Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell

Live film version of Keith Waterhouse's stage play 'Jeffrey Bernard is unwell' based on the fascinating but degenerate journalist of the title. Peter O'Toole and the original supporting cast reprise their roles from ten years ago. O'Toole's performance as the perpetually sloshed Bernard is one of the finest he has ever done and nothing but a pleasure to watch. Impending doom has never looked so appealing. Buy it.

I first saw this many moons ago late at night. What on earth was it doing on so late?! This has to be among the top three things I've ever witnessed. Peter O'Toole's performance is simply staggeringly brilliant. Whilst not wanting to take anything away from the wonderful support, he steals the show whenever he's on stage. Which is all the time! It really makes you want to go to the theatre and see it in all its glory, but for now the DVD will have to do. If only everything I saw was so entertaining, with a few words of warning about life thrown in there as well, purely by accident but they are there. But what a life Jeffrey Bernard surely lived....

What happens when you accidentally lock an alcoholic in your pub and in charge of an unguarded bottle of Vodka? Regret, happy memories and tales of cat racing.

Keith Waterhouse doesn't beat around the bush when he shows Bernhard as arrogant, unlikable, unlovable and very charming with it. You see this and make you're own mind up This shows that there was a side to London's Soho other than the porn industry and makes and viewer wish for an age they never experienced first hand.

I agree, with my fellow reviewer that the district is full of wanabies, but if you want a taste of that bygone age Bohemia it still exists in the Coach and Horses (where this story is set). Yes, as far as I know, Norman is still the landlord. But be prepared to pay for the most expensive pints in Soho......oh yes, sandwiches are still a pound

I'm so glad I saw this on TV, as it is long-standing regret that I passed up the chance to see O'Toole in this play when it was still running in the West End.

What we have here is an abridged version of the play which has previously starred Tom Conti, amongst others. Bernard was a permanently sloshed, cynical reporter, who was renowned for his excesses with drink and women - for all his faults, this play presents the character with some affection. Peter O'Toole couldn't be more perfect for the role - largely carrying the piece on his own, with few other characters as occasional cyphers to re-enact past experiences, he gives Bernard a range of emotions and perspectives to draw the viewer in.

My favourite scene by far is the one about the cat-race, but of course the egg-in-the-cup routine has had a fair share of attention, too. Highly recommended - I guarantee you'll have a good time watching this little gem.

I returned to Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell very recently, only having seen the TV version, but was lucky to secure the "better" (2h 3m) version somewhere else.

I agree the Soho of Jeffrey Bernard is probably gone but in any big city there is a Soho.

If you just look hard enough.

In the west end of Glasgow, particularly Byres Rd, this is filled with bohemians aplenty

A testimony to just how good this is: Amazon.UK is STILL selling this 2nd hand for £50!!! BTW if you want to watch an equally good performance of POT watch Dean Spanley or my talks with Dean Spanley.

Regards to all And when is O'Toole getting the bloody Oscar