S8 E1 • John's Not Mad

The film shadows John Davidson, a 15-year-old from Galashiels in Scotland, who had severe Tourette syndrome. John's life was explored in terms of his family and the close-knit community around him, and how they all coped with a misunderstood condition. Oliver Sacks, a neurologist, offers observations on aspects of John's behaviour. The documentary was narrated by the actress Eleanor Bron. A follow up documentary, The Boy Can't Help It, was aired by the BBC in 2002, catching up with Davidson – at 30 – to see how he continued to cope with the condition. It also visits an 8 year old named Greg Storey, from Yorkshire – who has Tourette's, and offers his experience of it at an early age.

Première diffusion : 15 mars 1989