Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

ChicRawIdol A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

les-ven After viewing the Network Box Set of "Thriller" for the second time, I am surprised at some of the views on certain episodes and also the votes on the "Popularity Chart". Whilst "A Coffin for the Bride" is arguably the best episode, some of those near the top are certainly not my favourites whilst others near the bottom are some of the best. I also thought Series 6 was good apart from "Nightmare for a Nightingale" (a good story spoilt by poor acting especially from Sydney Tafler) and "The Next Victim". In the latter I am sure I have seen a version when the tirade from Maurice Kaufman at the end, was a lot longer, and this improved the storyline. The ending on this seemed quite abrupt. The opening episode "Sleepwalker" was excellent and proved a memorable night as it was screened after the last episode of "Dixon of Dock Green". On first viewing however, I thought the girl was guided in her sleep into a secret room in her house, where there were Gothic acts going on and she was being drugged each time it happened. I may have got this mixed up with another story/programme. "Kill Two Birds" was another highlight. The two episodes featuring Matthew Earp "An Echo of Theresa" and "The Next Scream You Here" were also near the top of my chart. "K is for Killing" and "Kiss Me an Die" were very poor along with "Possession". Two "popular" episodes "Only a Scream Away" and "Screamer" deteriorated a lot after first viewing. However I thought that two of the least "popular" episodes, "Night is the Time for Killing" and "Murder Motel" were two of the best. The only problem with the latter was the dreadful performance from the leading American lady. "The Colour of Blood", "The Eyes Have It", "Sign in Death", "Come Out Come Out, Wherever You Are" and "Good Salary Prospects Free Coffin" were other highlights. The story I cannot remember seeing, either originally, or as TV repeat or by Video, was "File It Under Fear".

blanche-2 I have happy memories of this series, which was on late-night television where I lived in the states. I thoroughly enjoyed the episodes, which usually had one American TV star, i.e., Barbara Feldon, Donna Mills, etc. and a predominantly English cast. Most of the series, if not all, was written by Brian Clemmens. My favorites were "Coffin for the Bride" and "Lady Killer." Both of these were fabulous. "Coffin" featured a bravura performance by Helen Mirren and "Lady Killer" was a great story with a twist, starring Barbara Feldon and Robert Powell. I had the pleasure of interviewing Barbara Feldon, and she said it was absolutely freezing cold and that in one scene, when she's running while wearing her bathrobe, the wind opens her bathrobe and she had all kinds of clothes on underneath! I have both of those on video, but would love to see the other episodes someday.

magick_goatgirl As a teenager back in the 70's, I was a great fan of the 'Thriller' series. I'd so look forward to Tuesday nights, when from 10.30 until midnight, I'd sit up alone, sprawled in my beanbag with a coffee and a chocolate bar, and proceed to devour every episode. They were always so beautifully crafted and superbly acted - and genuinely frightening without the 'blood and guts.' Years later, many of the episodes continue to haunt me...indeed, now as a writer of psychological thrillers myself, I know that 'Thriller' continues to exert its influence on my own work. And so, for twenty-five years, I've been waiting for repeats of 'Thriller' on TV - eagerly scouring TV guides - but all in vain. One day, in desperation, I telephoned Channel 7 here in Adelaide, practically begging for them to replay the series - but I was devastated to learn that the screening rights had long expired. So imagine my excitement when I recently discovered that all 'Thriller' episodes are available on VHS from an equally avid fan in England! I sent my payment off two weeks ago, now I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of all 43 episodes. It's a dream come true! I'd better buy myself a new beanbag and a boxful of Violet Crumbles - methinks I won't be sleeping much for a while!

all-briscoe A truly-exceptional series that has largely disappeared into obscurity. This is despite it achieving considerable critical and popular approval when broadcast in the 1970's. It is one of the few British series to have achieved success in the USA and it is not difficult to see why it achieved such popularity.Unlike most series, "Thriller" was an anthology of separate stories, without recurring characters or situations. This allowed great flexibility in terms of style and story-writing but unfortunately made it more difficult to achieve a long-term identity.When broadcast in the USA and given a rare repeat in the UK in the 1980's it was billed as discrete movies, further eroding its identity.The show had a very unusual length of just over an hour of action. This allowed more chance to develop stories and explore characters, to great effect. However it also created scheduling problems and has probably helped to kill the chance of further repeats. Unlike better-remembered but unquestionably inferior productions of the time, it was shot on video-tape. Once again artistically this was a great success. It made the action darker and more claustrophobic. Unfortunately this also made repeats less likely with filmed action usually seen as more likely to win wider viewer-approval.Most credit must go to Brian Clemens. He created the series, wrote most episodes entirely and provided the outlines for all of them. His writing was first-class, and well-supported by guest writers such as Terence Feely. He produced highly intriguing, unsettling, often frightening stories. Astutely, violence was largely kept off-screen and the exact motives of characters were frequently well-hidden. Viewers were forced to use their imaginations, making for deeper and more satisfied viewing. Characterisations were very sophisticated but suitably enigmatic. Most stories featured extraordinary twists and some terrifying scenes.Direction could still have set things back but was immensely strong. A small team of directors kept true to Clemens's intentions and added great atmosphere. Laurie Johnson's music was perfect - extremely chilling and unnerving - and cranked up the tension spendidly. However the producers also knew when to use silence to powerful effect. They were utterly aware that less is often more.Acting was very fine. The British performers included many of the leading lights of the 1970's and beyond. Unusually almost every story featured an American actor. Although this was almost definitely to help American sales, it brought an extra dimension. The Americans were able to offer more stylish and classless displays than their more traditional and austere (but still exceptional) British counterparts.There were inevitably some limitations. The depiction of women was very old-fashioned and often patronising, with far too many references to grown women as "girls". There was an over-emphasis upon portraying women as pretty but helpless, dependent on men to save them. However there were some strong, perceptive and assertive female characters. Generally the view of England is very traditional and deferential, focusing on affluent figures in ostensibly idyllic surroundings. Its world-view was more of the 1950's than the 1970's.Story-development is a little formulaic. For example, many episodes end with men cradling distressed women. However it should be remembered that "Thriller" was intended for a popular audience and not for the avant-garde, and some predictability goes with the territory and is often part of the fun.The American versions feature filmed titles and music added long after original production by different companies. The music is sometimes very effective but the titles are unnecessarily long, often amateurish or crass, and alien to the main episodes.However these are minor points. "Thriller" triumphs irrespective of these reservations, and no production is perfect. Any sophisticated viewer lucky enough to see an episode should be hugely impressed with what is seen. One hopes that stories will appear on DVD or video or receive a repeat broadcast so everyone can see what they have been missing!