Information
- BFI identifier399523
- Date1993 (Copyright)
1994-11-18 (Release) - Production countryUSA, United Kingdom
- Production company
- SynopsisJames's mother has committed suicide and his father is in and out of prison. He is taken into care. Graham Holt, a shy middle-aged postmaster living in a Welsh village wants to adopt James and is given a trial period by the social workers. Although initially well-behaved, James becomes difficult and cannot accept Holt stepping into his real father's shoes. Then James's real father turns up to reveal he is dying from AIDS. (Synopsis) Adaptation of David Cook's novel. Tells the story of a young boy and a lonely, middle-aged postmaster living a in a Welsh village, who wants to adopt him. The social workers are sceptical but agree to a trial period. During his first visits the boy is well-behaved and they establish a rapport, but neither is prepared for the changes they must undergo. The boy is haunted by his mother's suicide and obsessed with his real father, and his behaviour deteriorates. When his father comes to see him, the meeting is traumatic. (Synopsis)
- Work historyIn Toronto Film Festival 1994.
- Genre
- CreditsDirected by: Chris Menges
©: Monarchy Enterprises B.V.
A Sarah Radclyffe/Fron Film production: Sarah Radclyffe Productions
view all - Cast
Title
Second Best (Original)
EIDR identifier
10.5240/DEAF-3D44-90F5-F741-22B3-XCategory
FictionThis work is included in the BFI Filmography.
- Collections
- Scripts / DocumentsSecond Best - Contains material relating to 'Second Best' including a continuity script. - PEY-17
view all - StillsPhotograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-857810
Photograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-857811
Photograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-857812
Photograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-857813
Photograph: transparency - Landscape - Colour - bfi-00m-fro
view all - Articles
- BooksSecond Best - 1991view all
- Second Best
Work - 399523 - 1993 (Copyright)
USA - Film - Fiction
No film or video materials are
held by the BFI National Archive
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