Background: 8th March 1995, I met with BBC script editor Craig Dickson and producer Kevin Loader to discuss ideas for ‘a British X-Files for BBC2’. We developed a proposal for a returning series based on my novel Oktober and submitted it to the BBC2 Controller for the next production cycle. After a year of no response I had Kevin’s blessing to take it to ITV. Pitched it there as a miniseries with the backing of Carnival’s Brian (Poirot) Eastman. ITV Drama Controller Nick Elliott was no fan of SF or fantasy but the rumour is that network drama head Jenny Reeks fished the script out of his waste bin and harangued him into commissioning it.

Production: Along the way I attached myself as director and waited to be challenged. At the outset I asked for Tompkinson for the lead, DP Bruce (Letter to Breznev) McGowan, and legendary stunt coordinator Peter (Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark) Diamond. Shooting began in October ‘97 for seven weeks with a budget of 2.5m. Bruce shot on Super 16 Eastman negative with a 16:9 frame. Julian Fullalove took over production design when Rob Hinds had to drop out due to illness. Locations: London, Broadstairs, Chamonix (Aiguille du MIdi), Geneva.

Post Production: Digital workprint edited by Andrew McLelland, negative cut to conform. Music by Alan Parker (formerly of Blue Mink). Sound mixed in stereo. Scanned from the negative in February 1998 to create two SD broadcast masters on the same pass, a 4:3 and a 16:9. A 96min ‘feature cut’ was later created for the US home market.

Transmission: wary of the uptake of widescreen TV, ITV opted to broadcast the 4:3 version. This version was then used as the master for all international sales and the 16:9 was shelved.

DVD: Revelation Films licensed a 4:3 DVD release in 2004. I was told that sales agents Southern Star had been unwilling to bear the expense of technical checks to release the 16:9.

Revelation’s DVD Extras included an on-camera interview, my written production diary, the episode 1 script, some deleted scenes, set photos, and a commentary track by Matt Hills, Professor of Media and Film (proposed additions include a director commentary in conversation with author Stephen Laws, Fraser Diamond on his father’s career, tributes to Bruce McGowan and veteran 1st AD Roger Simons)

2016: Working with Carnival on Stan Lee’s Lucky Man I took the opportunity to ask the company for personal copies of the Oktober 16:9 Digibeta tapes for my archive. Each digital cassette came with a DVD copy of its content from which I edited together a low-res widescreen version as a demo.

Tim Beddows: Through an introduction by Mark Stanborough I began a conversation with Network DVD’s Tim Beddows about a remastered Blu Ray release. With Southern Star no longer in the picture Tim began to pursue the chain of title with Carnival owners NBCU. Our correspondence ended with his untimely death and the winding-up of Network shortly after.

Though Carnival tell me that it’s one of the most enquired-after shows on their website, Oktober is unavailable for streaming anywhere. The 4:3 Revelation DVDs hold their value in the second-hand market but the company no longer offers the title.

Directed at breakneck pace, there is never a dull moment. The plot is beautifully paced to keep the viewer’s attention throughout, a testament to the ability of Gallagher to rework his story for a very different medium. It’s not often something of this quality comes along. If you missed it first time round, find someone who videoed it, or wait for a repeat. This is definitely one that deserves to be seen. A rare successful foray into SF for the ITV network, this is a cracking paranoid thriller with a top notch central performance from Stephen Tompkinson as the bewildered hero. The reality bending plot demands attention and rewards it with a well structured narrative that never fails to grip.

The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film and Television