First a
play, then a
film, about
Deaf culture,
deaf education and relationships.
The play, by Mark Medoff, was written in 1982. The film, starring William Hurt and Marlee Maitlin was made in 1986.
The name of the play comes from a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson-Idylls of the King:The passing of Arthur-
I wagged his wars and now I pass and die.
O me! for why is all around us here
As if some lesser God had made the world
But had not force to shape it as he would,
Till the High God behold it from beyond
And enter it, and make it beautiful?