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Ep. 108: The Deep Blue Sea(s) Redux

This week we are re-releasing our The Deep Blue Sea podcast in celebration of Terence Davies’ new film, Benediction, and in memorial to Helen McRory, who passed away in April.

This episode discusses two versions of Terence Ratigan’s 1952 play, The Deep Blue Sea. Davies’ 2011 film version is a moving portrayal of memory and Carrie Cracknell’s National Theatre Live production from 2016 features strong characterization. We discuss adaptation choices, acting brilliance, how the two directors adapt the play to fit their interests, and more.

This episode is a Seventh Row members exclusive, as are all episodes older than six months. Click here to become a member.

Left: Tom Hiddleston and Rachel Weisz (2011); Right: Tom Burke and Helen McCrory (2016) in The Deep Blue Sea
Left: Tom Hiddleston and Rachel Weisz (2011); Right: Tom Burke and Helen McCrory (2016)

This episode features Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney, Executive Editor Orla Smith, Associate Editor Brett Pardy, and special guest Andrew Kendall.

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The Deep Blue Sea (Terence Davies, 2011)

Terence Davies adapted Terence Ratigan’s 1952 play about the end of an affair between Hester (Rachel Weisz) and younger RAF pilot, Freddie (Tom Hiddleston). Simon Russell Beale also stars as Hester’s husband William. Davies brings his own interests in post-war memory and culture to create a distinctive take on the text.

The Davies film is streaming on Hoopla and Tubi in Canada and the US, Amazon Prime and Kanopy in the US, and on DVD and VOD

The Deep Blue Sea (Carrie Cracknell, National Theatre Live, 2016)

Britain’s National Theatre staged The Deep Blue Sea in 2016, starring Helen McCrory as Hester, Tom Burke as Freddie, Peter Sullivan as William, and Marion Bailey.

Show Notes

  • Sign up for our daily TIFF 21 newsletter (September 9-19). Discover the best new films to premiere at the festival, from buzzed-about titles like The Worst Person in the World and The Power of the Dog to under-the-radar gems nobody else is talking about.
  • Read Alex on how Davies’ adaptation is a memory film with an unreliable narrator.
  • The Deep Blue Sea was 13th on our best of the decade list. See the other choices here.
  • Read Alex on the Tom Hiddleston and the hollow charm thwarting the promise of a great actor.
  • Visit our Special Issue on a A Quiet Passion page for more on Terence Davies.
  • Read Alex’s interview with Lone Scherfig, which includes a discussion about Helen McRory in Their Finest.
  • Become a Film Adventurer Member to listen to more great episodes, like this Deep Blue Sea podcast, from our archive.