Film by Kenneth Griffith

"Black as Hell and Thick as Grass"
The above was used as a title for a film presented by Welsh actor Kenneth Griffith. The film was made by BBC Wales, based in Cardiff, and was directed by Michael Pearce, Cameraman Russell Walker, and Editor Chris Lawrence. At the time, I was Acting Head of the BBC Wales Film Unit. I am now retired, and have been looking to acquire a copy of this 60 minute programme. One copy is advertised on Amazon ( USA ) at over 200 dollars on VHS tape. I have now discovered that the original copy was transferred from the BBC Wales library to the National Screen and Film Archive of Wales, which is part of the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. I have contacted them to see if they can provide me with a DVD copy, a facility that they provide for other video media. For those that may be interested, I will keep you informed of my progress

David welcome to the form.
Yes please do, I would be very interested. I have never heard of this film, so it's good to know there is something we haven't seen out there!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/kenneth-griffith/

Hi Dave. I have watched the Kenneth Griffith's documentaries relating to the Boar War. One if the best presenters I have ever see. Like Impi I have never heard of this short film. So would be interested in any up-dates you may add.  

I have this Doco and there are a few errors in it , but worth watching . This Doco I'm sure has been covered on here a while back . Use the search box using '' Black as hell and thick as grass ''
the thread may come up . I'm sure there was a discussion about some of the errors ?
90th

Deleted wrong documentary!

CTSG it appears they are talking about the film '' Zulu '' not the Griffith Doco / Film .
90th

Thanks 90th. Link deleted!

Ive got a vague recolection that some time back we were discussing Popes Diary and a comment was made by a forum member that Kenneth Griffiths held the diary whilst talking about the battle and walking around iSandlwana.
cheers

The film was made in 1979, one of two programmes commissioned by BBC Wales Head of Programmes Geraint Stanley Jones The other programme was entitled The Most Valuable Englishman ever ( Tle Life of Thomas Paine ). " Black as Hell" was shot on location at Isandlwana by a BBC Wales crew with Kenneth describing the historical events to camera. If my memory serves me, Kenneth, who was born in Tenby in West Wales, had an interest in military history and I believe may have had a replica of the battlefield in his home in London.
Both of these programmes are listed at the beginning of Kenneth's autobiography " The Fool's Pardon " under " The Documentaries of Kenneth Griffiths ". In the same book, the final photo facing page 263 shows Kenneth with film editor Chris Lawrence. All of the post production editing and sound dubbing was done within the BBC Wales facilities in Cardiff.
If you have not read the autobiography, it is still available on the internet, and I would recommend it to readers

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZULU-WAR-BOOK-RARE-DOCUMENTARY-TRANSCRIPT-ISANDLWANA-/230668759584?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item35b4edf220&nma=true&si=HwINVzhMn6viNfa9omNnjUEPnpE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

This may be of interest david

I have a copy please pm me. cheers

Hi Guy's

I believe I've got a copy on VHS some where in my house which I purchased from the AZWRS days.

I've also got a VHS of Sergeant Booth VC introduction by Mr Griffith which was produced by The Studio,Saltwells E.D.C. Bowling Green Road, Netherton, Dudley, West Midlands.

 

Hi Shackleton .
I dont have the Sgt Booth Video I cant remember hearing of it .
Cheers 90th.

Hi 90th if you go to my profile & send me a email I can show you the VHS cover.

regards

Shackleton

90th. i have both on dvd.Black as Hell.and Booth vc.
same as Shackleton e mail me and i will attach both.
cheers xhosa2000

Thanks Shackleton & xhosa2000.
cheers 90th.

Hi,
  I  have now had an e-mail from The National Library of Wales to say that they have the originals of this, and are prepared to supply me with a DVD ( cost as yet unknown ) subject to clearance by the holder of the copyright, in this case the BBC. Again, I will let you know how I get on. I presume that this will have the usual condition that it is not for a " public " viewing or resale, but otherwise should be available for viewing,
I also discovered by accident that the BBC also runs a service whereby anyone directly involved in the making of programmes can acquire a copy, subject to a cost of £100 sterling, and subject to the item being in the archives.
I will have a document that relates to the forum subject back in my hands late next week, and I may need some advice on how to distribute this under a different topic. Could Admin e-mail me, please?
Regards,
David

Hi David .
Which Documentary are you refering to is it the ' Sgt. Booth VC ' video or '' Black as hell and thick as grass '' ?.
Cheers 90th.  

Sorry. " Black as Hell". The document I refer to was given to my wife while she was nursing in the UK. It was hand written by a patient who had a relative at Rourke's Drift after my wife told him about my interest. I haven't seen it for some time because the book that I put it in has been " on loan " to an ex-military friend, but it is being returned next Thirsday, Regards,
David

Thanks David   :90th

Hi,
  I have just come back from a week's holiday to find that I have a copy of "Black as Hell and Thick as Grass " by Kenneth Griffith on DVD, supplied by The National Media and Screen Museum in Aberystwyth at a cost of UK£15 sterling. Having viewed this, it is extremely good quality and negates the fact that it was made on 16mm film a long time ago. Having worked on the programme, I had forgotten that Kenneth was an extraordinary actor, given that he acts every part in the film. However, I am sure that you are far better qualified to know the validity of the facts contained in the film. If anyone is interested in obtaining a copy, please let me know
David Learthart

Hi David Learthart, thats fascinating, the NLW is an outstanding
resource. Kenneth was a really remarkable man, only yesterday
i recorded ' privates progress ' to watch later..totally forgot he was
in it. BHTG, now there you see Kenneth in all his pomp, yes he likes
to get in the thick of it, but the cynical humour and sheer percept-
iveness of that man really made me view this planet and its human
condition in an entirely different way.

I would really like to take you up on your kind offer..i have pm'd you,
i know what your saying about the 16mm, and would relish the chance
to see the ' cleaned up version '. cheers xhosa2000

thank you David Learthart. great work,
and most generous, your a gent.
cheers xhosa2000