This film is part of Free
Richard Rossdale
The titular G.P. makes the case for an unrestrained American-style health service, as opposed to Britain’s supposedly bureaucratic system, in this interview with Barbara Kelly.
1967 14 mins
Overview
Having recently returned from a transatlantic fact-finding study, Rossdale praises the clinical and research freedoms of US hospitals and warns of the over-reach of that country’s recently adopted Medicare system. He balances these views by admitting patriotism and loyalty to the NHS should play a part in any doctor’s career decisions. Rossdale’s championing of America’s deregulated system over Britain’s publicly funded service makes for interesting viewing, in light of the political debates that continue to wage on the subject - in both countries.
Kelly’s interview was conducted for the unaired series Now and Then, an independently produced series created by her husband, broadcaster Bernard Braden.
Related
NHS on Film
Your Very Good Health Your Very Good Health
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 9 mins
Long before the ‘Charley Says’ campaign of the 1970s and ‘80s, another cartoon Charley was used to demystify the newly created NHS.
Life in Her Hands Life in Her Hands
Instructional film/TV programme 1951 55 mins
Kathleen Byron - of Black Narcissus fame - stars in one of the most ambitious recruitment films ever made.
Natural Born Smoker Natural Born Smoker
Public Information Filler 1985 1 mins
A sense of 1980s stylistic sheen filters through this sci-fi-tinged anti-smoking advert.
The Strange Case of Penny Allison The Strange Case of Penny Allison
Training film/TV programme 2002 18 mins
Imelda Staunton and Hugh Laurie as you've not quite seen them before: in a comedy training video for Britain’s National Blood Service.
Polio - Diagnosis and Management Polio - Diagnosis and Management
Government sponsored film 1948 59 mins
Britain’s first Polio epidemic in 1947 demanded a coordinated response, and this film was a key part of readying postwar doctors for a new fight
These Are the Hands These Are the Hands
Charity appeal 2020 2 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
New
Under Sail in the Frozen North Under Sail in the Frozen North
1926 40 mins Silent
Compelling travel feature edited from footage of the 1925-26 Worsley Algarsson Arctic expedition.
Filmmakers in Focus: Michael Haneke Filmmakers in Focus: Michael Haneke
Inside Film 2021 41 mins
In this illustrated discussion, BFI programmer-at-large Geoff Andrew and Catherine Wheatley, the author of two books on Michael Haneke’s work, examine what makes him such a distinctive, important and often controversial cinematic artist.
Filmmakers in Focus: Věra Chytilová Filmmakers in Focus: Věra Chytilová
Inside Film 2021 41 mins
Film critic Carmen Gray and film writer Ela Bittencourt discuss three films by trailblazing Czech filmmaker Věra Chytilová.
Filmmakers in Focus: Louis Malle Filmmakers in Focus: Louis Malle
Inside Film 2021 40 mins
In this discussion, BFI programmer-at-large Geoff Andrew and Sue Harris, Professor of Film Studies at Queen Mary University of London, will focus on three titles to look at what made Malle such a rewarding filmmaker.
Filmmakers in Focus: Joanna Hogg Filmmakers in Focus: Joanna Hogg
Inside Film 2021 38 mins
BFI National Archive curator Will Massa and film critic Beatrice Loayza explore the work of contemporary British filmmaker Joanna Hogg.
Filmmakers in Focus: Agnès Varda Filmmakers in Focus: Agnès Varda
Inside Film 2021 47 mins
Writer and activist So Mayer joins filmmaker and critic Alexandra Hidalgo to discuss the work of acclaimed French director and artist Agnès Varda.