ABC NEWS NIGHTLINE {BRIDGEWATER STATE HOSPITAL; FRED WISEMAN DISCUSSES "TITICUT FOLLIES"} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of nightly news programs. This program, anchored by Ted Koppel, examines Frederick Wiseman's film, "Titicut Follies," the controversial documentary about the Bridgewater State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Massachusetts; the film had been banned since its completion in 1967. The program also investigates renewed controversy about the mistreatment of patients at the hospital. Excerpts from a bootleg copy of "Titicut Follies" are featured throughout the program; an injunction in the interest of Bridgewater patients' privacy rights has kept the film from being shown to the public. Wiseman contends that this concern over privacy issues is a sham designed to allow the state of Massachusetts to avoid embarrassment over the film's depiction of the horrifying treatment to which patients were subjected at the facility. A recent spate of unusual deaths at Bridgewater brings the institution back into the spotlight on the twentieth anniversary of the film, amidst claims that conditions have not significantly improved there.
One major issue of debate is the fact that although Bridgewater is run like a correctional facility, a significant number of patients housed there are not accused or convicted of crimes. A filmed report on these issues features commentary by the following: attorney Roderick MacLeish; former Bridgewater patient Frank Gulla; Blair Perry, the filmmaker's attorney; "Titicut Follies" filmmaker Frederick Wiseman; former Assistant Attorney General George Caner, Assistant Attorney General Stephen Jonas, and Attorney General Elliot Richardson, all of Massachusetts; psychiatrist Dr. Edward Mason; and Massachusetts Human Services Secretary Philip Johnston. Koppel then moderates a discussion with MacLeish, Johnston, Dr. Thomas Gutheil of Harvard Medical School, and Wiseman, who voices his concern over the fact that "Nightline" used excerpts of the film on television. At the program's conclusion, Johnston agrees to Koppel's request that "Nightline" conduct a filmed report at Bridgewater. Includes commercials, promos, and public service announcements. This program is closed-captioned.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Marc Haas and Helen Hotze Hass Foundation, 1997.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: August 25, 1987 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:45:54
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:11567
- GENRE: News
- SUBJECT HEADING: Bridgewater State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Bridgewater, Mass.; Films - Production and direction; Hospitals; Mental health facilities; Mental illness
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1980-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - American Express traveller's cheques
- TV - Commercials - Dial soap
- TV - Commercials - Energizer batteries
- TV - Commercials - General Electric
- TV - Commercials - Hefty garbage bags
- TV - Commercials - King Kuts dog food
- TV - Commercials - Kodak film
- TV - Commercials - NutraSweet sweetener
- TV - Commercials - Smucker's Simply Fruit spread
- TV - Commercials - Subaru cars
- TV - Commercials - Travelodge hotels
- TV - Commercials - UPS overnight delivery service
- TV - PSA - American Mental Health Fund
- TV - PSA - National Education Association
- TV - PSA - Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- TV - PSA - Project Literacy
- TV - Promos - "ABC World News This Morning"
- TV - Promos - "ABC World News Tonight"
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "Hooperman"
- TV - Promos - "Little League World Series"
- TV - Promos - "The Slap Maxwell Story"
- TV - Promos - "thirtysomething"
- TV - Promos - ABC daytime programming
CREDITS
- Ted Koppel … Anchor, Interviewer
- Thomas Gutheil … Guest
- Philip Johnston … Guest
- Roderick MacLeish … Guest
- Frederick Wiseman … Guest
- George Caner
- Frank Gulla
- Stephen Jonas
- Edward Mason
- Blain Perry
- Elliot Richardson