Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12558 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-07-24
• Rating: Exempt
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

DVD Description
Presented by Sir John Betjeman, this is a nostalgic tribute to the people and places around the Metropolitan Line of the 1920's, and the change from the idyllic world of Betjeman's youth into the sprawl of suburbia.

Betjeman originally evoked the spirit of Metro-land in three poems - `Harrow-on-the-Hill' (`When melancholy autumn comes to Wembley/And electric trains are lighted after tea') `Middlesex' (`Gaily into Rusilip Gardens/Runs the red electric train') `The Metropolitan Railway' (`Early Electric! With what radiant hope/Men formed this many-branched electrolier').

In 1973 Betjeman reached a wide audience with this celebrated documentary for BBC Television documenting an unusual and memorable journey through Metro-Land

Customer Reviews

Marvellous Metro-land!
Metro-land is a delight! Made for the BBC in 1973, Metro-land is a classic eulogy to the people and places served by the Metropolitan Line.

As the leafy counties of Bucks, Herts and Middlesex yielded to the engines of the first steam underground, the pastoral world of Betjeman's youth gave way to the suburban dream of the railway planners. Betjeman contrasts the old and new ways of life as he follows the Neasden nature trail, visits the Pinner village fair, plays a round of golf at Moor Park and explores the historical houses along the line. From Baker Street to the forgotten station at Quainton Road, Sir John Betjeman is your guide on a very personal and unforgettable journey into Metro-land.

The DVD package includes a 24-page illustrated booklet written by the programme's producer, Edward Mirzoeff, which offers a fascinating insight into working with the poet as well as The Metropolitan Line in the News, which includes footage showing the Metropolitan Line extension to Stanmore (1932), the 1946 crash at Northwood, the Metropolitan Line Centenary Parade at Neasden (1963), the last working steam train on the line (1971), the 1999 and 2000 Steam on the Met events and the centenary of the Uxbridge branch (2004).

Here's hoping the BBC release some more of Sir John Betjeman's broadcasts in the near future (the "Thank God it's Sunday" programmes, "Time with Betjeman" and "Betjeman in Australia" for example).