An Inspector Calls (2015 TV film)
| An Inspector Calls | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Based on | An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley |
| Screenplay by | Helen Edmundson |
| Directed by | Aisling Walsh |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Dominik Scherrer |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producers |
|
| Cinematography | Martin Fuhrer |
| Editor | Alex Mackie |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 13 September 2015 |
An Inspector Calls is a 2015 British thriller television film directed by Aisling Walsh,[2] produced by Howard Ella[3] and starring David Thewlis[4][5] as the titular character. Based on the J. B. Priestley play of the same title, the story is centred on a mysterious inspector, who investigates the wealthy Birling family and their dinner guests following the suicide of a young woman. The film was first broadcast on 13 September 2015 on BBC One.
Plot
Set in 1912, the film revolves around the Birling family, who, following the suicide of a young woman from the local town, is called upon by a police inspector (Thewlis) investigating the death. As their world unravels, each member of the family is revealed to have unwittingly played a part in her demise.[6]
Differences from the play
Like the 1954 version with Alastair Sim, this adaptation employs flashbacks to the events described (allowing some dialogue to be eliminated), as well as additional scenes showing more of the life and death of Eva, and the Inspector away from the Birlings' home. Additionally, like the 1954 film, Goole's implied supernatural aspect is more explicit than in the play: he is seen frowning sorrowfully staring up at Eva's window as she seemingly looks down on him, but when we see the street from her point of view it is empty. In the hospital, Eva sees the Inspector frowning sorrowfully at her as she convulses from the swallowed disinfectant and has her stomach pumped. After she has died, Goole sits by Eva's body and cradles her lifeless hand, but when the shot switches to the viewpoint of a nurse he is not there. Likewise, at the end, the Inspector is shown walking down a hallway with no else around. This adaptation seems to interpret Goole’s role as an “avenging angel” or God as Eric asks Eva if she believes in God.
Cast
- David Thewlis as Inspector Goole
- Sophie Rundle as Eva Smith
- Chloe Pirrie as Sheila Birling
- Finn Cole as Eric Birling
- Miranda Richardson as Sybil Birling
- Ken Stott as Arthur Birling
- Kyle Soller as Gerald Croft
- Lucy Chappell as Edna
- Flora Nicholson as Miss Francis
- Gary Davis as Alderman Meggarty
- Wanda Opalinksa as Charity lady
Production
Filming began on February 2015 in Saltaire, West Yorkshire.[7]
References
- ^ "David Thewlis to lead cast of BBC One adaption of An Inspector Calls". DIY Magazine. 2015-02-03. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
- ^ "Aisling Walsh to direct Priestley classic for BBC". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2015-01-30. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/inspector-calls
- ^ "David Thewlis plays title role in BBC's An Inspector Calls". Prolific North. 2015-01-30. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
- ^ "David Thewlis to lead BBC One's new adaption of An Inspector Calls". Digital Spy. 2015-01-30. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "'Harry Potter' Star David Thewlis Set As Lead In BBC One's 'An Inspector Calls' Adaptation". TVWise. 2015-01-30. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
- ^ "Saltaire is filming location for TV adaptation of An Inspector Calls". Telegraph & Argus. 2015-02-20. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)