I was just wondering -- what's the connection between 'Saving Grace' and the television show 'Doc Martin,' which stars Martin Clunes? I've been watching 'Doc Martin' lately and I noticed Craig Ferguson's name in the credits, and I thought there was an episode of the show entitled 'Saving Grace'... if anyone could help me, it would be great! Thanks in advance.
Doc marten IS a spin off to saving grace, it was just due to copyright resons that the name was changed, so yes Doc Marten IS Doc Bamford i hope this helps
I've never seen Doc Martin but I know that they're filmed in the same place. It's a lovely little village in Cornwall called Port Isaac. I did wonder if the film and the TV show were related as Martin Clues plays a doctor in both. From what I've read about Doc Martin though, his character is quite different in the TV show.
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wrong, it is NOT Doctor Martin Bamford the loveable stoner on the "Doc Martin" show. Heres what happened according to Martin Clunes and tv.com:
Sky Productions owned the rights to Saving Grace and all related characters including Doctor Bamford. When ITV decided to make a Doc Martin show with Clunes based in "Port Wenn" (which is actually Port Issac) Sky wouldnt release rights to the character for whatever reason. I, too, tuned into "Doc Martin" expecting to see Bamford. What we got, however, was the most opposite of Bamford there could be. Meet Doctor Martin Ellingham: uptight, mean, quiet, unsocial no people skills big wig Surgeon who finds himself the GP at tiny Port Wenn. No pot humor involved whatsoever. Same actor, same fictional town shot in the same actual place but COMPLETELY different character.
i do however enjoy the show. Both season one and 2 are very funny, supporting cast is great, and Clunes is brilliant as usual. But if your looking for Doc Bamford, you wont find him on this show.
there was, however, a 90 minute TV movie which aired on SKY called Doc Martin about Bamford, if You search here on it youll see.
hope this helps :)
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Actually, I think Sky possibly owns the name "Dr. Martin Ellingham," but according to Clunes himself in the documentary on the series 2 DVD of the TV show, he mentioned that when they pitched the series to ITV, they liked the general idea, but wanted something "edgier" than just a "townie who's a bit out of his depth in the country", so they brought in Dominic MInghella (credited as "created by") to rewrite the character's backstory and come up with a new supporting cast. Several people involved in the production said it was Clunes' own idea to make the "new" Doc into a really rude person. I think I also read that ITV had a problem with the drug usage, but with the new spin on the character, it was quite easy to leave that aspect of the Doc out.
Also, there were TWO TV movies: the one you mention and a sequel, "Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie." Both were released on DVD in Australia (where the movies got their worldwide TV premiere), but have since been deleted, though copies should turn up from time to time on the Australian eBay site.
Also, there's an interview with Clunes online somewhere that states the original deal with Sky Pictures was to have been "two movies a year for three years". Unfortunately, Sky Pictures folded after the first two were shot. Since that deal was dead in the water, that's when Clunes and his company decided to shop the concept to ITV as a series.
the two movies are now available (legitimately) from Acorn Video (US) on DVD and can be ordered from Amazon.com and the usual US DVD stockists and have been for some time.
Saving Grace and the first Doc Martin prequel film to saving Grace are both really great films. The second Saving Grace prequel Legend of the Cloutie and Doc Martin the TV series are not so good. I much prefer Doctor Martin Bamford to Doctor Martin Elingham. I also really liked the character Harvey who was the local fisherman and Martins new best mate in Saving Grace and the 2 Doc Martin movies. I also prefer the girl who worked in the pub who was in the 2 Doc Martin movies and who would probably have become Martins love interest more than the girl who plays his wife in the TV series. It's a great shame what ITV did to this show with all the changes and everything. Every now and then I do watch the TV series. I also found the 2 movies in YouTube but I can't find Saving Grace on YouTube.