Debate: In Search of the Dark Ages
Forum guest Ironaxe hoped for a release for a classic history series
This brilliant and fascinating 1981 landmark TV series by the BBC has never been released on vhs or dvd, despite his other series' proving very popular. Why?
It's six episodes covered Anglo-saxon Kings Arthur, Alfred, Athelstan, Ethelred II, Erik Bloodaxe and also William! He also covered the important input of kings Edmund Ironside, Edward the Elder and Harold II.
Written and presented by the charismatic Wood as he energetically brushed through woodlands to get to dolmens and old burhs etc, with the cameraman struggling to keep up, the enthusiasm and passion of this Anglo-saxon-speaking historian was evident from the start. And the great incidental music, creative graphics and locations only added to the whole series.
Yet it's also his only work never released on vhs or dvd! I've emailed the BBC several times but get the same old waffle about archives and copyrights etc. With constant interest in this period, surely this series would sell well, as his other series do?
You'd have thought that this renowned historian would be the champion of Anglo-Saxon history, and want to release this series?
Content last updated: 12/02/2007
