influence

I came across a youtube video recently that stunned me.  When I was 5 or 6 My mother took me and my younger sister  (who was very small at the time) to the movies. It was a big deal- my mother didn’t drive – not at all – and we lived in the country so a long walk to a bus etc. with little folks – pain in the butt. I was mesmerized by the film and have had images from it floating around in my head ever since. I did not remember the name and it was so long ago and so pre internet I couldn’t imagine I would ever find it. And then I came across this video and recognized it instantly:   the tales of beatrix potter

 

It  premiered in 1971 – the Royal Ballet presentation of The Potter tales. There are lots of clips on youtube and you can find it in it’s entirety on DVD on Amazon.  My strongest memories are of the Jeremy Fisher and squirrels on paddle boats  segments.

jeremy fisher
I love the moodiness and  there is an intersection between pretend and real elements  – a particular note – that has  always held a huge appeal for me.  I believe this film played a huge part in who I became and what I do.  You might also enjoy this series of behind the scenes  photos by Lara Platman  of the making of the costumes ( it is still performed on stage). 

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8 Comments

  1. I’m so glad you enjoyed it Dolores and Dianah that must have been wonderful – I would love to see it someday.

  2. Sally Stanley

    I found this DVD on eBay for $2.00. It is amazing! I had never seen it before. My favorite part was the squirrels. Thanks for sharing, Ann.

  3. How wonderful! Thank you for sharing. I’ve been looking for childhood movies on youtube as well. It’s an unusual revisiting. Sometimes I revisit with the eyes of the adult I am now. And sometimes I become the child again. Yay for youtube!

  4. Hello Ann! This seems so sweet! If you like Beatrix Pottery, I highly recommend looking up Brambly Hedge dvd’s! There are clips on youtube as well! They are the sweetest little stories! 🙂

  5. Vineca Gray

    Love this so much! Thank you for sharing. (I tagged you on a recent IG post, with the wonderful Beatrix Potter rendering of the long-eared bat, as I observed it at the Art Gallery of Ontario). Here is the AGO link, https://ago.ca/learn/ago-makes/like-a-bat

    You are so gifted and multidisciplinary, I have been inspired by you for years. XOX

    • Hi Vineca,
      Thanks so much and the link is fantastic – I love the bat and had never seen it. AGO looks marvelous.
      Thanks again,
      ann

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