Walter (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Walter is a television drama first broadcast on the launch night of Channel 4
on 2 November 1982. Based on a 1978 novel of the same name by David Cook, it was the first ever Film on Four.
The film was directed by Stephen Frears
and stars Ian McKellen
as Walter, a man with a learning disability
. The story focuses initially on his youth in which his parents attempt, with little success, to have him adapt into the conditions of a "normal" life. When Walter's mother dies, the social services bureaucracy places him in an institution. Despite the grim conditions, Walter survives and, to an extent, thrives in the hospital, becoming a friend and mentor to his fellow patients.
The Evening Standard
reported at the time:
McKellen later won The Royal Television Society
Performer of the Year for his performance in the film.
A sequel, entitled Walter and June and set some 19 years later, was aired in May 1983: the two films are sometimes packaged together under the title "Loving Walter". Walter and June was adapted from David Cook's novel Winter Doves.
McKellen reprised the role in BBC Radio 4
's Saturday Play "Walter Now", broadcast on 12 January 2009, in which his character is revisited 26 years later as an old man, when the institution in which he used to live is closed and he is moved into a smaller, group home. Among the issues explored are the subjects of reproductive rights
for people who have learning disabilities, and the right to self-determination
in areas such as choosing one's own home and housemates.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
on 2 November 1982. Based on a 1978 novel of the same name by David Cook, it was the first ever Film on Four.
The film was directed by Stephen Frears
Stephen Frears
Stephen Arthur Frears is an English film director.-Early life:Frears was born in Leicester, England to Ruth M., a social worker, and Dr Russell E. Frears, a general practitioner and accountant. He did not find out that his mother was Jewish until he was in his late 20s...
and stars Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen
Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE is an English actor. He has received a Tony Award, two Academy Award nominations, and five Emmy Award nominations. His work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction...
as Walter, a man with a learning disability
Mental retardation
Mental retardation is a generalized disorder appearing before adulthood, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors...
. The story focuses initially on his youth in which his parents attempt, with little success, to have him adapt into the conditions of a "normal" life. When Walter's mother dies, the social services bureaucracy places him in an institution. Despite the grim conditions, Walter survives and, to an extent, thrives in the hospital, becoming a friend and mentor to his fellow patients.
The Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
reported at the time:
Channel 4 is taking the extraordinary step of launching itself with one of the most shocking films about mental illness ever shown on British TV. Walter, which occupies the key slot in next Tuesday's opening night schedule, features scenes of homosexual molestation in a mental hospital, patients covered in excrement, and a suicide in a barber's shop.
McKellen later won The Royal Television Society
Royal Television Society
The Royal Television Society is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present and future. It is the oldest television society in the world...
Performer of the Year for his performance in the film.
A sequel, entitled Walter and June and set some 19 years later, was aired in May 1983: the two films are sometimes packaged together under the title "Loving Walter". Walter and June was adapted from David Cook's novel Winter Doves.
McKellen reprised the role in BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
's Saturday Play "Walter Now", broadcast on 12 January 2009, in which his character is revisited 26 years later as an old man, when the institution in which he used to live is closed and he is moved into a smaller, group home. Among the issues explored are the subjects of reproductive rights
Reproductive rights
Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows:...
for people who have learning disabilities, and the right to self-determination
Self-determination
Self-determination is the principle in international law that nations have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or external interference...
in areas such as choosing one's own home and housemates.