Dennis Potter's Brimstone and Treacle (1976 / 1982)

Brimstone and Treacle (1976)

Dir. Barry Davis

Barry Davis's Play for Today version of Dennis Potter’s controversial B+T was banned by a fearful and controlling BBC before it was even broadcast. The institution eventually relented in 1987 and it’s currently available to purchase on DVD.

Michael Kitchen stars as a wicked confidence trickster named Martin Taylor who worms his way into the home of an older couple, Tom and Amy Bates (Denholm Elliott and Patricia Lawrence).

With an angelic smile on his face Martin causes chaos, all the while pretending to care for Pattie (Michelle Newell), the old couple's sick daughter.

There’s more to the goings on than that but it‘s best if the viewer discovers it by themselves. If you know Potter’s work then you’ll know to prepare for strong views and shocking turns as the layers of consequence are gradually revealed.

Brimstone and Treacle (1982)

Dir. Richard Loncraine

The second filmed version was made six years after the Play for Today version but released before it.

Sting plays the dangerous stranger this time. As before, the visitor’s origins are purposefully murky, but they’re made even more ambiguous.

His methods for ingratiating himself to the father (again played by Denholm Elliott) aren't particularly believable, but it was important to show the transparent nature of the ruse and the casual way that he went about it. In some ways he’s a little bit like Kubrick’s version of Alex DeLarge.

It might look like a kitchen sink drama on the surface, but the dark and sinister turns in the story are shown without reservation; it’s uncomfortable viewing. Of the two, I prefer the older version slightly more.

Fans of Sting might like to know that he also provides much of the music. I’d not have thought his style well-suited to the story, but it’s genuinely complementary at times, so good job, Mr Sumner.