Out of the Unknown

Discuss releases by the BFI and the films on them.

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MichaelB
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Out of the Unknown

#1 Post by MichaelB » Tue May 13, 2014 9:26 am

A 6-DVD box set compiling all surviving episodes, along with some fragments, from the legendary BBC2 anthology series, with episodes written by such luminaries of the genre as John Wyndham, Ray Bradbury and J G Ballard – first broadcast between 1965 and 1971.
Out in September.

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GaryC
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:56 pm
Location: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK

Re: Out of the Unknown

#2 Post by GaryC » Tue May 13, 2014 2:00 pm

As I wasn't old enough to see it at the time, this is a series much more heard about that seen as far as I'm concerned...though I did see the once-lost J.B. Priestley-scripted "Level Seven" at the BFI's Missing Believed Wiped a few years ago. As far as I'm aware, out of 49 episodes, sixteen exist with bits of another four (which I believe have soundtrack recordings surviving).

didi-5
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:51 am

Re: Out of the Unknown

#3 Post by didi-5 » Wed May 14, 2014 5:10 pm

Brilliant news. Really pleased to see this finally coming out.

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Ashirg
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:10 am
Location: Atlanta

Re: Out of the Unknown

#4 Post by Ashirg » Fri May 23, 2014 1:45 am

Only 20 of these episodes still remain and all are presented in this set on DVD for the very first time.
Wikipedia lists all episodes and states which ones survive. Level Seven is listed as surviving episode.

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MichaelB
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Re: Out of the Unknown

#5 Post by MichaelB » Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:41 am

Full specs announced:
Out of the Unknown
Created by Irene Shubik

BBC Television’s Out of the Unknown, the classic anthology science fiction series – broadcast between 1965 and 1971 – was daring, ambitious and inventive, drawing from writers of the calibre of John Wyndham, Isaac Asimov, J G Ballard, J G Priestley, Ray Bradbury, E M Forster and Troy Kennedy Martin.

On 27 October 2014, as part of Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder, the BFI will release a comprehensive 7-disc DVD box set that brings together all 20 surviving episodes from the four original series, all digitally remastered from the best available materials.

Created by Irene Shubik (The Wednesday Play, Rumpole of the Bailey), Out of the Unknown employed the cream of British talent to bring a variety of often chilling, sometimes darkly comic, and always thought-provoking science fiction tales to the small screen. Dramatists such as J B Priestley and Leon Griffiths, directors such as Philip Saville and Rudolph Cartier, visionary designers such as Ridley Scott, and actors of the calibre of Yvonne Mitchell, George Cole, Milo O’Shea and David Hemmings were brought together to produce one of the most prestigious science fiction series ever made.

When plans to release this classic TV series for the very first time were originally announced, the BFI was inundated with letters and e-mails from private collectors and die-hard fans, all of whom generously offered their invaluable help. Collectively, they have ensured that the contents of this long-overdue release are as thorough and exciting as possible. The impressive range of extra features (produced by ‘professional fans’ in collaboration with the BFI) includes 4 episode reconstructions, an incomplete episode, 11 audio commentaries, extensive stills galleries, an interview with director James Cellan Jones, and a newly-created 42-minute documentary featuring interviews with original cast and crew members as well as rarely-seen clips from lost episodes.

Special features
• All 20 surviving episodes from Series 1 to 4;
• Digitally remastered picture and sound;
• Return of the Unknown (2014, 42 minutes): exclusive documentary, featuring interviews with cast and crew, as well as rare clips;
• 11 audio commentaries with cast and crew, including Philip Saville, John Glenister, Wendy Gifford, Peter Sasdy and John Gorrie, moderated by actor-comedian Toby Hadoke;
An Interview with James Cellan Jones (2014, 16 minutes): the legendary TV director discusses his career and approach to filmmaking;
• Episode reconstructions for Beach Head, The Naked Sun, The Yellow Pill and The Uninvited;
• Film insert from Deathday episode;
• Seven extensive stills galleries;
• 44-page illustrated booklet with essays by Out of the Unknown expert Mark Ward and full episode credits.

Product details
RRP: £69.99 / cat. no. BFIV2006 / Cert 15
UK / 1965-71 / black and white, and colour / English language, optional hard-of-hearing subtitles / 1,325 minutes / Original aspect ratio 1.33:1 / 7 x DVD9 / PAL / Dolby Digital 1.0 mono audio
Also...
Out of the Unknown: The Dead Past + Out of this World: Little Lost Robot at BFI Southbank, Sun 2 Nov 15:50 NFT3

To celebrate the DVD release of Out of the Unknown and Out of this World (to follow in December), BFI Southbank will host a special screening of one episode from each, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A featuring author Mark Ward, director John Gorrie and SFX sound engineer Brian Hodgson. Tickets are on sale now at www.bfi.org.uk/whatson

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antnield
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:59 pm
Location: Cheltenham, England

Re: Out of the Unknown

#6 Post by antnield » Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:20 am


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