Americans...

I hadn't heard of the movie until a professor of mine showed clips of it in class. We were studying various theories of psychotherapy / psychoanalysis and she used parts of it to stimluate discussion. A very different and interesting approach. I would very much like to see the entire thing straight through, as we saw it out of order and in parts. But it seemed like a fascinating and very well done movie. Still, I do not believe it is well known here in the states (I could be wrong).

J

I am an american...however I only learned of this show from a friend of mine who goes to NYU film school. One of his professor's thought it was the greratest thing ever put on film. I rented the whole series from my local public library. So I geuss to answer your question not many americans are aware of this gem, but there are a few of us scattered about.

I came across it by chance, here in Canada, broadcast on a PBS station I think. I don't believe I actually saw the complete miniseries but what I saw left a very memorable impression... enough that when I saw it advertised on Amazon maybe 15 years later, I vividly recalled watching it and ordered it on the spot. I've since watched it once through and plan on seeing it again several times I am sure. It is groundbreaking even by todays' standards.

Singing Detective was shown on American public television. I thought it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Have waited and waited for it to be re-run, and just discovered it again on DVD. Plenty of Americans watched it at the time, but it was quite a while ago. So we are out here, but we're old folks now.

Saw it back in '86 and again just recently and I must admit it didn't loose any of its strength and originality, for me that is. It was the kind of revelation I recommend to all original viewers. There is really little to nothing that comes close to this, in all respect. David Lynch perhaps, but he always seemed to me someone walking away with the harvest Potter has sown. And no, this has nothing to do with cult or hype or whatever, watch and you'll know. Some way or the other this also brings up Spider by David Cronenberg, don't know why exactly.

[deleted]

Being Australian, I'm rather pleased that "The Singing Detective" was partly funded by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The series isn't widely known in Australia, but for those with an interest in television or drama it is. It was shown on the ABC at about the time it was on the BBC.

So in answer to your question, yes, count one Aussie commenter; and yes, rather a "cult thing" here.

another American here - yes, it's bascially a "cult" phenomena here in the States. I saw it originally when it aired on PBS, to be exact, New York City's Channel 13. Very intense and "adult" for a 13 year old, but the Singing Detective and Bill Moyers' "The Power of Myth" were the most influential television shows I've come across.


Only rarely have i met fellow Singing Detective fans. I own it on VHS tapes, and still listen to the soundtrack from time to time.

Rented the American-made version and had to turn it off after 10 or 15 minutes - truly awful - what a botched job!