The Major | |
---|---|
Written by | Desmond Hawkins |
Narrated by | Paul Rogers |
Music by | George Shears |
Production | |
Producer | Christopher Parsons |
Cinematography |
|
Editor | Paul Khan |
Running time | 35 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | BBC |
Release | 1963 |
The Major is the first BBC natural history documentary film to be made in colour, [1] though it was originally screened, in 1963, in black and white, [1] as colour television broadcasts did not begin in the United Kingdom until 1967. [2] After that it became one of the BBC Natural History Unit's most repeated shows. [2]
It describes the felling of an eponymous, three-century-old, oak tree, which has become considered a hazard to traffic, and the effect that that has on the wildlife that lives in it, and on the fictionalised English village in which it grew. [1]
Actor Paul Rogers narrated a script by Desmond Hawkins. [3] Filming was by Eric Ashby and Leslie Jackman, [2] the latter filming the insect scenes at his home in Paignton. The 35-minute [2] film was produced by Christopher Parsons. [3] The music was composed and conducted by George Shears and performed by the BBC's West of England Players. [2]
Although the tree was in the Forest of Dean, [1] filming of the "nearby" village was actually done at Eastcombe in the Cotswolds, [1] and the village cricket match there was played by actors. [1]
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