it such a shame that an important film like this be virtually unknown . i do not think alan bat have do a good film than this . it never show on television . the only time i can recall it be show on british tv be in the summer of 1998. i have it on tape but sadly the quality isn not great due to a dodgy aerial at the time . i remember want to see this film for some time before it appear on tv . it be show on channel 4 in the early hour of the morning and thereby ensure that it still remain unseen except for a very small audience . i be live in bristol at the time and it be ironic that and when i finally saw the film and i realise that i have walk past the very house where it be film several time before . the film tread a fine line while a married couple attempt to make light of their tragic predicament of cop with their severely mentally handicapped daughter by laugh about it and even involve the child in their joke . the direction and the acting be so superb that the film be always compassionate and move and be never in danger of lapse into bad taste . a couple of year ago i saw a clip of the filmed theatre production with eddie izzard in the role of bri and victoria hamilton play sheila . it show izzard improvising and lark about and hamilton jokingly tell the audience to ignore him when he be like this . i maybe take this out of context a i only saw a brief clip but have read the play and see the film this be clearly such a delicate subject that such an approach be both insensitive and disrespectful . izzard be praise for his performance but i felt uncomfortable with what i saw . it be perhaps surprising that such a successful play fail to find an audience when it be finally film . this be one of the best british film of the 70 and hopefully it will be release on dvd one day .