TVNZ One Sunday Theatre = Quality Drama Ruined

I thought Vera Drake was brilliant, even more so when I found it was largely improvised. The actors were only told about their own characters part. The main topic, illegal abortion, was kept secret to all except the lead, Imelda Staunton, until the plot revealed it so their reactions were real.

I thought it was a masterpiece and TVNZ One, from their description, agree;

Sunday Theatre: Vera Drake | TV ONE MOVIES | TV ONE | tvnz.co.nz
Mike Leigh returns to the screen with the Golden Lion winning, Vera Drake, a beautifully crafted and affecting drama that finds the Director at a career highpoint.

Sunday Theatre: Vera Drake | TV ONE MOVIES | TV ONE | tvnz.co.nz
Mike Leigh returns to the screen with the Golden Lion winning, Vera Drake, a beautifully crafted and affecting drama that finds the Director at a career highpoint.

So why did they screw up the ending with their own shite promotion? It should have gone;

• Poignant ending
• Fade to black
• Roll credits with appropriate subdued music

So what did TVNZ do to it?*

• Poignant ending
• Fade to black
• LOUD PROMOTION FOR SUNDAY THEATRE
• Roll credits with appropriate subdued music

In short they destroyed the directors intent, bastardised a work of art. No wonder broadcast TV is my least preferred way to see quality drama. When they get decent material, and that's rare, they ruin it.

* Apart from the usual barrage of advertisements during the show.