Narrated by Angela Rippon The 14th of 16 programmes Butterfly Post
Two years ago the Post Office invited wildlife artist Gordon Ben ingfield to design the first-ever special issue of stamps to celebrate British butterflies. When they appear this spring, only three of the four species chosen to adorn the post will still be found in our countryside; the large blue - one of our most dramatic and colourful native butterflies - has now been officially declared extinct in Britain.
This film joins Gordon on his search for the elusive subjects of his special commission. It tells the story of the large blue and its remarkable private life, and how lepidopterists like Jeremy Thomas battled in vain to save the last few colonies. But it's a story which could have a happy ending if ambitious plans go ahead to reintroduce these beautiful butterflies back on to the British scene. What remains to be seen is whether our countryside is still fit to receive them.
Music composed by FRED DUPREE Film editor TOM POORE Production assistant
CAROLYN MERCHANT
Written and produced by PETER CRAWFORD. BBC Bristol