Rent Penda's Fen (1974)
3.6 of 5 from 76 ratings
1h 29min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Originally shown on BBC1 in 1974 and rarely seen since, "Penda's Fen" has become the stuff of legend, its name invoking the spirit of a time when television had the power to provoke and astound. Exploring themes of personal and national identity, language, history and industrial progress, this unclassifiable drama boldly weaves its exquisite, fantastical imagery with the rousing music of Elgar to tell a tale of ancient legends and sexual awakening which stands as one of British television's greatest ever achievements.
- Actors:
- Spencer Banks, John Atkinson, Georgine Anderson, Ron Smerczak, Ian Hogg, Jennie Heslewood, Graham Leaman, Christopher Douglas, John Richmond, Ivor Roberts, Joan Scott, Ray Gatenby, Helena McCarthy, Joyce Grundy, Frank Veasey, Elizabeth Revill, Moray Black, John Scott, Roy Preston, Pat Bowker
- Directors:
- Alan Clarke
- Producers:
- David Rose
- Writers:
- David Rudkin
- Studio:
- BFI Video
- Genres:
- Classics, Comedy, Drama
- Collections:
- A World of Difference: A History of Gay Cinema, Top 10 Cycling Films
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 23/05/2016
- Run Time:
- 89 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Mono
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- World Premiere Release
- The Landscape of Feelings: The Road to Penda's Fen (2016, 16 mins): new documentary on the making of Rudkin and Clarke's groundbreaking drama, featuring interviews with writer David Rudkin and producer David Rose, as well as contributions from Clarke collaborators such as writer David Yallop, actor Sean Chapman and playwright David Leland
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Reviews (2) of Penda's Fen
The Flames of Heaven - Penda's Fen review by CH
Pagan. The word derives from the Latin for country. That is, those of such a disposition hail from unsophisticated parts, even villages. So we are reminded by John Atkinson who, looking like a cross between Derek Nimmo and Jeremy Irons, plays a rector in a pleasant house in the Malvern Hills. This etymological point is not part of the sermons which he types on what, even in 1974, was an antique machine, but an observation made while walking across a nearby field with his son, Spencer Banks, who is about to turn eighteen.
Banks is an unusual schoolboy, immersed in Elgar, in particular to spiritual voyage he created from Newman's The Dream of Gerontius. Banks has politics of a country-loving Tory hue, at odds with his time and fellow pupils who, dressed at times in Army uniform, are much given to ragging him (there are moments when one thinks of If...).
Penda's Fen was written by David Rudkin, and to his surprise Alan Clarke agreed to direct it. Clarke was known for gritty films of social realism. Although billed, in some quarters, as a work of horror, it is not exactly that. Rudkin has said that the idea came to him from a road sign in the area which pointed to a village. Its name haunted him, and he looked into its origins: it derives from Penda's Fen, name in honour of a King.
Banks himself is on a quest, a direction in life which, for all its ease and good fortune, is troubled. This will involve him in many strange encounters as angels descend and strange rituals are enacted as reality and dream merge to create a new dimension to existence.
Rudkin has recalled that, at times, Clarke was not sure what was happening. He told him simply to follow the script that it was all in there, it was the only book he need to read about all the myths and psychology – and the life of Elgar – which he had drawn upon in writing it.
And so here it is, a mélange – with many a descending Sun – which carries us along, the dialogue taken at a slightly slower than natural pace, as if all concerned are out of synchronisation with the world around them.
What's more, one learns that part of Gerontius was inspired by one of Elgar's dogs.
There is nothing quite like Penda's Fen, too little known since its first showing in the BBC's Play for Today series.
4 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
Beauty, Sexuality, Demons, Angels,, Death & Elgar in the Malvern Hills in this 1973 PLAY FOR TODAY - Penda's Fen review by PV
I only saw this in 2026, when shown on TALKING PICTURES TV - it sounded interesting and it is! Even if you're not a believer, a Christian, or religious/spiritual, it works - in a way some dramas with pagan stuff and angels/demons do not. BECAUSE the characters are strong and the main character's confusion is real and authentic. The sexuality theme is daring for the time, 1973 TV play, remember.
The main actor Spencer talked for 10 minutes before that showing, revealed he was 19 at the time, that the writer was at the read-throughs and that Alan Clarke the director, known for gritty working class plays/films, decided to film this script because it was so odd and challenging, not his usual fare. Alan Clarke also gave Ray Winston his first break in SCUM (TV play 1977, not shown as too violent, then a 1979 film entirely reshot).
The Times review the next day quoth: "We had a major work of television last night. Rudkin gave us something that had beauty, imagination and depth"
It's the sort of television drama that will NEVER be made again. For one, it takes risks and is utterly bizarre and at times baffling. Secondly, its theme is not race or gender, the only 2 themes allowed in TV drama now, complete with BAME faces parachuted into the English countryside (looking at you Midsomer Murders) and 'strong independent women' in charge.
The writer Rudkin is still alive, born 1936, born in London and went to top public school and Oxford with strict Irish evangelical Christian parents - that all seeps through into this Manichaean battle within and without your Stephen.
Elgar's music and his theme works well - I'd advise watching this with the TV film ELGAR (1962) by Ken Russell, a very special drama-documentary. Some guff about adoption was confusing for me, and a few bits did not work, so 1 star taken off 5.
Pinvin is a REAL village in Worcestershire too! Elgar country. Watch the Ken Russell 1962 film ELGAR too.
4 stars
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.