"TV DOCUMENTARY" Topic

Hello everyone,

Apologies for hijacking your message board but I need some help.

I am working on a BBC 4 documentary on Robert Baden-Powell's book, Scouting for Boys. It is to be presented by Ian Hislop and is part of a season on the Edwardians the channel is scheduling for April next year. The programme highlights contemporary issues of empire, morality, class, war and masculinity, all of which are reflected in Baden-Powell's work. We also want to show that although in some ways the book seems dated now, Scouting for Boys still has relevance to today's society, a hundred years on.

This might seem completely irrelevant to you, however I am looking for a military history enthusiast – specifically one who specializes in the Boer War. Baden-Powell's heroic military reputation is something that we are looking at in the documentary and I would like to find a person who may be able to expertly re-create the Siege of Mafeking using small figures of soldiers, natives and scouts.

Is this person you? Or do you know someone who might be able to help me? If so please will you send me a quick email to rachel@takeawaymedia.co.uk

Thanks!

Rachel

What's the fee?

The fee is negotiable Mr Skippy!

Ian Hislop?

Private Eye and Have I Got News For You?

You're taking the mickey, right?

Surely it'll just be one snide "humourous" dig after another.

We also want to show that although in some ways the book seems dated now, Scouting for Boys still has relevance to today's society, a hundred years on.

You must remember this:
A DYB is still a DYB,
A DOB is still a DOB.
We'll still be doing bob-a-job
As time goes by.

More seriously…

A couple of years ago, Time Watch made a programme about the Roman invasion of Dacia. To illustrate it, they used wargames figures and terrain provided by Alan and Michael Perry, who had sculpted a Dacian war range of figures for Wargames Foundry.

Since the Perry Twins also sculpted a Boer War range for Foundry, they might be able to help. There should be contact details on the web-page for their company, Perry Miniatures (web address in the Manufacturers' Directory on this site).

Ian Hislop?

Private Eye and Have I Got News For You?

You're taking the mickey, right?

Surely it'll just be one snide "humourous" dig after another.

Maybe, maybe not

This series he fronted for Channel 4 was very sensitively done

link

Over Christmas Hislop is fronting a programme on the soldiers executed during WW1 (maybe called Shot at Dawn).

It looks interesting –

With "scouting for boys" I am never sure if it is a book title or an occupation.

Just so long as it isn't Scouting for Japanese School Girls. That would just annoy everyone.

I would think that given the choice of subject, the miniature "battle" ought to be played out with period britains figures, as if it were something from H.G. Wells' "Little Wars".

But then again, given Mr. Well's anti-war theme, it might not actually contradict the principles of muscular Christianity and empire-maintaining.

At least the programme isn't an expose linking B-P to all the modern Scout leaders who are kiddie fiddlers.

Allen

"Britains", please, and "Wells'". No coffee yet, and trying to type in the dark…

Allen

Thank you for all the responses and helpful e-mails I have recieved. It's good to know I've provoked a bit of debate.
Re. Ian Hislop's presenting skills, if anyone saw his "Who Do You Think You Are?" you'll know he has a vested interest.
Re. an expose of BP: the programme is not really about BP as such, more about the historical context in which he wrote the book.

I'll get in touch with Perry Miniatures, they sound like just the kind of thing I'm after.

Thanks again,

Rachel

2007 is a pretty important year for Scouting – it's the centenary of it's inception.

A 100 years on its easy for those with a politically correct tendency to knock Scouting For Boys and Baden Powell but he was the product of his times and could not help that emerging in his writing.

However the sponaneity with which scouting was taken up by boys across the class divide was remarkable. It launched voluntary extra curricular activity putting a richness and variety into young lives that a rigid rational educational curriculum was failing to provide.

What also strikes me is that in terms of its approach to backwoodsmanship, Scouting for Boys also encouraged a sustainable respect for the environment. Very much a modern message.

I parted company with active scouting 35 years ago – but gave me adventure and a respect for the countryside I wouldn't have had otherwise

Well, "Who Do You Think You Are?" was one of the absolute best series I have ever seen on TV (the Stephen Fry episode was particularly moving). So if this scouting programme comes from the same stable, that is a good sign.

Just a shame that my group, the Kapiti Fusiliers, are probably too far away here in New Zealand to help!

But I second the idea that the Perrys are your likely best source. And they have good film company credentials, being frequent visitors to Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor here in New Zealand.

Roly (former Wolf Cub and Boy Scout)

I read a book about Soldiers shot at Dawn..think it was called shot at dawn so would be interested in watching it…..anyone know when its on?

Bob