The Lost Boys (docudrama)

The Lost Boys
DVD cover (USA edition)
Directed by	Rodney Bennett
Produced by	Louis Marks
Written by	Andrew Birkin
Starring	Ian Holm Ann Bell Tim Pigott-Smith Anna Cropper Maureen O'Brien
Music by	Dudley Simpson
Edited by	Charles Huff Dan Rae
Distributed by	BBC
Release date	11 October 1978 (United Kingdom)
Running time	270 minutes
Language	English

The Lost Boys is a 1978 docudrama mini-series produced by the BBC, written by Andrew Birkin, and directed by Rodney Bennett. It is about the relationship between Peter Pan creator J. M. Barrie and the Llewelyn Davies boys.

Novelist and playwright James Barrie (Ian Holm) meets the two oldest Davies boys, George and Jack, during outings with their nurse Mary Hodgson (Anna Cropper) in Kensington Gardens. He entertains them, especially George, with his fantasy stories, some of which include a magical young boy who shares a name with their infant brother Peter.

Barrie and his wife Mary (Maureen O'Brien) meet the boys' parents Sylvia (Ann Bell) and Arthur (Tim Pigott-Smith) at a dinner party, and he forms a friendship with the mother and her sons. The Barries and Davies socialize, but Mary and Arthur each quietly resent Barrie: Mary for neglecting her, and Arthur for imposing upon his family. Sylvia and Arthur have two more sons, Michael and Nico, whom Barrie adds to his circle of young friends. He writes a play inspired by them: Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, which is a great success for him and his producer friend Charles Frohman (William Hootkins).