A Place To Die - Series 1, Episode 7, Saturday 26 May 1973

The story...

Dr Bruce Nelson is about to start a job as a doctor in what seems like an idyllic English village. For his American wife Tessa this also appears to be a dream location. The villagers are remarkably friendly - too friendly perhaps, especially towards Tessa who they seem to treat with reverence. Although Bruce sees nothing amiss Tessa starts to feel uneasy. One of the villagers Nick - who is mute - behaves very strangely around her. She finds evidence that the previous doctor was very worried by the villagers and starts to fear that his death by falling down the stairs may not have been an accident. She has good reason to worry because the villagers are engaged in devil-worship and believe from her appearance that she is to be a bride of Satan - a "marriage" for which the bride makes the ultimate sacrifice....

Review

The first series here revisited the theme of Satanism first explored in Someone at the Top of the Stairs but this time focused on a village community rather than the residents of a single house. The earlier episode certainly attracts some criticism (mainly focused on its final stages) while broadly appealing to viewers. This one though produces starker divisions of opinion and in particular seems to have fared less well with new viewers who've discovered it on DVD. It has always though been one of my favourites and still has some strong support.

The story premise is an excellent one. The subject matter is very dark and the community and its practices very strange and sinister. The danger always in these circumstances is that strangeness over-balances into silliness and viewers find events hard to take seriously. There are elements here which risk that, most notably near the end of the story. However for me it stays on the right side of the line.

One of the beauties of the DVD set was finally being able to see the original teaser in full uncut form in its proper place. The teaser is one of the most dramatic, and very powerful in its original form. The story then progresses well, suitably unsettling the viewer. Events are largely predictable but the execution is good. Tessa Nelson performs the standard Thriller heroine role - at first flattered by the attentions of the villagers, then bemused and ultimately very frightened as the evidence of shocking events emerges. Her husband Bruce - again not untypically - plays the entirely rational role, seeing nothing untoward and trying to reassure her - unsuccessfully. 

Alexandra Hay's performance as Tessa divides viewers in a similar way to the episode itself. Some find her highly unconvincing. Others, like myself, feel she gives a good account and capably displays Tessa's range of emotions in a demanding role. Although i feel she does well other actresses may have given a stronger display and maybe this is an episode that didn't require an American guest star - several other Series 1 episodes had proceeded with no American in the cast.

The villagers are very well portrayed. The cast is large with many minor characters but the image of an evil community is very clear. Glynn Edwards is particularly notable as the gamekeeper Lob, with his consultation with Bruce really showing that there is something untoward. This is a rare scene of tension as the friendliness of the community is otherwise stressed, and this makes their evil secret all the more shocking. The character of "Mad Nick", skilfully played by Juan Moreno, is especially disturbing. Making this character mute was a fine decision and makes him all the more unsettling. His scenes with Tessa in her home are very powerful.

Tessa (Alexandra Hay) with Bess (Lila Kaye) & Nick (Juan Moreno)

The final part as the extent of the danger to Tessa becomes apparent is very strong. The climax itself though could be better although it is certainly dramatic. However overall this is a very fine production and another sign of the strength of the first series.

Notes

It appears that this episode (and one scene in particular) was the reason the Series 1 set received a "15" certificate.

The resemblance between this and The Wicker Man, also released in 1973 is difficult to miss. Both productions deal with the theme of a community seeking and finding a newcomer who meets the qualities they require for a sacrifice to their gods. It might be easy to think that A Place to Die was derivative of The Wicker Man. It did actually reach the screen before the film's debut in Autumn 1973 but production of the latter was concluded before that of the Thriller episode. When Brian Clemens wrote the story idea, and Terence Feely the script, is not certain but it is a possibility that they were aware of The Wicker Man and gained some inspiration from it, although it is equally possible that there is no connection at all.

The ITC movie version has some impressive and fitting music and retains the original episode title  but accompanies it with a jaunty font that seems more suitable for a cartoon than a thriller.