The Magpies

“Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle”. Denis Glover’s classic poem The Magpies has inspired plays, art by Dick Frizzell, spats about onomatopoeia, and this 1974 short film, produced by publisher Alister Taylor. It centres around Glover musing on Magpies in his smoky Terrace flat in Wellington, during an interview with Glover’s son Rupert. Bookending the interview are two readings of the poem by director Martyn Sanderson. Sanderson’s memorable voice scores scenes of rural decay, and animation interpreting the tragedy of Tom and Elizabeth (the farming couple whose dreams go bad).

I don’t consider myself a good poet, but I do think writing poetry takes less room on the page than prose. And takes longer to write.

– Denis Glover

Key Cast & Crew

Martyn Sanderson

Narrator, Director

Denis Glover

Subject

Rupert Glover

Interview Producer

Alun Bollinger

Camera

Alister Taylor

Executive Producer

Graham Culliford

Interviewer