Dummy

Franc Roddam's gritty ATV drama about an unfortunate deaf mute girl Sandra's (Geraldine James) sordid descent into prostitution and degradation remains no less powerful, seen today, than upon its initial broadcast. Intimately shot in depressed working class districts of Bradford, Dummy isn't an easy watch, yet the magnificent cast, and Geraldine James's bravura performance rigorously bring this harrowing, profoundly moving biography to unsettlingly vivid life. Watching Dummy again frequently made me feel monumentally sad, yet it maintains a dark fascination throughout. There can be little doubt that what befell Sandra was nothing less than a tragedy, it's an extraordinary story dramatized in a compassionate, yet credibly unsentimental fashion. Dummy is an exemplary, hard-hitting kitchen sink drama that doesn't shy away from the many distressing events in Sandra's frequently brutal, heart wrenchingly loveless life. The exceedingly fine text, wholly uncontrived performances and Roddam's superb filmmaking are truly inspirational, and a credit to the industry.

This gritty drama set in Yorkshire was based on a true story of a mute girl with a young Geraldine James playing the lead. A shocking and touching story, it revealed the life of the girl and her tough time in near poverty with her condition. Probably the best performance that Geraldine James has ever given. Also, her first lead role that really got her noticed! This excellent film should be on DVD so Network (-who release many such titles shown on ITV-) should release this true gem of a film and then they would be raking it in as this will be a big seller!

Update: it's now on YouTube!

I remember watching it when I was maybe 13 I was born in Bradford . Some of this movie was filmed in Sloan Square when my grandma use to live. I have been looking for this movies for years I now live in America i would love to get this movie. I am in my 50s now.

A 16mm copy of this film is available for viewing at the British Film Institute (BFI), St. Stephen Street, London. It was this shocking and disturbing film which catapulted Geraldine James to stardom. I met the director, Franc Roddam, back in 2004 at the London International Film School and asked why the film had never been repeated on TV. He said that was due to Sandra X's family, who weren't happy with the way they were portrayed in the film. I suspect that's why a DVD or VHS tape of this film is unavailable, although I have the film on both VHS and DVD. It is, however an ungraded copy with Timecode visible.

Has anyone got this film been searching for years cant seem to find it anywhere