As a lifelong Doctor Who fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of missing episodes. The idea that entire shows, once enjoyed by millions, could simply vanish is both tragic and thrilling. Thankfully, there are dedicated communities working to recover lost media, and in this post, I want to share some exciting recent discoveries and resources for anyone interested in television archaeology.
One group I highly recommend is the Facebook group “Missing Believed Wiped.” This group serves as a virtual archive for fans of deleted media. Here, you’ll find discussions, photos, and even clips of shows once thought lost forever. It’s a treasure trove for anyone curious about television’s forgotten corners.
Another great resource is the Facebook page “Film is Fabulous.” This page focuses on rediscoveries of all sorts, from classic films to obscure television programs. They regularly share updates on recent finds, keeping you in the loop about the latest unearthed gems.
The power of these online communities lies in their collaborative spirit. Often, rediscoveries happen when someone stumbles upon a dusty old film reel in their attic or inherits a collection of forgotten tapes. Sharing these finds online allows dedicated fans and archivists to identify the footage and potentially reunite it with its rightful owner, like the BBC archives.
For example, last week, “Film is Fabulous” announced the rediscovery of an episode from the BBC war drama “Moonstrike.” This anthology series, which ran in the early 1960s, was presumed mostly lost, with only three episodes surviving. Thanks to a private collector’s donation, the newly found episode, “He Who Tells,” can now be preserved and potentially shared with the public.
This story brings back memories of 2013 when our friend Gareth Kavanagh, representing our website, attended a screening of rediscovered Doctor Who episodes. It highlights how the hunt for lost media has been a constant passion for many fans, not just for our current podcast but stretching back to our earlier online ventures.
The good news is that rediscoveries like these are happening more frequently. With increased awareness and online communities fostering collaboration, we’re witnessing a renaissance of lost television history.
If you’re on Facebook, I recommend you check out “Missing Believed Wiped” and “Film is Fabulous.” Join these groups, follow their updates, and become part of the exciting quest to unearth the forgotten treasures of television’s past. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to stumble upon the next lost classic!