Best Of Men: Acting in a Paralympic drama

A truly inspirational programme that lifts the soul and shows that we can and should challenge 'what's expected' in life sometimes. Well done to all involved in its production and what a great way to introduce the paralympics.

Absolutely amazing - loved every minute!!!! I laughed, I cried - emotions ran high. FANTASTIC..... thank you. Great toc see something brilliant on the TV ..... just for a change!!!! LOVED EVERY MINUTE.

This was superb drama with everyone taking part doing a great job. I wasn't aware of the Ludwig Guttman story. Thanks to Lucy Gannon for highlighting it.

I thought this was the best of drama from the best of bbc showing the story of the best of men in the most inspiring way

I have just watched The Best of men, and normally, I would not be sitting trying to find my round a website, but in this instance of watching the programme I just wasn't going to give up. Best Programme on TV in ages, and if I was down in the dumps earlier, after watching such a story and the terrific acting I am now smiling my little head off, Thankyou BBC can we have more of these programmes.

Dr Guttman was a truly remarkable man who should rank high among the great men of the 20th century. My father worked as Clinical Photographer to him at Stoke Mandeville from 1945 till 1963 and witnessed at close quarters the developments that were inevitably simplified and telescoped for the fictional story of the film. The Stoke Mandevillle Games were an annual 'must' for the family right from the start in 1948.

The Spinal Injuries Unit of the early days, incidentally, was in a collection of temporary huts - rather different from the country house of the film. But that doesn't affect the validity of the story as shown which caught well the change in attitudes resulting from the doctor's wonderful pioneering work.

Excellent drama - beautifully crafted and acted. It really portrayed the Olympic spirit. Pity the BBC don't think it is worth broadcasting the actual Paralympics on TV.

I thought this was absolutely brilliant, I am so proud to be from Aylesbury where it all began! I remember being taken by my parents to watch the basketball at Stoke Mandeville and I still go now! I was in bits at the end of it, Dr Guttman and those first patients did so much to breakdown barriers and attitudes. It was simply wonderful

I watched this last night and was amazed not just with the storyline but the sheer quality of acting talent on display. Very moving, some fantastic one liners'...poot ze boot in...' and of course Eddie Marsan. He was absolutely stunning in this, his portrayal of Dr Guttmann was brilliant right down to the German mannerisms. Excellent television.

What a moving piece of TV drama! Loved it. Dr Guttman is a local hero around Aylesbury & Stoke Mandeville. His humour and single-minded determination came across brilliantly. It's a shame the sets and location were so very different from what SMH was in those days, - rows of wooden huts in the main, with a few brick buildings. I hope BBC TV can do justice to the paralympics and rival its coverage of the two weeks of London2012.

First class ,great acting ,great performances ,fascinating subject .

Thank you for at last putting something on that restored some of my hope in programme planning



A huge thank you to all involved .



More of this quality of drama please

Having seen trailers for this drama, I'd been really looking forward to watching it but the programme itself was far better than I expected.



The cast really gelled and, like Isabel (post no 2), I both laughed and cried.



Until I read David's blog I hadn't realised he is disabled and I hope more casting people look at him first as the very good actor he is rather than his mode of transport.



More programmes like this, please, BBC and I hope you follow the Paralympics on-line for us as you did the Olympics, especially for those of us who are office-bound.

This is my first 'post' - I was so impressed by the programme and the performance of the cast that I just had to go onto this site and give my comments. It is a remarkable story which was superbly told. Eddie Marsan was magnificent! It is very rare these days for me to actually sit and watch a programme from beginning to end.

A wonderful play, brilliantly acted. I enjoyed every moment. It was also our second treat of the week. what about Sean Bean in Accused?

I'd just like to echo the comments of other users and say what a brilliant drama this was. The BBC should consider repeating it on BBC One closer to the start of the Paralympics.



@kevanroyle , (#11) Channel 4 have the TV rights to the Paralympics so BBC can't show any unfortunately. It's a shame as they really did an outstanding effort with the 2012 Olympics.

Best TV Drama of the Year!

Superb acting, wonderful production and a storyline that captivated and moved you from the off. Thank you for forcing me to overcome my prejudices that a drama about the disabled wouldn't be gripping. I have learned from this drama and will be watching the Para Olympics with fresh vision, I can't wait!

David, Brilliant, simply BRILLIANT!

What an insipration to us all! well done everyone on a great piece of drama

This was the best drama I have seen all year. It was superbly written, produced and acted. I had no idea Eddie Marsan was such a talented actor. He has obviously not been offered the right parts before. What a treat it was. My congratulations to all concerned.

fantastic drama, brilliant brilliant brilliant, and very inspiring and emotionial. bbc at its very best. thank you for a wonderful experience

I watched this today, and all I can say is wow. This is a film that everyone who was involved in should be very proud of. Well done BBC.

Programmes like this demonstrate why I'm happy to pay my TV licence. More, please. Excellent drama, well acted and a superb story to inspire everyone. Congratulations, Auntie!

Wonderful play, many congratulations

Thanks for the blog and the beautifully produced programme - managed to watch it on iPlayer before it was removed. Please can you or anyone tell us what happened to some of the later characters, esp. Private William Heath - did he ever marry? get a job? Also Corporal Wynne Bowen - and some of the others? I tried doing a search but couldn't find any info. Thanks, Carol

A fantastic programme. Does anyone know how to get hold of the book written about Sir Ludwig Guttman? It was discussed on a Radio 5 programme. Think it is called 'The Spirit of Stoke Mandeville' or 'The Story of Sir Ludwig Guttman'

best tv programme i have seen in years, truly inspirational, brilliant performances all round. indeed the best of men.

I truly hope that the BBC are releasing this on truly FANTASTIC drama on DVD. I watched it a number of times on iplayer when i felt I needed uplifting and inspired. I broke my back a few years ago and recognised the work that Sir Dr Guttman undertook (and the work that still needs to be done by the NHS to really fulfill his dream and the potential of spinal injury patients).



Along with the "Dickie and Bert" rowing drama from before the Olympics this would make a superb DVD double bill and an important educational film. Now how do we propose Sir Dr Guttman for the Nobel Prize for Medicine given the hope he has given to the worlds spinally injured and other disabled people.

Why is this not available on iplayer for the duration of the Paralympics ???

Why is The Best of Men just on once on the BBC when they repeat other things loads of times? Tried to get it in I player but only there for 1 week. BBC you let yourself down!! When will it be on again? Should be on during the Para olympics.

ditto all those confused that this is not available on iplayer. I was really looking forward to watching it as a close family friend was involved in the start in the Stoke Mandeville days. Will the BBC repeat this week or at least someone indicate why this is not available for the licence fee payers to watch for more than a week?

Please BBC repeat this drama and release it on DVD. All generations of my family were moved and inspired by this wonderful drama. The writing and story were of such quality that I hadn't seen in a long time, and the acting and the truly inspirational Dr Guttmann were superlative. Please release on DVD!

Simply brilliant all round. Pity it was only 1hr 25min long! Surely the brilliant Dr Guttman deserved at least 15 minutes of the show for more about him? Like what motivated him to do as he did?



I was pleased to learn he was duly recognised with a Knighthood and a centre being named after him.



@33 chrisandcats it is being repeated this week. Check the tv listings for the next 7 days.



I will be watching it again.

Just want to reiterate what chrisandcats said earlier - please release it on DVD or at least show it again - Have met so many who were moved by it and so many others who would like to watch it.

Fantastic-

and me too: Please,please release on DVD- I would love to own it and there are many I know who missed it!

A little late I accept, but I was compelled to comment on, what was, one of the best pieces of television I have seen for some time. My wife and I only came across it by accident but loved it. My congratulations to ALL the cast. WHAT TALENT?

I loved this programme. Does anyone know if it's coming out on dvd. I do have dvd recorder due to the digital switch over I cant use it. It would be ace if it came out on dvd.

Have to ask, along with others, when will it be released as a DVD.

Great drama with a special message for all of us.

Wonderful, inspiring television - a huge thank you to all involved in bringing this important story to the attention of so many. A humbling, gentle walk through the trauma experienced by many - which is largely suffered in silence and often alone. I do hope this beautifully made programme will inspire all who watch it to open their eyes and their hearts to the difficult path some are destined to follow. May it inspire imagination in all of us! Dr Guttman's foresite and tenasity have created a truely amazing legacy. What a wonderful man...

Watched this truly inspiring programme the first time around and watched it again on Sunday night,enjoyed every moment of this fantastic drama,and just wished that more programmes like this were produced....any chance that it will be available on DVD in the future?

Having missed BoM while away, friends begged us to see it on iPlayer. Now having seen it a couple of days ago, I'm begging everyone else. For me, this was a real masterpiece and truly a film for NOW. If I had the power and cash to back this, I would. And it would be a winner. Like 'Charriots' in its day, this has the same character and an even greater unmasking of an unknown hero. Cinema release please - and quickly!

It would be wonderful if drama of this quality on subjects of this importance could be made available on DVD. In the meantime, and at the end of these amazing Paralympics - please put it back on i-player!! My wife (and others) missed it; they're really sad!