Robin Redbreast

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antnield
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Robin Redbreast

#1 Post by antnield » Sat Jul 27, 2013 3:56 am

ROBIN REDBREAST (DVD)

A film by James McTaggart

DVD premiere of this legendary BBC TV folk horror from 1970.

Norah Palmer (Anna Cropper) is a television script editor who temporarily moves to a remote English country village to rebuild her life. At first, she finds that the villagers are friendly, if a little eccentric. When she becomes pregnant to the handsome villager Rob, she begins to suspect the locals of conspiring against her, preventing her from leaving the village for her home in London.

With its combination of unsettling folk rituals and insular regional communities, Robin Redbreast is considered to be an influence and precursor to The Wicker Man (1973), and has built up a cult following over the years since its original broadcast.

Made during the golden age of British TV drama, and originally shown in the Play for Today strand, this provocative and unsettling drama was directed by the renowned producer / director James McTaggart from a script by John Bowen.

Special Features

- First time on DVD for this much sought-after BBC production
- Extras TBC
- Fully illustrated booklet with original essays, film notes and credits
October 28th

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MichaelB
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Re: Robin Redbreast

#2 Post by MichaelB » Wed Sep 18, 2013 7:49 am

Full specs announced:
Robin Redbreast
A film by James MacTaggart
A Play for Today

On 28 October 2013, as part of GOTHIC: The Dark Heart of Film, a nationwide celebration of gothic film and television, the BFI will bring the legendary BBC ‘folk horror’ tale Robin Redbreast (1970) to DVD for the first time ever. With its combination of unsettling folk rituals and insular regional communities, Robin Redbreast is considered to be an influence and precursor to The Wicker Man (1973), and has built up a cult following over the years since its original broadcast in the Play for Today strand.

Norah Palmer (Anna Cropper) is a television script editor who temporarily moves to a remote English country village to rebuild her life after a bad break-up. At first, she finds that the villagers are friendly, if a little eccentric. When she becomes pregnant to the handsome gamekeeper Rob, she begins to suspect the locals of conspiring against her, preventing her from leaving the village for her home in London.

Made during the golden age of British TV chillers, this provocative and disturbing drama was directed by the renowned producer/director James MacTaggart from a script by John Bowen (A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Ice House, Dead of Night: A Woman Sobbing).

Special Features
Interview with John Bowen (2013, 12 mins): the celebrated writer discusses his career and the origins of Robin Redbreast;
Around the Village Green (1937, Evelyn Spice and Marion Grierson, 11 mins): short film offering insight into the changing economic and social history of village life;
• Illustrated booklet featuring essays and biographies by Vic Pratt, William Fowler, Oliver Wake and Alex Davidson, and full credits.

Product Details
RRP: £19.99 / cat. no. BFIVD997 / Cert 12
UK / 1970 / a black & white presentation of a colour production / English language, with optional hard-of-hearing subtitles / 77 mins / DVD9 / PAL / Original aspect ratio 1.33:1 / Dolby Digital mono (320kbps)

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GaryC
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Re: Robin Redbreast

#3 Post by GaryC » Wed Sep 18, 2013 7:29 pm

Does anyone know if this was shot on film or video - presumably the latter, given that it was wiped? If so, given that it is transferred from a 16mm telerecording, is this DVD VidFIREd, as the DVD releases of 60s Doctor Who are?

Many Play for Todays were shot on film but there were certainly those made on video, Abigail's Party being a good example.

I'm certainly very interested in seeing this.

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MichaelB
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Re: Robin Redbreast

#4 Post by MichaelB » Thu Sep 19, 2013 7:06 am

From the booklet:
Robin Redbreast is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1, as per its original broadcast. Although originally a colour production, all that remains of the programme is the black and white 16mm telerecording which was made available to the BFI by the BBC for this presentation. 16mm telerecordings were made of many BBC programmes between the 1950s and 1980s for the purposes of archiving and servicing international sales. Often the original broadcast video reels were wiped to allow them to be re-used for new productions, as the cost of the tapes was expensive. Inevitably, the limitations of the telerecording process are much in evidence, but we sincerely hope that these issues will not limit your enjoyment of this historically important work.
As for the original format, the exteriors were shot on 16mm, while studio interiors were shot on video, as was standard for BBC productions of the time.

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GaryC
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Re: Robin Redbreast

#5 Post by GaryC » Thu Sep 19, 2013 2:22 pm

Thanks, Michael. I will be reviewing this one, which I haven't seen before.

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antnield
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Re: Robin Redbreast

#6 Post by antnield » Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:22 pm


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antnield
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Re: Robin Redbreast

#7 Post by antnield » Thu Oct 10, 2013 5:20 pm

Mondo Digital

It also notes an additional extra not mentioned in the press release...
Also tucked away in the set up menu is "Test Card F," the BBC's original slightly unnerving test tone and graphic created in 1967 to aid in calibrating video and audio settings. The fact that it features a little girl and a slightly creepy toy clown makes it an oddly appropriate addition here, not to mention the fact that it will play forever if you don't hit the stop button. Brrr...

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antnield
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Re: Robin Redbreast

#8 Post by antnield » Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:28 am


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antnield
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Re: Robin Redbreast

#9 Post by antnield » Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:01 am


peerpee
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Re: Robin Redbreast

#10 Post by peerpee » Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:07 pm

Saw it last week during the storms – loved it to bits. Nuts atmos, a superb time capsule. At least three "shitting crikey!!" moments. A great double-bill with THE WICKER MAN.

Really special video interview with the writer John Bowen too, plus a fascinating short from 1937. Cracking disc. A real find!

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