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First Born

  • TV Mini Series
  • 1988
  • 2h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
318
YOUR RATING
First Born (1988)
DramaSci-Fi

Edward Forester is a genetic researcher, intent on breeding primate hybrids. But his experiments take a strange turn when he succeeds in breeding a human/gorilla hybrid.Edward Forester is a genetic researcher, intent on breeding primate hybrids. But his experiments take a strange turn when he succeeds in breeding a human/gorilla hybrid.Edward Forester is a genetic researcher, intent on breeding primate hybrids. But his experiments take a strange turn when he succeeds in breeding a human/gorilla hybrid.

  • Stars
    • Charles Dance
    • Philip Madoc
    • Julie Peasgood
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    318
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Charles Dance
      • Philip Madoc
      • Julie Peasgood
    • 12User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Episodes3

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season1988

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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Charles Dance
    Charles Dance
    • Edward Forester
    • 1988
    Philip Madoc
    Philip Madoc
    • Lancing
    • 1988
    Julie Peasgood
    Julie Peasgood
    • Anne Forester…
    • 1988
    Peter Elliott
    Peter Elliott
    • Mary
    • 1988
    Ralph Harvey
    • Brigadier
    • 1988
    Francesca Brill
    • Lucy
    • 1988
    Rosemary McHale
    • Nancy Knott
    • 1988
    Rob Dixon
    • Priest
    • 1988
    Jamie Foster
    • Gor
    • 1988
    Gabrielle Anwar
    Gabrielle Anwar
    • Nell Forester
    • 1988
    Roshan Seth
    Roshan Seth
    • Dr. Graham
    • 1988
    Ralph Michael
    Ralph Michael
    • Old Priest
    • 1988
    Sharon Duce
    • Emily Jessop
    • 1988
    Peter Tilbury
    Peter Tilbury
    • Chris Knott
    • 1988
    Marc de Jonge
    • Marais
    • 1988
    Nina Zuckerman
    • Gerry
    • 1988
    Veronica Clifford
    • Nurse
    • 1988
    Niven Boyd
    Niven Boyd
    • Jessop
    • 1988
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews12

    7.2318
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    Featured reviews

    9The_Critical_Eye

    The Only TV/Film I've Seen That Made Me Burst Into Tears

    That says it all I think. I was old enough to watch it and I felt fine. Then afterwards I went to see my parents in another room and wow, was just overcome with emotion. Was a bit sad that not many people spoke about it the next day at School.

    This was pretty disturbing/sad stuff and pretty tense. A great BBC drama of the 80s. ITV brought out Chimera a couple of years later which was in a similar vein.

    Anyway, I haven't seen it in 35 years so don't expect me to add anything further here because I can't remember! I've got the DVD but haven't brought myself to watch it again yet!

    If you want another recommendation for the era, go and watch Maelstrom (1985).
    src35

    compelling movie, I want to see it again.

    I was so intrigued with this movie as it blew me away. This is truly a movie before its time. This may be why we have not seen it since the mid 90's.

    I first saw "First born" around 1996-97 on a late night satellite tv channel. It brings a flood of questions on the possibilities having to do with genetics. I have tried to find this compelling movie, to see it again.

    I hope it will be shown again soon. Why not continue with a "First Born II".
    timperle

    A must-see mini-movie

    Saw this mini-series on BBC1 when it was first released in the 1980s. Was reminded of it only yesterday when discussing vivisection. Don't remember much about the details of this drama but the one resounding message I still remember is the underlying theme that scientists do what they do because they CAN but seldom stop to consider whether they SHOULD. A very powerful drama highlighting the disastrous possibilities that can occur when scientists play God with nature. If only scientists listened to and abided by the message given in this excellent production. Sure cloning may be the next stage to ease suffering and/or cure disease but what about the ethical implications? As usual the ethical question of SHOULD they will no doubt take second place to the practical consideration that they CAN.
    10malcolmbentley44

    A thought provoking film well worth watching.

    For those of you who wish to view the Series "First Born", it is is available on DVD from Play.com It has Dolby Digital sound (2.0) stereo version, is in full screen 4.3 ratio, and playable on region 2 (European Region 2) or multi region DVD players. Running time of the film is 155 Minutes.

    I would thoroughly recommend this film as well worth viewing. As many of the previous have stated, the film was ahead of its time in dealing with some of the genetically engineering problems. The acting is excellent, with convincing work particularly by Charles Dance.

    Whilst some people might have said that the basis of the story was far fetched (when it was originally filmed) it is now plain to see that this is not the case. "Dolly" the sheep and other hybrid experiments show that we have now reached the possibility of human hybrids.
    CyberSuze

    One of the most memorable mini-series I've ever seen.

    The acting in this series was superb! The subject matter is probably more pertinent today than it was when the show was released--definitely ahead of its time. Considering the incredible advances made in gene manipulation since then, I believe this is a series that should be seen by everyone.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Hans Zimmer reworked his music from this series into the end credits track "160 BPM" for Angels & Demons (2009).

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 30, 1988 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Ape Man
    • Filming locations
      • Longleat, Warminster, United Kingdom(The Safari Park)
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 30m(150 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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