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Post by anthonybartley on Aug 26, 2015 10:26:06 GMT
I recently discovered this forum and I guess this might be the place to ask. Late last year RAI (Italian equiv. BBC) aired all 5 episodes of the miniseries "The Secret of Seagull Island". www.imdb.com/title/tt0080935/referenceBroadcast dates: www.imdb.com/title/tt0080935/episodes?season=1I wouldn't normally chase something up like this but I ended up really enjoying it, so I decided to do some digging around. The series is very clearly shot in English, even the Italian actors are reading their lines in English- Unfortunately, the only surviving English language copy is the 'feature film' version, released on VHS in various countries including the UK, but this version is heavily abbreviated, whittling down the 4-5 hour running time to just 90 minutes. The big mystery for me at the moment is simply; was the entire 5 episode series ever actually broadcast on television in English? I'm hoping someone with access to copies of The Radio Times for 1981 can verify the above broadcast dates listed on imdb. I'm a little suspicious because I can't find any sign of anyone remembering seeing it on television in its entirety, as a 5-part miniseries. Lots of people remember the film, however. Now I don't expect a large number of people would even remember it - but surely there would be some post on a forum, or mention of it somewhere. So far, I've not found anyone who remembers it. Can anyone shed some light? Thanks in advance
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Post by williammcgregor on Aug 26, 2015 13:43:16 GMT
Hi Anthony, Her is some research done by Simon... at the bfi it is listed as Seagull Island (Original) The Secret Of Seagull Island (Alternative) L'Isola Del Gabbiano (Alternative) Production Country United Kingdom, Italy Production Company Inner Circle Films, Ulisse Film Produzione, Presented by ITC Entertainment Drama series set in Italy...Main Cast: Prunella Ransome, Nicky Henson, Jeremy Brett, Fabrio Lovine. here is the lostshows listing for Seagull Island www.lostshows.com/default.aspx?search=seagull+island
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Post by John Green on Aug 26, 2015 14:00:17 GMT
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Post by anthonybartley on Aug 26, 2015 14:08:25 GMT
Thanks for the info William, the alternate English titles are probably due to different VHS releases in various countries. I know the feature film version was released in the UK and USA on VHS.
It's possible the mini-series was never screened after the decision was made to cut it down to a 90 minute feature, this is why I'm skeptical it was ever shown (regardless of what imdb says) - but I've no real proof, just a hunch.
It's a shame because Jeremy Brett turns in a great performance and it would be good to hear the entire series in English, as it was originally intended.
Does anyone here remember it?
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Post by anthonybartley on Aug 26, 2015 14:09:10 GMT
That's the edited down version - not the full 5 hour mini-series! (but thanks for the link, I forgot there's also the Greek VHS release)
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Post by John Green on Aug 26, 2015 14:31:14 GMT
As I say,it's so quiet on my laptop,it might as well be in Aramaic.
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Post by williammcgregor on Aug 26, 2015 16:22:08 GMT
Thanks for the info William, the alternate English titles are probably due to different VHS releases in various countries. I know the feature film version was released in the UK and USA on VHS. It's possible the mini-series was never screened after the decision was made to cut it down to a 90 minute feature, this is why I'm skeptical it was ever shown (regardless of what imdb says) - but I've no real proof, just a hunch. It's a shame because Jeremy Brett turns in a great performance and it would be good to hear the entire series in English, as it was originally intended. Does anyone here remember it? Anthony, Here is more research by Simon, here is the write-up for the screening of Episode 2 ITV London Saturday 25 July 1981 21.20 - 22.20 pm Seagull Island Episode 2. Barbara continues the search for her blind sister, Mary-Ann, and learns of her involvement with David Malcolm, who lives on Seagull Island. Following the deaths of two blind girls, in mysterious circumstances, Inspector Casati takes a close interest in Mary-Ann's case.
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Post by anthonybartley on Aug 26, 2015 18:04:04 GMT
Excellent. I guess that confirms it WAS shown in its entirety. Thank you, in this case I'm very glad to be proven wrong
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Post by John Green on Aug 26, 2015 18:19:54 GMT
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Post by lizakelly on Mar 3, 2016 15:03:32 GMT
I recently discovered this forum and I guess this might be the place to ask. Late last year RAI (Italian equiv. BBC) aired all 5 episodes of the miniseries "The Secret of Seagull Island". www.imdb.com/title/tt0080935/referenceBroadcast dates: www.imdb.com/title/tt0080935/episodes?season=1I wouldn't normally chase something up like this but I ended up really enjoying it, so I decided to do some digging around. The series is very clearly shot in English, even the Italian actors are reading their lines in English (which is actually quite unusual) Unfortunately, the only surviving English language copy is the 'feature film' version, released on VHS in various countries including the UK, but this version is heavily abbreviated, whittling down the 4-5 hour running time to just 90 minutes. The big mystery for me at the moment is simply; was the entire 5 episode series ever actually broadcast on television in English? I'm hoping someone with access to copies of The Radio Times for 1981 can verify the above broadcast dates listed on imdb. I'm a little suspicious because I can't find any sign of anyone remembering seeing it on television in its entirety, as a 5-part miniseries. Lots of people remember the film, however. Now I don't expect a large number of people would even remember it - but surely there would be some post on a forum, or mention of it somewhere. So far, I've not found anyone who remembers it. Can anyone shed some light? Thanks in advance
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Post by lizakelly on Mar 3, 2016 15:11:00 GMT
Hello,
I have good news. I remember watching this eye-wateringly terrifying short series in its entirety. So good was it that I have never forgotten how I was gripped and stuck to my sofa in abject fear. It must have shown during September 1982 to February 1983 because I then left London for the US.
It was the Hitchcockian suspense build-up of a blind woman depending on her senses knowing she was in danger ..gasp! The only terror that comes near it is The Doll movie with Karen Black. I never forgot that either. It is still talked about - and of course, the light-hearted but dark Tales of the Unexpected from Dahl.
Hope this is helpful.
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Post by Stephen Byers on Mar 4, 2016 6:32:49 GMT
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Post by anthonybartley on Aug 23, 2020 23:26:07 GMT
After many years of searching, I just found out that the complete miniseries has been released on DVD in Germany with English audio options - although it's not listed on the release info or cover as far as I can tell.
It's licensed from ITV so I guess it's safe to assume they've picked up the old ITC catalogue?
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Post by Ray Langstone (was saintsray) on Aug 24, 2020 8:21:39 GMT
After many years of searching, I just found out that the complete miniseries has been released on DVD in Germany with English audio options - although it's not listed on the release info or cover as far as I can tell. It's licensed from ITV so I guess it's safe to assume they've picked up the old ITC catalogue? A lot of the old ITC catalogue has ITV copyright. Most of it, but not all.... ITV has Seagull Island in 5-part format:- "" ID Episode Title First TX ENT1441/0005 Episode 0005 15 Aug 1981 ENT1441/0004 Episode 0004 08 Aug 1981 ENT1441/0003 Episode 0003 01 Aug 1981 ENT1441/0002 Episode 0002 25 Jul 1981 ENT1441/0001 Episode 0001 18 Jul 1981 To comment on the ITV Archive or bring something to our attention, please contact clipsales@itv.com "" I know some lucky bugger who's managed to watch some of it recently too.
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Post by Nigel Lamb on Aug 24, 2020 15:08:28 GMT
Can you place a link to the German DVD release anthonybartley please?
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