Stalky & Co

1 9 8 2 (UK)
6 x 50 minute episodes

This six-part BBC miniseries was a faithful adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s book of the same name, based on his own experiences at public school (he based the character of Beetle on himself).

Set in the 1880s, the story accurately captured life in “the coll”, a school located in Devon which catered to boys who would go on to govern and defend the British Empire in the Civil Service, Foreign Service and the military.

The series chronicled the lives of three boys of Study #5 in Mr Prout’s house.

Stalky (Robert Addie) was the son of an officer serving in the Indian Army, a great thinker and planner, and the leader of a group of inseparable friends.

M’Turk (Robert Burbage) had a highly developed sense of honour and a smouldering hatred of bullies, prefects and unsportsmanlike conduct.

Beetle (David Parfitt) was the wit of the gang and writer of scurrilous poems and songs. He eventually became the editor of the school newspaper.

Their friends included the Padre (Rowland Davies), Colonel Dabney (Denis Carey) – a retired officer who had served in India –  and “Foxy” (Ronald Herdman), a retired infantry sergeant and the school sergeant.

Their mortal enemy was the savagely sarcastic Latin teacher Mr King (John Woodnutt), who was also Master of another house.

Location filming took place at Hurn Court School near Bournemouth on the south coast of England. The story was dramatised by Alexander Baron.

Stalky (Arthur Lionel Corkran)
Robert Addie
Beetle
David Parfitt
M’Turk
Robert Burbage
Mr King
John Woodnutt
Mr Prout
John Sterland
Headmaster
Frederick Treves
Mr Hartopp
Geoffrey Beevers
Padre
Rowland Davies
Colonel Dabney
Denis Carey
Sgt. Fox
Ronald Herdman
Orrin
Patrick Bailey
Dickson
Simon Butteriss
Hogan
Stephen Rayne
Dawson
Jonathan Moore