Thriller - The Complete Season One

Still Some Thrills

This series has a nostalgic sway over those of us who stayed up late in the 70s and 80s to watch these. Others may find it all a little creaky, at least the shows in this first set. Stories like The Eyes Have It, which were once really frightening, now seem quaint. Others are a little dull - especially those with imported American stars. Still, there's a lot to enjoy here. The nature of the video taping gives you the sense you're seeing West End stage thrillers of the era, with delicious star terms from the likes of Robert Powell and Dinsdale Landon.
Warning: If you haven't seen the shows already, Clemens' introductions are full of spoilers and best viewed after the fact. Also, almost none of the stars listed on the box are in any of these shows. (I recall a memorable episode with Helen Mirren -- where she starred with Michael Jayston - but it's not here.)
September 9, 2007

Thriller/ABC Wide World of Mystery!(This release is season one only.)

Why do TV companies do this!, they release one season, you buy it then months later they release the complete box set. Now the only option left open to me if I wish to purchase all the stories (which I do) is to buy the box set.
OK rant over, but I'm still annoyed.
The Avengers is Brian Clemens most famous work, but some of his best stories are to be found in this Anthological show, he created.
Talking about The Avengers Linda Thorson(Tara King) has a part in the first story; "Lady Killer".
Some stories are almost straight forward thrillers, some have a supernatural theme, but ALL have a twist in the tale.
~~~~
Teenagers might not be able to see past the dated production values, and small children might be frightened by the terrifying 70's fashions, but they are many unsettling moments to be enjoyed by the rest of us.
(Did I really wear stuff like that!)
So why only three stars?, well, for me the later seasons had better stories, it's that simple.
Highly acclaimed at the time by critics and viewers,with many famous (at that time) US guest stars;(to help the show sell in the US). I've often wondered why Mr Clemens needed big US names, as his other show The Avengers never did, and was quite popular in the US?
Not that I mind, I'm only too happy to see beauties like Donna Mills and Lynda Day George anytime.
In case anyone may be interested, the box-set has been out on region 2 for a while, so I've included the later season story titles and the DVD extras on the Box-set, as well.
This show was shot on videotape. (Not Filmed as was The Avengers.)
Season 1
1. Lady Killer
2. Possession
3. Someone At The Top Of The Stairs
4. An Echo Of Theresa
5. The Colour Of Blood
6. Murder In Mind
7. A Place To Die
8. File It Under Fear
9. The Eyes Have It
10. Spell Of Evil
These are the only stories on this release
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For anyone interested in the other season stories and extras on the box-set only,
please see below.
Season 2
1. Only A Scream Away
2. Once The Killing Starts
3. Kiss Me And Die
4. One Deadly Owner
5. Ring Once For Death
6. K Is For Killing
7. Sign It Death
Season 3
1. A Coffin For The Bride
2. I'm the Girl He Wants To Kill
3. Death To Sister Mary
4. In the Steps Of A Dead Man
5. Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are
6. The Next Scream You Hear
Season 4
1. Screamer
2. Nurse Will Make It Better
3. Night Is The Time For Killing
4. Killer With Two Faces
5. A Killer In Every Corner
6. Where The Action Is
Season 5
1. If It's A Man; Hang Up
2. The Double Kill
3. Won't Write Home, Mum; I'm Dead!
4. The Crazy Kill
5. Good Salary, Prospects, Free Coffin
6. The Next Voice You See
7. Murder Motel
Season 6
1. Sleepwalker
2. The Next Victim
3. Nightmare For A Nightingale
4. Dial a Deadly Number
5. Kill Two Birds
6. A Midsummer Nightmare
7. Death In Deep Water
(DVD EXTRAS:~ ON BOX-SET ONLY)
15 disc set.
'Who Killed Lamb' thriller special from 1974 starring Stanley Baker
Extended version of 'Nurse Will Make It Better'
US credits
Stills gallery
Original set designs
Interactive menus
Scene selection
(Box-set available from amazon.co.uk)
The show ran from 1973-1976.

September 4, 2007

Great series, but why do US fans suffer immensely on the price?

When this creepy anthology series first debuted on Region 2 DVD back in 2005, I knew I wanted to eventually purchase it, and it was a great deal in getting all 4 seasons in one boxed set. I never got around to buying it, figuring I would see if it would ever surface on Region 1. Well, it has, and for more money than I can buy all 4 seasons, we only get the first season? ARGH! You'd spend a small fortune collecting these! Since cheap DVD players can easily be changed to multi region these days, for the price you will have to pay to get the entire series on Region 1 discs, you could spend far less buying a new DVD player, the Region 2 boxed set, and still have money left over for a few seasons of some other television show. Ridiculous how we get rooked in the US, and it's a UK show. March 11, 2007

Excellent Series

I recall watching this show when i was a kid,and being absolutely terrorfied at some of the earlier ones.I was 7 years old and we lived in an old house on the beach for 6 months,it used to creak alot when the wind blew,and then this show would come on.
Especially some of the early episodes were the most scary.There was something about the atmosphere of the old English surroundings,that kind of gives you the creeps at times.
The episode where the guy was burying people in the cellar was scary as well as Someone At The Top Of The Stairs.
The episodes are quite long,which is good when you have a real scary one,but some episodes tend to drag on a bit.But upon saying that this is an excellent series and worth getting.

March 10, 2007

Excellent series

I remember staying up late as a kid to watch this show, and the theme music used to make my flesh crawl...it still does have a creepy effect on me. The stories are original, and well-told. The acting, for the most part is above average, and the elements that make the stories compelling are the acting, dialogue, and atmosphere. Unlike most of today's shows that rely too much on special effects, and graphic violence/nudity/sex, these stories rely more on atmosphere, and it truly makes a difference. Some may consider these stories slow-moving, but if you are patient, and love to see a good story told slowly, with the suspense building up, then you will surely appreciate this series. February 4, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...