Takin’ Over The Asylum
Reviewer: Tom Leins
Issue 106 August 2008
(1 votes, average: 8 out of 10)
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Review: Takin’ Over The Asylum is a genuine cult classic, earning widespread acclaim when it first aired on BBC1 back in 1994. The show, which focuses on Eddie McKenna (Ken Stott), a boozy double-glazing salesman who moonlights as a hospital radio DJ at a nearby Scottish mental asylum, is highly unusual, and a far cry from most contemporary BBC drama. A young, floppy-haired David Tennant stars as manic-depressive Campbell, who befriends Eddie and bonds with him through a mutual desire to make it onto the commercial radio scene. Presumably released to capitalise on Tennant’s success as ‘Doctor Who’, Takin’ Over The Asylum is a fine black comedy that definitely warrants further scrutiny. Interestingly, as a special feature the producers have included David Tennant’s enthusiastic audition tape, available here for the first time.
FILM: 7
EXTRAS: 3
DVD Info:
Certificate: 15
Starring: Ken Stott, David Tennant
Directed By: David Blair, 1994
Distributor: 2entertain
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0
Visuals: 4:3 Fullscreen
Running Time: 288mins
Price: £19.99
August 19th, 2008 at 1:46 am
This movie is clever, heartwarming, and a lot surprising. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical about it when I first decided to give it a watch. I confess my reason for buying it was that I was interested in seeing David’s early acting chops. However, after watching it, I can honestly say this movie is well worth a viewing for anyone who enjoys a well-written and beautifully-acted drama. The entire cast is brilliant, and there are wonderfully poignant and even surprising moments that make this a real gem. It’s an ensemble effort, and not a one-man show by any stretch. All the characters sparkle to life on-screen. I recommend this one.