The Changes
Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 1:27 pm
Out in August.A 2-DVD set of the intense, techno-phobic 1976 series, based on Peter Dickinson’s best selling trilogy of books.
Out in August.A 2-DVD set of the intense, techno-phobic 1976 series, based on Peter Dickinson’s best selling trilogy of books.
The Changes
The influential BBC children’s science fiction series based on the classic novels by Peter Dickinson
2-disc set
Well-remembered for its unsettling depiction of a society in meltdown, the ten-part BBC series The Changes, first broadcast in 1975, gets its long-overdue DVD release courtesy of the BFI on 25 August 2014 as part of BFI SCI-FI: Days of Fear and Wonder, a nationwide celebration of Sci-Fi film and television. Made with a young audience in mind, this trailblazing series dared to explore complex and controversial themes, setting a standard that has rarely been matched since.
When a strange noise is emitted from machinery and electricity pylons, previously placid and easy-going folk turn violently against the technology that surrounds them – ruthlessly attacking radios, TVs and other domestic appliances. In the devastating aftermath, young Nicky Gore (Victoria Williams) is separated from her parents and finds a surrogate home with a group of Sikhs. But they soon are dubbed “The Devil’s Children” by superstitious locals and Nicky is accused of sorcery by a witchfinder. In grave danger, she is forced to find a way to escape, find her parents and uncover what caused the world to become so unbalanced.
This highly acclaimed series was adapted from Peter Dickinson’s best-selling trilogy of novels (The Weathermonger, Heartsease and The Devil’s Children) by Anna Home (who would later become chief executive of the Children’s Film and Television Foundation), and features music by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’s Paddy Kingsland (The Boy from Space, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Doctor Who).
The Changes paved the way for the likes of Survivors and Day of the Triffids and its gritty depiction of a near-apocalyptic world, and its integration of Sikh characters make it as progressive and fascinating now as it was when it was first broadcast.
Special features
• At Home in Britain (1983): a short COI film exploring the everyday lives and different faiths of Asian residents living in Britain;
• Stills gallery
• Extensive illustrated booklet with essays by Peter Wright, Michael Bonner, Paddy Kingsland, Lisa Kerrigan, Kathleen Luckey and Rebecca Vick
Product details
RRP: £24.99 / cat. no. BFIV2002 / Cert PG
UK / 1975 / colour / English language, with optional hard-of-hearing subtitles / 246 mins / Original aspect ratio 1.33:1 / DVD9 x 2 / PAL / Dolby Digital audio (320 kbps)