I don't know what it is, but growing up in rural England, being slightly creative/spiritual, and not being a complete dunce makes for one of the most alienating experiences on planet Earth. My parents moved away from their families. I'm well into my 30s and I just have this overwhelming sense of not knowing where the hell I come from. Penda's Fen seemed to get this completely. I don't think it's about politics or sexuality. It's about wanting to belong. Stephen's main concern at the start is "how do I show my love of this place?" It's the "how" part. How does he come out and shine fully as what he is. By joining the cadets? By going out and getting bladdered in the pub every weekend? We're surrounded by amazing countryside and history and we don't know how to "feel" it, especially as part of a genuine communion with others. The countryside has always had this mystery and magic to it. I remember trips down the fen late at night as a kid in my mum's car, glimpses of barn owls above the dykes. Watching Strange but True? on ITV. The hints are there, but they are so, so subtle. Just think about Watership down (original film). Has any other country created a kids cartoon with visions, death, and spirituality as the main themes!? I think I'm just trying to say how rare it is for someone to dedicate time to making something like Penda's Fen. I watched Ladhood on BBC iplayer recently too, and that seems to understand the strangeness of growing up in England if you are more adventurous than the average Joe. The film Kes hinted at it as well. Who are we, that grow up in rural England???
Bad religion and the Industrial Revolution wrecked Britain (the island not the political state). I sometimes wish that a catastrophe hit the Earth again and we just started over. Another example of what you mention is Julian Cope's documentary based on his book, _The Modern Antiquarian_ which is on UA-cam... ua-cam.com/video/falVe_vkejE/v-deo.html& Ancient Britain still exists, it's all around us and the primordial energies of LIFE are ETERNAL!
Thanks for the recommendation, I watched it yesterday, there is some powerful dialogue in there, gonna have to watch his talk with his dad a second time, that was great. The self and the not self. The watcher, the guardian of the threshold
I just finished watching this film, initial reaction it was incredible! I was mesmerised by the setting the whole way through- it looked so beautiful... The ending was absolutely captivating. Incredible. BRING BACK PENDA'S FEN!!!
The dream where he he was in a ruby scrum to me was he was wrestling with his inner feelings. Then he had a vision flof mud been flug at him kinda like a mob humiliating him. Later on the film he does get humiliated when all the army kids out pig tails on it but instead of this inner fear controlling him he puts his head and takes a deep breath. All the kids see he's risen above the fear and humiliation. He's integrated the shadow. Aldeast this was my interpretation. Fantastic film
I know of no reason why you can't. Some UA-cam content gets blocked in certain parts of the world, usually for broadcast rights reasons. If you PM me an email address I can send you an MP3 of the show.
i don’t really understand the film and that makes me feel confused, ‘cause i saw many reviews that said that penda’s fen it’s and incredible movie but i just don’t get it, like why it’s a great movie? obviously not in the way of saying that it’s a bad movie, i just want to know why there are so many good reviews
There's a very good extended essay in the booklet accompanying the DVD, plus this talk is just an excerpt from a much longer conversation which sheds more light on the film.
Extremely powerful film, 'I am mud and flame' taps deep into the ataviatic realm of the pre- christain soul of these islands. Can't wait for part 2
Thanks. Part two is available for subscribers here: legalise-freedom.com/shows/thomas-sheridan-pendas-fen-and-pagan-england/
Gentlemen, thank you for an insightful discussion about one of my all-time favourite films. A unique masterpiece.
I don't know what it is, but growing up in rural England, being slightly creative/spiritual, and not being a complete dunce makes for one of the most alienating experiences on planet Earth. My parents moved away from their families. I'm well into my 30s and I just have this overwhelming sense of not knowing where the hell I come from.
Penda's Fen seemed to get this completely. I don't think it's about politics or sexuality. It's about wanting to belong. Stephen's main concern at the start is "how do I show my love of this place?" It's the "how" part. How does he come out and shine fully as what he is. By joining the cadets? By going out and getting bladdered in the pub every weekend? We're surrounded by amazing countryside and history and we don't know how to "feel" it, especially as part of a genuine communion with others.
The countryside has always had this mystery and magic to it. I remember trips down the fen late at night as a kid in my mum's car, glimpses of barn owls above the dykes. Watching Strange but True? on ITV. The hints are there, but they are so, so subtle. Just think about Watership down (original film). Has any other country created a kids cartoon with visions, death, and spirituality as the main themes!?
I think I'm just trying to say how rare it is for someone to dedicate time to making something like Penda's Fen. I watched Ladhood on BBC iplayer recently too, and that seems to understand the strangeness of growing up in England if you are more adventurous than the average Joe. The film Kes hinted at it as well. Who are we, that grow up in rural England???
Bad religion and the Industrial Revolution wrecked Britain (the island not the political state).
I sometimes wish that a catastrophe hit the Earth again and we just started over.
Another example of what you mention is Julian Cope's documentary based on his book, _The Modern Antiquarian_ which is on UA-cam...
ua-cam.com/video/falVe_vkejE/v-deo.html&
Ancient Britain still exists, it's all around us and the primordial energies of LIFE are ETERNAL!
Love Thomas!
Thanks for the recommendation, I watched it yesterday, there is some powerful dialogue in there, gonna have to watch his talk with his dad a second time, that was great. The self and the not self. The watcher, the guardian of the threshold
I just finished watching this film, initial reaction it was incredible!
I was mesmerised by the setting the whole way through- it looked so beautiful... The ending was absolutely captivating. Incredible.
BRING BACK PENDA'S FEN!!!
Excellent - thanks for sharing!
Thankyou lads....
The dream where he he was in a ruby scrum to me was he was wrestling with his inner feelings. Then he had a vision flof mud been flug at him kinda like a mob humiliating him. Later on the film he does get humiliated when all the army kids out pig tails on it but instead of this inner fear controlling him he puts his head and takes a deep breath. All the kids see he's risen above the fear and humiliation. He's integrated the shadow. Aldeast this was my interpretation. Fantastic film
For fans of Pendra's Fen, I can recommend another of Rudkin's TV films: Artemis 81.
Why can't i watch this on here ???
I know of no reason why you can't. Some UA-cam content gets blocked in certain parts of the world, usually for broadcast rights reasons. If you PM me an email address I can send you an MP3 of the show.
Anyone who likes Pendas Fen should try and see Robin Redbreast.
Robin Redbreast is a small masterpiece.
i don’t really understand the film and that makes me feel confused, ‘cause i saw many reviews that said that penda’s fen it’s and incredible movie but i just don’t get it, like why it’s a great movie? obviously not in the way of saying that it’s a bad movie, i just want to know why there are so many good reviews
There's a very good extended essay in the booklet accompanying the DVD, plus this talk is just an excerpt from a much longer conversation which sheds more light on the film.
Parson not a Priest! Not Parson not a Vicar.
I didn't really like the film, guess i'm in the minority though.
No problem there! There are many beloved and revered cultural artefacts that I don't care for.
Two Irishmen discussing ancient ENGLISH pagan folklore......??????????