What is The National Health?
The National Health is a film first released in 1973. Catalogued under Comedy.
- Type
- Film
- Year
- 1973
- Status
- Released
- Runtime
- 98 minutes
- Release date
- Mar 6, 1973
- Studios
- Virgin Films
- Genres
- Comedy
- Updated
Trailer
Overview
The National Health is a film first released in 1973. Catalogued under Comedy. Produced and broadcast by Virgin Films. Current status: Released.
Should you watch it?
“A black comedy that skews a chaotic London hospital while TV soap drama mirrors its absurdity.”
- Sharp satire of British healthcare
- Strong ensemble cast including early Bob Hoskins
- Clever meta-structure with actors playing dual roles
- The dark comedic tone may not suit all tastes
Watch it if you appreciate biting social satire and enjoy ensemble British comedies.
The film’s unsentimental, darkly comic portrayal of hospital life makes it suitable for mature audiences.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about The National Health — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is The National Health worth watching?
Cast
Frequently asked questions
What is the premise of "The National Health"?
It is a black comedy that contrasts the grim conditions of an overcrowded London hospital with a concurrent TV soap opera, blurring the lines between reality and broadcast.
Who wrote and adapted the screenplay?
Peter Nichols adapted his own stage play for the screen, drawing on his hospital experiences.
Who directed the film and which notable actors appear?
Jack Gould directed, featuring British actors such as Lynn Redgrave, Colin Blakely, Eleanor Bron, Jim Dale, Donald Sinden, Mervyn Johns, and Bob Hoskins in his second film role.
How would you describe the film’s tone?
It delivers an unsentimental, uncomfortably comic, satirical look at British welfare medicine, often compared to a milder version of M.A.S.H.
What kind of viewer might enjoy this film?
Viewers who appreciate dark British humor, social satire, and meta‑narrative techniques are likely to enjoy it.