The Tale of Beatrix Potter

It is to the BBC's shame that they have buried or lost this excellent film, and have NEVER released it to home video. It is a masterful treatment of the life of an extraordinary woman, anchored by a great performance from Penelope Wilton.

This film is far superior to the quaint (that is the nicest word I can use) work which stars Renee Zellweger. I am too big a fan of Beatrix Potter to completely trash that film, but I take umbrage with the ridiculous way they made her look, and how they glossed over her parents behavior, which was in fact strict even by Victorian standards.

Beatrix Potter was not a flibbertigibbet who baby-talked to her drawings, she was a SCIENTIST, for God's sake, a mycologist who developed a theory regarding lichen that was decades ahead of its time!

THIS film, with the wonderful and under-appreciated Penelope Wilton, makes clear Potter's sufferings and restrictions, and her great talents and achievements: a great watercolorist, artist, scientist, naturalist, writer, creator of a secret code that was unbroken until the 1950s, land developer and preservationist, environmentalist...I can't even go on writing this list because I get all weepy-peepy thinking of what a great, generous spirit she was. Not only did she help save the Lake District from becoming a car park or a strip mall, but her "little books" have touched the hearts and minds of millions, perhaps billions of children and adults ALL OVER THE WORLD, for generations. She changed the world, quite literally, with her actions. You understand that from seeing this film; you do not from seeing the lackluster presentation starring Ms. Zellweger.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU, BBC?! DIG THIS OUT AND PUT IT ON DVD! YOU'LL MAKE MONEY!

THE TALE OF BEATRIX POTTER is based on the book by Margaret Lane, a very good, straightforward biography, which has here been well dramatized by John Hawkesworth, who brought us UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS, and THE DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET (shows he was familiar with the era!). He became infatuated with Potter because of her marvelous watercolor technique, being himself a watercolorist and student of Picasso. He knows the details here, for set dressing and costume, language and manners; when young Beatrix mentions that her father takes photos for Mr. Millais, it is John Everett Millais, the Pre-Raphaelite painter; Canon Rawnsley, the enthusiastic Victorian country preservationist is fleshed out in limited screen time.

Next to Wilton, perhaps the most important actor in the film is the narrator, the late, great, Sir Michael Hordern, whose voice is the perfect framing device for this "Tale." He is well known to fans of British film, from such works as A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, SCROOGE (A Christmas CAROL), Zeffirelli's TAMING OF THE SHREW, LOVEJOY, and as the narrator in Stanley Kubrick's BARRY LYNDON. After watching THE TALE OF BEATRIX POTTER, I sometimes like to watch my copy of Hordern as King Lear, from the the BBC Shakespeare Plays produced in the 80s, to see Penelope Wilton as Regan opposite his Lear. They are so good!

In conclusion, if you know anyone who owns a copy of this film beg them to watch it with you or loan it to you, or if you're ambitious try writing the BBC and DEMANDING that they release a pack of lawyers to hunt down and issue this lost treasure on DVD, so that more people can see this wonderful rendering of the life of a great modern artist and benefactress of the people of Britain and lovers of the natural world.

I heartily concur. I remember the 1982 production well and wish it were available to show to my grand children and to recommend to the many people who love Potter's little books and charming characters. "The Tale of Beatrix Potter" is a welcome addition to the books about her life. After seeing the 2006 film which I did enjoy, I was reminded of the 1982 TV film, and I called a friend who has a long-standing habit of recording everything on PBS, but he had missed the BBC Tale of B. P. I was so disappointed. This current film in theaters is well-done and I recommend it, but the 1982 film spent a bit of time on the tragedy of Potter's scientific papers and drawings being rejected because they were done by a WOMAN. I wonder why that was skipped over in the Zelweiger film. Please, whoever is in charge, please release a DVD. JM

This was a terrific BBC production about the life of Beatrix Potter. It should be made available on video or DVD. Do not be deceived by the links on this page -- they are links to DVDs and videos of animated versions of Potter's works, not to this production. With the new Renee Zellweger movie about Potter coming out this year, I believe many would be interested in seeing this version of her life as well. This one doesn't have the animated bells and whistles, but is a very interesting an moving portrayal of how she came to write and illustrate some of the most beloved books of all times. The acting is superb. BBC, please go into your archives, and bring back this gem!

This lovely film, about the life of Beatrix Potter, portrayed England at the time of her life. No frills or fancy bits. It showed how hard it was for her as a youngster, growing up in a strict Victorian household, with only a Nannie as a companion. It was she who helped Beatrix smuggle into the house the animals she subsequently drew. She was also a fine botanical artist but her parents would not all her to follow this career. I originally had this recorded on an old VHS tape, but as this wouldn't work on today's machines I discarded it. I have been looking for another tape or DVD ever since. I would love to know where I could obtain one. The modern version was good, to a point, but not a patch on the original. Penelope Wilton is such an under-rated actress.

This program that as shown on Masterpiece Theater back in 1982 is so much more accurate the the mediocre Miss Potter. They really need to release it on DVD!

In the meantime a fuzzy version is available on YouTube. Better than nothing but very hard to appreciate the amazing artwork.