Edna The Inebriate Woman

Immaculately written by Jeremy Sandford, and brilliantly directed by Ted Kotcheff, 'Edna, the Inebriate Woman' remains a blisteringly powerful, truly remarkable work of gritty, socially conscious filmmaking. This searing, extraordinarily engrossing Play For Today enjoys a generosity of exquisite performances, and is arguably one of the most compelling examples of British drama from television's last golden age. Like all the exemplary works of quality humanist drama, all the societal issues addressed in Edna, the Inebriate Woman are certainly no less pertinent today. The terribly moving narrative's bracing lack of sentimentality remains inspirational, and while many of the actors featured are familiar, it nonetheless feels uncomfortably authentic. The vivid scenes staged in the psychiatric ward are disconcerting, as electroshock therapy always gives me the heebie-jeebies! With indelible moments, it proves impossible to watch this uniquely stunning TV play and not zealously reiterate the unassailable fact of Patricia Hayes's extraordinary performance.