Product guide

Play for Today: Volume One – 4-Disc Blu-ray Box Set

Play for Today: Volume One is a four-disc Blu-ray collection of seven dramas from the BBC anthology series. It also includes an 80-page book with nine essays, making this set especially suited to viewers interested in British television drama and its context.

At a glance

Seven anthology dramas spanning productions from 1970 to 1977.
Five plays are described as restored from original negatives held in the BBC archive.
Includes an 80-page book with nine essays.

Price

£26.99Save 34%

Reference price: ~~£40.96~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Often bought together

Play For Today Volume 3 [Blu-ray]

£40.20

Short Sharp Shocks (2-disc Blu-ray)

£19.99

Pros and cons

Pros

Seven plays and nearly ten hours of listed runtime give this set substantial viewing scope.
The accompanying essays add contextual reading alongside the dramas.
English subtitles are listed.

Technical specifications

14 specifications

Format and contents
Format	Blu-ray, Box set
Number of discs	4
Book	80-page book featuring nine essays covering all seven films and the Play for Today series as a whole

Playback and language
Runtime	9 hours and 15 minutes
Audio language	English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English
Aspect ratio	Unknown

Credits and release
Directors listed	Alan Bridges, Brian Parker, Colin Welland, Desmond Davis, John Mackenzie
Actors listed	Annette Crosbie, Brian Glover, Gemma Jones, Joss Ackland, Rachel Roberts
Release date	16 Nov. 2020
Studio	Bfi
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer reference	BFIB1393

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	25 x 15 x 5 cm; 400 g

What to know before buying

The aspect ratio is listed as unknown. Check disc and playback details if this specification matters to your setup.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers collecting British television drama and BBC anthology plays.
Buyers who value essays and background material alongside the programmes.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.4 / 5 · 78 ratings

5 stars69%69%
4 stars17%17%
3 stars6%6%
2 stars4%4%
1 star4%4%

Customer feedback describes the series as enjoyable and its availability as welcome. That reception may matter to viewers seeking these anthology dramas, while the ratings distribution is largely positive but includes lower ratings too. Feedback does not establish picture or restoration quality.

Positive themes

Customers describe the series as enjoyable and praise the opportunity to watch these plays.

Frequently asked questions

How many plays are included?

The listing names seven plays: The Lie, Shakespeare or Bust, Back of Beyond, Passage to England, Our Flesh and Blood, A Photograph and Your Man from Six Counties.

What comes with the discs?

The description states that an 80-page book with nine essays is included, covering all seven films and the Play for Today series.

Are subtitles included?

English subtitles are listed.

What is the listed runtime?

The stated total runtime is 9 hours and 15 minutes.