jkirkland1977 Only found this again because of David Tennant & the repeat on bbc three - triggered memory of seeing way back in 1994.However this is a rare gem not only from the BBC stand point giving a very true account of treatment of mental illness which sadly stands to this day in many ways but though the bbc Scotland later gave the reworking of the crow road from book to screen. This short mini series is way and beyond anything before or since and stands in its own right as an exceptional exploration of mental illness, Scotland and a great story combined at that time with unknown talents - David Tennant probably topping that list. However it's the whole package from the writing, the emotions shown and how accurate to life this is. I honestly can't say enough well worth buying it brings a tear to the eye and the amount of talent in one series is unbelievable with the younger cast members making there name since.David Tennant shows all his talents at this early stage in his career and put in an epic performance here however he's not the only one and the series deserved every award it got. Truly touching and powerful, Scottish at its heart yet a universal story which still holds today.They struck gold with the cast and the story sadly nothing has got near its level since and this does show what the BBC and Scotland can give lovely Scottish backdrop and use of music taking over the asylum is one to treasure.

nuttipoodle This wonderful series in finally on DVD for everyone to enjoy. Funny and affecting, and with a brief cameo from Spike Milligan this is one of the best mini series I have ever seen.The best thing about this series is that it doesn't patronise, insult or caricature mental illness, but treats it as a real thing, the 'loonies' as real people and shows that not all the loonies are inside the hospital.Yes, some of the patient's illnesses are humorous, such as Rosaline obsessively cleaning everything, but this is never taken fun of, or used as a cheap plot device and there is a heartbreaking story behind her OCD.

cassandra2006 What a truly great series this is! Such a pity that it probably won't be released on DVD, due to problems with getting the necessary approval to use some of the songs, according to somebody I asked. The cast is uniformly excellent and the direction, seamless. So many wounded people, but so many with a fire inside them to keep trying to live a life that makes sense! It's a show that made me grind my teeth at the inhumanity of government cost-cutting in the mental health arena. The loonies are by no means the ones inside the asylum.David Tennant is simply magnificent as the manic, inventive, affectionate, good hearted Campbell Bain. His exchanges with his dad would break your heart.Thoroughly recommended.ETA 18.01.14 The DVD has now been available for a few years and contains two eps with audio commentaries. It's wonderful to be able to watch the show again and nothing about it disappoints.

prose Although this series was seen (and then soon after repeated) on Australian TV back in '94 or '95, it's brilliance still resonates. From the pen of Donna Franceschild, and directed by David Blair, it tells the story of a handful of 'loonies' - patients in a Glasgow mental facility. As in 'Girl, Interrupted', one is led to pondering the question: 'who are the real loonies?' Heavily laced with humour and poignancy, we - the 'normal' ones - are led into the lives of these people through the eyes of Eddie McKenna (Ken Stott), an alcoholic loser-type, whose desire is to be a radio disc-jockey, but who spends his days selling windows for the manager-from-hell. In my opinion, the salespeople at the windows company deserve to be behind locked doors far more than those in the institution. But I feel that this is the exact conclusion the writer wishes us to make. This series launched the extremely talented Ken Stott into regular TV appearances, such as 'Messiah' and 'The Vice'. It also features outstanding performances from David Tennant, Ruth McCabe, Angus McFadyen, and my favourite female actor, Katy Murphy. Ms Murphy seems to have a special knack for portraying wounded women. If you get a chance to see it, do.