Play for Today: Red Shift

[Paul Vanezis]

All,

I had a small involvement in this BFI release, so if you're an Alan Garner fan it's worth getting hold of:

www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Shift-DVD-John-Mackenzie/dp/B00KF9KNXU/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1417263102&sr=1-1&keywords=red+shift#customerReviews

But you don't just get the play, you also get a whole episode of 'One Pair of Eyes', Alan Garner's personal view of the world and his life in 1972. It features contributions from, amongst others Robert Powell and music from the Radiophonic Workshop. Lots of other extras as well and a great booklet and, of course, a brand new presentation of the play from a new, restored HD master.

It's also fab to see an interview on there with film editor Oliver White who I worked with at Pebble Mill in the late 80's and early 90's.

Enjoy.

[Deleted]

Speaking of Alan Garner, reminds me that The Owl Service 1969-70 exists complete according to Lost Shows.com.. which also says that Elidor narrated by
John Stride on Jackanory in June 1968 is all 5 episodes missing. Alan Garner Elidor - A Manchester street map, a deserted demolition site, a white plastic football
and an empty church. Those four things led the four Watson children into another world-Elidor, a world almost destroyed by darkness and evil. Only the children
could save Elidor, by guarding the four treasures they were given. But even in a quiet Manchester road the treasures were not completely safe and strange things
began to happen...

it sounds quite scary for young children to have watched that at 16.40 pm on BBC 1. Still if they are missing, it would be good if these 5 episodes of Jackanory
can be located.

[Paul Vanezis]

Yes.

There is a radio adaptation, in fact I think there are two which both exist, plus a radio adaptation of 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen', then a 1986 TV adaptation of Elidor.

The original version of 'The Owl Service' was repeated in the mid 1970's with a new copyright date on the end, but I think that was the only amendment. It was subsequently repeated in the 80's and of course there was the DVD release. Alan Garner is a keen photographer and photographed the production of many TV adaptations, including 'The Owl Service'. His personal photographs were used as the basis for a book, published to coincide with the first transmission of the series. When I was doing some research for a Countryfile item I filmed with him, he gave me a spare copy of it he had lying about whilst we drank tea in his kitchen. Remarkably, the original 'Owl Service' was sitting on display on a dresser, watching down on us.

Spooky.

Paul

[richardwoods]

Cracking stuff Paul, Red Shift is already on my Xmas list.

[richardwoods]

Red Shift as hoped arrived yesterday. Looking forward to watching it later.