Reviews
Survivors (1975)
Superb series
The iconic opening sequence of this wonderful show was something I have never forgotten and, unlike many other series from this period, I actually have the three season box set on DVD and have watched it recently and - barring a few obvious age related issues - can confirm it is as good as it initially seemed back in 1975.
The post-apocalyptic mood is brilliantly captured and although the plot and stories do dip after Terry Nation gave up full control of the project, the sense of loss and foreboding is superbly carried forward.
The absence of one of Series 1 leading characters in series 2 and 3 is managed to reasonable effect although it is obvious the writers would have preferred to have carried on from where Season 1 left off. The attempts to shoehorn the missing person's back into the show from time to time is an obvious issue. Also, there are some plot lines that don't entirely work but 'Survivors' is really about characterisation and how you relate to these people in this world. Barely an episode goes by when the viewer doesn't wonder what they would do if it were them in the situation and this adds to the feeling of belonging and care for the survivors - it also adds to the sense of fear and desperation for the viewer.
As you'd expect, the age of the show does leave some reservations and some of the stories would never make the cut now - undoubtedly it is dated, of course - but it also has to be said that the slow pace and different requirements of mid-70's TV actually enhance some aspects with regard to tension and plot building. When they tried to recreate and update the show later, the increased pace and need to make sure something was happening all the time detracted from the atmosphere and understanding of the characters. In the original, you care about the people and what happens to them. There is never any point you don't believe in this post-apocalyptic world and this is the show's strength.
Some detractors have mentioned specific story lines where people don't behave as we'd expect them to do with second decade 21st Century glasses on. This is difficult to argue but, like listening to an old record from the same time, it is a pointless exercise to bemoan the different production values or to miss a modern trope. This is of its time, of course, but it shouldn't detract from the project. Don't forget, when they tried to remake it and modernise it, it was truly awful.
For anyone with an appreciation of classic TV and good story-telling this is highly recommended.
The Big Pull (1962)
Great to find this mention on the web
This is one of the first TV series that hooked me as a child. It scared the life out of me, but I loved it and I remembering starting a playground game called 'The Big Pull' which was based on aspects of the show (loosely, I'm sure!) but was pretty popular with my friends while the show was on.
I'd love to see it now, but guess it would look pretty tame and even a tad embarrassing. I was fascinated to see that the show was produced by Terence Dudley who later had such a big hand in one of my other favourites shows - the excellent 'Survivors'.
Another review here remembers the name 'Jotus' and 'Nebula' - something I have not forgotten either. The reason is that one of the dead 'humans' inhabited by an alien, recounts this information with his mouth and eyes wide open and the voice echoing from somewhere inside him. I was terrified when I saw it and have never forgotten the scene although I'm sure it would look pretty ordinary now. I also dimly being aware of the need not to be in pairs with a final episode scene featuring a terrified call from a mother with just her baby for company saying she didn't want to 'become a baby'. I can still picture the final shot in my head now - the two 'heroes' of the show melded together as one alien.
Few ever remember this show (although great to see those who do remember it were as equally terrified as I was!) even though it was on the early evening slot on Saturday evenings, (pre Dr Who ) so it's great to see it mentioned here.
The Voodoo Factor (1959)
Another memory stirred
I remember this being vital Saturday evening viewing for a while when I was a child but was staggered to see it ran in 1959! (I was barely in school!) I can recall that I found the story hard to follow but vividly remember the spider that looked, my Father said, 'like a load of balloons tied together'. He could spoil things like that! It would surely look awful if I were to see it today.
Nevertheless for me, this show was an early introduction to SF that I followed quite avidly as a boy and I also remember - and you can make what you will of this - that I found the word 'factor' interesting and was determined to find out what it meant and try and use it in conversation (That must have been great fun in my infant school!. An early interest in words and writing that I pretty much keep up today.