When colour television was first broadcast in Britain in 1967 it
ushered in a brief era of wonderful entertainment that has never been
equalled. The PAL system adopted by the BBC provided pictures of the
highest quality, and early viewers marvelled at exotic images previously
seen only on cinema screens. David Attenborough was appointed
Controller of BBC2 in 1965, specifically to prepare for the advent of
colour, and he continued as Director of programmes until 1973. Beginning
on the BBC2 channel in June 1967, and extended to BBC1 and ITV by 1969,
the period 1967 to 1973 can be designated the golden era of British
television.The first memorable series to burst upon British television screens in July 1967, was Robert Erskine's 'The Glory that Remains.' The archaeologist brought to life for millions of viewers the history that could be discerned from the enduring monuments of ancient civilisations. Those who watched those early broadcasts will never forget the picture of Robert Erskine standing before an ancient Egyptian obelisk in brilliant sunlight, reading the hieroglyphic text as though it was that morning's Times.
Another magnificent series that began in 1969 was Kenneth Clark's 'Civilisation,' generally recognised as a major landmark in the history of the medium. Brilliantly presented by a leading scholar of the day, this series explained the advance of Western civilisation through the evolution of its artistic culture: painting, sculpture and architecture. Perhaps the most memorable scenes were those of Kenneth Clark at the Abbey of Cluny in France where he explained the birth of gothic architecture and the building of the great cathedrals that followed all across Europe. Clark, himself, wasn't entirely happy with the title, 'Civilisation,' as he had covered only the development of Western civilisation and fully appreciated there were important civilisations in Asia and elsewhere that he had not been able to include.
Political correctness was also open to challenge in what was the defining popular entertainment programme of the era: The Black and White Minstrels Show.' Already popular before the advent of colour, the show gained a new boost as people marvelled at the brilliant colours of the ladies' dresses. But the male dancers had blacked faces and behaved in a stereotypical negro manner. It was accused of being racist, and taken off air temporarily, but returned and remained popular until 1978. The combination of lively music, dancing and beautiful costumes proved irresistible.
The golden era ended with its crowning achievement, 'The Ascent of Man,' written and presented by Jacob Bronowski. In a way, this series was the scientific counterweight to Kenneth Clark's Civilisation. Presented by one of the leading physicists of the day, the march of civilisation was shown as represented by man's advancing scientific knowledge and accompanying technologies. It glowed with an optimism and belief in man's continuing progress which later decades have tended to dampen, but which were widely shared at the time. When David Attenborough resigned in 1973, the golden era of colour television began to fade into memory.
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