The Phoenix and the Carpet

The Phoenix and the Carpet is an eight-part British miniseries based on E. Nesbit's 1904 fantasy novel of the same name. Produced by the BBC, it aired from 29 December 1976 to 16 February 1977. Four Edwardian children find a strange egg in their newly-arrived Persian carpet. It hatches into a Phoenix bird that grants wishes and also transforms the rug into a magic carpet, which takes them on a series of adventures all over the world and at home.

Directed by Edith Nesbit, The Phoenix and the Carpet leans on a strong ensemble — Richard Warner, Joe Barton, Gary Russell — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about sci-fi & fantasy titles of 1976.