We hope you enjoyed the first part of our post A Thriller of a Series. Here's the second part of our review of the cult classic seventies British mystery and suspense anthology TV show, Thriller, created by the legendary Brian Clemens.
Success in America
It's not difficult to understand why a quality TV series like Thriller achieved popularity in America - and not just because of the show's American actors and characters! Shortly after originally being aired on British screens, Thriller was imported to the US to be screened late at night as part of ABC’s Wide World of Entertainment.
Thriller episodes were then revamped in 1978 for the States as a collection of stand-alone made-for-TV movies. This involved many of the episodes being retitled - for instance Lady Killer was renamed Death Policy. They did away with the opening sequences including the simple but highly effective, signature fish-eye lens opening credits and replaced them with overly-long, garishly-coloured openers that weren't a patch on the original, and were totally unrelated to the rest of the episode.
Furthermore, the atmospheric music score was removed, and in its place was music that was unremarkable and forgettable. The reason for these seemingly unnecessary changes is unknown but British audiences got to see these awful, amateurish versions when Thriller was repeated across the ITV regions in the early eighties.
Thriller was later broadcast again in the United States as part of The CBS Late Movie, and this time the original opening sequences and music were both restored. And when A&E home video decided to release a Thriller DVD set for the US, they again went for the signature openers and theme tune. And thank goodness for that!
The Test-Of-Time Test
Whether or not Thriller stands the test of time will probably divide opinion more than the 2016 Referendum! It goes without saying that as the years go by, people's preferences, viewing habits, and TV trends change, and what was once popular may not be so appealing four decades on. In our humble opinion, Thriller is definitely still very watchable - even in the twenty first century. Any quality program that is well-written and sports a cast of great actors will always be worth watching. Plus the mystery and suspense genre, although not as popular as it once was, still appeals to many people today. And let's not forget the bonus of some amazing seventies fashion, décor, and cars that'll have vintage fanatics drooling - all of which contribute to the charm of the series.
On the other hand though, we can't deny that there are certain factors that make Thriller seem a little dated (though still very charming and watchable!) For a start, the depiction of Britain is one which many of today's viewers would find unrelatable - one that was staid, traditional and conservative; focusing on affluence, plush living, and idyllic surroundings. Does anyone dress up for a normal weeknight dinner at home with their family anymore? Who elaborately sets the table for a simple supper for one these days? Furthermore, despite the presence of the token American, who in comparison is quite forward-thinking, open and liberated, Thriller depicts a bizarre, stifled class-bound England full of eccentricities and oddities, where nothing is quite what it seems.
But then it is entertainment - and not real-life!
There's also very little diversity which many would say was typical of 1970s mainstream television. Moreover the attitudes towards women would also not be well-received today: old-fashioned, patronizing and chauvinistic. Some critics have claimed that women were portrayed as weak, helpless and dependent, or as the cunning, femme fatale, but there are definitely a number of strong-willed, feisty, gutsy female characters who quite cleverly manage to turn the tables on the men, as seen in Lady Killer, A Coffin For the Bride, In the Steps of a Dead Man and A Midsummer Nightingale.
The rather dated feel of VT might not appeal to many viewers today, and further more the anthology type TV series doesn't appear to have been en vogue for a good number of years now. The anthology format of self-contained episodes had the advantage of providing new faces and unrelated storylines every week, which kept things fresh and interesting. It’s a real pity that this format has virtually disappeared from TV screens today.
Even by early eighties standards, Thriller was beginning to look a bit old fashioned. In an age where action dramas and cop shows were all the rage, there were no special effects, huge sets or fast-paced action to be found in Thriller. No vest-clad, muscle-bound macho men; no women in the now obligatory form-fitting, revealing garments; no swearing, and absolutely no sex! Imagine the modern-day viewer's surprise when they tune in to an episode of Thriller, and find a married couple sharing a room as expected but sleeping in two separate beds! This was apparently so because back in the seventies it was rare to show a couple in bed together for fear that it would be deemed inappropriate. Today, it would be deemed ridiculous to not show them in bed together!
Dated or not, Thriller is still a great TV show and there are a number of reasons why viewers might still want to watch it: a love of mysteries; an appreciation for Clemens' work; an interest in 1970s TV... or maybe just for pure nostalgia - for those who believe that television today just isn't what it used to be. So if you're tired of being fed a TV diet of reality TV; ten-a-penny soap operas, and trashy celeb-obsessed entertainment programs, a step back into time, where TV was a much simpler affair, might be just what you need...
What We Think:
All we can say is wow! After watching the very first life-changing Thriller episode, we were hooked! If you have a taste for all things macabre and mysterious - as we clearly do - then Thriller will be right up your street. The stories are brilliantly plotted and well directed with great acting. You probably won't love every episode: you'll have your favourites and not-so-favourites but if you're a big fan of the suspense genre and tales with a twist, then you won't be disappointed. The episodes are very entertaining with plenty of mystery and intrigue, which then leads up to an exciting finale.
It's been fascinating not only watching the episodes, but also reading the reviews and comments from Thriller fans, especially those who watched the show the first time around. Fans clearly loved the series and have very fond memories of their favourite episodes; the famous faces; the opening credits and of course that theme tune, which all in all we'd say, were a winning combination.
Thriller is a unique show that perfectly conveys feelings of claustrophobia, confinement, isolation, fear and helplessness. But whether or not Thriller is truly blood-curdlingly terrifying is up to the individual. But we found that although there were episodes that freaked you out a bit, there was nothing that gave you nightmares or cause to sleep with the light on! Thriller makes for tense, suspenseful and exciting viewing but it's best enjoyed with the intent of being entertained rather than petrified.
It's a real pity that despite Thriller achieving considerable critical acclaim and popularity during the seventies, this fantastic series isn't better remembered and has largely vanished into obscurity. But if you get the chance, you really should check out this series. Thriller is a fab piece of television history but... will it ever be repeated on mainstream TV again? Let's hope so!
Photos: YouTube
Wordcloud: Angel Noire
A new online interview (in two parts) with Jennifer Wallis of headpress looking at 'A THRILLER in Every Corner' and Brian Clemens' THRILLER series in general including spooky goings on, historic British murderers and lurid paperbacks among much much more. Here are the links! 😀
https://headpress.com/a-thriller-in-every-corner/
https://headpress.com/a-thriller-in-every-corner-part-2/
New interview with me about 'A THRILLER in Every Corner' now available courtesy of Andrew Screen and Horrified Magazine. Nicely punning title - 'Once the Thrilling Starts'
https://www.horrifiedmagazine.co.uk/books/martin-marshall-interview-thriller/
@Martin Marshall - Many thanks for your comment and for your appreciation of those Thriller posts. I absolutely love this show, and there's still quite a few episodes I need to catch up on. I really do wish it had been repeated more as I was growing up.
How fascinating that you actually got to meet the great man himself who created this show. And the other people involved with Thriller. You must have learned some very interesting things about the show. Good luck with your book - it sounds like a fabulous read :)
Angel, wonderful to read your three pages dedicated to Brian Clemens’ 70s Thriller series, full of perceptive observation, from a perspective of a newcomer to the show. It’s heartening to see the show can still resonate with an audience of today more used to television drama mimicking the style of feature films rather than the claustrophobic, almost theatrical style of production that so emphasised the suspense and feel of ‘unease’.
Just wanted to flag up that I’ve very recently published a mammoth 700+ page book titled ‘A THRILLER in Every Corner’ which covers just about every aspect of the show, a number of which you’ve highlighted in your posts, alongside Brian Clemens himself and the set-up of British TV of…
@Sherbette - It was repeated on telly once in the eighties but I didn't have any recollection of Thriller back then either. I am, however, so glad I've stumbled across this series. As a fan of the suspense genre, this is compelling viewing! :)