Of Mud and Flame

Exploring Penda''s Fen a 1974 BBC film that achieved mythic status.In 1974 the BBC broadcast the film Penda''s Fen leaving audiences mystified and spellbound. Make no mistake. We had a major work of television last night The Times declared the next morning. Written by the playwright and classicist David Rudkin the film follows Stephen an 18-year-old boy whose identity sexuality and suffocating nationalism unravels through a series of strange visions. After its original broadcast Penda''s Fen vanished into unseen mythic status with only a single rebroadcast in 1990 sustaining its cult following. With a DVD release by the BFI in 2016 Penda''s Fen has now become totemic for those interested in Britain''s deep history folklore and landscape. Of Mud and Flame brings together writers artists and historians to excavate and explore this unique cornerstone of Britain''s uncanny archive.Contributors includeDavid Rudkin Sukhdev Sandhu Roger Luckhurst Gareth Evan Adam Scovell Bethany Whalley Carl Phelpstead David Ian Rabey David Rolinson Craig Wallace Daniel O''Donnell Smith William Fowler Yvonne Salmon Andy W. Smith Carolyne Larrington John Harle Timothy J. Jarvis Tom White Daniel Eltringham Joseph Brooker Gary Budden