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The Big Word Machine

on BBC Two England

A film about the oldest publishing house in the world - the Oxford University Press.
Written by JOHN SANDILANDS
Narrated by Michael Hordern
Quietly and with appropriate academic reserve the Oxford University Press is one of the largest and most successful publishing houses in the world. A big business concern turning out ten million books a year. But the Press is a curiosity in the publishing trade. It is governed by unpaid amateurs-Oxford University dons. The OUP once lost nearly half-a-million pounds on a single publication - the Oxford English Dictionary-but turned the loss into a profit of millions over the years. This classic British example of inspired amateurism is celebrating its 500th birthday this year.
Film editor PETER MAYHEW
Production assistant ALISTAIR BROWN Producer TONY LARYEA

Contributors

Written By:
John Sandilands
Unknown:
Michael Hordern
Editor:
Peter Mayhew
Unknown:
Alistair Brown
Producer:
Tony Laryea

BBC Two England

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