The Major
| "The Major" | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Desmond Hawkins |
| Narrated by | Paul Rogers |
| Featured music | George Shears |
| Cinematography by |
|
| Editing by | Paul Khan |
| Original air date | 1963 |
| Running time | 35 minutes |
The Major is the first BBC natural history documentary film to be made in colour,[1] though it was originally screened, in 1963, in black and white,[1] as colour television broadcasts did not begin in the United Kingdom until 1967.[2] After that it became one of the BBC Natural History Unit's most repeated shows.[2]
It describes the felling of an eponymous, three-century-old, oak tree, which has become considered a hazard to traffic, and the effect that that has on the wildlife that lives in it, and on the fictionalised English village in which it grew.[1]
Actor Paul Rogers narrated a script by Desmond Hawkins.[3] Filming was by Eric Ashby and Leslie Jackman,[2] the latter filming the insect scenes at his home in Paignton. The 35-minute[2] film was produced by Christopher Parsons.[3] The music was composed and conducted by George Shears and performed by the BBC's West of England Players.[2]
Although the tree was in the Forest of Dean,[1] filming of the "nearby" village was actually done at Eastcombe in the Cotswolds,[1] and the village cricket match there was played by actors.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Countryfile. 14 October 2012. BBC.
{{cite episode}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|transcripturl=and|seriesno=(help); Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e "The Major (1963)". WildFilmHistory. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ a b "The MAJOR (1963)". BFI. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
External links
- WildFilm page with clips from the film.