Whicker’s World Volume 2

Synopsis

A cultural icon, consummate interviewer and guiding light behind some of the most popular documentaries ever made, Alan Whicker’s quiet brand of incisive, insightful television journalism has enthralled audiences for the last six decades. This second volume showcases the diversity of his output - from aristocracy to Disneyland, from the majesty of Alaska to the fleshpots of Los Angeles.

The Aristocracy Business (1968)
Alan Whicker investigates the aristocracy, talking to rich peers and land-owners, including the Baron of Guiseborough, the Baron of Faversham, Viscount Down, and George Howard (Castle Howard).

Tankers/Boat People (Hong Kong) (1972)
It’s the Chinese New Year’s Day and Alan Whicker focuses on a picturesque Chinese race and their strange ‘centuries-old’ pattern of life - the Boat People, whose homes, shops, restaurants and brothels (or ‘flower-boats’) all float.

Devil’s Island (1971)
The most dreaded island in the world has been undisturbed and decaying for a few silent years. Alan Whicker seeks out ex-convicts who survived the Island’s unspeakable cruelties, and parts the curtain on a grisly stage where 75,000 "Bagnards" lived, fought and died.

Pixie Dust on the Goodie Goodie Land (1977?)
Alan Whicker discusses the coming of Disneyworld to Florida. The special magic of Disneyworld is explored and Whicker finds himself judged unacceptable by the tribe of ‘apostles’ preparing to spread pixie dust on ten million people a year.

Large Sums of Money Have a Very Fusty Smell (1976)
In one of Whicker’s most riveting interviews, Charmain Biggs, wife of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs, talks at length about the background to his part in the robbery, his dramatic escape from Wandsworth and their life on the run in Australia where they were eventually discovered.

Anchorage, Alaska - The Ultimate Dream, the Last Chance to do it RighT (1977)
Alan Whicker heads north to the spectacular landscpe of Alaska. It has the most hostile conditions in the world; Winter temperatures average minus 60 degrees, if there’s a wind, it can plummet below minus 100 degrees and the nights last two months.

Nothing is Utopia, This Comes Pretty Close (1980)
Alan Whicker meets some of the 50,000 Britons that have made Los Angeles their home, drinking in English-style pubs and playing cricket. He interviews Christopher Lee and Peter Sellers and also meets that model of Englishness, Patrick Macnee, who admits he would like to die in Dorset.

The Absolute Monarch (1992)
Alan Whicker joins the Sultan of Brunei (reputedly the richest man in the world) in his kingdom on the island of Borneo. He joins in the silver jubilee celebrations and meets the Sultan’s family and his army.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2009

Year of production

1968-1992

Subjects

Social Studies; Media studies

Keywords

archive television; social anthropology; social behaviour; social geography; travel journalism

Credits

Writer

Alan Whicker

Contributor

Alan Whicker

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£19.56

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

400 minutes

Year

2009

Production Company

Name

Yorkshire Television

Distributor

Name

Network

Email

shop@networkonair.com

Web

http://networkonair.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

01992 657707

Address

19-20 Blythe Road
Berghem Mews
Hammersmith
London
W14 0HN

Notes

Founded in 1997, Network specialises in distributing niche television programmes, predominantly licensed from Granada Ventures and Fremantle. They have recently branched into feature film distribution. Sale via retail outlets or direct via Network’s website, which has some’web exclusive’ offers.

 

Available from retail outlets