Photos from Gail Herbert, no reproduction without permission.
‘As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning’ was a 2 part recreation of Laurie Lee’s journey on foot across Spain in 1934, during the civil war. It was produced at Pebble Mill by executive producer John King, written and narrated by Laurie Lee. John Wild played the part of Laurie Lee.
The first episode, ‘From Home to Madrid’ was transmitted on 5/1/1987, with the second part ‘From Madrid to the South’, shown the following night.
The crew included cameraman John Williams, assistant Dave Evans, sound John Parker, lighting Roy Carn. Gail Herbert was the production assistant. David Attwood, who was then a production manager in the Drama Department, directed the dramatised sequences. He later became a freelance drama director.
David Attwood (now living in LA)directed the dramatised sequences – at the time he was a production manager in English Regions Drama before becoming a freelance drama director.
Thanks John, I’ll add that into the original post.
Vanessa
Is there any way I can get a copy of these wonderful programmes on DVD? I had it for year on video, almost wore it out and then transferred it to DVD but it didn’t transfer properly. Now we live in Spain, and I should so much like to own a copy.
Thank you,
Donna
Hi Donna
I don’t think the BBC has ever released these programmes on DVD, and I’m sorry but I don’t have access to any copies.
Best wishes
Vanessa
I too had this on videotape which was subsequently lost. I have been searching in vain, ever since for a DVD. It was a fantastic production. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if someone, somewhere, could produce a DVD in time for Laurie Lee’s centenary next year? Are there any strings that coukd be pulled?
Hi Veronica
I’ll try asking the question and see what the BBC Archive people say – but don’t hold your breath!
Best wishes
Vanessa
I have kept an eye on this thread for a couple of years and was wondering if anything ever came of it? I would love to get hold of a copy of this for my father. He loved it and his recording of it is long gone. I was hoping it might be broadcast as part of the centenary. Any help would be much appreciated.
John
Hi John
The BBC don’t seem to have brought ‘As I Walked Out’ on DVD at all, which is a shame. The only thing I can think of is for you to put in for a BBC contributors’ copies request. Here is a sheet which tells you about how to apply: http://www.bbc.co.uk/faqs/radio/contributor_access_process. The only problem is the cost, which is expensive, but I suppose it’s because there is a lot of time involved in finding and transferring the material. Anyway, it’s a thought. Good luck if you decide to go ahead, and give John my best wishes. Vanessa
Hi,
I’ve read the posts regarding the BBC documentary on Laurie Lee and wondered if there is any possibility of getting a copy? My partner recorded it but his copy was lost and he’d very much like to be able to see it again.
Many thanks and kindest regards
Carolyn
I to have tried in vain to get a copy of this vidoe, BBC Gloucester produced a Centenary programme with a chap retracing Laurie Lee,s walk across Spain and
this showed clips from the origonal programme,so some one somewhere must have it.I contacted BBC Gloucester direct but said they had no copy themselves.
If there is any one out there with any more information or if this has been copied to CD i would be most gratful.
Thanks in advance Bryan K Holloway
I’m continuing to keep an eye on this thread in the hope that someone might one day be able to privide us with a copy, or show it again on TV. Vanessa- thank you for all your replies. happy New Year!
Donna
Hi Donna, the only thing I can think of, that you can do, is to go to ‘BBC Store’, where the BBC release some archived programmes for paid download, and ask if they can consider releasing the programme. It’s definitely worth a try. Good luck.
Vanessa
There must be another version of this as I saw a production starring Julian Sands. It was the first time I had ever heard of him – before he appeared in Room with a View. It doesn’t appear on Julian’s biography either and yet I know I am not mistaken.
I have a very good complete copy of the film on video. This could be copied into dvd format, I imagine.
Hi Barry,
It is lovely to hear that a complete copy of this exists. I too have been looking for this for years for my father who loved the original. Do you have any means of copying the film to digital?
Hi Barry, it is great to hear that a complete copy of this film exists. Do you have the means to transfer it to digital?
I too recall the Julian Sands film and my search for it has brought me here!
Please update with any news of how we could see this beautiful rendition of LLs book
The BBC production is still there in the BBC archives, but only people making films for, i presume the BBC, are allowed to access it. This is a real shame. They have referred me to the BFI, but their shop does not have anything related to Laurie Lee whatsoever. Is there anything any of us aficionados could do?
After much toing and froing, i have found out the following. The production is still in existence. BBC only allowing people producing something or who have appeared on the production, to watch it. Where they can do this, i don’t know. BFI are aware of it’s existence but do not provide copies for personal use. Finally, somehow one of the links i was given was for Getty Images who are a separate company who license BBC clips to commercial outlets. They could not help but were polite. So, it seems that we will never see these 2 episodes, but hopefully some smart person in tge future will see the benefits of making a film of the book.
Does anyone know if Laurie’s friend Julian Bream played the guitar in this film?
The idea was discussed in the early stages when John King was planning it. (According to Lee’s biographer, Valerie Grove)
I remember seeing this two part film. Laurie Lee’s warm and sonorous Gloucestershire voice was the backing to the retracing of his journey through Spain. I would love to see and hear this again. It was to me such an iconic piece.