The show, first screened in 1994, is generally considered to be one of the finest television shows dealing with mental illness. Virtually everyone who has seen it acknowledges it as brilliant, and yet, despite a cast of excellent (and well known) actors, an IMDB rating of 9.5/10 and winning several awards (a BAFTA for best serial and editing, RTS award for best writing, Mental Health in the media award and Scottish BAFTAs for best serial and best writing) it has yet to see either a VHS or DVD release.
This is generally considered to be because of it’s incredibly good soundtrack tying up the music rights – even it’s episode titles were music tracks (including “Hey Jude”, “Fly Like an Eagle” and “Let it Be”)
So, what’s it about?
Eddie McKenna, a double glazing salesman moonlighting as a radio DJ takes a job at a mental health institute to establish a hospital radio station. As the station gets up and running Eddie begins to forge close relationships with several of the patients, including; Campbell (a manic depressive), Francine (a self harmer), Fergus (a schizophrenic) and Rosaline (suffering from OCD). Campbell too dreams of being a DJ, and through his inspired antics, the pair become closer to their aim.
Outside life however interferes, his double glazing boss bans Eddie from working at the radio station and his eccentric grandmother returns to her home country leaving him alone and penniless. He is also drawn to the troubled Francine. These problems see him returning to alcohol to ease his pain.
As the roles reverse, Campbell begins to regain his life and courts success with his dreams whilst Eddie drifts into decline and has to face up to dealing with his own illness, alcoholism.
So, who’s it by?
The show was written by Donna Franceschild, produced by Chris Parr and directed by David Blair.
So, who’s in it?
Ken Stott as Eddie McKenna
You may know him from: Rebus, Shallow Grave, King Arthur, Messiah, Casanova
David Tennant as Campbell
You may know him from: Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Blackpool, Casanova, Bright Young Things
Angus MacFadyen as Fergus
You may know him from: Braveheart, The Cradle Will Rock, Titus, Saw III, Alias (TV)
Ruth McCabe as Rosaline
Katy Murphy as Francine
So, why is it so good?
This show, more than any other TV production or movie I have seen dealing with mental health, portrays those suffering from mental illness as normal people with illnesses – that they can overcome. They are not painted as psychopaths, insane gibbering idiots, worthless people who should be locked away…they are normal people, like you are, like I am (if you can get past the labels).
The show deals with issues such as self-harm, manic depression, alcoholism, OCD and in one incredibly powerful episode suicide, with heartfelt emotion which neither glorifies nor belittles the conditions.
They are seen merely as illnesses and do not define the personality of the sufferers.
So, when will it be released on DVD (if ever)?
Who knows? As I mentioned earlier one of the reasons floated around for it’s lack of release was regarding the rights to the music which featured heavily in every episode. Some research on the ‘net indicates that a lot of these rights issues have been resolved so we can only hope that one day the BBC will see fit to release this series so it can garner a much wider, much deserved audience. This show deserves to be seen by everyone, not just those interested in mental health.
There is an online petition you can sign campaigning the release of this show on DVD, so you can SIGN THE PETITION TO RELEASE TAKIN’ OVER THE ASYLUM ON DVD if you’d like to.
In the meantime, I will leave you with a clip from the show, one of my favourite scenes and one which now means a lot to me (since being diagnosed bipolar/manic depressive). Watch, enjoy, and hopefully we will all one day get the chance to see this fantastic show in it’s entirety.
All that I am, all that I ever was... 