Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC (1969-1989)

Released: 29th August 2022. Although probably best remembered for the controversial and groundbreaking dramas Scum, Made in Britain and The Firm, the breadth of Alan Clarke’s radical, political, innovative and inspirational work, along with his influence on generations of filmmakers, such as Gus Van Sant, Paul Greengrass, Andrea Arnold, Harmony Korine, Clio Barnard and Shane Meadows should see him rightly regarded as one of Britain’s greatest ever filmmaking talents. This re-packaged collection brings together twenty-two stand-alone BBC TV dramas that Alan Clarke directed between 1969 and 1989, including such neglected classics as To Encourage the Others, Horace, Penda’s Fen, Diane, Contact, Christine and Elephant, and includes Scum plus Clarke’s Director’s Cut of The Firm, assembled from his personal answer print, discovered in 2015. This 12-Disc Box Set (11 Blu-rays / 1 DVD) also includes a raft of additional materials, including an introduction to The Firm by David Leland, extracts from BBC discussion shows Open Air and Tonight, plus documentaries and eight audio commentaries. Films: The Last Train through Harecastle Tunnel (1969), Sovereign’s Company (1970), The Hallelujah Handshake (1970), To Encourage the Others (1972), Under the Age (1972), Horace (1972), The Love Girl and the Innocent (1973), Penda’s Fen (1974), A Follower for Emily (1974), Diane (1975), Funny Farm (1975), Scum (1977), Nina (1978), Danton’s Death (1978), Beloved Enemy (1981), Psy-Warriors (1981), Baal (1982), Stars of the Roller State Disco (1984), Contact (1985), Christine (1987), The Firm: Director’s Cut (1989), The Firm: Broadcast Version (1989), Elephant (1989) Extras: Alan Clarke: Out of His Own Light (2016, 235 mins) Half Hour Story: George’s Room (1967, 24 mins): when a seemingly mild-mannered gentleman calls at a woman’s house, so begins an intimate exchange between strangers who never reveal their names. Written by Alun Owen and directed by Alan Clarke Introductions to To Encourage The Others, Scum, Contact and The Firm by David Leland (1991, 11 mins total) AFN Clarke on Contact (2016, 22 mins): the writer of Contact discusses his time working with Alan Clarke Eight audio commentaries (Diane, Scum, Bukovsky, Contact, Christine, Elephant, The Firm (x2)) Bukovsky (Alan Clarke, 1977, 50 mins) + outtakes Archival BBC discussion programmes (78 mins total) Alan Clarke interview (1989, 10 mins) Stills galleries