The Cheviot the Stag and the Black Black Oil DVD
The Cheviot the Stag and the Black Black Oil DVD

The Cheviot the Stag and the Black Black Oil DVD

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Also available: Blu-ray Edition.

Synopsis

A Panamint Cinema high-definition restoration from original film masters held in the BBC Archives, exclusively available direct from Panamint Cinema.

DVD Region 2.

The 7:84 Theatre Company (Scotland) was founded by the prolific playwright John McGrath, his wife, Elizabeth MacLennan, and her brother David. Their first production was “The Cheviot, the Stag and The Black, Black Oil”. First performed in Edinburgh on March 31st 1973 in a production directed by John McGrath himself, BBC Television aired this production on June 6th 1974.

Questioning who has the right to exploit the Highlands of Scotland, McGrath pulled no punches with his explicit depiction of Highlanders being stripped of the plaid, the banning of the Gaelic language and the cruel and infamous clearances.  The Victorians and their obsession with stag hunting are mocked by the cutting humour of a parody of “The Bold Gendarmes” performed to the joy of the audience by Elizabeth MacLennan and John Bett. Bill Paterson engages well with the audience, playing a number of dubious characters; Allan Ross treats us to some fine fiddling; and Alex Norton plays guitar and throws in a humorous interlude with a glass in his hand.

The “ceilidh play”, as McGrath styled it, is presented by director John Mackenzie to a live audience intercut with filmed reconstructions of the violent eviction of crofters in favour of sheep, and the hunting of stags. Dolina MacLennan keeps the beauty of Gaelic song alive throughout the performance.

Cast and Crew

DIRECTOR: John Mackenzie

PRODUCER: Graeme McDonald

WRITER: John McGrath

ACTORS: John Bett, David MacLennan, Elizabeth MacLennan, Dolina MacLennan, Timothy Martin, Bill Paterson, Alex Norton and Allan Ross

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Brian Tufano

EDITOR: Gordon Clarke

Specifications

SPECIAL FEATURES: 24 page illustrated booklet with essays by Dr Jonathan Murray and Dr Sìm Innes including Gaelic lyrics with English translations

SUBTITLES: In English for the deaf and hard of hearing

BBFC CERTIFICATE: 15: strong injury detail

FORMAT: DVD Region 2 | Aspect ratio 1.33:1 | Colour

ENCODING: Video: MPEG2 PsF Encode | Audio: Dolby Digital AC3 Stereo

BBC TELEVISION BROADCAST: "Play for Today" June 6th 1974

TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 90 mins

Reviews
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5 Reviews:

True to this day. An update play required!
Rating:
19 April 2023  | 

I first watched this play on TV in my 20s, at the height of the "It's Scotland's Oil" era, and as a strong supporter of independence. There was not much new to me, factually, but it was put together so succinctly that, to someone thin on Scottish History, it would be a real eye-opener. Everything in the play rings true today, and if someone was to write an updated version, there is plenty of new material to do so.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Superb
Rating:
14 March 2023  | 

Still one of the most stirring dramas ever broadcast by the BBC. Could you imagine the Corporation broadcasting it now? More generally, Panamint have been performing a valuable service by preserving otherwise lost gems like this and Venus Peter, making them available for newer generations to discover. Thank you for years of great service.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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The Cheviot the Stag & the Black Black Oil
Rating:
22 September 2022  | 

A very illuminating & entertaining play
Highly recommended

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Excellent version of a classic
Rating:
27 August 2022  | 

Delighted that Panamint have made this ever-relevant classic play accessible in the 21st Century.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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The Cheviot ... Blu-ray
Rating:
23 October 2021  | 

At last - the 7:84's most famous play in a beautifully restored Blu-ray.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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