Pinter at the BBC

Harold Pinter (1930-2008) was one of the most important and influential British playwrights of the last century. Whilst best-known for his work for the stage, this collection celebrates Pinter's significant contribution to television. His work for the screen shares many of the qualities of that for the stage, from a fascination with the private roots of power and an abiding preoccupation with memory, to a belief in the agency of women. Featuring 10 plays made for the BBC between 1965 and 1988, and previously unavailable on DVD, highlights include Tea Party (1965), Old Times (1975) and 1987's The Birthday Party which sees a rare example of Pinter acting in his own work. A dazzling array of British acting talent is on display, including Michael Gambon, Julie Walters, Leo McKern, Vivian Merchant, John Le Mesurier and Miranda Richardson.THE PLAYS:The Tea Party (Charles Jarrot, 1965)A Slight Ache (Christopher Morahan, 1967)A Night Out (Christopher Morahan, 1967)The Basement (Charles Jarrot, 1967)Monologue (Christopher Morahan, 1973)Old Times (Christopher Morahan, 1975)The Hothouse (Harold Pinter, 1982)Landscape (Kenneth Ives, 1983)The Birthday Party (Kenneth Ives, 1987)Mountain Language (Harold Pinter, 1988)Special Features:Writers in Conversation: Harold Pinter (1984, 47 mins): an ICA interview with Harold Pinter by Benedict NightingalePinter People (1969, 16 mins): a series of four animated films written by Harold PinterFace to Face: Harold Pinter (1997, 39 mins): Sir Jeremy Isaacs interviews Harold Pinter, who discusses the images and events which have inspired some of his most powerful dramasHarold Pinter Guardian Interview (1996, 73 mins, audio only): an extensive interview with the legendary playwright by critic Michael Billington, recorded at the National Film TheatreIllustrated booklet with new writing by Michael Billington, John Wyver, Billy Smart, Amanda Wrigley, David Rolinson and Lez Cooke, and full film creditsUK | 1965 1988 | black and white, and colour | 628 minutes | English language with optional hard-of-hearing subtitles | original aspect ratio 1.33:1 | 5 x DVD9, PAL, Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio (192kbps) | cert 15 (strong language, moderate violence, threat, sex references | region 2