The Major

The Major is the first BBC natural history documentary film to be made in colour,[1] though it was originally screened, in 1963, in black and white,[1] as colour television broadcasts did not begin in the United Kingdom until 1967.[2] After that it became one of the BBC Natural History Unit's most repeated shows.[2]

It describes the felling of an eponymous, three-century-old, oak tree, which has become considered a hazard to traffic, and the effect that that has on the wildlife that lives in it, and on the fictionalised English village in which it grew.[1]

Actor Paul Rogers narrated a script by Desmond Hawkins.[3] Filming was by Eric Ashby and Leslie Jackman,[2] the latter filming the insect scenes at his home in Paignton. The 35-minute[2] film was produced by Christopher Parsons.[3] The music was composed and conducted by George Shears and performed by the BBC's West of England Players.[2]

Although the tree was in the Forest of Dean,[1] filming of the "nearby" village was actually done at Eastcombe in the Cotswolds,[1] and the village cricket match there was played by actors.[1]