The Book of Beasts (Paperback)

Andrew Screen

ISBN 10: 191531609X / ISBN 13: 9781915316097

Published by Headpress, Manchester, 2023

About this Item

Paperback. Nigel Kneale is perhaps best known for his pioneering work in television fantasy, notably the creation of Quatermass, and his landmark adaptation of George Orwell's 1984 for the BBC. This book is the first in-depth study of another, arguably lesser known but equally as important, Kneale creation: the 1976 Folk Horror anthology television series, Beasts. Each of the six episodes of Beasts was a stand-alone supernatural drama exploring themes and ideas prevalent throughout Kneale's work, all within the confines of a lowly British television budget. From pilot episode Murrain to cult favourite Baby, Beasts charted an uncanny British landscape, where the ghost of a dolphin haunts an aquarium and a supermarket is plagued by a mysterious animalistic presence. In researching and writing this book, author Andrew Screen was given rare access to Kneale's original scripts and production paperwork and provides an exclusive account of Kneale's trials and tribulations in developing the series. There are also interviews with members of cast and crew, a discussion of episode treatments that were prepared but never realised - and the reasons why Kneale abandoned these at an early stage. Moreover, each storyline is contextualised with real life developments and events, exploring the mythological and cultural inspirations that place the series within its immediate historical framework. Written with full permission from the Kneale estate, THE BOOK OF BEASTS is a comprehensive overview of a cult television series and its enduring impact on viewers today. With a foreword by Johnny Mains. An in-depth overview of Nigel Kneale's 1976 Folk Horror anthology television series, Beasts. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781915316097

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Book of Beasts (Paperback)
• Publisher: Headpress, Manchester
• Publication Date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 191531609X
• ISBN 13: 9781915316097
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Nigel Kneale is perhaps best known for his pioneering work in television fantasy, notably the creation of Quatermass, and his landmark adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 for the BBC. This book is the first in-depth study of another, arguably lesser known but equally as important, Kneale creation: the 1976 Folk Horror anthology television series, Beasts.

Each of the six episodes of Beasts was a standalone supernatural drama exploring themes and ideas prevalent throughout Kneale’s work, all within the confines of a lowly British television budget. From pilot episode Murrain to cult favourite Baby, Beasts charted an uncanny British landscape, where the ghost of a dolphin haunts an aquarium and a supermarket is plagued by a mysterious animalistic presence.

In researching and writing this book, author Andrew Screen was given rare access to Kneale’s original scripts and production paperwork and provides an exclusive account of Kneale’s trials and tribulations in developing the series. There are also interviews with members of cast and crew, a discussion of episode treatments that were prepared but never realised ― and the reasons why Kneale abandoned these at an early stage. Moreover, each storyline is contextualised with real life developments and events, exploring the mythological and cultural inspirations that place the series within its immediate historical framework.

Written with full permission from the Kneale estate, The Book of Beasts is a comprehensive overview of a cult television series and its enduring impact on viewers today.

With a foreword by Johnny Mains.

About the Author

Andrew Screen saw Beasts on first transmission when he was nine years old and it cemented a lifelong love of Nigel Kneale, horror, and unexplained phenomena. After graduating and working in film and television post-production, Andrew retrained as a special educational needs teacher and has been a practitioner in this area for over 30 years.