Movie: John's Not Mad

Top 4 Billed Cast

Eleanor Bron
Eleanor Bron

Narrator (voice)

John Davidson
John Davidson

Self

Heather Davidson
Heather Davidson

Self

Oliver Sacks
Oliver Sacks

Self

  • HomePage

  • Overview

    John's Not Mad is a QED documentary made by the BBC in 1989. It was ranked, in a British public poll, as one of the 50 Greatest Documentaries. The film shadows John Davidson, a 15-year-old from Galashiels in Scotland, who had severe Tourette syndrome. John's life was explored in terms of his family and the close-knit community around him, and how they all coped with a misunderstood condition.

  • Release Date

    1989-03-14

  • Average

    4.8

  • Rating:

    2.4 starts
  • Tagline

  • Genres

  • Languages:

    English
  • Keywords

Recommendations Movies

Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry
82%

Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry(en)

2021-02-26

This documentary offers a deeply intimate look at extraordinary teenager Billie Eilish. Award-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler follows her journey on the road, onstage, and at home with her family as the writing and recording of her debut album changes her life.

Fuck
64%

Fuck(en)

2006-11-10

A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.

The Class of ‘92
71%

The Class of ‘92(en)

2013-12-01

A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.

Directed by John Ford
69%

Directed by John Ford(en)

1971-09-06

A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.

The Irishman: In Conversation
75%

The Irishman: In Conversation(en)

2019-11-27

Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino in conversation about The Irishman.

John Candy: I Like Me
79%

John Candy: I Like Me(en)

2025-09-04

Those who knew iconic funnyman John Candy best share his story, in their own words, through never-before-seen archival footage, imagery, and interviews.

Sidney
73%

Sidney(en)

2022-09-10

This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.

Public Speaking
70%

Public Speaking(en)

2011-02-23

Martin Scorsese’s portrait of writer and social commentator Fran Lebowitz, celebrated for her sharp wit and observations on modern life. Filmed at New York’s Waverly Inn and intercut with archival footage and interviews, the documentary captures Lebowitz’s distinctive worldview through her spontaneous monologues and public appearances.

Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars
64%

Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars(en)

2012-06-10

In 1997, Louis Theroux made a documentary about the world of male porn performers in Los Angeles. 15 years later, he returns to find a business struggling with the deluge of free porn on the internet. Louis revisits some of the original programme's contributors as well as meeting the latest crop of porn performers dreaming of porn stardom.

The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button
70%

The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button(en)

2009-05-05

A documentary about the making of David Fincher's 2008 film THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON. Virtually every element in the evolution of the Fincher's film is documented here, from the project's attachment to numerous other directors during the 1990s, to its shoot in 2006 and 2007 in New Orleans, to its complex, CGI-intensive postproduction process.

Looking for Richard
68%

Looking for Richard(en)

1996-10-11

Al Pacino's deeply-felt rumination on Shakespeare's significance and relevance to the modern world through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."

Crank: High Voltage
61%

Crank: High Voltage(en)

2009-04-16

Chelios faces a Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart and replaced it with a battery-powered ticker that requires regular jolts of electricity to keep working.

Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home
68%

Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home(en)

2022-05-03

JB Smoove and Martin Starr host a celebration of 20 years of "Spider-Man" movies, from the Sam Raimi trilogy to Marc Webb's movies and the trio from Jon Watts.

Trainwreck: The Real Project X
60%

Trainwreck: The Real Project X(en)

2025-07-07

A night of drunken chaos rocks a quiet Dutch town in this shocking documentary about a teen's birthday invite that accidentally went viral on Facebook.

Jim: The James Foley Story
74%

Jim: The James Foley Story(en)

2016-01-23

In August, 2014, a video of the public execution of American photojournalist James Foley rippled across the globe. Foley wore an orange jumpsuit as he knelt beside an ISIS militant dressed in black. That image challenged the world to deal with a new face of terror. And it tested one American family. Seen through the lens of filmmaker Brian Oakes, Foley’s close childhood friend, Jim takes us from small-town New England to the adrenaline-fueled front lines of Libya and Syria, where Foley pushed the limits of danger to report on the plight of civilians impacted by war.

STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie
78%

STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie(en)

2023-01-20

A short kid from a Canadian army base becomes the international pop culture darling of the 1980s—only to find the course of his life altered by a stunning diagnosis. What happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease?

Seduced and Abandoned
62%

Seduced and Abandoned(en)

2013-05-20

SEDUCED AND ABANDONED combines acting legend Alec Baldwin with director James Toback as they lead us on a troublesome and often hilarious journey of raising financing for their next feature film. Moving from director to financier to star actor, the two players provide us with a unique look behind the curtain at the world's biggest and most glamourous film festival, shining a light on the bitter-sweet relationship filmmakers have with Cannes and the film business. Featuring insights from directors Martin Scorsese, 'Bernando Bertolucci' and Roman Polanski; actors Ryan Gosling and Jessica Chastain and a host of film distribution luminaries.

Stutz
75%

Stutz(en)

2022-11-13

In candid conversations with actor Jonah Hill, leading psychiatrist Phil Stutz explores his early life experiences and unique, visual model of therapy.

Casting By
69%

Casting By(en)

2012-11-01

This essential new documentary pays tribute to the legacy of the late, legendary casting director Marion Dougherty and shines a light on one of the most overlooked and least understood crafts in filmmaking.

McQueen
75%

McQueen(en)

2018-06-08

Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.

Similar Movies

Rodman: For Better or Worse
82%

Rodman: For Better or Worse(en)

2019-09-01

While Rodman is no doubt one of the greatest talents in NBA history, he is just as famous for his off-court exploits. 30 for 30 explores the reasons behind him becoming the character he is known as today.

Stand
33%

Stand(en)

2023-02-03

Raw and unflinching examination of the courageous life of basketball star and social justice activist Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Born Chris Jackson, he overcame tremendous adversity to reach the NBA and found his true calling when he converted to Islam. His decision not to stand for the national anthem, however, turned him from prodigy to pariah. Told candidly by Abdul-Rauf himself more than 20 years later it’s the remarkable story of one man who kept the faith and paved the way for a social justice movement.

Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry
82%

Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry(en)

2021-02-26

This documentary offers a deeply intimate look at extraordinary teenager Billie Eilish. Award-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler follows her journey on the road, onstage, and at home with her family as the writing and recording of her debut album changes her life.

The Boy Can't Help It
0%

The Boy Can't Help It(en)

2002-02-27

A documentary about Tourettes sufferer John Davidson. This is a follow-up to the 1989 TV documentary John's Not Mad focusing on his present circumstances as an adult with Tourettes and the impact the earlier documentary had on his life. The film also follows Greg Storey, an 8 year old who has been diagnosed with Tourettes.

What Makes Me Tic?
0%

What Makes Me Tic?(en)

2013-12-01

Facing community misconceptions, four people diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome find themselves living a fulfilling and ambitious life despite consent and sometimes debilitating effects of the misunderstood disorder.

Dignity of the Nobodies
73%

Dignity of the Nobodies(es)

2005-09-15

The degraded socio-economic condition of Argentina leading to the December 2001 rebellions, and its consequent social chaos analyzed by focusing on real people from Buenos Aires poorest shantytowns, crumbling hospitals, and women middle class farmers fighting multi national banks that are shamelessly appropriating their farmlands. Written by Gonz30

My F-ing Tourette’s Family
0%

My F-ing Tourette’s Family(en)

2018-05-01

One-off documentary following the Davies-Monk family from Oxfordshire as they try to break out of the seclusion that has been enforced on them by other people's negative reactions to their two children who both have Tourette's Syndrome.

Atypiques
0%

Atypiques(fr)

2025-01-21

THIN LINE
0%

THIN LINE(nl)

2015-02-21

Albeit unaware, we all have an opinion: guys without a job, a cigarette in one hand, a beer can in the other... It's easy to label them as junkie, leach, or welfare case. A reason for the producers to show that there is more than one truth. The men central in this film present a viewpoint that is both piercing and confronting. THIN LINE is not always comfortable to watch but provides pressing critical comments from an unexpected angle. This "fascinating perspective on the standard thinking of our society", as the jury report stated, was rewarded with a Wildcard by the Dutch Filmfund in 2014.

Rap, O Canto da Ceilândia
0%

Rap, O Canto da Ceilândia(pt)

2005-11-29

A documentary about rap artists from Ceilândia, a satellite-city of Brazil capital, Brasilia. The film portrait the struggle of the lives of the rapers and makes a parallel with the violent building of the city designed to settle the outcast from Brasilia after its completion.

Me and My Tourette's
0%

Me and My Tourette's(en)

2022-10-25

Follows three young people who, diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, are about to embark on a life-changing journey at a specialised camp.

Harvie Krumpet
74%

Harvie Krumpet(en)

2003-10-23

The odd biography of Harvie Krumpet, a man who has Tourette's Syndrome, chronic bad luck, menial jobs, nudist tendencies, and a book of "fakts" hung around his neck - but still optimistically lives own way and enjoys the small things life has to offer.

My Friend Dahmer
65%

My Friend Dahmer(en)

2017-11-03

Jeffrey Dahmer struggles with a difficult family life as a young boy. During his teenage years he slowly transforms, edging closer to the serial killer he was to become.

Le Corbeau
75%

Le Corbeau(fr)

1943-09-28

Remy Germain is a doctor in a French town who becomes the focus of a vicious smear campaign, as letters accusing him of having an affair and performing unlawful abortions are mailed to village leaders. The mysterious writer, who signs each letter as "Le Corbeau" (The Raven) soon targets the whole town, exposing everyone's dark secrets.

Echoes of Innocence
67%

Echoes of Innocence(en)

2005-02-17

A contemporary high school girl hears voices and sees visions like Joan of Arc. She is torn between her commitment to a long-lost first love and her growing feelings for another.

Three Men for Vilma
80%

Three Men for Vilma(no)

2024-11-08

35-year-old teacher Vilma Veierød lives alone. She shuns social media and worries too much - most of all about death. One day in December, the handsome priest Ivar and the pathologist Robert with Tourette's suddenly appear on her doorstep with a letter and the news that her father has died. Vilma didn't even know she had a father, and the letter turns her whole life upside down. Vilma's life has not been full of people. Not by a long shot. But now she suddenly must deal with two men. Three - if you count her dead father.

The Waterboy
61%

The Waterboy(en)

1998-11-06

Bobby Boucher is a water boy for a struggling college football team. The coach discovers Boucher's hidden rage makes him a tackling machine whose bone-crushing power might vault his team into the playoffs.

Hush Little Baby
54%

Hush Little Baby(da)

2009-07-03

Four girls in rehab is on tour from their treatment centers and it becomes their life stories. The girls run off in a stolen Volvo and soon learns to know the freedom of good and evil. Both the fantastic feeling to be master of its own destiny, but also the heavy feeling of responsibility when you have to figure out what to do with his life. Before long, the girls learn that they can not continue