Bird's Eye View (TV series)
| Bird's Eye View | |
|---|---|
| Theme music composer | Johnny Dankworth |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 15 |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC2 |
| Release | 5 April 1969 – 26 December 1971 |
Bird's Eye View is a British television series produced by the BBC between 1969 and 1971, initially transmitted on BBC2. It was edited by Edward Mirzoeff, and was filmed entirely from a helicopter.
An initial Bird's Eye View of Great Britain was shown on Christmas Eve 1967 and repeated a year later.[1] The full series contained the following editions:
- The Englishman's Home by John Betjeman (5 April 1969; repeated 18 August 1971, 24 February 1974, 4 July 1983, 20 May 1987, 5 December 1992)
- Man on the Move by Correlli Barnett, narrated by Leo McKern (25 May 1969; repeated 25 August 1971, 3 March 1974)
- A Green and Pleasant Land by John Lloyd, narrated by Alan Dobie (22 June 1969; repeated 8 September 1971, 1 September 1972)
- Portmeirion by Clough Williams-Ellis (28 June 1969)
- The Island Fortress by John Terraine, narrated by Robert Lang (26 October 1969; repeated 31 August 1972, 10 March 1974, 24 May 1983, 6 June 1991)
- John Bull's Workshop by Correlli Barnett, narrated by Alan Dobie (30 November 1969; repeated 30 August 1972)
- Beside the Seaside by John Betjeman (25 December 1969; repeated 8 September 1972, 25 February 1973, 19 August 1977, 5 July 1983, 18 May 1987, 13 April 1989, 21 November 1992)
- The Highlands and Islands of Scotland by William Carrocher (25 January 1970; repeated 11 August 1971, 25 March 1973, 25 May 1983)
- What a Lovely Day by John Lloyd; main voice John le Mesurier (22 March 1970; repeated 3 April 1972)
- Eastern Approach by Stuart Hood, narrated by Gordon Jackson (17 May 1970; repeated 1 September 1971, 26 May 1983, 6 June 1989, 17 August 1990, 28 November 1992)
- From Bishop Rock to Muckle Flugga by William Carrocher (25 December 1970; repeated 5 September 1972, 20 January 1974, 10 October 1983, 12 May 1989, 12 December 1992)
- Wales - the Western Stronghold by Rene Cutforth (28 February 1971; repeated 4 September 1972, 19 May 1987, 19 December 1992)
- Inis Fáil (Isle of Destiny) by James Plunkett (17 March 1971; repeated 6 September 1972, 4 March 1973, 23 August 1992, 15 January 1993; co-produced with Raidió Teilifís Éireann)
- A Land for All Seasons by John Betjeman (18 April 1971; repeated 22 May 1972, 11 March 1973, 7 July 1983 and 17 May 1989, although the last transmission was not under the Bird's Eye View title)
- Switzerland by Herbert Meier (26 December 1971; co-produced with SRG SSR, RAI and Bayerischer Rundfunk)[2]
Some editions can be seen on the BBC's website[3] and the two 1969 editions narrated by John Betjeman are available on DVD.[4] Some further editions are available on YouTube.[5]