John Betjeman

The Private Life of the Ford Cortina

A ski run in Italy, a supermarket manager in Luton, a sandwich bar in London EC2, Arena opens the bonnet of the Ford Cortina, Britain's most popular, most stolen, and most misunderstood car. 'Dagenham dustbin'? 'Poor man's Rolls-Royce'? In the year that may well see the end of a legend, some of the motoring public, including Sir John Betjeman, Tom Robinson, Alexei Sayle, Sir Terence Beckett and Magnus Magnusson take apart the Ford Cortina: Life and Works 1962-1982.

Summoned by Bells

To mark his 70th Birthday, the Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, recalls key moments from his childhood and adolescence.

A Passion for Churches

Sir John Betjeman visits and explains the architecture of various churches in the Diocese of Norwich. Among those visited: Sandringham church on the Queen's private estate, the Holy House of Our Lady of Walsingham and Norwich Cathedral.

Metro-Land

METRO-LAND is a colourful eulogy by Sir John Betjeman to the people and places served by London's Metropolitan Line. Sir John Betjeman takes you on a journey into Metro-Land in his own eccentric and much loved style. Betjeman explores and contrasts the earlier and later ways of life while following the Neasden Nature Trail, calling in to the Pinner Village Hall and enjoying a round of golf on the great Moor Park course near Rickmansworth. Join Sir John with this quintessential guide on an unmissable journey along the Metropolitan Line from Baker Street to Quainton Road (now forgotten).

Railways for Ever!

A poet's eulogy to his beloved mode of transport.

Marble Arch to Edgware

The poet John Betjeman journeys from Marble Arch to Edgeware, reciting specially-written poems and pointing out areas of interest.

Poet Goes North

A BBC film lead by John Betjeman. Also known as A Poet Goes North, Betjeman does what he did best, engages us with his passion and discernment. With his inimitable style, Leeds becomes the recipient of his observations on its architecture and built environment.

Larkin and Betjeman: Down Cemetery Road

Philip Larkin talks to John Betjeman in 1964 about his life, his poetry and the city of Hull where he lived and worked as university librarian.

A Hundred Years Underground

A film looking at the first 100 years of the Underground Railway in London from 1863 to 1963. A range of well known people and senior managers speak alongside some excellent archive film.

John Betjeman Goes By Train

Documentary from British Transport Films

Journey Into a Lost World

John Betjeman reminisces on Britain's great historical exhibitions since the 1870s: including Alexandra Palace, the Empire Exhibition at Wembley and the Festival of Britain. Also features a very special guest appearance by the National Film Theatre (today’s BFI Southbank).

John Betjeman: A Poet in London

Poet John Betjeman is shown visiting locations including Vauxhall Park, Aldersgate Street station, Camden Town and Hatfield, where he recites a handful of his poems.

Discovering Britain With John Betjeman: Avebury, Wiltshire

In this Shell-sponsored short, the celebrated British poet narrates this travelogue about the Avebury stone circle and nearby burial grounds.