John Betjemen - A Poet Goes North - 1968

Here's the great John Betjeman - "A poet goes north"
In 1968, John Betjeman, the poet and architectural critic, was asked by the BBC to make a television programme about Leeds. The film was never broadcast

[@MARKMANIATT]

If only he were still around today...

[@ianrichardson3967]

Marvelous - lived in Leeds 40 years ago and this is a loving appreciation of its best buildings and the sad devastation of most post war architecture.

[@transferdatathreewally24]

same in much of London, glasgow, Birmingham. all carved to bits. it seems that anything that is pleasing and harmless is penalised, knocked down, turned into a wine bar or 'phil collinsed in some other way. take going on a train; you can't be spontaneous. you have to book weeks in advance or pay a kings ransom. anyway, peace to you all, Iain w in glasgow x

[@harri2626]

Wonderful. Back in the day when we all assumed these buildings were built with black stones. When steam cleaning happened, everyone was amazed they were a different colour beneath the decades of dirt.

[@pauloliver6813]

I've been hoping to see this since I read about it in a Jonathan Meades article about 6 years ago. A treat!

[@elteldel]

Thanks very much for making this available. I love these atmospheric old films, especially those by Betjamin. It takes me back to my days at the university. I don't remember hearing a jazz version of Ilka Moor Baht 'at before!

[@EMGColonel]

Many thanks, this is the first time i've seen this and it's most impressive indeed

[@Bewareofthedog69]

John betjeman a poet in london is a great short film by Ken Russel recounting betjemans formative years in poetry.

[@DavidLee-fe7yf]

they will have it down dear john..they will have it down...

[@ew4206]

The lions were not by 'Noble', but by William Day Keyworth Jr. When the town hall clock strikes 13 the city freezes and the lions come to life and walk the streets, according to legend

[@pastorflaps6819]

So sadly lost now England poor England

[@videocurios]

[@steamgent4592]

One thing Sir John and I have totally in common and I agree wholeheartedly on is steam railways and our love of beautiful architecture. I dispise Contemporary Futurama Buck Roger's architecture and decor 🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮 and he definitely does as well!!

[@deano72]

ebygum that was great

[@videocurios]

EE Lud It were as well

[@blackandwhiterag1117]

ebygum that WERE great

[@snail007y069]

He seems to think that the purpose of old buildings was only to create beauty and not make money in the same way as modern buildings. LOL

[@YorkyOne]

He doesn't think that at all, you are not listening to what he is saying.

[@videocurios]

[@videocurios]