Monitor

Monitor

1958 · 8 seasons · 186 eps · ★ 7.3 · Documentary

Returning Series

Monitor was a BBC arts programme that was launched on 2 February 1958 and ran until 1965. Huw Wheldon was the first editor from 1958 to 1965. He was also the principal interviewer and anchor. Wheldon set about moulding a team of talents, including John Schlesinger, Ken Russell, Patrick Garland, David Jones, Humphrey Burton, John Berger, Peter Newington, Melvyn Bragg, Nancy Thomas and Alan Tyrer. Monitor ranged in subject over all the arts. Wheldon's Monitor lasted until he had "interviewed everyone I am interested in interviewing", and he was succeeded by Jonathan Miller for the series' last season.

Created by Huw Wheldon

Network: BBC One

Your Rating

Cast

Oliver Reed Claude Debussy
Vladek Sheybal Pierre Louÿs / Film Director

More from Huw WheldonSee all →

The Preservation Man

The Preservation Man · 1962

The Preservation Man

MovieDocumentary

The Preservation Man is about useless objects but here they're part of the artist Bruce Lacey's collection of random junk that is incorporated into his art with their original function is irrelevant. Sensibly, Russell and commentator Huw Wheldon keep analysis to a minimum, preferring to use the film as an excuse to spend a quarter of an hour in Lacey's amiable company.

The Lonely Shore

The Lonely Shore · 1962

The Lonely Shore

One of the most conceptually original of all the films that Ken Russell made for Monitor, this imagines an expedition of alien archaeologists (represented only by the soundtrack commentary) examining various artefacts strewn along a stretch of Britain's coastline and musing on their possible significance.

Elgar

MovieDramaDocumentary

An astonishing documentary of the life of classical composer Sir Edward Elgar. This partly dramatised account is remarkable for its sensitive portrayal of the rise of a young musician from an underprivileged background to international fame.

Variations on a Mechanical Theme

Variations on a Mechanical Theme · 1959

Variations on a Mechanical Theme

MovieDocumentary

An illustration of various mechanical instruments, from the musical-box to 1950s electronica.

Orson Welles' Sketch Book

Orson Welles' Sketch Book · 1955

Orson Welles' Sketch Book

Orson Welles' Sketch Book is a series of six short television commentaries by Orson Welles for the BBC in 1955. Written and directed by Welles, the 15-minute episodes present the filmmaker's commentaries on a range of subjects. Welles frequently draws from his own experiences and often illustrates the episodes with his own sketches.

Antonio Gaudí

Antonio Gaudí · 1961

MovieTV MovieDocumentary

A study of Antoni Gaudí's architecture (especially the Church of the Holy Trinity in Barcelona), his sources of inspiration and his influence on Picasso. (BFI)

Bela Bartók

Bela Bartók · 1964

MovieDocumentary

A portrait of the life and work of the great Hungarian composer Béla Bartók, exploring both his music and his passionate interest in his country's folklore.

Prokofiev

Prokofiev · 1961

MovieDocumentary

Subtitled 'Portrait of a Soviet Composer', this is the second of Ken Russell's composer biopics.

Pop Goes the Easel

Pop Goes the Easel · 1962

Pop Goes the Easel

MovieTV MovieDocumentary

Pop Goes the Easel was Ken Russell’s first full-length documentary for the BBC’s arts series Monitor. It focused on 4 British Pop Artists - Peter Blake, Peter Philips, Pauline Boty and Derek Boshier.

Larkin and Betjeman: Down Cemetery Road

Larkin and Betjeman: Down Cemetery Road · 1964

Larkin and Betjeman: Down Cemetery Road

MovieDocumentary

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

Portrait of a Goon

Portrait of a Goon · 1959

Portrait of a Goon

MovieDocumentary

Portrait of Spike Milligan, then part of The Goon Show examining his views on comedy,

JB: A Portrait of Sir John Barbirolli

JB: A Portrait of Sir John Barbirolli · 1965

JB: A Portrait of Sir John Barbirolli

MovieDocumentary

Interviews with and performance footage of conductor Sir John Barbirolli.

More Like This

Couldn't load this row right now.

How is it so far?

Your ratings make Midnight smarter