The Knowledge is a 1979 British comedy-drama television film about a group of men and a woman doing "The Knowledge", the training required to become a London taxi driver. It was directed by Bob Brooks with an ensemble cast including Nigel Hawthorne, Mick Ford, Jonathan Lynn and Maureen Lipman.[2]
| The Knowledge | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Bob Brooks |
| Screenplay by | Jack Rosenthal |
| Based on | Bob Brooks (idea) |
| Produced by | Verity Lambert (executive producer) Christopher Neame (producer) |
| Starring | Nigel Hawthorne Mick Ford Kim Taylforth Jonathan Lynn David Ryall Michael Elphick Maureen Lipman Lesley Joseph Derek Deadman Derek Benfield[1] |
| Cinematography | David McDonald |
| Edited by | Ben Rayner |
| Music by | Jeff Wayne |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Thames Television |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 min |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editFour out of work Londoners apply to do "The Knowledge" to become London taxi drivers. They have to contend with learning approximately 15,842 streets and 468 set routes as well as Mr Burgess, a notoriously sadistic examiner from the Public Carriage Office.
Cast
edit- Nigel Hawthorne as Mr Burgess
- Mick Ford as Chris Matthews
- Kim Taylforth as Janet
- Jonathan Lynn as Ted Margolies
- David Ryall as Titanic
- Michael Elphick as Gordon Weller
- Maureen Lipman as Brenda Weller
- Lesley Joseph as Val
- Gary Holton as Eddie Hairstyle
- June Watson as Lilian
- Philippa Howell as Miss Stavely
- Derek Deadman as Man in Dole queue
- Derek Benfield as Football Driver[3]
Production
editIn 1978 Jack Rosenthal received a telephone call from Bob Brooks, an American who had lived in London for many years, wanting to make a film about something "exclusive to London". After some discussion they decided on "The Knowledge", the training and testing required to become a driver of a hackney carriage. They initially pitched the idea to Euston Films as a feature-length drama before settling on the concept of a comedy drama.[4] Executive producer Verity Lambert agreed to commission a 90-minute television film, despite reservations that Rosenthal and Brooks would struggle working together.[5] Rosenthal researched the story by accompanying taxi drivers around London to collect their stories about doing The Knowledge.[6] Lambert later recalled "Jack Rosenthal and Bob Brooks had this good idea – it was Bob's idea and Jack wrote it."[7]
It was the first production by Euston Films to make use of Steadicam.[7]
In his autobiography, Rosenthal describes Nigel Hawthorne as "such a lovely actor" who "gives a superlative, unforgettable comic performance as Mr Burgess, based on a real-life, notoriously sadistic examiner".[5]
Reception
editWhen shown in 1995 on Channel Four during a Thames Television tribute, film historian Geoff Phillips described it as "certainly the best TV play Britain has ever produced".[6]
In 2000 it was voted #83 in the BFI TV 100.[citation needed]
Accolades
editThe Knowledge was nominated for a BAFTA in the category Television, Best Single Play in 1980.[8]
Theatrical version
editA theatrical adaptation of the film, directed by Maureen Lipman, was staged at the Charing Cross Theatre in London, running from 4 September through 11 November 2017. The cast included Steven Pacey as Mr Burgess.[9]
References
edit- ^ "The Knowledge (1979)".
- ^ "The Knowledge". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "The Knowledge (1979)".
- ^ Christopher Neame (2004). A Take on British TV Drama: Stories from the Golden Years. Scarecrow Press. p. 23. ISBN 0810850125.
- ^ a b Jack Rosenthal (2006). By Jack Rosenthal: An Autobiography in Six Acts. Robson. p. 242. ISBN 1861059604.
- ^ a b Sue Vice (2010). Jack Rosenthal. Manchester University Press. p. 186. ISBN 9781847797063.
- ^ a b Manuel Alvarado and John Stewart (1985). Made for Television: Euston Films Limited. BFI Publishing. p. 98. ISBN 0423013106.
- ^ "Television in 1980". British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
- ^ "The Knowledge at Charing Cross Theatre". Charing Cross Theatre. Retrieved 29 July 2018.