For award-winning, internationally-acclaimed author Rosemary Sutcliff (1920-92). By Anthony Lawton: godson, cousin & literary executor. Rosemary Sutcliff wrote historical fiction, children's literature and books, films, TV & radio, including The Eagle of the Ninth, Sword at Sunset, Song for a Dark Queen, The Mark of the Horse Lord, The Silver Branch, The Lantern Bearers, Dawn Wind, Blue Remembered Hills.
I remember the excitement with Rosemary Sutcliff when the BBC TV made a series of her historical novel for children and young adults The Eagle of the Ninth. She adored the portrayal of Marcus, the hero. I probably have old old video tapes of hers in the attic. I have no idea if the BBC still has copies in its archives and vaults . Does anyone know? It was broadcast in six episodes.
Elsewhere she has written that she was “partly in love with Marcus”
… would you feel able to scan the letters and let me have copies? I would be very grateful (and the same to anyone reading this who has such a letter) … I would not of course sue them on the blog, but I am very slowly trying to assemble copies of some letters she wrote – ready one day for a biography. She used to write back to every single person who wrote to her. I receive many letters from her, but of course as a relative and boy did not bother to keep them!
Thanks! I think you have said that she watched and liked the production? I have a couple of letters from her, in response to fan letters from me as a teenager, and in one she says ‘I love writing my books and come to feel that the characters (Marcus in “The Eagle” in particular) are personal friends’ …
One day I will hunt through the boxes I inherited … Actually, thinking about it, I am not sure that in 1977 Rosemary (I knew her well as a family relation) had a video recorder
If anyone does have the videotapes of this 1977 series I’d love to buy or borrow them please! I did try the BBC and they said at the time (a few years ago) they were not planning to make them available to the public.
ROSEMARY SUTCLIFF (1920-92) 
I understand the BBC accidentally wiped the master tapes some time ago.
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How solid is your understanding, before I make enquiries again …?
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Have emailed you
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Happy to scan the letters but, sorry, I can’t find your email address?
CKJ
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Elsewhere she has written that she was “partly in love with Marcus”
… would you feel able to scan the letters and let me have copies? I would be very grateful (and the same to anyone reading this who has such a letter) … I would not of course sue them on the blog, but I am very slowly trying to assemble copies of some letters she wrote – ready one day for a biography. She used to write back to every single person who wrote to her. I receive many letters from her, but of course as a relative and boy did not bother to keep them!
(My email address is on the You! page.)
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Thanks! I think you have said that she watched and liked the production? I have a couple of letters from her, in response to fan letters from me as a teenager, and in one she says ‘I love writing my books and come to feel that the characters (Marcus in “The Eagle” in particular) are personal friends’ …
LikeLike
One day I will hunt through the boxes I inherited … Actually, thinking about it, I am not sure that in 1977 Rosemary (I knew her well as a family relation) had a video recorder
LikeLike
If anyone does have the videotapes of this 1977 series I’d love to buy or borrow them please! I did try the BBC and they said at the time (a few years ago) they were not planning to make them available to the public.
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