Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive

Made me want to kill myself. I've always remarked that bipolars have it easy, because they have 'up' periods, whereas my life is unending drudgery misery and hate. I may have been wrong.

An interesting and gripping view of what a bipolar disorder really is. I can honestly say I didn't know much about it beforehand, and I'm very glad I watched this. It's a bit long, and some parts are better and more interesting than others, but Stephen Fry does a great job overall. I've watched this twice, and it was equally enjoyable each time.

I suppose it's a very informative film for those who have never seen/studied bipolar disorder before, and it shows a wide range of the effects it can take on people. Being diagnosed with bipolar myself, there wasn't really anything new I uncovered, but it's nice to know there's others out there who manage to cope day in and day out with the same disease. Stephen Fry is definitely brave.

An illuminating insight on manic depression guided by the sometimes funny, sometimes sombre Stephen Fry who, although leads us through his own life story with the disease, doesn't consume this doco to be entirely about himself and talks to other celebrities and everyday people who also must cope with the disease. Some accept it, some prefer having it since it influences some of their best characteristics, and some wish they'd never had it.

"A documentary in the sense that it discusses its subject for two hours, but manages to impart no real information beyond the basic. While there was definite potential for this to have been a fascinating examination of mental illness, it panders to both the audience and the participants, and comes off feeling weak and lacklustre, despite the weighty topic in hand. " -ellinikos

Informative and diverting

I found Stephen's insight into his own condition shockingly lacking. That weakness in the backbone made it less than non interpretative docus.

Interesting documentary. Well worth a watch and at times quite gripping. I cannot think of anyone better to describe something as potentially complex as bi-polar disorder than Stephen Fry.

Maybe a tad too long, but it was interesting nevertheless. Especially the question: if you could press a button to live a normal life, would you press it? Interesting outcome

Great documentary.

Could have been great, but I honestly feel that it runs a bit shallow too often.