

A communist philosopher in a prison cell, and John Sessions somehow makes it riveting.
A drama documentary on the life and work of Italian communist Antonio Gramsci. Produced for Channel 4 in 1987, it was directed by the Scottish filmmaker Mike Alexander and starred John Sessions in scenes from Gramsci's life. Brian Cox provided the narration.
Acting
John Sessions' physical deterioration is genuinely haunting.
Direction
Mike Alexander makes prison cells visually hypnotic.

Director
Mike Alexander
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Channel 4's first major documentary-drama hybrid, predating the 'prestige docudrama' boom by decades.
Brian Cox recorded his narration in a single three-hour session, reportedly chain-smoking through Gramsci's entire imprisonment.
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