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A Poet in London

First transmitted in 1959, John Betjeman is filmed at different London locations introducing and reciting four of his poems.

First transmitted in 1959, John Betjeman is filmed at different London locations introducing and reciting four of his poems.

The film was Ken Russell's first for television and was commissioned by Huw Wheldon, the head of the BBC's Monitor arts programme. Betjeman is shown visiting locations including Vauxhall Park, Aldersgate Street station (now the Barbican), Camden Town and Hatfield. He recites his poems 'Monody on the Death of Aldersgate Street Station', 'Business Girls', 'The Olympic Girl' and 'Hertfordshire'.

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12 minutes

Last on

Sun 1 Mar 195922:05
BBC Television Service

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BBC Four Betjeman Collection

BBC Four Betjeman Collection
Rediscover the documentaries that made Betjeman a much-loved figure on British television.

BBC Four Betjeman Collection

About BBC Four Collection programmes

Programmes are selected, in part, for their historical context and reflect the broadcast standards and attitudes of their time, which may not accord to some current BBC editorial guidelines. We aim to select programmes which can be shown in their entirety but in some cases edits are required.

Credits

ParticipantJohn Betjeman
DirectorKen Russell
ProducerPeter Newington
Associate ProducerNancy Thomas
Film EditorAllan Tyrer
EditorHuw Wheldon

Broadcast

  • Sun 1 Mar 195922:05
    BBC Television Service

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