

The National Health
Overview
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.
- Production
- Virgin Films
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Cast

Lynn Redgrave
Nurse Sweet / Nurse Betty Martin

Colin Blakely
Edward Loach

Eleanor Bron
Mr. Carr / Senior Surgeon Boyd

Donald Sinden
Mr. Carr / Senior Surgeon Boyd

Jim Dale
Barnet / Dr. Neil Boyd

Bob Hoskins
Foster

David Hutcheson
Mackie

Mervyn Johns
Rees

Bert Palmer
Flegg

Clive Swift
Ash

Patience Collier
The Lady Visitor

Robert Gillespie
Tyler

John Hamill
Kenny

James Hazeldine
Student Doctor

Dandy Nichols
Hospital radio announcer (uncredited)
Crew
- Director
- Jack Gold
- Writers
- Peter Nichols
- Producers
- Terry Glinwood,Ned Sherrin
- Cinematography
- John Coquillon
- Composer
- Carl Davis
Where to Watch
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User Reviews from TMDB

CinemaSerf
August 4, 2025
I think this must have worked better on stage, for once it hits the big screen it really only comes across as a slightly more earnest, lightly politically charged, “Carry On” or “Doctor at…”, concept with shades of the “Likely Lads” added for good measure. Hospitals always did provide very fertile territory for a sitcom, and here the pithy dialogue goes some way to raising a laugh. The characterisations are, however, all a bit two-dimensional - though that does work rather better when we are wat…




