BBC2
Every family has different memories of past Christmases – from the elaborate childhood celebrations and Uncle Bill’s unconvincing Santa impression to bizarre gifts and endless turkey curry. But the Christmas tales in Ghosts of Christmas Past are slightly more unique…
From Christmas Day with the Sex Pistols, to the year the English Channel froze over, Ghosts of Christmas Past relives remarkable festive tales through archive filmed by the families themselves, and rare footage stored in film libraries across the country.
Caroline Wattley was just nine when, in Christmas 1977, her family spent Christmas day at a benefit gig held by the Sex Pistols on behalf of striking fire fighters. She danced with Johnny Rotten, sang along to God Save The Queen, and like all the other kids there, was given Christmas presents by the band. She still cherishes her Sex Pistols clutch bag, and the photo of her sitting on Johnny Rotten’s knee – it made her the coolest kid in school.
Alongside chaotic archive of the gig, the film contains some altogether more poignant footage, like the World War Two soldiers sending personal Christmas messages home from Malaya, at a time when the messages could only have been played in local cinemas. We bring together the children and grandchildren of the men in the film, to experience the remarkable messages for the first time in decades.
And alongside these poignant memories, the film also features personal and intimate stories of Christmas experiences we all shared – nativities, sledging and the all-important anticipation of you know who’s arrival.