Son of Man (play)
Son of Man is a British television play by playwright Dennis Potter which was first broadcast on BBC1 on 16 April 1969, in The Wednesday Play slot.[1] An alternative depiction of the last days of Jesus, Son of Man was directed by Gareth Davies and starred Northern Irish actor Colin Blakely. The play was shot on videotape over three days on a very limited budget: Potter was later to say that the set "looks as though it's trembling and about to fall down."[2]
Controversy
The treatment of the subject matter led to Potter's being accused of blasphemy by Christian morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse. Jesus was depicted as being tormented by self-doubt, repeatedly crying out, "Is it me?", as he struggles with his own nature as God incarnate whilst being vulnerable to human frailty.[3] Potter's work focuses on Jesus's message of universal love, but eschews any mention of miracles or the resurrection. The character of Judas Iscariot is identified with the rich young man of the synoptic gospels.
Cast and Crew
Cast
- Colin Blakely as Jesus
- Robert Hardy as Pontius Pilate
- Bernard Hepton as Caiaphas
- Brian Blessed as Peter
- Edward Hardwicke as Judas Iscariot
- Godfrey Quigley as the Roman Commander
- Patricia Lawrence as Procla
- Gawn Grainger as Andrew
- Clive Graham as Roman Centurion
- Godfrey James as 1st Soldier
- Eric Mason as 2nd Soldier
- Brian Spink as Zealot
- Hugh Futcher as 1st Heckler
- Raymond Witch as 2nd Heckler
- Robin Chadwick as Young Officer
- Colin Rix as James
- Walter Hall as Philip
- Wendy Allnutt as Ruth
- Keith Campbell as 1st Priest
- Edmund Bennett as 2nd Priest
- Allan Lawrance as Money Changed
- Paul Prescott as Man in Crowd
- George Desmond as Leper
- Polly Murch as Woman Possessed
- Peter Beton as Beaten Samaritan
- Edmund Bailey as 3rd Heckler
- David Cannon as Beggar
- Roy Stewart and Dinny Powell as Boxers
Crew
- Written by Dennis Potter
- Music: Carmel College Choir (Choirmaster: Martin Fogell)
- Lighting: Robert Wright
- Sound: Bryan Forgham
- Costumes: Dinah Collin
- Makeup: Sandra Hurll
- Story Editor: Shaun MacLoughlin
- Designer: Spencer Chapman
- Producer: Graeme MacDonald
- Director: Gareth Davies
Stage version
Potter's play was also adapted for the stage and played at the Roundhouse, London, with Frank Finlay in the leading role. The stage version of Son of Man was first produced on 22 October 1969, at the Phoenix Theatre, Leicester. [4]
Phoenix Theatre cast
- Frank Finlay as Jesus
- Joseph O'Conor as Pontius Pilate
- Ian Mullins as Caiaphas
- David Daker as Peter
- David Henry as the Roman Commander
- Linda Polan as Procla
- Stanley Lebor as Andrew
- Wendy Allnutt as Ruth
References
- "Radio Times looks at 14 years of distinguished contributions to BBCtv Drama". Radio Times. 27 January – 2 February 1979.
- "BFI Screenonline: Son of Man". Screenonline.org.uk. 1969-04-16. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- Lee, Marc (8 March 2008). "Son of Man: Testaments to the power of Christ's story". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- "Son of Man A Play". 1970-01-01. ISBN 057316004X. Retrieved 2016-06-03.