Show Notes
The Shout is a 1978 British horror film directed by Jerzy Skolimowski (who is also an Actor was in Mars Attacks and played a General in Marvels The Avengers). It was based on a short story by Robert Graves (author of I, Claudius and great friend of Spike Milligan, with whom, from the 1960s until his death, he frequently exchanged letters, Many of which are collected in the book ‘Dear Robert, Dear Spike’) Grave's short story was adapted for the screen by Skolimowski and Michael Austin screenwriter of Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. The film was the first to be produced by Jeremy Thomas under his ‘Recorded Picture Company’ banner. Thomas went on to produce and exec-produce 70 more films (to date) including Naked Lunch, The last Emperor, Crash, The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, Sexy Beast and High-rise. Interiors were shot at Pinewood Studios, the film's sets were designed by the art director Simon Holland (Quadrophenia, Buster, Nuns on the Run and King Ralph). The North Devon coastline, specifically Saunton Sands and Braunton Burrows, were used for the bulk of the location shooting. The church of St Peter in Westleigh was used for the church scenes. The soundtrack is by Michael Rutherford and Tony Banks of the rock band Genesis (After the original first choice of David Bowie turned it down). When heard in theatres in Dolby Stereo, it was aurally separating and distorting. Reportedly, forty different music tracks were used for the sound, when it was usual for films of this era to use just 4. The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival and received the Grand Prize of the Jury, in a tie with Bye Bye Monkey (A film staring Gérard Depardieu about a man who finds the corpse of King Kong and Kong's orphaned son, and takes it to a friend who lives in the city, and they decide to raise it.)
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More from General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast
In this episode, we conclude our deep dive into screen adaptations of Nigel Kneale’s legendary sci-fi creation, Professor Bernard Quatermass. We take a look at the 1979 Euston Films/Thames Television serial The Quatermass Conclusion (also known as Quatermass IV or Quatermass), starring Oscar-winner John Mills as the titular professor. Plus, stick around after the end credits for an exclusive clip preview from Room 5064 and B7 Media’s full-cast audio adaptation of Ramsey Campbell’s iconic folk horror novel, The Hungry Moon – starring Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Louise Jameson, Mina Anwar, and Jemma Moore.
Last time, the files of General Witchfinders Department X revealed how psychic powers and parapsychology grew to be one of the leading frights of 70s horror culture. Now, we look closer at one of the key texts from the 60s counter-culture milieu that drove the psychic boom: Pauwels and Bergier’s ‘The Morning of the Magicians’. Join James and Ross as they take a white-knuckle ride through a book that’s a who’s who of the occult: Charles Fort, H. P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen and the Golden Dawn, generous amounts of alchemy, ancient aliens – and Nazis! This version of the episode includes background music. If you prefer a voice-only experience without music, listen to the alternative version here. So turn on, tune in and freak out to the second part of the Department X triptych… Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the second episode of the General Witchfinders Book Club – a spin-off from our regular British horror podcast, run in partnership with Teasel & Skylark, an independent bookshop in Dorchester.
Alternative 3 (1977) – Conspiracies, Secret Mars Bases, Brian Eno and 1970s TV Hoaxes
The 16th episode of the fourth season of the BBC anthology series Play for Today, Penda’s Fen – originally broadcast on 21 March 1974 – is widely celebrated as a visionary masterpiece of British folk horror and 1970s television drama. Written by David Rudkin and directed by Alan Clarke, Time Out London named it one of the 100 best British films.