I had to laugh a little bit at the BBC announcement, where it says "Quatermass paved the way for shows like Doctor Who". I'm sure I read somewhere that Kneale HATED "Doctor Who"!
(Mind you, I could be wrong, if so I apologise, but I'm pretty sure I'm right.)
The Year of the Sex Olympics, made in 1968, imagined a future in which the public are subjugated by reality TV which places volunteers in a remote house and monitors their every move.
I only caught the Stone Tape last year when it was shown on BBC4 - the effects were really dated, but the story still stood up well and was very creepy!
I had to laugh a little bit at the BBC announcement, where it says "Quatermass paved the way for shows like Doctor Who". I'm sure I read somewhere that Kneale HATED "Doctor Who"!
(Mind you, I could be wrong, if so I apologise, but I'm pretty sure I'm right.)
I believe he was asked to write for it in the early days but rejected the offer saying the whole concept of the show was one of those 'bathtime thoughts' which seem like a really good idea as you're relaxing amongst the suds but which should be left to drain away with the dirty water. Or something like that. Either way, 43 years later what did he know
Mr Gatiss was spot on describing him as a pioneer. Mr Kneale should not be remembered as "just" a great writer of science fiction, he was much more than that.
I only caught the Stone Tape last year when it was shown on BBC4 - the effects were really dated, but the story still stood up well and was very creepy!
Really annoyed I missed that, perhaps it will be wheeled out once more by way of a tribute.
It's worth mentioning that 30 years ago, in black and white, The Stone Tape really was terrifying. The recent showing, in colour, was mercifully, a bit less harrowing.
This is really sad news. He genuinely was one of the greats.
I hope that they do reshow The Stone Tape, as that's something that I'd love to see as well. I'd also really like to see The Year Of The Sex Olympics... he really got that right.
It's worth mentioning that 30 years ago, in black and white, The Stone Tape really was terrifying. The recent showing, in colour, was mercifully, a bit less harrowing.
If they do repeat it I'd better dig my B&W Portable out of the loft then.
Well, what a surprise - I saw this news on the BBC site. Mark Gatiss has a tribute.
Stone Tapes has got to be one of the most chilling supernatural/SF stories on TV! I didn't realise he's adapted "Woman in Black" too - also a chiller...
I think that Quatermass and the Pit (TV & film) is a superb story and it gives me the creeps every time I watch it.
I do hope that BBC4 does a 'season' including the John Mills Quatermass - with all the 'rave hippy kids' chanting and dancing on the way to Stonehenge...
I think he proved science fiction could be "serious". I bought the Quatermass DVD release a couple of years ago, and Quatermass and the Pit is an amazing piece of work. I also bought The Stone Tape which is well worth a look - the effects may be dated but the story is fascinating and scary. Sad there aren't more like him today. Hopefully BBC4 might do a tribute. Mark Gatiss' tribute on the BBC site is very good.
Comments
That is sad news. His legacy lives on with what he has influenced in others work.
As you said he will be sadly missed.
G
I had to laugh a little bit at the BBC announcement, where it says "Quatermass paved the way for shows like Doctor Who". I'm sure I read somewhere that Kneale HATED "Doctor Who"!
(Mind you, I could be wrong, if so I apologise, but I'm pretty sure I'm right.)
And he got this right.
I believe he was asked to write for it in the early days but rejected the offer saying the whole concept of the show was one of those 'bathtime thoughts' which seem like a really good idea as you're relaxing amongst the suds but which should be left to drain away with the dirty water. Or something like that. Either way, 43 years later what did he know
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6107564.stm
Mr Gatiss was spot on describing him as a pioneer. Mr Kneale should not be remembered as "just" a great writer of science fiction, he was much more than that.
I love Dr Who (current and classic). It was a great show, but it was not great science fiction. The same could be said for the current revamp.
Really annoyed I missed that, perhaps it will be wheeled out once more by way of a tribute.
I hope that they do reshow The Stone Tape, as that's something that I'd love to see as well. I'd also really like to see The Year Of The Sex Olympics... he really got that right.
*Though looking at IMDB I probably have seen more than I realised.
If they do repeat it I'd better dig my B&W Portable out of the loft then.
Stone Tapes has got to be one of the most chilling supernatural/SF stories on TV! I didn't realise he's adapted "Woman in Black" too - also a chiller...
I think that Quatermass and the Pit (TV & film) is a superb story and it gives me the creeps every time I watch it.
I do hope that BBC4 does a 'season' including the John Mills Quatermass - with all the 'rave hippy kids' chanting and dancing on the way to Stonehenge...
A great loss
K
Still. BBC4 - never knowingly unrepeated!
K
The Stone Tape and Year Of The Sex Olympics have been released on DVD.
A great pity that his superb adaptation of Susan Hill's the Woman In Black isn't!
Good-bye Mr Kneale and thank you.
At least The Stone Tape still exists; if they have to re-make anything make it The Road - one of the casualties of the BBC purge.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/timeshift/kneale-interview.shtml
(including "Why he refused to work on Doctor Who")
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/timeshift/nigel-kneale.shtml