The Deep Blue Sea (1994 TV play)

Penelope Wilton is superb in the TV staging of Terence Rattigan’s celebrated play

Year: 1994

Certificate: 15

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

This screen adaptation of Terence Rattigan’s classic 1952 play stars Penelope Wilton as Hester Collyer, the bored wife of Ian Holm’s high court judge, with Colin Firth as former RAF pilot Freddie Page, who reignites Hester’s passions. They embark on a doomed affair in a drama that is restrained and subtle, rather than soppy and overwrought, with an emotional intensity that builds and builds. For that reason, Rattigan aficionados favour this over the 2011 film starring Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston, for staying true to the claustrophobic intensity of the original.

First shown in 1994, it’s notable for preceding Firth’s breakout role in 1995’s Pride & Prejudice, but the drama really belongs to Wilton. She had originated Hester on the stage in 1993, and celebrated director Karel Reisz (The French Lieutenant’s Woman) built this screen version around her performance. (100 minutes)