Brimstone and Treacle (1976)

Recommended

UK

Television Film

Series Title: Play for Today (1970-1984)

Director: Barry Davis

Writer: Dennis Potter

Cinematographer: Peter Bartlett

Cast: Michael Kitchen, Denholm Elliott, Patricia Lawrence, Michelle Newell

Made to be shown as part of the BBC’s Play for Today strand in 1976, but not shown until 1987, Dennis Potter’s provocative and shocking yet thoughtful and intelligent play explores the effect that the Devil, masquerading as an old flame of their brain damaged daughter, has upon a middle-aged, middle-class couple when he imposes himself upon them, exposing their bigotries, hypocrisies, and moral inconsistencies as he indulges his dark desires. Iain.Stott