Main content
This programme is not currently available on 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer

Sylvia Plath – Inside the Bell Jar

The story behind Sylvia Plath’s seminal novel The Bell Jar: a young woman’s struggle to survive in 1950s America. With her daughter Freida Hughes and several of her close friends.

Bringing to life that ‘queer sultry summer’ of 1953, Sylvia Plath: Inside The Bell Jar is the first film to unravel the story behind her seminal novel.

The book captures the struggles of an ambitious young woman’s attempts to deal with the constraints of 1950s America. As the bright lights of New York dim, her thoughts turn to depression and attempted suicide.

The film weaves the autobiographic narrative of the book with the testimony of her friends and daughter her Frieda Hughes, some speaking for the first time.

59 minutes

Last on

Wed 14 Sep 2022 00:40
91Èȱ¬ Four

Music Played

  • Max Greger & His Orchestra

    Tequila

  • Unnamed Library Contributors, The Symphonia Orchestra

    Smile of A Latin

  • Jammin' Unit

    Never Been On E

  • The Clovers

    Good Lovin'

  • The Spaniels

    Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight

  • The Drifters

    Money Honey

  • Silvana Mangano

    Anna (El N. Zumbon)

  • Rob Dougan

    Clubbed To Death (Kurayamino Variation)

Credits

Narrator Maggie Gyllenhaal
Executive Producer Sian Price
Executive Producer Angus MacQueen
Producer Clive Flowers
Producer Tim Kendall
Director Teresa Griffiths

Broadcasts

Featured in...

  • The World of Writers

    The fascinating people behind some of the world's most popular and influential books