Potter describes the play as a parable. Evil can be unctuous - it is not obviously evil, but can seem to be kindness and generosity, can seem logical, an worm its way into the hearts and minds of people. Religion, he feels, has been reduced to a sanctimonious function - too many people use religion to justify actions and beliefs which are truly evil. And this is Potter in the 1970's! Little has changed.

The play is a dissection of white, middle class values - of the whitened sepulchre image of suburbia. But the banning of the play was not because of its cynical take on religion or its gentle chiding of the middle classes. Rather, the play involves the rape of a disabled woman by the demon - it's implied rather than seen, there's nothing graphic or salacious.

The DVD offers some interesting extras: when the play was eventually shown some eleven years later, a discussion programme was aired on the subject of its banning - you get to see this, with contributions from Potter. Interestingly, by the time it was shown a film of the play (starring Sting) had already been made and released. An absorbing production, a reminder that television drama used to be risky and low budget, not slick and hyped up. Well worth watching.


Television history at its best. Not to be missed.   October 18, 2004
 18 out of 24 found this review helpful

Dennis Potters controversial play, was originally scheduled for broadcast on 6th April 1976 as part of BBC1's Play For Today. It wasn't however shown until 25th August 1987, when Michael Grade (then controller of BBC1), allowed it to be aired as part of a Dennis Potter season. This play is even darker than the film version that was made in 1982, and is essential viewing for all fans of the film. The performances are excellent, especially from that of a young Michael Kitchen who plays a more devilish Martin.

This fabulous DVD includes "DID YOU SEE?" - a discussion show broadcast after the play was first aired in 1987 which featured an interview of Dennis Potter.