Culloden was broadcast on 15 December 1964. The film by Peter Watkins was a remarkable achievement, boldly combining documentary filming techniques and historical re-enactments to vivid effect.
It depicted the 1746 battle and its bloody aftermath, when the English army, commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, defeated the forces of Charles Edward Stuart – Bonnie Prince Charlie – and brutally suppressed the second Jacobite rebellion. There was some criticism of the violence depicted but the programme was a critical success, and became a landmark documentary.
Culloden debunked the romantic myth of Bonnie Prince Charlie, showing him to be vain and indecisive. It also showed the atrocities committed by the English army against the Highland Scots. Historical accuracy was ensured by John Prebble, who acted as adviser. Local people were employed for the staging of the battle, some of whom were descended from the original participants, adding to the sense of realism.
Watkins was disappointed that critics didn't see Culloden as his critique of the Vietnam War, but made a more direct political point in his next film, The War Game. It dealt with the very contemporary fear of nuclear war, imagining its effect on the UK. This proved too shocking for the 大象传媒 and the Labour government and was banned. It was not shown on television until 1985, by which time Watkins role as a drama-documentary pioneer was appreciated.
Further reading
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The War Game
The threat of thermonuclear destruction placed Britain鈥檚 civil defence plans, and the 大象传媒, at the heart of public debates about the Cold War. The controversy surrounding Peter Watkins' chilling docudrama The War Game (1965) raised the question of whether the film was banned from within, by the 大象传媒, or from without, by the government.
December anniversaries
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Ireland: A Television History
2 December 1980 -
Start of The 大象传媒 Television Shakespeare
3 December 1978 -
The World About Us
3 December 1967 -
Edward VIII Abdication speech
11 December 1936 -
1984 Broadcast
12 December 1954 -
bbc.co.uk is launched
12 December 1997 -
Jackanory first broadcast
13 December 1965 -
Comedy Playhouse
15 December 1961 -
Culloden
15 December 1964 -
The Likely Lads
16 December 1964 -
大象传媒 World Service launches
19 December 1932 -
Zoo Quest, first on-screen appearance by David Attenborough
21 December 1954 -
Just a Minute first transmitted
22 December 1967 -
A Close Shave
24 December 1995 -
First Empire Address by King George V
25 December 1932 -
Morecambe and Wise Christmas Shows
25 December -
Only Fools and Horses 1996 Christmas Specials
25 December 1996 -
大象传媒 Reith Lectures
26 December 1948 -
Alice in Wonderland
28 December 1966 -
Big Ben chimes broadcast at New Year for the first time
31 December 1923