Nightmare: The Birth of Horror (4 Parts)

Synopsis
A BBC series, written and presented by Professor Christopher Frayling, investigating the origins of our popular gothic novels. These best-selling books have thrived in industries such as film, stage-production, television, comics, advertising and toys, but just how much have the original works been altered since their conception to how they are represented today? The individual episodes are: 1 - Frankenstein; 2 - Dracula; 3 - Jekyll and Hyde; 4 -The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Year of production
1996
Notes
Broadcast on BBC 1 in four parts on 17/12/96, 18/12/96, 2/1/97, 9/1/97
Subjects
English language and literature; Media studies
Keywords
literature - English; horror films; horror - novels

Distribution Formats

Type
VHS
Format
PAL
Price
£125 each or £250 the series
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
4 x 50 minutes
Year
2005

Sections

Title
Frankenstein
Synopsis
First of a four-part series in which Christopher Frayling examines how four horror novels were turned into great myths. This programme is an exploration of what influenced Mary Shelley before and during the writing of her novel. .
Duration
50 mins

Title
Dracula
Synopsis
Professor Christopher Frayling continues his exploration of 19th Century literary horror classics. He traces the origins of Bram Stoker’s novel, travels in Jonathan Harker’s footsteps to Castle Dracula, and examines Vlad’s changing image.
Duration
50 mins

Title
Jekyll and Hyde
Synopsis
This programme goes to Edinburgh in search of the truth behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and Hyde’s development as a sadistic maniac.
Duration
50 mins

Title
Hound of the Baskervilles, The
Synopsis
In the last in the series Christopher Frayling searches Dartmoor for the origins of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective story and reveals that the tale may not have been his at all. Featuring John Nettles in a cameo role as Sherlock Holmes.
Duration
50 mins

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

Name

BBC Active Video for Learning - now BBC Learning

Contact
Carolina Fernandez Jeremy Wilcox (CF - for educational enquiries JW - channel sales manager)
Email
BBCStudiosLearning@bbc.com
Web
https://www.bbcstudioslearning.com/ External site opens in new window
Phone
+44 (0) 20 8433 1009
Address
BBC Studios Limited
Television Centre
101 Wood Lane
London
W12 7FA
UK
Notes
The BBC Active company has now been absorbed within BBC Learning, a division of BBC Studios. It was originally a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Pearson Education. Formerly known as ‘BBC Worldwide Learning Studies’ and before that as ‘Videos for Education & Training’

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