Director Peter Sasdy deserves his cult reputation; from the Whispering Gallery finale of Hands of the Ripper to the enigmatic hysteria of The Stone Tapes, his best work has an iconic feel. Viewers of the popular BBC science-fiction drama Doomwatch generally felt that this 1972 feature film was a somewhat cruder affair than the series it drew inspiration from, but as it resurfaces on streaming, Sadsy’s film is likely to entice the curious with a little enviromental horror in a Scottish setting.
Moving amongst characters created by Dr Who scribes Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis, Doomwatch sees Dr Shaw (Ian Bannen) tackling chemical dumping on the fictional Scottish island of Balfe, although being a Tigon production, it’s actually Cornwall which doubles as the beauty-spot. There’s not much picturesque about what Shaw finds; growth hormones used on fish are getting into the food chain, and mutations are resulting, making the natives a little more restless than usual.
Does the Admiral (George Sanders) know more than he’s saying? Of course, he does, and Doomwatch is way ahead of its time in suggesting government conspiracies, and expressing anxiety about what we eat and how it might affect us. A co-star role for Judy Geeson, plus small roles for James Cosmo, Bond star Geoffrey Keen and Shelagh Fraser (who played Luke’s aunt five years later in Star Wars) keep things interesting.
The original series is now impossible to locate in any kind of complete form , so this capsule version of Doomwatch is well worth seeking out as a period piece with some unpleasant ideas which still resonate. Scottish people may be revolting, but they’re not mutating as yet; enviromental issues still threaten to turn science fiction into science fact.
Never heard of any of it – not Doomwatch, not the show, not the big ladies soccer new…..
Must pry away this rock I’ve been living under.
Always keen to see George Sanders……
If you fancy seeing George Sanders talking about ‘massive dumps in the sea’ then this film is the one to see.
Hmm…taken one way, I very much want to see it. Taken another way, keep it far away from me!
Normally I’d agree with wanting to see Sanders. But this is from my notes:
On first seeing him my mouth fell open and I had to say to myself “This man is not well.” He wasn’t. He was suffering from dementia as well as depression, had perhaps experienced a stroke, and apparently had very basic mobility issues. His appearance is just sad.
Uh. That’s heartbreaking. Definitely putting this in my discard pile. I know all my favorites from the Golden age have died, but I don’t like thinking about it 🙂
It was one of his last movies and it’s a tiny part but I remember thinking how frail he seemed.
It’s free on YouTube over here, so you can judge for yourself. Sanders made far worse than this.
Remember the TV series more than the film. It was unusually ambitious for telly and extraordinary prescient. Effectively, one of the first disaster programmes. Robert Powell’s breakthrough as I recall.
This whole film is on YouTube, and I guess that’s all we really have in terms of what was reputedly a good show…
I’ll check it out. I like Bannen.
They had a BAFTA event for him not long after Waking Ned. A talent worth celebrating. The Offence as a prime example.
Brilliant in The Offence. Lot of understated performances as well, not always the growly persona.
Sounds interesting, gotta admit.
I vaguely rememebr the TV series, but only just. Have you checked out The Boys yet?
Not yet, but have heard more about it.
Good or bad?
Good.
Good. OK back to sucking ears.
So you haven’t “mutated” into a ninja yet then? That’s kind of disappointing actually…
I’ll mutate into a ninja if you give me a chance, Bunty.
Cupcake…
No thanks, I just had one yesterday. More tea?
Did your cupcake have sprinkles?
Yes. Why?
What about those little silver balls? Did it have some of those?
No. Nice birthday cake. 🎂
Was this your Sweet 16 party?
What is that?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_sixteen_(birthday)
I’m not 16.
What??!!?? You’re not even old enough to drive? You are one precocious lad!
Very much so, fast developer.
How can anyone have too many cupcakes? It’s like someone saying they’ve had too much icecream!
Is the tea mint chocolate chip flavored?
One is more than enough. Besides, you’re sweet enough already!
That’s me, Mr Sweeums!
Is it not Sweetums?
Dang “t” key! Almost as bad the T virus…..
Should I rearrange these words to form a sentence? Seems to be at least an ‘as’ missing. How is your dumpster project going? Pics or it didn’t happen…
That would be great. Apparently my brain is thinking faster than my fingers can type.
I’m strategizing for a binstagramm right now…
The bar has been set high.
I liked the sweaters.
The Doomwatch sweater selection can be bought from Balfe Woolen Mill and Bio-mutation Heritage Centre, would you like a link to their website?
Yes please.
Do you think Fraggle is sleeping off a big night of partying after England winning that soccer game yesterday? I wonder when she’ll be joining us.
I think fraggle actually holds down some kind of respectable, helpful job that gives her a meaningful role in society. Can’t imagine that over-celebrating women’s football looms large in her life, the media have completely ignored it until aout three weeks ago. I went to the women’s footballer of the year awards a few years back, and the media generally ignore it unless England are involved in some way…
She might not be a fan, but it seemed like it would be a good excuse to go out rioting in the streets. As long as people didn’t tip any bins over.
Where fraggle lives, they don’t need an excuse to go out and riot in the streets. England winning the women’s football thing is like a tree falling unseen in a forest from where I’m sitting; another cultural disconnect that adds to the ongoing alienation…
Seemed to be pretty big news over here. I don’t watch soccer though because it seems like way too much running around.
Women get a tiny fraction of the wages and sponsorship that men do. The same media screaming about this from the rooftops are the same bunch who have consistently devalue the same product for the last couple of decades.
Fraggle was up at 7am in the shower, at work for 9. Mondays always mad busy soonly now just got 10 mins to have a break. Didn’t bother with the footy though saw the highlights on the news, glad the ladies won, makes a nice change.
soonly is the new way of writing so only.
Alex seemed to think you’d be rioting.
Too busy for rioting.