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Penda’s Fen (12*) + ScreenTalk with Spencer Banks, Ian Greaves and Gareth Evans

,Cinema 1
Penda's Fen

David Rudkin’s mystical TV film on paganism, and a discussion with actor Spencer Banks and writer Ian Greaves, whose new book reveals how the masterpiece was made.

Penda's Fen, a film for television by David Rudkin, tells the story of young Stephen, the Vicar's son, who is obsessed with the music of Elgar. The play looks at the mystical pagan past of the England, and spirituality, sexuality and the natural landscape. 

Through visitations from angels, demons, Christ, King Penda and even Elgar himself, emerge the ancient secrets of the Malvern Hills. Director Alan Clarke achieves a masterful balance of the fantastical and literal that has connected with generations of viewers for over fifty years.

A post-screening discussion brings together lead Spencer Banks and writer Ian Greaves, author of Penda's Fen: Scene by Scene (Ten Acre Films), a new book on how the film was created. The book is a major step in our understanding of how a masterpiece came to be. Chaired by Gareth Evans.

Tagged with: Cinema ScreenTalks

Copies of Penda's Fen: Scene by Scene will be available to purchase following the event.

With thanks to the BFI National Film Archive and Ian Greaves.

Film information
  • Release year   1974
  • Country   UK
  • Director   Alan Clarke
  • Runtime   1hr 29min

Ticket prices

Standard
£13 *
* Excludes £1.50 booking fee

Booking fees

£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.

No fee when tickets are booked in person.

Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.

Biographies

Ian Greaves has written about broadcasting history and the arts for over twenty years. Previous books include edited collections of Dennis Potter, Jonathan Miller and Ivor Cutler. He has devised documentaries for BBC Radio and curated events at the BFI, Barbican and Royal Court, and worked as consultant on major television archive projects including BBC Four’s fiftieth anniversary celebration of Play for Today and the Raven Row exhibition of community broadcasting, People Make Television. 

Cinema 1

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.