The Falklands Play

2002 1h 30m EN

👍

7.0

SOLID

★7.0TMDB · 8

WarDramaTV Movie

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The Falklands Play is a dramatic account of the political events leading up to, and including, the 1982 Falklands War. The play was written by Ian Curteis, an experienced writer who had started his television career in drama, but had increasingly come to specialise in dramatic reconstructions of history. It was originally commissioned by the BBC in 1983, for production and broadcast in 1986, but was subsequently shelved by Controller of BBC One Michael Grade due to its alleged pro-Margaret Thatcher stance and jingoistic tone. This prompted a press furore over media bias and censorship.The play was not staged until 2002, when it was broadcast in separate adaptations on BBC Television and Radio.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Patricia Hodge
Rt. Hon Margaret Thatcher (Prime Minister)
John Standing
Rt Hon William Whitelaw CH MC MP (Home Secretary)
Michael Cochrane
Rt Hon Nicholas Ridley MP (Financial Secretary to the Treasury)
James Fox
Rt Hon Peter, 6th Baron Carrington KCMG MC (Foreign Secretary)
Colin Stinton
Alexander Haig (US Secretary of State)
Anthony Calf
Robin Fearn (Head of Falkland Islands Department, Foreign Office)
Jeremy Child
Rt Hon Francis Pym MC MP (Foreign Secretary)
Richard Cordery
Tom Enders

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Michael Samuels
Writers: Ian Curteis
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

90 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 24 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Michael Samuels, shot by Rory Taylor. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Martin Sharpe shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Patricia Hodge and John Standing and Michael Cochrane carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0315579 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 8 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Michael Samuels directs. Rory Taylor behind the camera. Martin Sharpe cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

190 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released 24 years ago.
3Directed by Michael Samuels, shot by Rory Taylor. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Editor Martin Sharpe shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Patricia Hodge and John Standing and Michael Cochrane carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt0315579 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 8 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Rory Taylor
Editing: Martin Sharpe
Production design: Melanie Allen
Costume design: Jayne Gregory
Makeup / hair: Sallie Adams
Runtime: 90 min · 1h 30m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG
IMDB: The Falklands Play (2002)

Also by

Michael Samuels

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2023-09-03
★ 7/10
Recently, there have been a spate of singularly poor dramas about historical figures from the British Isles - "Mary, Queen of Scots" (2018), "Robert, the Bruce" (2019) being two of the least agreeable - but this takes that low benchmark and throws it under the bus (or chariot). Anyone expecting a battle-fest featuring this famously brave and courageous Queen leading loads of people in woad fighting off the fearsome Roman Legions is in for an huge disappointment. You will possibly have seen bloodier battles on a rugby field - indeed, what action there is seemed more about whether our as yet only teenage Boudica was going to be seduced by a deserting Roman legionnaire impersonating, well, who really cares. I'm afraid that this is just dreadful - the sort of film you would be proud of your kids making at college, but deserving of no more than that. The production quality is adequate, and actually the technical aspects - costumes, wattle huts etc., are adequate too - but the acting, dialogue and the whole pace of the thing makes you ever grateful that it's just 80 minutes long... Avoid, you know you want to.

Production companies

Who made it

BBC
GB

Key crew

Executive ProducerRichard Fell
Line ProducerRebecca Ferrand
ProducerJeremy Howe
CinematographyMark Isaac
Assistant CameraChris Pearce
Camera OperatorSteve Rees
Camera OperatorKevin Rudge
CinematographyRory Taylor
EditorMartin Sharpe
CastingCarrie Hilton
Production DesignMelanie Allen
Art DirectionMadelaine Leech
Costume DesignJayne Gregory
Makeup DesignerSallie Adams
Assistant Makeup ArtistJane Bevans
Assistant Makeup ArtistKirsty Herring
Makeup ArtistKristy Herring
Production ManagerSacha Whitmarsh
First Assistant DirectorPaul Elkins
Second Assistant DirectorTammy Kempinski
Third Assistant DirectorHolly Watson
Property MasterColin Bradbury
Property BuyerSandy Garfield
Boom OperatorAlan Cridford

Themes & keywords

What it's about, really

falklands war

Release history · US

When it landed

Theatrical2002-04-10PG

5.9