John’s Not Mad (1989)
- /// Psychology / Various Psychology
- /// Runtime: 30 Minutes
Watch John’s Not Mad (1989) Documentary Online
John’s Not Mad was a QED documentary made by the BBC in 1989. It was ranked, in a British public poll, as one of the 50 Greatest Documentaries. The film shadowed John Davidson, a 15-year-old from Galashiels in Scotland, who had severe Tourette syndrome. John’s life was explored in terms of his family and the close-knit community around him, and how they all coped with a misunderstood condition. Oliver Sacks, a neurologist, offers observations on aspects of John’s behaviour. The documentary was narrated by the actress Eleanor Bron. The documentary achieved a cult status soon after it was first aired and, contrary to the “possible good intentions of the film crew, it has been seen as some sort of comedy classic”.