"Long Day's Journey Into Night" is a 1973 videotaped television adaptation of

Eugene O'Neill Eugene Gladstone O'Neill (October 16, 1888 – November 27, 1953) was an American playwright. His poetically titled plays were among the first to introduce into the U.S. the drama techniques of Realism (theatre), realism, earlier associated with ...

's 1956 play of the same name. It was written by Michael Blakemore and directed Peter Wood with Cecil Clarke as executive producer. The recording is a version of

Royal National Theatre The National Theatre (NT), officially the Royal National Theatre and sometimes referred to in international contexts as the National Theatre of Great Britain, is a performing arts venue and associated theatre company located in London, England, ...

's 1971 staging of the play, and features Laurence Olivier (Tyrone), Constance Cummings (Mary), Denis Quilley (Jamie), Ronald Pickup (Edmund), and Maureen Lipman (Cathleen).

Plot

The play follows one day in the lives of the Tyrone family, each member is troubled and has been damaged by

alcohol Alcohol may refer to: Common uses * Alcohol (chemistry), a class of compounds * Ethanol, one of several alcohols, commonly known as alcohol in everyday life ** Alcohol (drug), intoxicant found in alcoholic beverages ** Alcoholic beverage, an alco ...

or other

drug A drug is any chemical substance other than a nutrient or an essential dietary ingredient, which, when administered to a living organism, produces a biological effect. Consumption of drugs can be via insufflation (medicine), inhalation, drug i ...

s. They have issues with each other that lead to fights and an inability to reconcile with one another.

Cast and characters

* Laurence Olivier - James Tyrone, Sr. * Constance Cummings - Mary Tyrone * Denis Quilley - James Tyrone, Jr. ("Jamie") * Ronald Pickup - Edmund Tyrone * Maureen Lipman - Cathleen

Productions

Olivier had often been asked to take on the role of Tyrone, but was relctuant to take the part of the ageing actor as he felt there were too many traps that would lead to the role being a stereotype of himself as an actor. His concerns proved unfounded and the play was a critical and commercial hit that revived the fortunes of The National Theatre.

Award and nominations

* Olivier won the

Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award categor ...

for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (1973) * The production received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Single Program - Drama or Comedy (1973) * Olivier was nominated for Best Actor in the British Academy Television Awards (1974)

References

External links

* * {{Eugene O'Neill 1973 British television episodes 1973 television plays British television plays ITV Sunday Night Theatre Works about alcoholism Works about dysfunctional families Television shows shot at ATV Elstree Studios Television shows produced by Associated Television (ATV)