Broken Glass (1982)
A British mystery in which a private detective's search for a missing girl unravels a family's darkest secrets.
Broken Glass - Movie Information
- Original Title: Broken Glass
- Release Year: 1982
- Directed by: Christopher Hodson
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 46m
- Original Language: English
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Broken Glass - Plot
A private detective caring for his wife who is suffering from dementia investigates the disappearance of a young girl. Soon, however, he begins digging up the girl's dark family secrets.
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Broken Glass - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Christopher Hodson
Main Cast
- Bernard Hepton
- James Grout
- John Bryans
- June Brown
- David Cardy
- Mary Chilton
- Madeleine Christie
- Stephanie Cole
- Amanda Kirby
- Robert Lister
Producers
- Peter Cregeen
Broken Glass - FAQs
What is Broken Glass (1982) about?
Broken Glass follows Tom Heron, a private detective juggling the emotional weight of caring for his wife Sheila, who suffers from dementia, while investigating the disappearance of a young girl. As he digs deeper, he uncovers unsettling secrets buried within the girl's family, turning a missing-persons case into something far darker.
Who plays the lead detective in Broken Glass?
Bernard Hepton plays Tom Heron, the private detective at the heart of the story. Hepton was a respected British character actor known for his nuanced, understated performances, and he brings real emotional depth to a man quietly torn between professional duty and personal heartbreak.
Where can you watch Broken Glass (1982)?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for Broken Glass on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your location, so it's worth checking for the latest options including rental and purchase services.
Does Broken Glass explore dementia alongside its mystery plot?
Yes, and it's one of the film's most distinctive qualities. Tom Heron's wife Sheila, played by June Brown, is living with dementia, and her condition runs as an emotional undercurrent throughout the story. The film weaves personal grief and quiet domestic tragedy into what might otherwise be a straightforward detective mystery.
Who directed Broken Glass (1982)?
Broken Glass was directed by Christopher Hodson, a British television director with a steady track record in drama productions. The film was produced by Peter Cregeen and made in the United Kingdom, reflecting the restrained, character-driven style typical of quality British TV drama from that era.
How long is Broken Glass (1982)?
Broken Glass runs for 46 minutes, making it a compact, tightly focused piece rather than a feature-length film. That brevity works in its favour — the story wastes no time, drawing you straight into Tom Heron's world and keeping the tension simmering from start to finish.
Is Broken Glass similar to other mystery films?
If you enjoy Broken Glass, you might also like Elizabeth Is Missing (2019), another British drama blending dementia and a missing-persons investigation, or The Nice Guys (2016) for a different but equally compelling detective story. Relic (2020) and Like Minds (2006) also share that unsettling, slow-burn atmosphere.
What dark secrets does the missing girl's family hide?
The film deliberately peels back the Petrie family's respectable exterior to reveal troubling truths beneath. Without giving too much away, Tom Heron's investigation into young Sarah Petrie's disappearance leads him into a web of concealed tensions and painful histories that the family has gone to great lengths to keep buried.
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