The 20th century through the eyes and ears of the BBC

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Mar. 13, 2012
The 20th century through the eyes and ears of the BBC
Tish Wells | McClatchy Newspapers

English history never went down so easily.

Delving into the archives of the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), a new two-DVD set, “In Their Own Words,” is a delight for any student of the 20th century.

The two DVDs hold three one-hour documentaries. The creators distilled over a century’s worth of BBC radio and television interviews into six different subject topics — culture, economics and anthropology for “Great Thinkers,” and chronological (1919-39, 1945-69 and 1970-90) for “British Novelists” — and provide narratives to set the interviews in historical context.

Under “Great Thinkers,” episode one is “Human, All Too Human” deals with psychology and humanity. It starts with Sigmund Freud and Margaret Mead, and ends in with modern research as of the 1990s.

The other two episodes are the economic system with John Maynard Keynes, and the culture wars with American writer and filmmaker Susan Sontag and art historian Sir Kenneth Clark of the 1969 BBC TV series “Civilisation.”

Under “British Novelists,” the chronological DVD starts in 1919 and includes Evelyn Waugh (“Brideshead Revisited”) and has the only voice recording made of writer Virginia Woolf. Episode two’s “The Age of Anxiety, 1945-1969” has J. R. R. Tolkien (“The Lord of the Rings”) speaking Elvish and schoolmaster William Golding, who wrote “Lord of the Flies.” Other writers include Salman Rushdie (“The Satanic Verses”) and Martin Amis.

The narration is essential. For example, while discussing the 1960 spy fiction, the narrator says, “If (Ian) Fleming (James Bond) provided escapist entertainment with a dash of sadism, Le Carre was all about the paranoia and everyday reality of intelligence work.” Then, John le Carre — the nom de plume of David Cornwell, a former British intelligence officer who wrote “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” — says “I think that it’s a great mistake if one’s talking about espionage literature to include Bond in this category at all. It seems to me that he’s more some kind of international gangster with, as is said, a license to kill.”

The “Culture Wars” started with the very beginning of the BBC. With the advent of radio “ordinary people were given entry into the finest offerings of art, literature and music. All at the flick of a switch.”

It makes clear that any change in the definition of “culture” brought savage response from the establishment. As the narrator puts it, “British critics love to wrangle over high versus low culture.”

Along with these DVDs, Acorn Media’s Athena Learning branch plans to offer on their website discussion questions to accompany the documentaries for educators and other interested parties. Acorn Media, a major distributor of British drama, recently raised its profile by purchasing the rights to a majority of mystery writer Agatha Christie’s literary estate.

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Don't know where else to post this disappointing story – HARDtalk was one of my favorite shows:

BBC viewers brand decision to cancel flagship current affairs show a ‘grave mistake’

The show known for its hard-hitting interviews with world leaders, has been on air for nearly three decades

Quote:

Viewers have been left furious at the BBC’s decision to scrap one of its flagship current affair programmes, HARDtalk.

The politics show, known for its challenging interviews with world leaders, is presented by veteran broadcaster Stephen Sackur and has spent nearly three decades on air.

On Tuesday (15 October) the BBC announced the decision to end the programme in March 2025, along with the loss of 100 news roles at the corporation.

The company has been facing increasing financial pressure and has projected its total deficit will increase to £492 million for the 2024/25 financial year.

Sackur, 60, hit out at the decision to axe HARDtalk, calling it “depressing news for the BBC and all those who believe in the importance of independent, rigorous deeply researched journalism.”

He continued, “At a time when disinformation and media manipulation are poisoning public discourse, HARDtalk is unique – a long-form interview show with only one mission, to hold to account those who all too often avoid accountability in their own countries.”

During his career, the presenter has interviewed Robert Mugabe, Hugo Chavez, Sergei Lavrov, Meles Zenawi, Lula, Nancy Pelosi, Recep Tayep Erdogan, Emmanuel Macron, Imran Khan, Olusegan Abasanjo, and many others.

Fellow broadcaster, Piers Morgan, commented on the decision saying: “What a shame. Always enjoyed HARDtalk and your masterful interrogations, even when it [was] once me on the receiving end! Very surprised the BBC is ending it.”

Stephen Sackur presents the flagship current affairs programme (BBC/HARDtalk)

Viewers were left unimpressed.

“Closing HARDtalk is a grave mistake,” wrote one person. “It’s the BBC’s top show holding global leaders accountable with tough, necessary questions. In an era of misinformation, we need more HARDtalk, not less. The BBC must reconsider.”

Another hit out at the long list of era-defining shows which have been cancelled in recent times.

“Victoria Derbyshire Show: gone. Newsnight is now ‘Newsnight’ in name only. Dateline London: gone. HARDtalk, a globally respected and highly influential show: gone,” listed one person.

“You could be forgiven for thinking that the BBC appears to be withdrawing from journalism.”

“This is utterly ridiculous.” wrote another on X/Twitter. “HARDtalk was the type of journalism that only the BBC was equipped to produce. Always fascinating, no matter the guest. Terrible decision. Sorry Stephen.”

Another added, “Sad news that HARDtalk is coming to an end as a result of BBC cuts. One of the most varied and insightful interview programmes around. Stephen was always a particularly reassuring presence on hotel rooms TV screens.”

“Stephen Sackur created the gold standard in how to conduct an accountability interview - speaking truth to power,” said one person praising the host’s interviewing skills. “Thanks to you and the HARDtalk team for the incredible public service over so many years.”

According to PA, BBC Deborah Turness sent an email to staff, part of which read: “I’m sorry to say that post closures are unavoidable. We propose to close 185 roles and open 55 new ones – a net reduction of 130 posts. As a result of the changes in news, media operations is also proposing to close the equivalent of 25 posts.”

independent

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The 20th century through the eyes and ears of the BBC

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