The National Health

Peter Nichols adapted his own hit play to the screen, based on his experiences in hospitals. A riotous black comedy that's as timely today as ever, it contrasts the appalling conditions in a overcrowded London hospital with a soap opera playing on the televisions there. In an ingenious touch, the same actors appear in the "real" story as well as the "TV" one, thus blurring the distinctions even further. Jack Gould directs such outstanding British actors as Lynn Redgrave, Colin Blakely, Eleanor Bron, Jim Dale, Donald Sinden, Mervyn Johns, and, in only his second film, Bob Hoskins. The renowned Carl Davis composed the score.

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  Jack Gold

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  Lynn Redgrave
  Nurse Sweet / Nurse Betty Martin
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  Colin Blakely
  Edward Loach
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  Eleanor Bron
  Mr. Carr / Senior Surgeon Boyd
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  Donald Sinden
  Mr. Carr / Senior Surgeon Boyd
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  Jim Dale
  Barnet / Dr. Neil Boyd
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  Bob Hoskins
  Foster
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  David Hutcheson
  Mackie
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  Mervyn Johns
  Rees
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  Bert Palmer
  Flegg
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  Clive Swift
  Ash
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  Gillian Barge
  Dr. Bird
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  George Browne
  The Chaplain
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  Patience Collier
  The Lady Visitor
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  Jumoke Debayo
  Nurse Lake
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  Robert Gillespie
  Tyler
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  John Hamill
  Kenny
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  Maureen Pryor
  The Matron
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  Sheila Scott-Wilkenson
  Nurse Powell / Cleo Norton
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  Neville Aurelius
  Leyland / Monk
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  Don Hawkins
  Les