Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown
When at evening the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest
Will there be any stars in my crown?

 

In an earlier post, I referenced someone by the name of Dennis Potter.

Something must have lodged in my subconcious at that point, because a few days ago I found myself trawling through YouTube trying to find a copy of Potter's final interview prior to his death from pancreatic cancer.

Watching the interview again - unquestionably one of the most powerful, moving and brilliant pieces of television ever made - I was reminded of what a unique and driven person he was and also realised how deeply this interview must have affected me when it was first aired in 1994.

I was 18 at that time. Finally seeing this again, I'm certain this interview had some real impact on the way I chose to view the world. At least, I hope so.

The sheer level of intellect, insight, soul and passion displayed in this interview is beyond words. And it is incredibly moving to see someone facing death with such a genuinely deep concern - not for himself, but for others.

You don't have to know who Dennis Potter is, or need to have seen any of his work, to watch this interview. In fact, not knowing who he is might work in your favour, because the focus will be on the man rather than his art.

This interview is a genuine diamond. It is a blinding testament to the ferocious power of creativity, an eternal reminder of the importance of tending to one's soul and a profoundly moving record of a truly great man's final hopes, dreams and wishes.