From In Two Minds to MIND: The circulation of ‘anti-psychiatry’ in British film and television during the long 1960s

This article explores the circulation of ‘anti-psychiatry’ in British film and television during long 1960s, focusing on controversial BBC play In Two Minds (1967) its cinema remake Family Life (1971). These films were inspired by R. D. Laing's ideas aetiology schizophrenia, understood as uniting personal political motivations progressive film-makers (Ken Loach, Tony Garnett, David Mercer) psychiatrists (Laing, Cooper, Aaron Esterson). Drawing upon practitioner interviews with producer Garnett director extensive archival research production reception these , this contests previous scholarship popular anti-psychiatry movement's perceived polarisation from mainstream psychiatry. While did intensify an adversarial relationship between ‘rebel’ anti-psychiatrists hard-line behaviourists such William Sargant, wider psychiatric field largely welcomed films' contributions to mental health awareness used publicity counter idea a ‘battle’ within profession. included leading UK organisation National Association for Mental Health looking Loach Laing models engaging contemporary audiences it rebranded MIND 1972 . contributes historical understandings complex interactions fields media health, well recent challenging clear split medical orthodoxy.