Help me find old British TV

May 28, 2022 1:07 PM

Where can I watch, stream, or buy BBC Two's 1982 miniseries The Bell?

I just finished reading Iris Murdoch's 1958 novel The Bell and I see it was adapted by the BBC into a miniseries starring Ian Holm.

I can't find a copy anywhere. It doesn't seem to be available on DVD, online streaming, Netflix, Britbox, iplayer, or anywhere else that I know of.

I'm not ready to give up yet. Are there any stones left to turn over? I live in Canada but regularly travel to the UK, so UK-only options are fine.

posted by hayvac to Media & Arts (2 answers total)

Best answer: A rather extreme solution, but failing any other, the BFI National Archive holds VHS copies which you can (probably) view by prior arrangement at the BFI Stephen Street when you're next in London. The series identifier is 770631 and the 4 episodes 473591, 650332, 650337, 650338. (Linking to search results seems impossible.)
posted by boudicca at 1:43 PM on May 28, 2022 [1 favorite]

It doesn't look like it's been released on DVD or streaming, but here is the first minute of the first episode showing the opening scene and credits from the BBC Motion Graphics Archive held at Ravensbourne University.

At least that might tell you if it looks like it's worth contacting the BFI to watch it.
posted by underclocked at 3:38 AM on May 29, 2022