John Betjeman

World in Action was Granada Television’s flagship ITV current affairs series, running from 7 Jan 1963 to 7 Dec 1998, and built a reputation for film-led investigative reporting and a forceful editorial stance. Its journalism produced major public and political repercussions—including investigations associated with miscarriages of justice such as the Birmingham Six—and it also served as a platform for landmark documentary projects, including the first broadcast of “Seven Up!” as part of the strand in 1964.

London itself takes the starring role in this series of plays from the BBC – a role which varies between hero and villain, enchantress and harpy. The series features extensive location filming, ranging from Soho to the Law Courts, Wembley to the docks. Of the twelve episodes, eleven are believed to be lost.

Neil Innes performs parody songs old and new, all set to specially-shot footage, and including special guest performers. Plotless and surreal, Innes described the programme as "songs and pictures, about people and things".

A ski run in Italy, a supermarket manager in Luton, a sandwich bar in London EC2, Arena opens the bonnet of the Ford Cortina, Britain's most popular, most stolen, and most misunderstood car. 'Dagenham dustbin'? 'Poor man's Rolls-Royce'? In the year that may well see the end of a legend, some of the motoring public, including Sir John Betjeman, Tom Robinson, Alexei Sayle, Sir Terence Beckett and Magnus Magnusson take apart the Ford Cortina: Life and Works 1962-1982.

Sir John Betjeman visits and explains the architecture of various churches in the Diocese of Norwich. Among those visited: Sandringham church on the Queen's private estate, the Holy House of Our Lady of Walsingham and Norwich Cathedral.

Poet John Betjeman is shown visiting locations including Vauxhall Park, Aldersgate Street station, Camden Town and Hatfield, where he recites a handful of his poems.

A film looking at the first 100 years of the Underground Railway in London from 1863 to 1963. A range of well known people and senior managers speak alongside some excellent archive film.

Documentary series for viewers in the South and West of England.

METRO-LAND is a colourful eulogy by Sir John Betjeman to the people and places served by London's Metropolitan Line. Sir John Betjeman takes you on a journey into Metro-Land in his own eccentric and much loved style. Betjeman explores and contrasts the earlier and later ways of life while following the Neasden Nature Trail, calling in to the Pinner Village Hall and enjoying a round of golf on the great Moor Park course near Rickmansworth. Join Sir John with this quintessential guide on an unmissable journey along the Metropolitan Line from Baker Street to Quainton Road (now forgotten).

Satirical play in which businessmen want to destroy Westminster Abbey to make way for a bypass.

Philip Larkin talks to John Betjeman about his life, his poetry and the city of Hull where he lived and worked as university librarian.

Light dramatisation of four poems by poet laureete Sir John Betjeman, set on location in the south of England

A BBC film lead by John Betjeman. Also known as A Poet Goes North, Betjeman does what he did best, engages us with his passion and discernment. With his inimitable style, Leeds becomes the recipient of his observations on its architecture and built environment.

To mark his 70th Birthday, the Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, recalls key moments from his childhood and adolescence.

John Betjeman reminisces on Britain's great historical exhibitions since the 1870s: including Alexandra Palace, the Empire Exhibition at Wembley and the Festival of Britain. Also features a very special guest appearance by the National Film Theatre (today’s BFI Southbank).

Documentary from British Transport Films

The poet John Betjeman journeys from Marble Arch to Edgeware, reciting specially-written poems and pointing out areas of interest.

In this Shell-sponsored short, the celebrated British poet narrates this travelogue about the Avebury stone circle and nearby burial grounds.

A poet's eulogy to his beloved mode of transport.