The Human Jungle

Saw this - accidentally - on the Talking Pictures channel (old films, and TV from yesteryear). I was around in the early 60s, which this show dates from, but I don't remember it.

It seems a solid attempt to show a rather different sort of show, that early TV era had crime shows, and various dramas, but this seems to be an attempt to educate the public about mental health or psychiatric issues, rather ahead of its time?

The issues are put into some sort of drama, and played out, with Lom in the main role and lots of supporting talent.

It's not my subject matter, so I doubt I'll bother any more, but if nothing else it's a good look back at that era.

Oh, reviewer Gibbs says "Also don't talk about diversity - not a black actor in sight." . . .which may be one of the daftest comments on here, some achievement!

Back then, in the early 60s, most of the country had VERY FEW black people, in some country areas, a black face appeared about as often as Halley's Comet.

I first saw this excellent series when I was about ten years old back in the 60's, and even though much of the content went over my young head I found it fascinating. At the time, much of British TV was made up of shows like the Avengers, No Hiding Place, The Scales of justice, Gideon's Way etc, and although they were good they tended to be rather 'samey'. The Human Jungle was different, dealing as it did with the human condition, mental illness and relationships. I cannot agree with some of the comments disparaging the show for not falling into the same mould as those productions. Far from boring, I found Herbert Lom perfect in the role of Roger Corder, and the rest of the regular cast, although a little featureless and paper-thin were perfectly good. The film quality is very nice and in common with most other programmes from this period, every word uttered by the actors is as clear as a bell. Great viewing.

Absolutely love this programme, great acting and storylines, have never missed an episode yet

I was 13 when this series was first screened and I loved every aspect of it - including the wonderful main theme music by Bernard Ebbinghouse, arranged by John Barry.

Herbert Lom was perfect as Dr Roger Corder and there were many guest stars who added their weight to this terrific series.

I was delighted when it reappeared on Talking Pictures, some years ago, and again more recently.

From the first note of the double bass, I know I'm going to see an excellent show, well written and with a terrific cast. Alas the vast majority of the performers are no longer with us, but I hope they were proud of their contribution.

I don't recall seeing 'The Human Jungle' when it was originally shown on TV but its return on the excellent 'Talking Pictures' channel has provided much pleasure. In every respect, the production is very good, with credible storylines and characters, and crisp dialogue and photography. I have never found Herbert Lom to fail to deliver, whatever his role, and this is certainly no exception as he fits the part of Dr Roger Corder perfectly and acts it with aplomb. And he is invariably well-supported by the other actors, who are a veritable cornucopia of reliable stalwarts from the period - mostly well-recognised if not always easy to name. Fiction it is, but it is convincing as well as entertaining and it is perhaps a pity that Dr Corder is not in reality available for consultation - not that I am (yet) in need of psychiatric help!