The Good Doctor Bodkin-Adams Poster

The Good Doctor Bodkin-Adams 1986

★ 5.33 votes75 min📅 1986-10-12

The sleepy seaside town of Eastbourne was plunged into scandal in 1956 when much-loved local physician Dr. John Bodkin Adams faced murder charges for the suspicious death of an elderly patient.

Director: Richard Stroud

Cast

Timothy West
Timothy West
Dr John Bodkin Adams
Jean Anderson
Jean Anderson
Mrs Langton-Jones
David Arlen
Brixton Warder
Christopher Banks
Male Mourner
Venetia Barrett
Sister Mason-Ellis
Paul Beech
Coroner
Fanny Carby
Nurse Randall
Sylvia Coleridge
Mrs Grantley
David Conville
After Dinner Speaker
Cyril Conway
Clerk of Courts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Good Doctor Bodkin-Adams (1986) about?

Set in 1950s Eastbourne, the drama follows the arrest of respected doctor John Bodkin Adams after an elderly patient dies under suspicious circumstances. The film explores the ensuing trial and the ripple effects on a community that once held him in high regard.

Who directed The Good Doctor Bodkin-Adams?

Richard Stroud directed this 1986 true-crime drama, bringing a measured, atmospheric style to a story that shook postwar Britain.

Who stars in The Good Doctor Bodkin-Adams?

Timothy West and Jean Anderson head up the cast, joined by David Arlen, Christopher Banks, and Venetia Barrett in this tense courtroom tale.

Is The Good Doctor Bodkin-Adams (1986) worth watching?

Though unrated on IMDb, the film's tight runtime and strong performances make it a compelling pick for fans of true-crime dramas. Its blend of history and suspense rewards patient viewers looking for more than just sensationalism.

How long is The Good Doctor Bodkin-Adams?

The film runs approximately 75 minutes, perfect for a concise but immersive viewing experience.

About The Good Doctor Bodkin-Adams (1986) — A true-crime drama uncovering Eastbourne's darkest secret

The sleepy seaside town of Eastbourne was plunged into scandal in 1956 when much-loved local physician Dr. John Bodkin Adams faced murder charges for the suspicious death of an elderly patient. Richard Stroud's gripping 1986 drama re-creates the atmosphere of suspicion and social upheaval that followed, blending true-crime tension with a portrait of quiet respectability hiding dark secrets. Timothy West and Jean Anderson lead a cast steeped in period detail, while the film examines themes of trust, power, and the unsettling line between mercy and malice.

Meticulously researched yet dramatically paced, The Good Doctor Bodkin-Adams (1986) transforms a real-life medical mystery into a compelling courtroom drama that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.