#1 - Unmade Movies: The Collection
Seven legendary unproduced screenplays, resurrected and reinvented for BBC Radio 4
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures – spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
Collected here are seven sensational ‘unmade movies’:
Harold Pinter’s Victory, adapted from the novel by Joseph Conrad
Harold Pinter’s The Dreaming Child, adapted from the novel by Karen Blixen
Arthur Miller’s The Hook
Alfred Hitchcock’s unfinished screenplay The Blind Man, completed by Mark Gatiss
Hammer Horror’s The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula
Dennis Potter’s The White Hotel
Alexander MacKendrick’s Mary Queen of Scots
These could-have-been classics are brought to life with stellar casts featuring Hugh Laurie, Bertie Carvel, Rose Leslie, Bill Paterson, Ellie Bamber, Tim Pigott-Smith, Rebecca Front, Anne-Marie Duff, Meera Syal, Vanessa Kirby and Mark Strong. Setting the scene and providing the ‘establishing shots’ – the original stage directions and descriptions from the screenplays – are narrators Simon Russell Beale, Anne Reid, David Suchet, Peter Serafinowicz, Michael Sheen, Simon McBurney and Glenda Jackson.
Moving, mysterious, suspenseful, thrilling and terrifying, these dazzling productions will keep you enraptured from beginning to end. So sit back, grab some popcorn and let them play out on the biggest screen of all – that of your imagination.
NB: Contains strong language and sexual scenes
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures – spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
Collected here are seven sensational ‘unmade movies’:
Harold Pinter’s Victory, adapted from the novel by Joseph Conrad
Harold Pinter’s The Dreaming Child, adapted from the novel by Karen Blixen
Arthur Miller’s The Hook
Alfred Hitchcock’s unfinished screenplay The Blind Man, completed by Mark Gatiss
Hammer Horror’s The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula
Dennis Potter’s The White Hotel
Alexander MacKendrick’s Mary Queen of Scots
These could-have-been classics are brought to life with stellar casts featuring Hugh Laurie, Bertie Carvel, Rose Leslie, Bill Paterson, Ellie Bamber, Tim Pigott-Smith, Rebecca Front, Anne-Marie Duff, Meera Syal, Vanessa Kirby and Mark Strong. Setting the scene and providing the ‘establishing shots’ – the original stage directions and descriptions from the screenplays – are narrators Simon Russell Beale, Anne Reid, David Suchet, Peter Serafinowicz, Michael Sheen, Simon McBurney and Glenda Jackson.
Moving, mysterious, suspenseful, thrilling and terrifying, these dazzling productions will keep you enraptured from beginning to end. So sit back, grab some popcorn and let them play out on the biggest screen of all – that of your imagination.
NB: Contains strong language and sexual scenes
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Unmade Movies: Alexander MacKendrick's Mary Queen of Scots
Alexander Mackendrick's unproduced screenplay about the most turbulent year of Mary Stuart's life
'Rain-drenched spectacular... [Glenda] Jackson brings authority and asperity, but so much more' New Statesman
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
One of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, Mary Queen of Scots follows one tumultuous year in the life of the 16th Century monarch. It's 1566, and two clans are at war. Two religions - Catholic and Protestant - are in conflict. And two countries - England and Scotland - are about to collide. At the centre of this turmoil is 23-year-old Queen Mary: pregnant, isolated and vulnerable. Caught in a web of treachery, betrayal and murder, she must use her steely intelligence and every skill at her disposal to maintain her rightful position on the throne...
The acclaimed director of Whisky Galore! and The Ladykillers, Alexander Mackendrick spent nearly two decades struggling to adapt Mary Stuart's story for the silver screen, before retiring from filmmaking in 1969. Almost 50 years later, his cherished project was finally revived, directed by 'BAFTA Breakthrough Brit' Hope Dickson Leach and produced by Sandy Lieberson, Mackendrick's intended producer for the film. Narrated by the multi-award-winning Glenda Jackson, who twice played Elizabeth I in the 1970s, it stars Ellie Bamber (The Serpent) as Mary. Settle back and let yourself get carried away by this sweeping tale of passion, power, triumph and tragedy...
Production credits
Original screenplay by Alexander Mackendrick and Jay Presson Allen
Directed by Hope Dickson Leach
Executive Producers: Laurence Bowen, Peter Ettedgui, Sandy Lieberson and Frank Stirling
Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta
Original music by Hutch Demouilpied
A Dancing Ledge production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Mary Stuart - Ellie Bamber
Narrator - Glenda Jackson
Maitland - Mark Bonnar
Bothwell/Kerr - Emun Elliott
Darnley - Edward Holcroft
Morton - Bill Paterson
Ruthven/Du Croc/Knox - Struan Rodger
Murray/Rizzio/Taylor/Scout - Kevin Guthrie
Paris/Porter - Jamie Quinn
Mary Seton/Mary Fleming - Katharine O'Donnelly
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 December 2018
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
'Rain-drenched spectacular... [Glenda] Jackson brings authority and asperity, but so much more' New Statesman
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
One of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, Mary Queen of Scots follows one tumultuous year in the life of the 16th Century monarch. It's 1566, and two clans are at war. Two religions - Catholic and Protestant - are in conflict. And two countries - England and Scotland - are about to collide. At the centre of this turmoil is 23-year-old Queen Mary: pregnant, isolated and vulnerable. Caught in a web of treachery, betrayal and murder, she must use her steely intelligence and every skill at her disposal to maintain her rightful position on the throne...
The acclaimed director of Whisky Galore! and The Ladykillers, Alexander Mackendrick spent nearly two decades struggling to adapt Mary Stuart's story for the silver screen, before retiring from filmmaking in 1969. Almost 50 years later, his cherished project was finally revived, directed by 'BAFTA Breakthrough Brit' Hope Dickson Leach and produced by Sandy Lieberson, Mackendrick's intended producer for the film. Narrated by the multi-award-winning Glenda Jackson, who twice played Elizabeth I in the 1970s, it stars Ellie Bamber (The Serpent) as Mary. Settle back and let yourself get carried away by this sweeping tale of passion, power, triumph and tragedy...
Production credits
Original screenplay by Alexander Mackendrick and Jay Presson Allen
Directed by Hope Dickson Leach
Executive Producers: Laurence Bowen, Peter Ettedgui, Sandy Lieberson and Frank Stirling
Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta
Original music by Hutch Demouilpied
A Dancing Ledge production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Mary Stuart - Ellie Bamber
Narrator - Glenda Jackson
Maitland - Mark Bonnar
Bothwell/Kerr - Emun Elliott
Darnley - Edward Holcroft
Morton - Bill Paterson
Ruthven/Du Croc/Knox - Struan Rodger
Murray/Rizzio/Taylor/Scout - Kevin Guthrie
Paris/Porter - Jamie Quinn
Mary Seton/Mary Fleming - Katharine O'Donnelly
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 December 2018
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Unmade Movies: Arthur Miller's The Hook
Arthur Miller's unproduced screenplay about a 1950s Brooklyn dock worker who takes a stand against corruption, directed by Adrian Noble
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
The Hook, one of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, is set in New York's docks in 1951, where hundreds of longshoremen queue up at dawn hoping to be given a counter and a place in the day's gang. It's hard, dangerous work, but in a world ruled by corrupt union bosses on the take, they have no choice but to accept it. Then a tragedy occurs, and one man, Marty Ferrara, decides to fight back...
Arthur Miller was America's leading post-war playwright, but his credits also include several successful movie scripts, among them the 1961 classic The Misfits. Developed with Elia Kazan, The Hook was shelved when Miller refused to comply with Columbia Pictures' demands that he make the corrupt union bosses Communists. However, it went on to inspire both Kazan's On the Waterfront and Miller's A View from the Bridge. This dazzling production marks director Adrian Noble's radio debut, and stars Elliot Cowan (Lost in Austen) as Marty, with Tim Pigott-Smith (The Jewel in the Crown) as Farragut. It is narrated by David Suchet, who flawlessly reads Miller's directions, describing the action we can't see. Gritty, powerful and resonant, this rediscovered masterpiece will have you hooked from beginning to end.
Production credits
Written by Arthur Miller
Adapted for radio by Laurence Bowen
Directed by Adrian Noble
Produced by Laurence Bowen
Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Feelgood Fiction production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Narrator - David Suchet
Marty - Elliot Cowan
Louis - Nigel Lindsay
Rocky - Michael Feast
Farragut - Tim Pigott-Smith
Piggy - Nathan Wiley
Enzo - Jonathan Guy Lewis
Sleeper - Kerry Shale
Therese - Joanne Pearce
Old Dominic - Vincent Riotta
Mama - Lorelei King
Irene - Hollie Burgess
Pete - Leo Heller
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 October 2015
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
The Hook, one of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, is set in New York's docks in 1951, where hundreds of longshoremen queue up at dawn hoping to be given a counter and a place in the day's gang. It's hard, dangerous work, but in a world ruled by corrupt union bosses on the take, they have no choice but to accept it. Then a tragedy occurs, and one man, Marty Ferrara, decides to fight back...
Arthur Miller was America's leading post-war playwright, but his credits also include several successful movie scripts, among them the 1961 classic The Misfits. Developed with Elia Kazan, The Hook was shelved when Miller refused to comply with Columbia Pictures' demands that he make the corrupt union bosses Communists. However, it went on to inspire both Kazan's On the Waterfront and Miller's A View from the Bridge. This dazzling production marks director Adrian Noble's radio debut, and stars Elliot Cowan (Lost in Austen) as Marty, with Tim Pigott-Smith (The Jewel in the Crown) as Farragut. It is narrated by David Suchet, who flawlessly reads Miller's directions, describing the action we can't see. Gritty, powerful and resonant, this rediscovered masterpiece will have you hooked from beginning to end.
Production credits
Written by Arthur Miller
Adapted for radio by Laurence Bowen
Directed by Adrian Noble
Produced by Laurence Bowen
Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Feelgood Fiction production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Narrator - David Suchet
Marty - Elliot Cowan
Louis - Nigel Lindsay
Rocky - Michael Feast
Farragut - Tim Pigott-Smith
Piggy - Nathan Wiley
Enzo - Jonathan Guy Lewis
Sleeper - Kerry Shale
Therese - Joanne Pearce
Old Dominic - Vincent Riotta
Mama - Lorelei King
Irene - Hollie Burgess
Pete - Leo Heller
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 October 2015
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Unmade Movies: Dennis Potter's The White Hotel
Dennis Potter's unproduced screenplay of D. M. Thomas's award-winning novel, plus bonus documentary
'Incendiary' Radio Times
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
The White Hotel, one of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, centres around circus performer Lisa, who visits famous Berlin psychoanalyst Dr Probst to discover the cause of her mysterious breast and pelvic pains. Reading her sexually-charged journal, Probst concludes that the answer lies in her past. But then Lisa reveals her unsettling premonitions - 'I see what is going to happen. And what is going to happen cannot be endured.' Is her trauma really the result of childhood memories, or a dark vision of the future?
Lauded for his groundbreaking TV dramas, Dennis Potter also wrote several acclaimed screenplays, including Gorky Park. The White Hotel was taken up by numerous directors, from Bertolucci to David Lynch, with actors including Barbra Streisand and Meryl Streep slated to star - but the project defeated them all. Now, directed by Jon Amiel, who worked with Potter on The Singing Detective, this haunting, hallucinatory drama has finally found an audience. Anne-Marie Duff (His Dark Materials) stars as Lisa, with Bill Paterson (Fleabag) as Probst and Simon McBurney (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as the narrator. It is preceded by a 15-minute documentary, The Long Road to the White Hotel, telling the story of the many failed attempts to film Thomas's novel and the making of the radio production.
NB: Contains strong language and sexual scenes
Production credits
Written by D. M. Thomas
Original screenplay by Denis Potter under licence from Briarpatch Limited L.P
Directed by Jon Amiel
Produced by Laurence Bowen and Peter Ettedgui
Sound design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Dancing Ledge production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Lisa - Anne-Marie Duff
Probst - Bill Paterson
Narrator - Simon McBurney
The Lover - David Gyasi
Victor - Nigel Lindsay
Aunt Magda - Morwenna Banks
Vera/Old Woman/Wife - Jasmine Jones
Various - Wayne Forester
Officer/Captain/Maitre d'/Old Man - Nick Underwood
Koyla - Felix Jamieson
Little Lisa - Tillie Murray
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 September 2018
The Long Road to the White Hotel
With DM Thomas, Amanda Bale and Jon Amiel
Produced by Philippa Geering and Geoff Bird
An Overtone Production for BBC Radio 4
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 September 2018
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
'Incendiary' Radio Times
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
The White Hotel, one of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, centres around circus performer Lisa, who visits famous Berlin psychoanalyst Dr Probst to discover the cause of her mysterious breast and pelvic pains. Reading her sexually-charged journal, Probst concludes that the answer lies in her past. But then Lisa reveals her unsettling premonitions - 'I see what is going to happen. And what is going to happen cannot be endured.' Is her trauma really the result of childhood memories, or a dark vision of the future?
Lauded for his groundbreaking TV dramas, Dennis Potter also wrote several acclaimed screenplays, including Gorky Park. The White Hotel was taken up by numerous directors, from Bertolucci to David Lynch, with actors including Barbra Streisand and Meryl Streep slated to star - but the project defeated them all. Now, directed by Jon Amiel, who worked with Potter on The Singing Detective, this haunting, hallucinatory drama has finally found an audience. Anne-Marie Duff (His Dark Materials) stars as Lisa, with Bill Paterson (Fleabag) as Probst and Simon McBurney (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as the narrator. It is preceded by a 15-minute documentary, The Long Road to the White Hotel, telling the story of the many failed attempts to film Thomas's novel and the making of the radio production.
NB: Contains strong language and sexual scenes
Production credits
Written by D. M. Thomas
Original screenplay by Denis Potter under licence from Briarpatch Limited L.P
Directed by Jon Amiel
Produced by Laurence Bowen and Peter Ettedgui
Sound design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Dancing Ledge production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Lisa - Anne-Marie Duff
Probst - Bill Paterson
Narrator - Simon McBurney
The Lover - David Gyasi
Victor - Nigel Lindsay
Aunt Magda - Morwenna Banks
Vera/Old Woman/Wife - Jasmine Jones
Various - Wayne Forester
Officer/Captain/Maitre d'/Old Man - Nick Underwood
Koyla - Felix Jamieson
Little Lisa - Tillie Murray
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 September 2018
The Long Road to the White Hotel
With DM Thomas, Amanda Bale and Jon Amiel
Produced by Philippa Geering and Geoff Bird
An Overtone Production for BBC Radio 4
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 September 2018
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Unmade Movies: Hammer Horror's The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula
Dracula travels to 1930s India in this celebrated unproduced Hammer Horror script, directed by Mark Gatiss
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
In The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula, one of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, it is 1934, and young Englishwoman Penny is travelling by train across India in search of her missing sister. En route, she meets sibling artistes Prem and Lakshmi, who have been hired by a Maharajah and his wife, the Rani, to entertain their aristocratic European guest. But evil lurks in the hidden caverns beneath the ancient palace, where the acolytes of a fiendish blood cult await their next human sacrifice...
The intended follow-up to Scars of Dracula, this exotic, blood-drenched tale was nearly filmed on location in India in the early '70s, but financing problems meant it was dropped in favour of Dracula, AD 1972. Rescued from Hammer's vaults, it has been resurrected by Mark Gatiss, and is the first new Hammer Horror Dracula production in 43 years. It stars Anna Madeley (All Creatures Great and Small) as Penny, with Nikesh Patel (Indian Summers) as Prem, Ayesha Dharker (The Indian Doctor) as Lakshmi and Meera Syal (Goodness Gracious Me) as the Rani. Lewis MacLeod (Dead Ringers) channels Christopher Lee as the iconic Count, and Michael Sheen (Staged) narrates. Get ready for a terrifying, edge-of-your-seat encounter as the Prince of Darkness rises from his grave once more...
Production credits
Written by Anthony Hinds
Directed by Mark Gatiss
Produced by Laurence Bowen and Peter Ettedgui
Original music by Blair Mowat
Sound design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Dancing Ledge production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Narrator - Michael Sheen
Penny - Anna Madeley
Prem - Nikesh Patel
Lakshmi - Ayesha Dharker
Babu - Kulvinder Ghir
The Rani/Mrs Mukherjee - Meera Syal
Count Dracula - Lewis MacLeod
Maharajah/Inspector - Raj Ghatak
Lucy - Natalie Kimmerling
Evil Face - Sagar Arya
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 October 2017
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
In The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula, one of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, it is 1934, and young Englishwoman Penny is travelling by train across India in search of her missing sister. En route, she meets sibling artistes Prem and Lakshmi, who have been hired by a Maharajah and his wife, the Rani, to entertain their aristocratic European guest. But evil lurks in the hidden caverns beneath the ancient palace, where the acolytes of a fiendish blood cult await their next human sacrifice...
The intended follow-up to Scars of Dracula, this exotic, blood-drenched tale was nearly filmed on location in India in the early '70s, but financing problems meant it was dropped in favour of Dracula, AD 1972. Rescued from Hammer's vaults, it has been resurrected by Mark Gatiss, and is the first new Hammer Horror Dracula production in 43 years. It stars Anna Madeley (All Creatures Great and Small) as Penny, with Nikesh Patel (Indian Summers) as Prem, Ayesha Dharker (The Indian Doctor) as Lakshmi and Meera Syal (Goodness Gracious Me) as the Rani. Lewis MacLeod (Dead Ringers) channels Christopher Lee as the iconic Count, and Michael Sheen (Staged) narrates. Get ready for a terrifying, edge-of-your-seat encounter as the Prince of Darkness rises from his grave once more...
Production credits
Written by Anthony Hinds
Directed by Mark Gatiss
Produced by Laurence Bowen and Peter Ettedgui
Original music by Blair Mowat
Sound design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Dancing Ledge production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Narrator - Michael Sheen
Penny - Anna Madeley
Prem - Nikesh Patel
Lakshmi - Ayesha Dharker
Babu - Kulvinder Ghir
The Rani/Mrs Mukherjee - Meera Syal
Count Dracula - Lewis MacLeod
Maharajah/Inspector - Raj Ghatak
Lucy - Natalie Kimmerling
Evil Face - Sagar Arya
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 October 2017
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Unmade Movies: Harold Pinter's The Dreaming Child
Harold Pinter's unproduced screenplay of Karen Blixen's intriguing short story of love and loss
'An important addition to the Pinter canon' The Stage
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
The Dreaming Child, one of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, is an eerie, enigmatic drama set in Bristol in 1868. Emily Carter, married to a wealthy man, is haunted by her first love, who died at sea. Unable to have children, she and her husband Tom adopt a young slum child - but Jack is no ordinary boy, and seems to have an uncanny knowledge of his new home and family...
Renowned for his critically-acclaimed plays, Harold Pinter also wrote many outstanding film scripts, including Accident, Betrayal and The Pumpkin Eater. The Dreaming Child was commissioned in 1997 by actress Julia Ormond, who wanted to produce and direct, but the project never got the green light - until now. Lydia Leonard (Last Christmas) stars as Emily, with Bertie Carvel (The Sister) as Tom, Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones) as Peggy and Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax) as the narrator, who provides the 'establishing shots' - the stage directions and descriptions from the screenplay. Moving, mesmerising and mysterious, this remarkable production is a triumphant fulfilment of Pinter's great artistic vision.
Production credits
Written by Harold Pinter
Based on 'The Dreaming Child' by Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen)
Adapted by Joanna Hogg and Laurence Bowen
Directed by Joanna Hogg
Produced by Laurence Bowen
Sound design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Feelgood Fiction production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Narrator - Anne Reid
Emily - Lydia Leonard
Tom - Bertie Carvel
Charlie - Joshua Silver
Mrs Jones - Joanna Scanlan
Miss Scott - Susan Woolridge
Jack - Jack Hollington
Peggy - Rose Leslie
Bess - Bryony Hannah
Mr Rudd - Karl Johnson
Mr Carter - Malcolm Sinclair
Children - Flynn Allen, Esme Allen-Quarmby, Isabella Blake-Thomas & Joey Price
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 March 2015
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
'An important addition to the Pinter canon' The Stage
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
The Dreaming Child, one of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, is an eerie, enigmatic drama set in Bristol in 1868. Emily Carter, married to a wealthy man, is haunted by her first love, who died at sea. Unable to have children, she and her husband Tom adopt a young slum child - but Jack is no ordinary boy, and seems to have an uncanny knowledge of his new home and family...
Renowned for his critically-acclaimed plays, Harold Pinter also wrote many outstanding film scripts, including Accident, Betrayal and The Pumpkin Eater. The Dreaming Child was commissioned in 1997 by actress Julia Ormond, who wanted to produce and direct, but the project never got the green light - until now. Lydia Leonard (Last Christmas) stars as Emily, with Bertie Carvel (The Sister) as Tom, Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones) as Peggy and Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax) as the narrator, who provides the 'establishing shots' - the stage directions and descriptions from the screenplay. Moving, mesmerising and mysterious, this remarkable production is a triumphant fulfilment of Pinter's great artistic vision.
Production credits
Written by Harold Pinter
Based on 'The Dreaming Child' by Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen)
Adapted by Joanna Hogg and Laurence Bowen
Directed by Joanna Hogg
Produced by Laurence Bowen
Sound design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Feelgood Fiction production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Narrator - Anne Reid
Emily - Lydia Leonard
Tom - Bertie Carvel
Charlie - Joshua Silver
Mrs Jones - Joanna Scanlan
Miss Scott - Susan Woolridge
Jack - Jack Hollington
Peggy - Rose Leslie
Bess - Bryony Hannah
Mr Rudd - Karl Johnson
Mr Carter - Malcolm Sinclair
Children - Flynn Allen, Esme Allen-Quarmby, Isabella Blake-Thomas & Joey Price
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 March 2015
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Unmade Movies: Harold Pinter's Victory
Harold Pinter's unproduced screenplay of Joseph Conrad's last great novel, specially adapted for radio by Sir Richard Eyre
'All radio drama should be at this level' Spectator
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
One of seven of these 'unmade movies' available on audio, Victory is a dark, morally complex drama set in the Dutch East Indies in 1900. It tells the story of Baron Heyst, a mysterious Swedish recluse living alone on a deserted island whose life is changed forever when he visits a neighbouring island, and falls in love with young English violinist Lena. Pursued by predatory older men, Lena is drawn to Heyst, and escapes with him to his island retreat...
The foremost playwright of his generation, Harold Pinter was also a celebrated screenwriter, who wrote the scripts for hit movies including The Servant, The Go-Between and The French Lieutenant's Woman. Victory, however, was judged too expensive for Hollywood - but, courtesy of this special adaptation by award-winning director Sir Richard Eyre, it has finally seen the light of day. Bjarne Henriksen (The Killing) stars as Heyst, with Vanessa Kirby (The Crown) as Lena and Mark Strong (Cruella) as Ricardo, while narrator Simon Russell Beale sets the scene with directions and descriptions from Pinter's screenplay, some taken directly from Conrad's original novel. So sit back, grab some popcorn and let this epic production play out on the biggest screen of all - that of your imagination.
Production credits
Written by Harold Pinter
Based on Victory: An Island Tale by Joseph Conrad
Directed by Richard Eyre
Produced by Laurence Bowen
Sound Design: John Leonard and Wilfredo Acosta
A Feelgood Fiction production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Narrator - Simon Russell Beale
Heyst - Bjarne Henriksen
Lena - Vanessa Kirby
Davidson - Matthew Marsh
Ricardo - Mark Strong
Jones - Robert Portal
Schomberg - Patrick O'Kane
Mrs Schomberg - Helen Schlesinger
Pedro - Martin Marquez
Chang - Paul Chan
Mrs Zangiacomo - Flaminia Cinque
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 February 2015
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
'All radio drama should be at this level' Spectator
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
One of seven of these 'unmade movies' available on audio, Victory is a dark, morally complex drama set in the Dutch East Indies in 1900. It tells the story of Baron Heyst, a mysterious Swedish recluse living alone on a deserted island whose life is changed forever when he visits a neighbouring island, and falls in love with young English violinist Lena. Pursued by predatory older men, Lena is drawn to Heyst, and escapes with him to his island retreat...
The foremost playwright of his generation, Harold Pinter was also a celebrated screenwriter, who wrote the scripts for hit movies including The Servant, The Go-Between and The French Lieutenant's Woman. Victory, however, was judged too expensive for Hollywood - but, courtesy of this special adaptation by award-winning director Sir Richard Eyre, it has finally seen the light of day. Bjarne Henriksen (The Killing) stars as Heyst, with Vanessa Kirby (The Crown) as Lena and Mark Strong (Cruella) as Ricardo, while narrator Simon Russell Beale sets the scene with directions and descriptions from Pinter's screenplay, some taken directly from Conrad's original novel. So sit back, grab some popcorn and let this epic production play out on the biggest screen of all - that of your imagination.
Production credits
Written by Harold Pinter
Based on Victory: An Island Tale by Joseph Conrad
Directed by Richard Eyre
Produced by Laurence Bowen
Sound Design: John Leonard and Wilfredo Acosta
A Feelgood Fiction production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Narrator - Simon Russell Beale
Heyst - Bjarne Henriksen
Lena - Vanessa Kirby
Davidson - Matthew Marsh
Ricardo - Mark Strong
Jones - Robert Portal
Schomberg - Patrick O'Kane
Mrs Schomberg - Helen Schlesinger
Pedro - Martin Marquez
Chang - Paul Chan
Mrs Zangiacomo - Flaminia Cinque
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 February 2015
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Unmade Movies: Hitchcock's The Blind Man
Alfred Hitchcock and Ernest Lehman's unfinished screenplay, completed by Mark Gatiss
'Achingly tense scenes... and a masterpiece of a climax' Radio Times
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
One of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, The Blind Man is set in 1961, and features a famous blind jazz pianist, Larry Keating, who agrees to a pioneering surgical procedure: an eye transplant. The operation is a success, but his new eyes are those of a murdered man - and burned onto their retina is the image of his killer. Can Larry track him down before he strikes again?
The proposed follow-up to North by Northwest, The Blind Man was to be set in Disneyland and star Jimmy Stewart - but Walt Disney refused permission, Stewart pulled out and Lehman dropped the project, leading to a 16-year rift with Hitchcock. Decades later, the unfinished script was rediscovered by producer Laurence Bowen in a research institute in Texas - along with extensive notes and letters between Hitchcock and Lehman. Completed and directed by Mark Gatiss, it stars Hugh Laurie (House) as Larry and Rebecca Front (The Thick of It) as Sylvia, with Peter Serafinowicz (Shaun of the Dead) giving a masterly impression of Hitchcock as the narrator. Prepare to be blown away by this explosive new psychological thriller from the Master of Suspense...
Production credits
Written by Alfred Hitchcock and Ernest Lehman
Completed and directed by Mark Gatiss
Adapted for radio by Laurence Bowen
Produced by Laurence Bowen and Peter Ettedgui
Co-Producer: Laurent Bouzereau
Original music by Blair Mowat
Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Feelgood Fiction production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Larry Keating - Hugh Laurie
Sylvia Whitehead - Rebecca Front
Victor Farmer - Nicholas Woodeson
Jenny Stiles - Kelly Burke
Mortie Levitt/Captain Barzoni - Andy Nyman
Linda Whitehead - Hilary Connell
Herman Graubner - John Guerrasio
Dr McGraw - John Light
Autograph Girl - Hollie Burgess
Narrator, Alfred Hitchcock - Peter Serafinowicz
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 October 2015
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
'Achingly tense scenes... and a masterpiece of a climax' Radio Times
The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.
One of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, The Blind Man is set in 1961, and features a famous blind jazz pianist, Larry Keating, who agrees to a pioneering surgical procedure: an eye transplant. The operation is a success, but his new eyes are those of a murdered man - and burned onto their retina is the image of his killer. Can Larry track him down before he strikes again?
The proposed follow-up to North by Northwest, The Blind Man was to be set in Disneyland and star Jimmy Stewart - but Walt Disney refused permission, Stewart pulled out and Lehman dropped the project, leading to a 16-year rift with Hitchcock. Decades later, the unfinished script was rediscovered by producer Laurence Bowen in a research institute in Texas - along with extensive notes and letters between Hitchcock and Lehman. Completed and directed by Mark Gatiss, it stars Hugh Laurie (House) as Larry and Rebecca Front (The Thick of It) as Sylvia, with Peter Serafinowicz (Shaun of the Dead) giving a masterly impression of Hitchcock as the narrator. Prepare to be blown away by this explosive new psychological thriller from the Master of Suspense...
Production credits
Written by Alfred Hitchcock and Ernest Lehman
Completed and directed by Mark Gatiss
Adapted for radio by Laurence Bowen
Produced by Laurence Bowen and Peter Ettedgui
Co-Producer: Laurent Bouzereau
Original music by Blair Mowat
Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta
A Feelgood Fiction production for BBC Radio 4
Cast
Larry Keating - Hugh Laurie
Sylvia Whitehead - Rebecca Front
Victor Farmer - Nicholas Woodeson
Jenny Stiles - Kelly Burke
Mortie Levitt/Captain Barzoni - Andy Nyman
Linda Whitehead - Hilary Connell
Herman Graubner - John Guerrasio
Dr McGraw - John Light
Autograph Girl - Hollie Burgess
Narrator, Alfred Hitchcock - Peter Serafinowicz
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 October 2015
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd