EndedABC TV1978-11-06

The Body in Question

Name: The Body in Question
Genre: Documentary
Released: 1978-11-06
Rating: 8
Cast: Jonathan Miller

Documentary~60 min

Seasons

Episodes

Networks

ABC TV, BBC Two

Countries

First aired

1978-11-06

Last aired

1979-01-29

Language

Rating

8.0 / 10

Episode release dates

Precise schedule unavailable

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Synopsis and details

The Body in Question is a landmark British medical documentary series of 13 shows made for the BBC. It was a groundbreaking show, being the first to ever televise an autopsy (in the final show on 29 Jan 1979). Dr Jonathan Miller considers the functioning of the body as a subject of private experience. He explores our attitudes towards our bodies, our ignorance of them, and our inability to read our body's signals. The first episode starts with vox populi asking where various organs in the body are located. By the final episode we are left in no doubt. Taking as his starting point the experience of pain, Dr Miller analyses the elaborate social process of "falling ill", considers the physical foundations of "disease" and looks at the types of individuals humankind has historically attributed with the power of healing. The series was nominated for two 1979 BAFTAs: Best Factual Television Series and Most Original Programme/Series.