American Robert Stone comes to England searching for his brother who went missing shortly after arriving in a quaint village and meeting a beautiful young woman called Dominie. At the village pub he gets a warm welcome but when he visits Dominie's stately home he gets short shrift from the housekeeper. Fortunately for him Dominie is more welcoming.
An attraction develops between Robert and Dominie but it is uneasy. She has been hurt by what she sees as past rejections. It is also clear that her guardian, a German cum-English "gentleman", Jonathan Lanceford is not keen on the relationship at all. Robert gets the message from other quarters that his presence isn't wanted but he persists. He isn't frightened off even when Fred, a local rat-catcher who had given him some interesting information, dies in a mysterious accident. The signs are that Robert could be next...
Review
This has always been one of my least-favourite Thriller episodes but on my most recent viewing I was more impressed, largely due to a very impressive Part 3. The story premise is certainly promising but the first two parts are maybe somewhat ponderous and don't create as much engagement as hoped. There is an Edgar Allan Poe theme running throughout, with Jonathan Lanceford obsessed with the writer. Creator Brian Clemens suggested this was the closest Thriller came to Hammer Horror - for me that isn't necessarily a plus point although it maybe for some viewers. It's certainly more toned-down than a Hammer movie - not having either the budget or the same liberty for shocking scenes; that need not be a drawback but the earlier sections are perhaps too low-key. Maybe for many viewers this will be remembered as "the one with Jenny Agutter in it" rather than having broader appeal.
However there are virtues which raise this above the ordinary. Most notably the final part is almost wholly set against the background of a party at the Lanceford house and is very well-done, both visually and in terms of themes as the jollity of the colourful fancy dress celebrations contrasts with very dark (literally and metaphorical) events in the recesses of the building. All this leads up to a very dramatic climax and some good special effects, all well-directed by John Sichel. Impressively shot night-time scenes earlier on are another asset.
The performances are, for the most part unremarkable but quite competent. Although the episode is best-remembered for Jenny Agutter - and she gives a typically good account as the unhappy, lovelorn Dominie - it is American guest star George Chakiris as Robert Stone who has much the most to do, appearing in almost every scene. Anton Diffring is impressive as the disconcerting Jonathan Lanceford but his character is not one of the more memorable Thriller villains. Russell Hunter does a good job in a small but key role as the permanently drunk but revealing poacher Fred.
An irritating aspect is the use of unconvincing rural accents in the village pub. This is an echo of the yokel scenes in the village store in A Place To Die, an episode from the previous season, also written by Terence Feely. The viewer knows it is a rural community and the stereotypical accents are unnecessary. On a more positive if trivial note it is refreshing to see a pub full of working-class beer drinkers in a show otherwise dominated by privileged people downing wine and spirits. There is a neat exchange where Robert is asked how they deal with foxes in America. He dryly replies, "Well in our country the foxes shoot back"!
The final scene I find disappointing - although it has a narrative purpose it is lightweight and out of keeping with the very serious action beforehand, in particular detracting from the strong climax.
Overall then a mixed bag. I would recommend checking other instalments of Thriller first but this is still worthy of attention.
The performances are, for the most part unremarkable but quite competent. Although the episode is best-remembered for Jenny Agutter - and she gives a typically good account as the unhappy, lovelorn Dominie - it is American guest star George Chakiris as Robert Stone who has much the most to do, appearing in almost every scene. Anton Diffring is impressive as the disconcerting Jonathan Lanceford but his character is not one of the more memorable Thriller villains. Russell Hunter does a good job in a small but key role as the permanently drunk but revealing poacher Fred.
An irritating aspect is the use of unconvincing rural accents in the village pub. This is an echo of the yokel scenes in the village store in A Place To Die, an episode from the previous season, also written by Terence Feely. The viewer knows it is a rural community and the stereotypical accents are unnecessary. On a more positive if trivial note it is refreshing to see a pub full of working-class beer drinkers in a show otherwise dominated by privileged people downing wine and spirits. There is a neat exchange where Robert is asked how they deal with foxes in America. He dryly replies, "Well in our country the foxes shoot back"!
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| A moment of danger for Robert Stone (George Maharis) & Dominie (Jenny Agutter) |
The final scene I find disappointing - although it has a narrative purpose it is lightweight and out of keeping with the very serious action beforehand, in particular detracting from the strong climax.
Overall then a mixed bag. I would recommend checking other instalments of Thriller first but this is still worthy of attention.
Notes
Jenny Agutter was the youngest lead actor in Thriller, aged just 20 when this episode was produced in October 1973.
This episode features the only car-chase in Thriller although its explanation was more prosaic than in other shows - Jonathan Lanceford was trying to catch-up with Jim Stone to give him a party invitation!
There are some similarities with the later The Next Voice You See - also scripted by Terence Feely - in the way that the final part contrasts a lively party with sinister events elsewhere in the house and in particular the danger facing the hero of the story.
This was the last episode of Thriller broadcast in the UK on terrestrial television when its "movie" verson "The Savage Curse" aired on London Weekend Television at 12.30 am on 30th June 1984 (technically 1st July as it was after midnight). This movie version was also the only one to include a piece of music by Laurie Johnson ("Lonely Stranger") to accompany its new titles.
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