This film is part of Free
The Strange Case of Penny Allison
Imelda Staunton and Hugh Laurie as you've not quite seen them before: in a comedy training video for Britainβs National Blood Service.
Overview
Is this where Hugh Laurie, pre-House, acquired the taste for playing medics? Laurie co-stars with Imelda Staunton in this well-made training film for the National Blood Service. Both play multiple parts in a comedy-of-errors ensuring staff get the deadly serious message while feeling entertained rather than merely instructed.
Director Paul Katis is one of the fine filmmaking talents, too often unsung, whose skills have enriched Britain's corporate film sector (itself much undervalued). In 2014, Katis made the transition into feature film, directing the gripping, highly regarded war film Kajaki: The True Story (also available on BFI Player). Acclaiming it as an impressive debut, not many reviewers realised it had benefited from Katis' long experience making excellent training films, many for the armed forces or on health and safety topics.
Related
Your Very Good Health Your Very Good Health
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 9 mins
Long before the βCharley Saysβ campaign of the 1970s and β80s, another cartoon Charley was used to demystify the newly created NHS.
The Dentist The Dentist
1993 15 mins
This 1993 profile of local dentist, Brian Harvey, shows how he splits his time between a local practice and an advisory role - while leaving ample time to socialise at the local rotary club.
Life in Her Hands Life in Her Hands
Instructional 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.
Polio - Diagnosis and Management Polio - Diagnosis and Management
Government sponsored film 1948 59 mins
Britainβs first Polio epidemic in 1947 demanded a coordinated response, and this film was a key part of readying postwar doctors for a new fight
New Way of Caring New Way of Caring
Documentary 1973 21 mins
An in-house training film designed to explain the NHS' 1973 reorganisation to its staff.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of childrenβs palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.