"Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive:" Inspiring and Heartbreaking

In February of 2010, Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive (2006) finally became available on DVD. This groundbreaking BBC documentary would not only win popular acclaim and public demand for a DVD release, but also would win Best Documentary at the International Emmy Awards.

Although focusing on manic depression (now called bipolarity or bipolar disorder), the documentary also touches on other types of mental illness and the extremes in symptoms that a person may face. Since manic depression and other forms of mental illness runs in families, anyone with a relative diagnosed with a mental illness needs to watch this DVD. American doctors also need to see this, just so they can understand what their patients are going through.

Rough Going

Although best known for his works on such series as "A Bit of Fry & Laurie", "Wooster and Jeeves", "QI" and for hosting the BAFTAs, the real Stephen Fry is in no way the charmingly sarcastic comedian that he appears to be. Ever since a teenager, he suffered from extreme highs and crushing lows. At one point he was expelled from school and jailed for credit card theft because of his illness.

Fry does not focus just on his own story, but it is the frame in which the rest of the documentary rests in. Fry interviews three other celebrity manic depressives - Carrie Fisher, Richard Dreyfus and fellow British comedian Tony Slattery. He talks to the American mother of two young sons with bipolar disorder on heavy doses of medication. He also talks to manic depressives who can't get out of the house, who talk to angels and decide to walk directly in front of an oncoming lorry - and survived.

Although fascinating and brilliant, these interviews can be deeply disturbing, akin to watching Picasso's Guernica.

Differences From Original Broadcast

Those who have seen the original BBC broadcast may be disappointed to learn that the DVD is a slightly different version. The entire interview with Robbie Williams was cut out, as well as a short part where Fry listens in on a church group practice. The original soundtrack has been wiped out and replaced. However, most of the original soundtrack was made up of bits and pieces of contemporary classical music, including Phillip Glass' theme for "The Hours" (2002.)

But this does not detract from the overall message of the documentary.

The Button

Everyone interviewed is asked by Fry, "If you were able to press a button and your bipolar disorder would instantly vanish, would you press it?" 99% said "No."

Fry himself asks the question, even when it is obvious that he is going through a deep pit of despair, chain-smoking, sprawled over a table top and gazing off into the unseen distance. He decides that he, too, wouldn't press the button, "Not for all of the tea in China."

That's the most inspiring and gut-wrenching moment in the film. It's like watching someone pining away for an unrequited love.