R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) (1948)

A still from R.U.R. (1948) featuring Patrick Troughton (centre)

A play by Karel Čapek. Adapted and produced for television by Jan Bussell from the English translation by Paul Selver. The action takes place on a remote island between 1980 and 1990.

Production company/ies	Broadcast station(s)	Broadcast date(s)
BBC	BBC Television Service	March 4, 1948 (8.30pm) March 5, 1948 (3.00pm)

Production credits

Producer(s)	Director(s)	Writer(s)	Other notable credits
Jan Bussell	Jan Bussell	Jan Bussell	Setting: Barry Learoyd

Acting credits

Harry Domain, General Manager for Rossum's Universal Robots: Anthony Eustrel [as Antony Eustrel]
Dr Gall, Head of the Physiological Department, R.U.R.: Eugene Leahy
Dr Hetman Chief Engineer for R.U.R.: Derek Tansley
Jacob Berman, Managing Director, R.U.R.: Maurice Bannister
Alquist, Clerk of the Works, R.U.R.: John Stuart
Helena Glory, Daughter of Professor Glory, of Oxbridge University: Pamela Stirling
Emma, her maid: Evelyn Moore
Marius, a robot: John Baker
Sulla, a robotess: Joy Adamson
Radius, a robot: Patrick Troughton
Primus, a robot: Dermot Palmer
Helena, a robotess: Viola Merrett
Other robots: Denis Fraser, David March, David Scase, Dudley Williams

Notes

A live performance of the complete 1920 play R.U.R. by Czech writer Karel Čapek. The story continued to explore the themes of dehumanization and the consequences of a technologically driven utopia, focusing on the robots' revolution against their human creators. This adaptation is part of the early history of science fiction on television, showcasing the genre's potential to address complex social and ethical issues through speculative storytelling.