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Original poster

Inspector calls on tv

33 replies

stuckasastuckthing · 26/01/2025 14:14

My DS started studying an inspector calls just before Christmas and apparently has to do coursework on it before Easter. I'd love him to watch it but I can't find it on any of the streaming services (and the uk theatre tour doesn't come anywhere near us until May which is too late). Anyone know where we can do this - happy to pay!

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nongnangning · 06/02/2025 22:49

Thanks to the PPs who mentioned the 1954 version, on Talking Pictures channel, earlier tonight. It was brilliant - my DS even seemed to enjoy it! For an added bonus I had never heard of TP before but am planning to have a look and see what else is on.

andannuverthing · 02/02/2025 07:31

stuckasastuckthing · 26/01/2025 15:01

We don't have a dvd player anymore - ours broke and I just assumed there was no point as everything is online now ...

Show quote history

Do you have a Playstation? If so, you can play a DVD from that. (I don't know if other games consoles can also play DVDs, but if you have one it's worth checking).

DearestItIsSnowing · 01/02/2025 21:08

The 1954 film with Alistair Sim is being shown on Talking Pictures TV (Freeview) on Thursday, February 6th at 6:30pm - 8pm.

The Stephen Daldry version is worth watching if you can. Probably because it’s a set book for GCSE, every performance is always sold out when it comes to my local theatre.

nongnangning · 28/01/2025 11:22

The R4 version is really very good - although slightly abridged. A good exercise for your DC is to try to spot what's missing.

As a PP said it's also on tour at regional theatres at the moment. Good production (we went a couple of months ago). So if you can afford it this would be worth doing - or maybe you could recommend to a teacher at your DC school to take the class (which might be a bit cheaper)
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/whats-on/an-inspector-calls-on-tour/

An Inspector Calls UK tour 2025

Stephen Daldry's multi award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley's classic thriller returns for a UK tour in 2025

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/whats-on/an-inspector-calls-on-tour

MarchingFrogs · 28/01/2025 11:17

theresnolimits · 28/01/2025 09:11

That more recent BBC one is awful - it actually shows Eva Smith when one of the points if the play is that she may not exist - just as a representation.

I used to show the Bernard Hepton one (on youtube) - it’s stodgy but completely accurate and allows them to understand the play.

The Bernard Hepton one is on YouTube

Rawnotblended · 28/01/2025 09:15

The audible version with Toby Jones is excellent. Our school also saw it at Alexandra Palace and it did seem quite different to the radio version.

theresnolimits · 28/01/2025 09:11

That more recent BBC one is awful - it actually shows Eva Smith when one of the points if the play is that she may not exist - just as a representation.

I used to show the Bernard Hepton one (on youtube) - it’s stodgy but completely accurate and allows them to understand the play.

Moglet4 · 28/01/2025 09:02

SE13Mummy · 27/01/2025 22:38

@saladandlunxhes there are a number of commentaries on how the TV adaptation undermines the ambiguity surrounding the identity of Eva. Here's a very critical one, this one is less harsh.

The David Thewlis / Amanda Richardson movie is the best one for studying the play

saladandlunxhes · 28/01/2025 08:52

SE13Mummy · 27/01/2025 22:38

@saladandlunxhes there are a number of commentaries on how the TV adaptation undermines the ambiguity surrounding the identity of Eva. Here's a very critical one, this one is less harsh.

Thanks so much. That's really interesting. I had no idea!

cossette · 27/01/2025 22:49

Sinkintotheswamp · 26/01/2025 15:10

Blood Brothers is a nightmare too. Doesn't exist on streaming. We've got tickets for the show but that's pure luck that I can afford it and it's not too far away.

Inspector Calls was on amazon two years ago when my eldest did it. I wonder how quickly they rotate them back.

On YouTube type in 'Blood Brothers slime tutorial' and there's a fair few filmed stage productions. Slime tutorial or slime is a way for audience recorded productions to stay on YT without being taken down.
I'm always torn - I hate audience members recording illegally but it's nice to see the productions if you can't get tickets...

Newgolddream70 · 27/01/2025 22:44

I did this for o'level back jn 1986! I am pretty sure the David Thewlis one is on Amazon still. Also, it's showing at the Mayflower in Southampton this week if you're anywhere near and can make it? Might be some tickets left.

saladandlunxhes · 26/01/2025 19:57

I'm really interested in how the TV adaptations are different from the book?

Don't mean to derail but genuinely interested Smile

OldTinHat · 26/01/2025 17:34

Lookmovie2.to

It's a torrent streaming service. Free.

If you search for 'An Inspector Calls', you'll find a couple of results pop up.

SE13Mummy · 26/01/2025 17:01

It's still available on Prime Video. I agree with others who've mentioned that the TV adaptations can often cause confusion though; I watched the BBC one with KS4 class after reading the it and there are elements of it that are completely at odds with the play, especially surrounding the identity of Eva Smith. It was definitely helpful for students to have a visual image of each character and some of the settings but it took away much of the intrigue.

If your DS has a good grasp of the storyline and themes, watching it may well add to his understanding but it may be worth having a look for animated summaries or the Mr Bruff videos on YouTube if he's feeling unsure about it.

Watch An Inspector Calls - Season 1 | Prime Video

An emotionally powerful and sharply relevant new adaption of JB Priestley's masterpiece.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B015IGKK3C/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-secondary-5261052-inspector-calls-on-tv

saladandlunxhes · 26/01/2025 15:48

Oh we saw this - must have been on You Tube.

It was not well acted but the plot was all correct.

My son is off to see the theatre production in a few weeks too.

KingfisherBlues · 26/01/2025 15:33

We recorded it from U&Drama (sky channel 143) a while ago but I'm not sure if it's repeated often/at all. I've yet to persuade DS to watch it mind you!

Tomatocutwithazigzagedge · 26/01/2025 15:30

It was on at the Lowry a couple of weeks ago OP! Any chance of finding a nearby production?

Righttherights · 26/01/2025 15:23

DS watched in on either Netflix, Amazon or iPlayer. Was with David Thewlis? Amazon to rent for £3.49

misseckleburg · 26/01/2025 15:21

stuckasastuckthing · 26/01/2025 14:14

My DS started studying an inspector calls just before Christmas and apparently has to do coursework on it before Easter. I'd love him to watch it but I can't find it on any of the streaming services (and the uk theatre tour doesn't come anywhere near us until May which is too late). Anyone know where we can do this - happy to pay!

This is the best one! BBC 2015. You have to register but it should be free.

https://era.org.uk/lit-resource/an-inspector-calls-2015/?utmcampaign=2112422ERA%20-%20Email%209%20-%20BBC%20Literary%20Archive%20%E2%80%93%20Oct%202023&utmmedium=email&utmmsource=EdCo&dm_i=7K1D,4IZU,19SHQS,I4N0,1

MarchingFrogs · 26/01/2025 15:19

Quick search on YouTube came up with

  • 1982 BBC Schools version
  • 2018 production by students at the SAE Institute in Oxford, including a link to their 'making of' video.

Admittedly, I haven't actually sat through them with a copy of the original, but presumably the BBC one should be faithful to it.

Allthebrokenplaces · 26/01/2025 15:12

You can buy it to rent/stream on Prime for £3.49 (I think).

Sinkintotheswamp · 26/01/2025 15:10

Blood Brothers is a nightmare too. Doesn't exist on streaming. We've got tickets for the show but that's pure luck that I can afford it and it's not too far away.

Inspector Calls was on amazon two years ago when my eldest did it. I wonder how quickly they rotate them back.