunnock and her support? Roald challenging his wife to formulate her words? Her anger? Self help?

9. The discussions with the psychotherapists, the choices, the lessons and the methods used for helping children to learn letters and words?

10. The length of time for the rehabilitation and the recovery, the detail, love and support? The English sequences, her children, friends and their continued support?

11. The details of Patricia Neal's life, recovery, the possibility of her becoming an actress again, the opportunities and her rehabilitation?

12. Interest concerning Hollywood and Hollywood families? The personality, her plight? Illness, the possibilities of rehabilitation?