The BFI will be releasing a 6-DVD Box Set of the BBC's brilliant science fiction series Out of the Unknown, first broadcast between 1965 and 1971. Stories in the anthology series were based on tales by writers like John Wyndham, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, John Brunner, Frederik Pohl, Henry Kuttner, Clifford D. Simak, Nigel Kneale, J. G. Ballard and others.It's many years obviously since I saw this series, but I recall loving it at the time, and I'm definitely looking forward to getting this set when it's available to watch them all again.
It's due to be released in September.
Tragically, many episodes of "Out of the Unknown" have been lost to posterity, as they were erased in the '70s by the studio. Unless a recent, large recovery has been made that I am unaware of, these will only be 'the recovered' episodes that are released. "Liar, Liar!" and "Caves of Steel" by Isaac Asimov are among the lost episodes, so very sadly.
ReplyDeleteYes - it does state these are only the surviving episodes. Still enough for 6 discs, which isn't too bad, I suppose. I'm still hoping someone will eventually find all the lost episodes of the first series of Tales of Mystery and Imagination, particularly the three James ones, Lost Hearts, Tractate Middoth and Casting the Runes. I remember watching these at the time and they were brilliant, especially Lost Hearts.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" before your reply, and I'm always looking for old sci-fi anthology series to watch -- so thanks ever so for that reference!! Were they wiped by BBC as "Out of the Unknown" was? I find that just a travesty! How many other irreplaceable classics have been destroyed??!! BAD EXES! BAD!! I, too, hope they recovers these episodes. Again, thanks for the info on ToMaI.
ReplyDeleteIt was produced by ATV and then Thames TV. Here's a link to some details about it. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165050/
ReplyDeleteBack then no one seemed to take much care in preserving the tape these series were recorded on. Time and decay probably accounts for most of why we have lost episodes. A shame.