Directed by John Jencks (The Fold), The Hippopotamus tells the story of disgraced poet Ted Wallace (Roger Allam) who is summoned to his friends Lord and Lady Logan's (Matthew Modine & Fiona Shaw) country manor, Swafford Hall, to investigate a series of unexplained miracle healings.

Ted tracks down the perpetrator of the phenomena, fifteen-year-old David Logan (Tommy Knight), whose parents believe he has healing hands.

Unaware that David is using some unorthodox methods, the Logans are set on sharing their son's gift with the world. With a poet's passion for the truth, Ted hurries to debunk the miracles and save a young man from a lifetime of embarrassment.