Jonathan Stedall

Directing

Jonathan Stedall

Born

1938-01-20 (88)

Place of birth

Prestwood, Buckinghamshire, England

Known for

Directing

Credits

12 titles

Early career included work as a stage manager in Rep at The Grand Theatre, Croydon; assistant film editor at Pinewood film studios; floor manager at TWW and ATV. Author aged twenty-five. Author aged twenty-five. In 1961/63 made first films at TWW (Television Wales and the West) with John Betjeman and Gwyn Thomas. Joined BBC Television as producer/director in 1963 at the advent of BBC2. In 1968 won British Film Academy (now BAFTA) Robert Flaherty Award for In Need of Special Care – a film about a Camphill school in Scotland for children with special needs (same film nominated for British Film Academy 'United Nations Award', along with its sequel about Botton Village – a Camphill community…

Known for

The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner poster
NR

Documentary that tells the story of Steiner’s remarkable life (1861-1925), as well as exploring the influence of his ideas and insights on a whole range of contemporary activities – education, agriculture, medicine, social and financial issues, and the arts. PART ONE describes Steiner’s childhood as the son of a humble railway official, growing up in the Austrian countryside, and his student years in Vienna towards the end of the 19th century. Hugely influenced by Goethe’s scientific writings, he was gradually able to reconcile the powerful spiritual experiences he had had since childhood with his interest in science and philosophy. PART TWO looks initially at the subject of reincarnation and karma, with film at a prison in South Wales, at Ruskin Mill in Gloucestershire – a college for disadvantaged youngsters. In the USA there are scenes at a biodynamic winery in California. Also featured are examples of Waldorf educational ideas being introduced into mainstream schooling.

The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner

2011

Taoism: A Question of Balance poster
NR

In this landmark 1977 documentary, narrator Ronald Eyre journeys to Taiwan to explore the vibrant and complex world of Chinese folk religion. Facilitated by the pioneering team behind ECHO Magazine—Linda Wu (吳美雲), Huang Yong-song (黃永松), and Yao Meng-chia (姚孟嘉) —the film captures a rare and precious glimpse of 1970s Taiwan, a time when ancient spiritual traditions remained deeply woven into the fabric of daily life. From the thunderous temple festivals and the mystical trances of spirit mediums to the quiet ancestral rites in family halls, "A Question of Balance" examines how the pursuit of the "Way" (the Tao) provides a sense of cosmic harmony amidst a modernizing society. It stands as a definitive visual record of a vanishing era, showcasing the enduring power of Taoist belief and its diverse pantheon of deities.

Taoism: A Question of Balance

1977

Dinner at Noon poster
8.0

Writer Alan Bennett visits a hotel in the north of England, observes the guests, and reminisces about his experiences of staying in boarding-houses as a child.

Dinner at Noon

1988

Summoned by Bells poster
NR

To mark his 70th Birthday, the Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, recalls key moments from his childhood and adolescence.

Summoned by Bells

1976

No artwork available
NR

Alan Bennett's personal overview of art, filmed in the atmospheric location of a Leeds art gallery.

Portrait or Bust

1994

No artwork available
NR

A two-part BAFTA-winning documentary examining the Camphill movement’s work helping people with learning disabilities, first focusing on its school outside Aberdeen, then on Botton Village, in North Yorkshire, a community for adults with special needs.

In Need of Special Care

1968

Behind the camera

The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner poster
NR

Documentary that tells the story of Steiner’s remarkable life (1861-1925), as well as exploring the influence of his ideas and insights on a whole range of contemporary activities – education, agriculture, medicine, social and financial issues, and the arts. PART ONE describes Steiner’s childhood as the son of a humble railway official, growing up in the Austrian countryside, and his student years in Vienna towards the end of the 19th century. Hugely influenced by Goethe’s scientific writings, he was gradually able to reconcile the powerful spiritual experiences he had had since childhood with his interest in science and philosophy. PART TWO looks initially at the subject of reincarnation and karma, with film at a prison in South Wales, at Ruskin Mill in Gloucestershire – a college for disadvantaged youngsters. In the USA there are scenes at a biodynamic winery in California. Also featured are examples of Waldorf educational ideas being introduced into mainstream schooling.

The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner

2011

The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner poster
NR

Documentary that tells the story of Steiner’s remarkable life (1861-1925), as well as exploring the influence of his ideas and insights on a whole range of contemporary activities – education, agriculture, medicine, social and financial issues, and the arts. PART ONE describes Steiner’s childhood as the son of a humble railway official, growing up in the Austrian countryside, and his student years in Vienna towards the end of the 19th century. Hugely influenced by Goethe’s scientific writings, he was gradually able to reconcile the powerful spiritual experiences he had had since childhood with his interest in science and philosophy. PART TWO looks initially at the subject of reincarnation and karma, with film at a prison in South Wales, at Ruskin Mill in Gloucestershire – a college for disadvantaged youngsters. In the USA there are scenes at a biodynamic winery in California. Also featured are examples of Waldorf educational ideas being introduced into mainstream schooling.

The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner

2011

The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner poster
NR

Documentary that tells the story of Steiner’s remarkable life (1861-1925), as well as exploring the influence of his ideas and insights on a whole range of contemporary activities – education, agriculture, medicine, social and financial issues, and the arts. PART ONE describes Steiner’s childhood as the son of a humble railway official, growing up in the Austrian countryside, and his student years in Vienna towards the end of the 19th century. Hugely influenced by Goethe’s scientific writings, he was gradually able to reconcile the powerful spiritual experiences he had had since childhood with his interest in science and philosophy. PART TWO looks initially at the subject of reincarnation and karma, with film at a prison in South Wales, at Ruskin Mill in Gloucestershire – a college for disadvantaged youngsters. In the USA there are scenes at a biodynamic winery in California. Also featured are examples of Waldorf educational ideas being introduced into mainstream schooling.

The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner

2011

Taoism: A Question of Balance poster
NR

In this landmark 1977 documentary, narrator Ronald Eyre journeys to Taiwan to explore the vibrant and complex world of Chinese folk religion. Facilitated by the pioneering team behind ECHO Magazine—Linda Wu (吳美雲), Huang Yong-song (黃永松), and Yao Meng-chia (姚孟嘉) —the film captures a rare and precious glimpse of 1970s Taiwan, a time when ancient spiritual traditions remained deeply woven into the fabric of daily life. From the thunderous temple festivals and the mystical trances of spirit mediums to the quiet ancestral rites in family halls, "A Question of Balance" examines how the pursuit of the "Way" (the Tao) provides a sense of cosmic harmony amidst a modernizing society. It stands as a definitive visual record of a vanishing era, showcasing the enduring power of Taoist belief and its diverse pantheon of deities.

Taoism: A Question of Balance

1977

Dinner at Noon poster
8.0

Writer Alan Bennett visits a hotel in the north of England, observes the guests, and reminisces about his experiences of staying in boarding-houses as a child.

Dinner at Noon

1988

Summoned by Bells poster
NR

To mark his 70th Birthday, the Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, recalls key moments from his childhood and adolescence.

Summoned by Bells

1976

Summoned by Bells poster
NR

To mark his 70th Birthday, the Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, recalls key moments from his childhood and adolescence.

Summoned by Bells

1976

No artwork available
NR

Alan Bennett's personal overview of art, filmed in the atmospheric location of a Leeds art gallery.

Portrait or Bust

1994

No artwork available
NR

Alan Bennett's personal overview of art, filmed in the atmospheric location of a Leeds art gallery.

Portrait or Bust

1994

No artwork available
NR

A two-part BAFTA-winning documentary examining the Camphill movement’s work helping people with learning disabilities, first focusing on its school outside Aberdeen, then on Botton Village, in North Yorkshire, a community for adults with special needs.

In Need of Special Care

1968

No artwork available
NR

This short film introduces some of the fundamentals of Waldorf education. Originally produced for the Steiner Schools Fellowship.

Rudolf Steiner Waldorf Education: An Introduction

1993

No artwork available
NR

This short film introduces some of the fundamentals of Waldorf education. Originally produced for the Steiner Schools Fellowship.

Rudolf Steiner Waldorf Education: An Introduction

1993