A time I'd like to go back to. Despite being a children's series, they are quite watchable and very atmospheric and delightfully strange. Thank you for sharing these, hours of pleasure

Alan garner was my generations Tolkien .The owl service was like a bridge between his children's books like Elidor and the weird stone of brisingamen and the more Adult Red Shift .

Over the past couple of years I have become a little obsessed with a certain type of television. In my dvd collection now I have The Owl Service, Pendas Fen, Children of the Stones, MR James Christmas Ghost Stories, Alternative 3, Chronicles of Narnia, Dead of Night (BBC Play for the Day), and Box of Delights, and I still need Changes and The Stone Tape, amongst many others. (And a couple of films that I put into this collection are The Innocents and The Wicker Man). Im pretty sure I came across a word once on the internet that described this genre of tv and film, but I cant remember it and Ive never been able to find it since.

@CineMadame

3 жыл бұрын

folk horror

@grahamdee1416

3 жыл бұрын

@@CineMadame It wasnt that. But yes Im aware of that term and it does cover quite a lot of what i love.

@ffrancois7531

3 жыл бұрын

Hauntology?

@ffrancois7531

3 жыл бұрын

If you haven’t already; check out Nigel Kneales’ Beasts, Murraine, Mrs Acland’s Ghosts, Haunted: The Ferryman & Robin Redbreast

@ffrancois7531

3 жыл бұрын

This is good too: kzread.info/dash/bejne/p5N3x7yip9bNZJs.html

loved this so much when I read it as a kid - the flower/owl design was on the inside cover and I spent ages gazing at it

One of my favourite TV series of all time! Mainly due to the brilliant storyline and the superb acting of the main characters- especially Gillian Hills!

Still have the - now tattered - Penguin paperback from 1972 as I was an ardent Alan Garner fan as a teenager. Always loved this tale and remember watching the TV show in what must have been 1978 as my memory of it is in colour. An absolutely timeless tale based on part of the Mabinogion, which it prompted me to read also. Considering its age, the screenplay and filming still holds up, fifty years on. Thank you so much for posting this.

@stats_71

2 жыл бұрын

That's right. It was reshown in colour in 1978. The first showing was in black and white, despite being shot colour. I for one can believe that this was for kids, seeing as I was only six when I found and watched American Werewolf in London. Children these days need to have a little more quality in their visual diet. This is right up there with Moondial and other darker kids programes.

I vaguely remember this when it was first broadcast. I didn't understand any of it, but I was only 10 at the time. ITV repeated the programme in the Summer of 1978, then it disappeared altogether. Watching it for the first time in more than 40 years, it begins to make sense. A weird and eerie programme, with the sound of an echoing drain and a chain saw for an opening theme tune. This was children's television in 1969 ? No way this would classified as children's television today !

@madcatchmindways

4 жыл бұрын

I sounds a little like a chain saw, but it's actually a motorbike revving up - to reference the backstory of Bertram being killed by Huw. Huw is furious that Bertram and Nancy fell in love. Bertram is always riding around on his motorcycle, sometimes driving at Huw to intimidate him. So, blinded by rage and resentment, Huw removes the brake blocks from Bertram's motorcycle. Bertram then crashes and dies while speeding over the hills around the house.

Absolutely fascinating and gripping stuff. Heard the radio play some years back and read Garner's book. But this screen version (also written by Garner) brings the story to life, giving it an extra dimension, and in my view surpassing both the radio adaptation and the book. They certainly don't make them (or write them) like this anymore. A great series: Fascinating, mysterious and intelligent throughout. Loved it. Thanks for uploading.

@michaelleacy

3 жыл бұрын

I agree. The TV version is much better than the book, it brings out the characters much more - as well as the fact that the production is a visual masterpiece

@gmdw123

2 жыл бұрын

I did not know Alan Garner did the TV version too that’s amazing!

@beauwilliamson3628

Жыл бұрын

Apparently they do make them like this anymore, because Garner's NEW book was nominated for the Booker prize this year

I remember this like it was yesterday. I am 55 now. Boy it really seems like yesterday yet. if I was my age in 1969 I would be 103 now. Scary!

@banjopink4409

3 жыл бұрын

Would I be correct in saying that you watched this aged six?

@grahamrogers3345

3 жыл бұрын

@@banjopink4409 Yes indeed.

@banjopink4409

3 жыл бұрын

@@grahamrogers3345 Did you not find it terrifying? I think I might have.

@enriquesanchez2001

3 жыл бұрын

LIFE can be a very short experience...will be 65 in July 2021. This is makes living all the more valuable to us all.

@banjopink4409

3 жыл бұрын

@@enriquesanchez2001 Do you live somewhere nice?

The opening sequence makes the Ring video look benign.

The actor who plays Gwyn was killed in a pub near Mayfair in an unprovoked attack in the late 70’s.

@dexocube

5 ай бұрын

Sadly true. On the night of September 24, 1977, the 31-year-old Michael Holden, then a mild-mannered computer programmer going by the name of Michael Turner, was in the Rose & Crown pub on Old Park Lane, Mayfair, enjoying a drink with four friends. Just before last orders, two men burst in yelling: 'We are the Peckham boys!' and began to abuse customers and staff. Pub manager David Peters asked them to leave but, for no reason, one of the men turned on Holden and hit him three times over the head with a soda siphon. Michael staggered across the pub before collapsing. The offenders ran away before anyone could react. Michael was taken to Westminster Hospital, but died soon after arrival. Anthony Patrick Wright was sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime on the 27th of September 1978

Children’s Television was much better before all of today’s offerings. There is no way that this would be shown at 5pm on a Sunday evening. It would probably have a ton of trigger warnings today, even if it was shown after the watershed.

Reading Scarred for Life brought me here.

@davidbeattie6526

7 жыл бұрын

Same

@jcamjcam

6 жыл бұрын

Same

@jcamjcam

6 жыл бұрын

At this rate, it’ll probably take me twenty years to get through the book - loving it

@betaville72

6 жыл бұрын

Yep.

@bazzabazza007

6 жыл бұрын

Yes that’s a Gr8 twitter channel. Also check out: The Omega Factor: Tv & Audio Series channel if u like? we try to publish snippets of info about classic novels, tv and audio, with a particular focus on the Omega Factor Show :)

This was the first fully-scripted drama to be made entirely in colour by Granada Television, although it was shown in black and white on its original runs and not seen in colour until its 1978 repeat. This ruined the visual joke of Alison, Gwyn and Roger always wearing respectively red, black and green outfits - the colours of electrical wiring at the time - hinting at the power the three could unleash...

@Karloffrules

Жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you for that. It is so interesting and I have never read that anywhere.

God I remember.this Thankyou for sharing

The red heads hair is gorgeous.

@rurban

4 жыл бұрын

Gillian Hills could have been a superstar if she would have stayed in Paris. As Jane Birkin. She also did sing

They reused this music at 6.38 for another excellent childrens' programme about 25 years later - The Box of Delights.

@martinvegas1327

2 жыл бұрын

Noel!

@1981Marcus

8 ай бұрын

Only 15 years (1969 / 1984).

Really enjoyed this. Thanks for the upload.

Remember reading this to my class.They loved it .I hope they watched this when it came on TV

BTS brought me here, but thank you so much for uploading this here

@valeriobuda7409

5 жыл бұрын

how... lol

@anini3124

4 жыл бұрын

@@valeriobuda7409 they were inspired by the book for their MV, so they brought us fans here to watch this :)

No one:...... Owl Service Titles: harp CHAINSAW harp TOILET FLUSH harp FLAPPING harp DUCKTAPE

@twelvepetaledlotus1721

3 жыл бұрын

BBC radiophic style!! Love it.

@dfsengineer

3 жыл бұрын

It's funny because it's true!

@emilyfarfadet9131

3 жыл бұрын

@Paul Davidson yeah I know, it's a 'humorous description'

@internetpolification

2 жыл бұрын

It was actually water going down a sink drainpipe. But toilet is close….

I have this book, have since I was 11 years old. Creepy then, looking forward to this! ❤

I remember this. I was 14 in 1969. Haven't seen it since. Thanks.

Dennis Potter meets the Wicker Man for kids!

( btw spoiler in this comment ) I dunno...this started off very promising in a " Secret 7 or Fameous 5 " kind of way, but as the episodes went on, kind of left me cold. The characters got weirder and nastier to each other... and it decended into a kind of hell. The ending was really underwhelming too, with no finishing scene with the characters saying their goodbyes, discussing the outcome. I like that they had the unpopular Mr Smallshorts saving her at the end though, unexpected. I though Gwyn would be the one.

Great to see this again

remember this as a kid, loved it don't know why I hadnt a clue what was going on still don't ha

And to think that just three years before she'd been having a three way romp with Jane Berkin and David Hemmings.

@GavinMorris1

4 жыл бұрын

I'm going to take you at word and think about that quite a lot.

So glad this is available online. The book is still fresh but it would be wonderful to get a new screen version. I'd love someone like Jane Campion to tackle this as she'd do justice to the mythic themes with the strong feminist & classist subtexts. Alan Garner is a genius.

@christopherchristos7275

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/jHafkqSmf6zYkc4.html Being released on Blu Ray next month 👌🏽

I wonder if Alison listened to Goggly Gogol? Johnny Zhivago? The Heaven Seventeen?

Ah, this was Merry Ol' Engalnd before THEY came ... 😥

@gary1961

Жыл бұрын

... and if it were to be filmed today, it would be full of THEM.

@WinterPhoenixForestKirin

Жыл бұрын

@@gary1961 😿😭😿

@WinterPhoenixForestKirin

Жыл бұрын

@@anachronism45 The ethnic group that continually deconstructs all identities except their own. And this distinction between Wales and England here is not particularly significant here.

@WinterPhoenixForestKirin

Жыл бұрын

@@anachronism45 Nah, I'm not "hinting" 😅. And I was just baiting you into showing your true intentions. Suspicion confirmed 🤣.

@WinterPhoenixForestKirin

Жыл бұрын

@@anachronism45 Hey, let me ask you something, since you're an expert on this sort of thing. If that gas is cyanide and cyanide turns people cherry red, why did the historical record describe "them" as turning blue 🤔? Please explain this to us. I am also curious as to why a particular doctor was able to cause heme to disassociate from the cyanide just by throwing cold water on them? 🚿🤔.

First time seeing this, and I hate to ask a daft question but... is there a scene missing at the beginning, explaining who/where/why on earth all these people are?

@artymiss77

Жыл бұрын

I don't think so. I haven't a clue what's going on! 😂

Ummmmm in the beginning I was just like what!?!?😓

Opening credits finish...what the hell is going on?! 1969, year of the Witch.

Nichole Dollanganger would love this💜💜💙💙💙💜💜

6:39 isin't that the same music from the Box Of Delights opening sequence?

@maybrick1888

5 жыл бұрын

Yes- Carol Symphony by Victor Hely-Hutchinson.

18:23 WHY IS THERE A HEAD IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER ON THE CHAIR!? Please can someone explain this to me!

@14478100

4 жыл бұрын

OMG, I never saw that before. What is it??

@banjopink4409

3 жыл бұрын

@@14478100 Can't you read? It's a head.

@internetpolification

2 жыл бұрын

@@banjopink4409 hardly. You must be drunk

@simonmoore6823

Жыл бұрын

The other brother asleep in the chair I presume.

@mapleleaf0

8 ай бұрын

Yes, the head on the chair was so strange! Was it some allusion to the stuffed wildlife on the walls?

I was nine and puberty hadn't kicked in or I'd have been tuning in just for her.

never heard of this show

My gosh she is gorgeous 😍

I just finished the book and certainly didn’t pick up the latent sexuality that the character Alison has in this screenplay!

@kateking3953

3 жыл бұрын

It's based on the story from the Mabinogion, where Blodeuwedd betrays her husband Llew Llaw with Gronw Pebir, so there's plenty of sexual chemistry in the original! Like all of Alan Garner's work it may be marketed for children, but it's as much for adults as children, as it contains perennial themes that the original tales contained.

Enraptured by Gillian Hills

7:20 😂😂😂

Oddly edited to remove the guy at the start swimming in nylon shorts, seen from above?

Starting slow. Owl service refers to the pattern on a set dishes. An English TV program I assume. There may be a ghost or something.

Its only rats...oh thats ok then .

flash of ballsac. garner didn't write that. did he?!

@nogoodboyo1921

4 жыл бұрын

Well spotted !🤣🤣🤣🤣

@nogoodboyo1921

4 жыл бұрын

Great to see this here though - has the dvd for ages - such a great interpretation of math ab mathonwy

The date on the end says 1978, not 1969

@Matt571

3 жыл бұрын

@Paul Davidson I'm not sure what the point was for a new ident card, although Tyne Tees also did the same when they repeated Supergran in 1989. On one episode, the new card went off too quickly and the original blue and yellow logo appeared with the true date of 1986

@michaelleacy

3 жыл бұрын

@@Matt571 it was first shown in colour in 78, it was screened in B&W in 69

Rwy'n cofio darllen hwn pryd o fi'n plentyn. Nes i byth gwbod bod na cyfres teledu ohono fe - a ma fe'n braf i glywed tipyn o'r hen iaith rhwng Huw a Gwyn hefyd. :)

@thadtuiol1717

Жыл бұрын

Amazing, are you a native speaker of Welsh or did you learn it as a second language?

@RhysOlwyn

Жыл бұрын

@@thadtuiol1717 Native speaker - a learner would probably have more "correct" grammar 😂

Sabis students where you at :) :)

@leenz8147

5 жыл бұрын

Ayyyyeee we have a periodic tmw lol

@naqireports

5 жыл бұрын

@@leenz8147 lmaooo im also watching for the periodic

Does anyone know what year and at what time this show would air on uk tv?

@gmdw123

2 жыл бұрын

Just read ‘5pm on a Sunday’ but was that the 1969? Or reshowings in 1978?

@gmdw123

Жыл бұрын

@Paul Davidson so kind of you to bother to reply to my query, many thanks.

Can't quite place Gwyn's accent!

20:09 - *ALISON* ❤ *CLIVE* (the stepfather). Palpable electricity⚡betwixt them. Their forbidden love SO ewotick. ● Alison's mother never shown to symbolise Clive only has eyes 👀 for his goddess/stepdaughter ● Gwyn and Roger are *immature.* Alison thirsts for 💋 kisses of whiskey and tobacco. ● Who agrees?

All set up to like this - loved the book and also Gillian Hill's in Beat Girl. 3 mins in the acting is so wooden I'm not sure how long I can take it.

@sgillespie13

6 жыл бұрын

And the 'children' are all in their mid 20s :D

@DrMoorehen

6 жыл бұрын

Why dont the pair o ye buggar off then...

@michaelleacy

3 жыл бұрын

@@sgillespie13 The characters are 17, the actors are between 19 and 24. Not exactly Grease in its stretching of credulity

Here from a song by Pram called The Owl Service. Not going to watch this though lol.

Not as good as Catweazle ...!

@stevenlewis8205

3 жыл бұрын

Deeper than Catweazle but i love Catweazle too!

@douglasfreeman3229

Жыл бұрын

Not really the same type of show, is it?

@PaulDavidson-x2u

11 ай бұрын

Catweazle started the week after the final episode of this was broadcast.

@johnnyfeen1347

6 ай бұрын

Catweazle was great but a very different type of show.

it has the (welsh) harp soundtrack but it is English gothic, not Celtic. not my cup of tea at all at all.

@turtlepowerable

5 жыл бұрын

parden me saying so, but, we all should be glad for it getting any airing at all - celtic or not

Really don’t get this book, or TV series. Overrated

it would have been really helpful if they spoke English lol

@zenbudhism

3 жыл бұрын

Subtitles