I spent Monday Night in our local Cinema and watched two films

1 The Land between Two Rivers this a documentary written and narrated by Dennis Potter about his Forest in the 1950's 60's it showed the christening of his daughter Jane, who had joined us in the audience, and despite the poor technical quality of the film which had come from The National Archive, it gave a fascinating insight into Potters Forest and indeed the man himself.

It is possible that this film may never be shown again in public, sadly

2 Dennis Potters last interview with Melvyn Bragg recorded only a few weeks before Dennis sadly died of Cancer. An incredibly moving and forthright performance by Dennis Potter who was flatered that they had provided champagne to drink and had to break off to take a swig of his medicine ( liquid Morphine from a hip flask) Dennis explained much of the background behind Brimstone and treacle and Blackeyes as well as talking about his determination to finish Cold Lazarus before he died, which he had decided to link with Karioke. Oddly enough one commissioned by The BBC and the other by channel 4 he made an on air plea to Micheal Grade and Alan Yentob ( both of whom he had high regard for ) to cooperate and allow the showing of both pieces on each channel they did.

Dennis also proposed Michael Grade as Director General of The BBC well he nearly got it right.

I think there is much truth in the saying you don't know what you have got until it is gone, in Dennis Potter that is certainly true.

I should recommend anybody who has the chance to watch that interview and indeed any Potter work to do so he certainly changed TV drama.

www.voicesintheforest.org

Ole, I remember that last interview blew me away - a mixture of the sheer eloquence of the man, the humanity of his recollections of his childhood, the circumstances he was facing and his philosophy of writing.
I went out and bought the transcript of it (Seeing the Blossom) and still read it often. It's wonderful. As is Blue Remembered Hills which remains my favourite of his work.
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