ONE-MAN'S WAR! REMEMBERING 'THE INVADERS'

They walk amongst us. David Vincent (Roy Thinnes) is caught in the presence of THE INVADERS. Image: CBS PARAMOUNT.

How does a nightmare begin?

Well, for architect David Vincent it was with a closed and deserted diner on a far-off road, looking for a shortcut that he never found. It began with the landing of a craft from another galaxy, right before his eyes, and the discovery that aliens in human form were amongst us and ready to change the face of our world in order to make it ripe for their colonisation. Friends, work colleagues and loved ones failed to believe the incredible story Vincent continued to tell about his first contact with beings from beyond the stars, but his soon one-man war against THE INVADERS, a dying race whose plans against Humanity are legion in number, certainly makes a difference in delaying the alien beachhead. But how long can one man last against such an overwhelming and deadly threat...

One of the human formed aliens raises its weaponry.

Title sequence: Opening title sequence of The Invaders — Critical Commons

One of the all too rare science fiction series from the seemingly unlikely producer-ship of Quinn Martin, primarily known for his detective/thriller series like CANNON and THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO, THE INVADERS was presumably initiated into production because, at its heart, it was basically a chase show (one also showing McCarthy era/cold war paranoia allegories relevant for their time) that could be accepted by straightforward, not necessarily sci-fi based audiences, what with its similarities to another one of Martin's hit sixties TV series, THE FUGITIVE, but with added alien baddies instead of a one-armed man for our beleaguered but brave lead star to chase (intriguingly, the series was originally planned to have been half hour long and serialised two to three times a week). The underrated Roy Thinnes gave an excellent main performance as the isolated but determined Vincent who, every week, risked his life and credibility to thwart the alien cause, usually, finally, helped out by episodic guest stars who believed in his efforts and helped him save the day in the last, normally action-orientated, act. The Invaders of the title were also quite effective and often unnerving to watch in their human personas (whose only tell tale sign were their slightly deformed little fingers), and were often well cast with some of the top TV actors of the period (the likes of Michael Rennie, Alfred Ryder and Edward Asner), using some nifty alien technology including disintegrator weapons and a multi-coloured circular disc device that caused cerebral hemorrhages on humans and thus kept the aliens undercover in their invasion work- a handy device that also cut back on the expensive behind the scenes need for heavy optical effects.

An Invader begins to incinerate when shot.

The first season of the ultimately two-year running series is easily the best, as there's many more overall science fiction elements in there to enjoy, especially in the the first half a dozen episodes which fuse the thriller/sci-fi genre well and are expertly paced action/adventure tales. Though no expert in the genre, Producer Alan Armer would prove a respected choice for the show, alongside another fine creative choice in writer/script editor Anthony Spinner, handling and adapting the original series format created by Larry Cohen, generating a fair amount of suspense alongside some genuinely fine creative talent with sci-fi experience (mostly on the prior iconic series THE OUTER LIMITS and the original STAR TREK), including directors Robert Butler and Joseph Sargent. The shows aforementioned special effects, showing the aliens classic flying saucers, plus the scary optical effects of them incinerating when killed, would be well done by the Howard Anderson Company, whilst iconic film and TV composer, and OUTER LIMITS contributor, Dominic Frontiere's classy and sometimes unnerving, surreal music really gave the series an overall atmospheric quality boost.

Vincent infiltrates one of the alien ships.

A popular success internationally (especially in the UK (where it aired originally on the ITV channel in the sixties and later, in numerous repeat airings, on the BBC in the eighties and nineties) and France-(where Thinnes would become a well-known name, alongside his then wife Lynn Loring), THE INVADERS, spanning an additional book and colour comic series in the US and UK, is one of those rare shows that has held up very well over time. A planned nineties feature film remake, in which both silver screen heavyweights Harrison Ford and Alec Baldwin were offered the lead role of Vincent sadly never materialised, with Ford instead starring in a commercially successful remake of THE FUGITIVE instead, though a mini series revival/re-imaging starring ENTERPRISE's Scott Bakula as the new hero facing the alien threat, with a guest cameo from Thinnes as David Vincent, was reasonably successful if critically panned, though a possible new series f3ll through the cracks. Still, with Hollywood's current need and box-office grosses obsession with re-makes and re-imaginings, it surely won't be long before David Vincent is resurrected to help fight a bigger, more intense alien threat on either our TV screens or at your nearest multiplex...

Here's KOOL TV's favourite episodes from Season One (of which pretty much all of that year is of a very high and consistently strong standard).

Several aliens inside their regeneration stations.

BEACHHEAD (Series opener). The Invaders have arrived on Earth and David Vincent has seen them. The only problem is his trying to convince a disbelieving world that that the nightmare has already begun. Following the clues to one of their colonisation areas (located in a small and obscure township), Vincent's one man war against the alien aggressors begins. A terrific series launch, with some scary and surreal moments from writer Anthony Wilson, backed up with sterling and atmospheric direction via soon to be series regular Joseph Sargent. Note: an extended version of the pilot episode is available on the recent US release of the series.

THE EXPERIMENT.Vincent seeks out an astrophysicist (Laurence Naismith) with proof of the aliens arrival on Earth, but the enemy is soon in pursuit. Anthony Spinner carves out a great adventure story, fast paced with an explosive finale. A strong guest cast also includes a fine performance from Roddy McDowall, whose character is brainwashed into helping the alien cause.

THE LEECHES. The aliens are kidnapping some of the world's finest scientists in their specialised fields. Vincent is determined to find out why. Guest starring Arthur Hill. 

Suzanne Pleshette as Vikki and Vincent run from the enemy in The Mutation.

THE MUTATION. In the Mexican desert, the aliens set a trap for Vincent, where no one is what they seem. Suzanne Pleshette has a memorable guest starring role as David's love interest with a twist, in a vivid script from David Chandler and George Eckstein, alongside some imaginative location filming from director Paul Wendkos.

VIKOR. Has successful industrialist and war hero George Vikor (a powerful performance from HAWAII FIVE O's Jack Lord) allied himself to the alien cause? David must discover the truth before it's too late. Alfred Ryder makes the first of two appearances in the series as a ruthless enemy leader.

An alien ship lands to deposit crew and cargo.

DOOMSDAY MINUS ONE. At the eve of a nuclear test, and fearing alien infiltration at his army base, Major Rick Graves (William Windom) calls in Vincent in a race against time that could decimate a section of America.

THE INNOCENT. Vincent is abducted by the aliens, as one of their leaders (Michael Rennie) tries to convince our disbelieving hero that their arrival on Earth is of ultimate benefit to humankind.

Vincent continues his fight back against the extra terrestrials.

MOONSHOT. Has an upcoming moonshot been compromised by the aliens? Vincent heads to Florida to discover the truth, in an exciting tale. Guest starring MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE's dependable Peter Graves.

WALL OF CRYSTAL. The aliens target David's brother Bob (Linden Chiles) to try and stop Vincent from finally revealing their existence on Earth in another suspenseful tale that gives a bit more depth to David's character, and additional jeopardy to his continued situation.

KOOL TV will look back at Season Two of THE INVADERS in a future article.

Get hold of the complete series here (note: the UK releases have no extras compared to the US versions): The Invaders - The Believer's Box Complete Box Set DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV

KEEPING IT UNREAL! THE RETURN OF 'HARRY & PAUL'

Doctors in the house! Charles and Sheridan return in the new series of HARRY & PAUL. Images: BBC 

Deborah Meaden's worst TV nightmare-Harry Enfield's brilliant mocking incarnation of her entrepreneurial skills from DRAGON's DEN, as "The Grumpy Woman"- makes a well-deserved comeback, as the comedian and his equally lethal acting/writing partner Paul Whitehouse unleash new heights of humorous stupidity for a seven episode fourth series of HARRY AND PAUL sketch shows-possibly their final run on the BBC. (Thankfully, the earlier in the year rumours of the series cancellation proving greatly inaccurate.)

As well as the always funny and painfully accurate piss-take of DRAGON'S DEN, fans can also expect other old character favourites returning including the I Saw You Coming... antiques dealer, the frighteningly real The Benefits Family and those brilliant Harley Street Consultant surgeons, Charles and Sheridan. But what's happened to the luckless, loveless fool who used to visit the Polish cafe? Plus, Enfield plays a machine gun toting version of the Queen, there's a new duo in oily American used-car dealers Bob and Bob, and spoofs on THE KILLING (if only Sophie Grabol had made an appearance in this as well as AB FAB!), CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, THE KING'S SPEECH and TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER, SPY, with special guest appearances from other comedy talents including Whitehouse's FAST SHOW buddy Simon Day, Victoria Wood (as one of the new Jolly Minor Royals), Simon Greenall, and Kevin Eldon as a gossipping 50's typist in what will surely be a MAD MEN-esque humour slaughter.

No clips available yet for the new series, and the Beeb's promotion of it in general has been somewhat lacking both online and on TV, but here's a few classics to get you in the mood:

"Harry & Paul" (BBC) insults Filipino domestic helpers! - YouTube
Ruddy Hell It's Harry and Paul - YouTube
Harry And Paul Dragons Den Spoof: Alan Sugar - YouTube
I Saw You Coming - YouTube

After an uneven third year run a few years back, we're hoping that this new series will see the pair back at the top of their game (interestingly, Enfield is also directing some episodes himself). The late slot given to the show by BBC 2 and BBC HD from this Sunday 10pm is annoying but at least we'll all have smiles on our faces before we go back to work on misery Mondays!

MELTDOWN! "EDGE OF DARKNESS" RETURNS...

On the brink of sanity. Ronald Craven (Bob Peck) remembers his late daughter in EDGE OF DARKNESS. Images: BBC.

Rightly regarded as one of the seminal drama presentations of the BBC, launched from it's original transmission in November 1985, Troy Kennedy Martin’s eco/political thriller/ mystery character drama EDGE OF DARKNESS (now showing on the UK’s VIRGIN TV ON DEMAND viewing service) continues to live up to it's superb reputation as a true and flawless masterpiece of television, not just within the circles of television production of the UK but anywhere in the world, with a superbly structured and emotionally resonant six part script, crisp dialogue and memorably carved characters, alongside a fine cast of actors- most notably from a bitterly determined and weary, haunted eyed Bob Peck as Detective Ronald Craven, a very young and responsible Joanne Whalley as his daughter Emma- unexpectedly and savagely murdered in front of her father in what at first appears to be a terrifying revenge attack from one of his past criminal enemies- and the bulky and powerful presence of Joe Don Baker, taking a major pay cut to work on what he knew would be a powerful production, as Darius Jedburgh, a gung-ho, loose cannon CIA agent and friend of Craven’s who, in a memorable love/hate partnership of cynicism and professionalism, investigate the true reason for Emma’s death, on a journey sending them deep into the corrupting heart of UK and American politics- a “special relationship” of business power never more complex and life-threatening- and to the core of a dangerous “hot cell” within a damaged nuclear storage facility…

The new eco warriors: Craven with CIA rogue Darius Jedburgh (Joe Don Baker).

Alongside this top level acting trio bringing to life an outstanding and worthy tale (which even has hints of sci-fi in its mix) of our very worst fears for planet Earth’s future, there’s also a fine cadre of supporting players portraying friend and foe, including Zoe Wanamaker, John Woodvine, Charles Kay and Ian McNeice – a true cream dream of the Thespian crop.

Having taken Kennedy nearly five years to write, originally titled Magnox (after a type of now obsolete nuclear reactor), EDGE OF DARKNESS’s role as a modern morality play remains as relevant and prophesying as ever, perhaps even more so, and going beyond its original Margaret Thatcher era with its still scary and disturbing social and geo-political messages. But, at its heart, it’s a personal and powerful study of grief, isolation and the almost loss of sanity experienced by Craven with the murder of his daughter (the author would use real-life experiences from the then recent death of his mother, his divorce from his wife and separation from his daughter as focal points in the script-writing process). In all areas of this fine-tuned storytelling, the series is backed up with evocative, sometimes nightmarish cinematography from top notch talent Andrew Wearing and gritty, sometimes fiercely assured direction from then rising star Martin Campbell, at home in both character, atmosphere and action environs, and who’d soon after completing the series go on to become a most wanted movie director of modern blockbusters like JAMES BOND (helming two of its best films: GOLDENEYE and CASINO ROYALE) and the Antonio Banderas starring ZORRO adventures. It would also be fair to say that everyone involved in this production would go onto bigger and equally ambitious productions on the strength of EDGE’s quality, especially series music composer, Michael Kamen (sadly passed in 2003), who provided the memorable and bittersweet main theme alongside legendary guitarist Eric Clapton.

Craven with daughter Emma (Joanne Whalley), a young woman with dark secrets...

So good that once it was shown on BBC 2- to later award-winning acclaim and strong audiences- the BBC immediately put it on it's premiere, bigger audience BBC 1 channel as well (so as to capitalise on its deserved success), the eventually made and revised modern US movie version of EDGE, starring Mel Gibson, appearing in 2010, and once more directed by Campbell, failed to capture the originality, drama and success of its original initiator, and proved to be a well made but overall disappointment: no doubt suffering from a major case of having too many behind-the-scenes cooks spoiling the creative broth. The loss of planned lead co-star Robert De Niro probably didn't help, either. So, just get all that out of your mindset as you immerse yourself in the dark and tragic canvas that is the original BBC drama: a fine and moving testament to the acting legacy of the late Bob Peck, who died in 1999 at the far too young age of 54.

Craven discovers the terrible truth about the Northmoor facility...

And at night, as you peek out of your windows from an interrupted sleep, watch out for those un-marked freight trains and their cargo's as they travel slowly along the railway lines to their unknown destinations. After watching EDGE, I guarantee you'll never look at them in the same way again!

EDGE OF DARKNESS is available on DVD from 2ENTERTAIN.

"NO OFFENCE!" ZIPPING ALONG WITH "THE FAST SHOW"

Back in in-action: the lovable Rowley Birkin QC, as played by Paul Whitehouse,  for THE FAST SHOW. Image: FOSTERS FUNNIES.

The idea of the comedy sketch show may be on the brink of death these days but back in the late nineties it was a pot of gold for the UK's BBC 2 channel with the undeniable success story that was the Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson created series THE FAST SHOW, whose superb and diverse range of inventive and much imitated comedy characters, including pervy car dealer Swiss Toni, Ken and Kenneth the sexual innuendo shop tailors, farmer Ted and land owner Ralph, the wacky idiots of the Spanish CHANEL 9 station ("Scorchio!"), drunken and often unintelligible QC Rowley Birkin, and Inspector Monkfish (played by "John Actor"), would soon grab the notice and affection of the general public by the millions and lead to a wave of popularity and water cooler talk the likes of which hadn't been seen or witnessed since the strike-out days of ONLY FOOLS AND HORSE and the earlier FAWLTY TOWERS. Here was a mostly wacky and out there comedy series, which also spawned an equally popular touring stage show, that actually appealed to all ages, and attracted fans not only in its home territory but also reaching out to Hollywood, too, with the likes of talent like Johnny Depp, who enjoyed the shows genius, often downright saucy, humour so much that he soon guested on the show in a very memorable sketch for one of its final Christmas specials.


Here's a few classic clips from the original series:


The Fast Show - Very drunk - YouTube
The Fast Show I'm Not Pissed - YouTube
The Fast Show - Comptetitive Dad -6- Tennis - YouTube
The Fast Show - Roy and Renée - Turkey.mp4 - YouTube


Not wanting the series to outstay its welcome, the shows talented writers/stars were certainly wise enough to end the phenomenon whilst it was at the top of its game, but over the years that followed, and despite success in other areas of the media, there would always be the odd inkling from its team members, especially Paul Whitehouse (who has had a long and versatile career creating and acting out his memorable comedy creations), to come back and dip into its unique universe at some point. Happily for us, that ambition has now been finally realised as THE FAST SHOW, with pretty much the entire cast (including Whitehouse, Higson and Arabella Weir) returning, is back to life with a selection of brand new episodes/sketches for the FOSTERS lager website, whose past foray into resurrecting popular comedy icons proved highly successful last Christmas with the return of Steve Coogan as the tragic Radio Norwich DJ, and Sue Cook's best friend, Alan Partridge.

Will Arabella Weir's abusive South African make-up lady return?

John Thomson and Paul Whitehouse resurrect Jazz Club: "Groovy!"

Car dealing sexual Lothario Swiss Toni returns! Photo: Tyson Benton

Ageing disgracefully, re-discover your FAST SHOW favourites here (including the chance to take part in a Twitter episode competition and win exclusive props and prizes): Foster's Gold - The Fast Show - Vic & Bob - Mid Morning Matters and Good Call by Brad & Dan

The Twitter comp launches this Thursday (24th November) after the episode at 2pm. Watch out for FOSTERS tweet a question from @fostersfunny [http://twitter.com/fostersfunny] about the Swiss Toni episode, then tweet them a response using #fastshowfaster and #swisstoni

UPDATE - NEW CLIP: Swiss Toni gives more advice on taming a lady: The Fast Show | Swiss Toni | Foster's Funny | 2011 - YouTube


Episode Two of the new series: The Fast Show | Episode #2 | Foster's Funny | 2011 - YouTube


UPDATE 1/12/2011: New fourth episode: Foster's – The Fast Show – Gold – Vic & Bob – Mid Morning Matters - Russell Kane and Good Call by Brad and Dan


Third episode: Foster's – The Fast Show – Gold – Vic & Bob – Mid Morning Matters - Russell Kane and Good Call by Brad and Dan

NO PLACE TO HIDE? THE TRUTH BEHIND "PAGE EIGHT"

Love and deceit: Rachel Weisz and Bill Nighy star in the acclaimed drama PAGE EIGHT. Image: BBC.

When acclaimed English screenwriter/director playwright David Hare comes out of the shell of his self imposed limbo and says he has a new project to make, you can bet that the film and TV industry will stop dead in its tracks and do everything it can to help him realise his ambitions, bringing out the best behind the scenes talent and attracting the finest of casts from the big and small screens along the way. The results of this latest conflagration is tonight BBC 2's showing of spy drama PAGE EIGHT, a dark and twistingly complex intelligence thriller story of subtlety and dread, created within today's troubled international times-of war, deceit and power broking, and the life within that universe of a rising through the ranks MI5 intelligence analyst (the likable Bill Nighy, who has that strangely shifty look in the eyes-almost like a modern day Charles Dickens character- and possessing a hybrid lizard/grizzled meerkat-like body language that makes him such a compelling and enjoyable actor) who unwittingly has his life turned around when he discovers the truth behind an Iraq war dossier left to him by his deceased boss, and the consequences of its frightening revelations within the murky in between grey universe world where spies and politicians meet, of which the repercussions are both shocking and tragic.

Trailer: Festival 2011: PAGE EIGHT Trailer - YouTube

Ralph Fiennes brings subtle menace and ambition as the British Prime Minister.

Previously shown to great plaudits at the Toronto International Film Festival, With an all-star cast that includes the likes of modern talent like Rachel Weisz (that's Mrs. Daniel Craig to you and me!), Michael Gambon, Alice Krige, and Ralph Fiennes as a seedy Prime Minister (another one of those Tony Blair inspired performances-so be very scared indeed!), PAGE EIGHT shows us a world far removed from the action and world travelling excitement showed by JAMES BOND and BOURNE, but, with its intelligence, well-crafted characterisations and dark atmosphere, laced with a strong heartfelt moral message (which, we hope, sends a shiver down the spines of the likes of real life "Unjust War" initiators like Blair and his vile Spin Doctor, linked to the infamous "dodgy dossier", Alistair Campbell), proves something just as stylish and eerily compelling.

CREATIVE FORCES: HARRISON FORD AND RIDLEY SCOTT- TOGETHER FOR "DANGEROUS DAYS" MAKING "BLADE RUNNER"

The super 2007 re-release poster art by John Alvin for the seminal 1980's sci-fi classic BLADE RUNNER, with superb performances from Harrison Ford, Sean Young and Rutger Hauer. Images: WARNER BROS.

Never has there been a more distinctive and mature film to have caught the public's imagination years after its original release than the dark, disturbing and visionarily haunting Future Noir of Ridley Scott's seminal sci-fi thriller BLADE RUNNER, set in Earth's not too distant 2019, and starring Harrison Ford in one of his career best performances as the weary Humanoid Replicant hunter, Rick Deckard, forced out of retirement for one last savage assignment, taking on the fearsomely statuesque, but ultimately more human than his pursuers, leader of his fugitive group, Roy Batty.

Living in a dangerous world, Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard pursues his prey in the streets of a future Los Angeles.

With its superb, often elusive to grab hold of main characters, intelligent script and complex investigation into morality and humanity, and boasting some of the most stunning production design ever seen, the film, ultimately based very loosely on the highly charged and imaginative author Philip K. Dick's acclaimed best seller DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, was a huge flop on its original theatrical release, as general cinema viewers of the time, used to seeing a more heroic Harrison Ford, weren't quite sure what to make of him as the film's central lead (in a role that was more emotionally subdued and complex, which also, at times, made him physically vulnerable to attack from the bad guys (only a year before said audiences had seen and cheered him on as the ultimate screen action hero against the Nazis, Indiana Jones, in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK)-though fortunately in the years to follow, his performance in BLADE RUNNER would eventually go on to be, quite rightly, regarded highly as one of his most nuanced performances ever) or the off-beat and sometimes grim visual tone of the film, a highly detailed and evocative look at a future Los Angeles even more multi-cultural, commercially decadent and violent than anything quite seen before, from a commercials director turned movie-maker at the very top of his creative game, whose visuals would inspire generations of sci-fi, glossy films, TV, photography, commercials and promos for a long time to come...

In his most iconic role yet, acclaimed Dutch actor Rutger Hauer as the Replicant leader, Roy Batty.

Love in a cold climate. Deckard makes his advances on Rachel (Sean Young)

Despite its aforementioned poor performance at the time in America, the blockbuster that was not a blockbuster was, thankfully, a critical success in Europe, enjoyed by a more appreciative and sophisticated audience. In the years that followed, American film-goers and critics would finally re-evaluate and regard it more, too, as it found new life and bigger success, further inspiring critics and film-makers everywhere- and making it a huge hit in film school/universities around the world!- on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray release; now even more so as it celebrates its thirtieth anniversary next year.

2007 Re-release Trailer: Blade Runner Trailer 2007 "The Final Cut"‬‏ - YouTube

Bloodied and beaten, Deckard advances on Roy Batty in this posed promotional image.

As mysterious and intriguing as the movie itself, both then and currently, would be its actual behind the scenes filming-with a shoot plagued with clashing studio and producing heads, changing concepts and screenplays, union rows, and, even more controversially, the central conflict of the lead star and its director over the ultimate direction of the Deckard character-was he Human or a Replicant?-that drove an almighty wedge between the pair and their working relationship, and which would lead to frosty words from both camps about each other and the project for many years to come. These many accompanying myths and legends of its making have been the subject of several weighty book tomes and documentaries before, but writer and film maker Charles de Lauzirika would go on to put together the ultimate documentary of its kind on the film in all areas of its conception, from its adaptation to shooting, to ultimate release and beyond, with DANGEROUS DAYS: MAKING BLADE RUNNER, which pretty much features contributions from the majority of the films cast and crew (including Ridley Scott and a rare talk about the project from Harrison Ford, who, for years, pretty much disowned the final controversial release, but seems slightly more acclimatised to it with the passage of time!). Backed up with additional great behind the scenes filming from 1981, screen tests and deleted scene moments, if you're in the UK, and you've never seen it before on its original DVD and Blu-ray release, this brilliant documentary is well worth catching late night on the BBC 2 channel tomorrow, especially alongside the preceding screening of the final (so far) "Ultimate Director's Cut" of the film from 2007 by Ridley Scott. The future may not be so bright in his land of fire fuelled skies, spinners, Replicants and off-world colonies, but we can appreciate the incredible beauty and enduring legacy that remains with BLADE RUNNER to this very day...

DANGEROUS DAYS Trailer: Blade Runner Final Cut - 25th Anniversary, movie (video) trailer preview and review‬‏ - YouTube

All cinematic versions of BLADE RUNNER are available in a special Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Box Set from WARNER BROTHERS DVD.

"THE KENNEDYS": A PATH TO POLITICS AND TRAGEDY...

Times of history and people. The main cast of THE KENNEDYS. Images: REELZ channel

Loved and loathed in equal measure during their political reign of the early 1960's, the Kennedy clan, most notably its two elected brothers, President John Fitzgerald and District Attorney Robert, would become symbols of hope and the American Dream during the worse upheavals ever seen within their influential and well analysed period in power-their leadership and critical decision making, not always wanted or appreciated by others (including political rivals, military powers and senior White House staff), soon being linked to such notable events like the Cold War against the Soviet Union and the latter Cuba/Bay of Pigs incident, the almost end of the world stand-off against Russia and its military might with the subsequent Cuban Missile Crisis, the much needed breaking down of internal racial barriers across the country, the birth of the Vietnam War and the critical birth and launch of the space race. From such an incredible time their tenure together within the Oval Office would be considered by many to be almost like a modern day Camelot, whilst the equally fashionable and trend-setting First Lady, Jackie Kennedy, would become the darling of the elite In-Crowd worldwide, the Women's Institute of America, and help bring about the start-for good or for bad- of the celebrity lifestyle. Yet behind such intriguing and striking men and women-and the Kennedy family in general was a large one!-there was always a seedy veneer of tragedy and scandal lurking not too far behind in the shadows. There were the many women in the Brothers life (especially the President, whose charismatic personality and charming smile would prove too hard to resist for many a glitzy lady, including Marilyn Monroe, who was romantically linked with both brothers), the scandals and subterfuge, the buy-outs and pay-offs on the road to political victory, the links to Organised Crime and the rumbustious and all-consuming power machinations of their father, the ever ambitious Joseph Kennedy, who was determined to see his sons elected by any means-at a cost that would come back to haunt them not long before, during and after John F. Kennedy's fateful but iconic reign.

Brothers in politics! Robert Kennedy (Barry Pepper) and John Fitzgerald Kennedy (Greg Kinnear)

American Royalty. John with glamorous wife Jackie (Katie Holmes).

And, with all the power, the landmark moments and the vitality of leadership, came that fateful day on November 22nd 1963, in Dallas, Texas, when the world literally stopped with the terrible, terrible news streaking across the world to a shocked world audience of the President's assassination, of which modern America, having reached such a peak of internal and social evolution, would never be the same again...


Charting so much of this incredible history linked to America's First Family in a dramatic television series environment was never going to be an easy task, and would always be deemed a risky and controversial gamble by any film-makers choosing to go down that path of dreams and bloodshed. The most recent attempting to chart their fortunes and dramatic inner demons is THE KENNEDYS, starting tonight in an episodic double bill on BBC 2 and BBC HD, and having previously been shown in the UK on the HISTORY channel, boldly created for the small screen as an eight part mini-series that reasonably and successfully treads the line between serial and soap with glossy aplomb, from the talents of 24 co-creator/writer Joel Surnow and his top visualist for that series, Jon Cassar, who makes a welcome directorial impression for his dramatic work beyond the prior exciting gun play and explosions of Jack Bauer and CTU. Though they don't look too much like the real-life people they're playing, in the acting stakes both Greg Kinnear and Barry Pepper acquit themselves admirably in the challenging realisations of the two loyal brothers, whilst Katie Holmes, Mrs Cruise to you and me!, whom I originally felt was a little too young to play Jackie Kennedy, also does a creditable job. Towering over all of them performance-wise, however, is award winning British actor Tom Wilkinson, who I've always thought was a bit of a ham, as dad Joseph, who is the glue, acting and character-wise, that holds the series together as their mighty and bold as brass father, Joe, supported by the actors real-life partner, Diana Hardcastle, as his loyal and equally tough wife, Rose.

John and Jackie would be in happier times during the middle parts of the mini-series.

As the project gamely covers the innumerable events of 1938 to 1963, a few things here and there are either scarcely mentioned or not fully dwelt on (I suppose to avoid legal problems, like John F. Kennedy's womanising ways) but, for the most part, it doesn't shy away from touching base on many of the controversial aspects of the Kennedy's lives previously accounted for in such acclaimed books as the superb must-read, THE DARK SIDE OF CAMELOT, by Seymour Hersh, whilst the major dramatic aspects, like the Bay of Pigs scandal, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the tragedy and after-effects from John F. Kennedy's assassination, are well handled for the TV format.

The core cast of THE KENNEDYS, including, at centre, Tom Wilkinson as Joe Kennedy and Diana Hardcastle as wife, Rose.

Martin Sheen's 1980's portrayal of John F. Kennedy in the acclaimed UK/US made mini-series, KENNEDY, alongside its then overall film-making approach, is still the best TV project related to the subject matter in my own personal opinion (I think because it had a better mixing of the real-life politics and family drama), but THE KENNEDYS, despite the criticisms from the mostly American historians and people who have worked within the inner circle of the Kennedy family at that time, and even now (who feel that the series tarnishes the legacy of the Kennedy brothers, and the important work they did (it doesn't)-often glossing over key events or, overall, mis-representing them (an always thorny controversy that could be debated for years, not just with this series but other TV dramas/biographies in general that have to shorten down and encapsulate certain events for adaptation purposes), is ultimately an enjoyably fresh and interesting approach in covering the fascinating, incredible and tumultuous years of an American dynasty of power, glamour and influence.

THE KENNEDYS is also available on DVD.

KOOL TV CLASSIC IMAGE OF THE WEEK : "RIPPING YARNS"

Terry Jones and a clearly not well Michael Palin enjoy spoofing the British stiff upper lip tradition in RIPPING YARNS. Images: BBC.

Next month (20th June) sees the return of ex-MONTY PYTHONers Michael Palin (my favourite of the mad ensemble) and Terry Jones brilliant late seventies comedy series homage to the classic rip-roaring BOYS OWN 1940's adventure stories of the past: RIPPING YARNS, which, though it lasted a mere nine episodes on the BBC 2 channel (due to their then expense to make), has remained incredibly popular over the years with its own unique cult following, and is now being commercially re-released by those splendid chaps and chapesses at NETWORK.

Palin is hilarious as the disease ridden Uncle Jack in THE CURSE OF THE CLAW.

Pretty much all the episodes are inspired comedy cracker, but my own personal favourite episodes are TOMKINSON'S SCHOOLDAYS (a wicked parody on TOM BROWN'S SCHOOLDAYS, of a young mans nightmarish years at an English boarding school, facing sadistic teachers and daily terrors from Grayson the school bully (an excellent performance from THE RETURN OF THE SAINT's Ian Ogilvy)), MURDER AT MOONSTONE ABBEY (a murder mystery in the best Agatha Christie parody tradition, with an hilarious ending that has been much imitated since), ESCAPE FROM STALAG LUFT 112 B (about the adventures of Major Errol Phips and his attempts to escape a dreaded POW camp via the most incredulous means (including a giant catapult!)), THE CURSE OF THE CLAW (a horror story about a generational family curse first unleashed in Burma (watch our for Palin as old timer Uncle Jack-who loves dirt and filth and has every disease known to man- a classic character!)) and GOLDEN GORDON (and how one boring but devoted fan, Gordon Ottershaw, leads his disastrous football team, Barnstoneworth United, now comprised of a special squad of classic old age pensioners, to one last time of glory!).

A life in education! Palin in the brilliant series pilot: TOMKINSON'S SCHOOLDAYS!

Due to the episodes period settings, RIPPING YARNS has barely dated, and, overall, ignoring the canned laughter, its stood the test of time well (directed with humorous flair by comedy TV veterans Alan J. W. Bell, Jim Franklin and Terry Hughes), with some great guest stars turns from the aforementioned Ian Ogilvy, Kenneth Colley, Judy Loe, Edward Hardwicke, Roy Kinnear, Iain Cuthbertson, Denholm Elliot and Don Henderson.

Check out some classic clips: YouTube - Ripping Yarns S1E06 - The Curse of the Claw - Part 01
YouTube - Ripping Yarns S1E01 - Tomkinson's Schooldays - Part 03
YouTube - Ripping Yarns S2E02 - Golden Gordon - Part 01
YouTube - Escape from Stalag Luft 112B - Pt2

The cover of the new NETWORK DVD release.

CAUGHT WITHIN THE BLURRED EDGES OF "THE SHADOW LINE"

In too deep? DI Jonah Gabriel (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Joseph Bede (Christopher Eccleston) and the mysterious Gatehouse (Stephen Rea) in the new drama THE SHADOW LINE. Image: BBC.

In 2005 he delighted worldwide children and families of all ages for his sadly one year only reign as the enigmatic and brave Ninth persona of DOCTOR WHO, and, more recently, earned great kudos playing ex-BEATLE/peace protester John Lennon in a documentary set before the man's real-life, tragic assassination, but now chameleon-like actor Christopher Eccleston is back on TV and returning to his more serious and sinister dramatic roles as he takes one of the lead character acting parts in what looks set to be an enthralling new British conspiracy thriller: THE SHADOW LINE, starting tonight on BBC 2 and HD.

In this specially written conspiracy drama/thriller by popular TV industry writer Hugo Blick, Eccleston is a drug dealer, Joseph Bede, out to finish his selling ways for good when he becomes unwittingly involved in the death of one of his old friends, whose body is discovered full of bullet holes by the police, and which sees an investigation soon started by DI Jonah Gabriel (the very popular Chiwetel Ejiofor, now an actor with a major league film career under his belt, too). What springs up from the murder victim-who also happens to be one of the biggest crime bosses in the country- soon sparks off an intriguing and dangerous chain of events that have ramifications for both the police and criminals combined, as a murky world of terror, politics, corruption and shattered humanity comes to the fore...

With its all star cast playing a complex set of characters, including Stephen Rea, Rafe Spall and Lesley Sharp, working in an atmospheric and dark, filmic edge that makes the most of many gloomy and distinctive London locations, THE SHADOW LINE, said to be an original and distinctive drama following in the best BBC drama tradition, looks set to be compulsive TV viewing over the next seven weeks.

CLASSIC IMAGE OF THE WEEK: "ROME"

The blood and glory that was ROME. All images: HBO.

Long before STARZ re-imagining of the Spartacus legend would cause a huge stir with audiences and critics for its 300-esque graphic violence, scantily clad women and almost graphic sex scenes, there was HBO's ROME. Arriving on TV screens in a blaze of publicity not long after the huge worldwide success of Ridley Scott's epic GLADIATOR, which, as well as finally making Russell Crowe a star, would re-launch and re-vitalise this particular area of period drama- the sword and sandals epic- this lavish, highly popular two season running series, created by John Milius (whose fascination with soldiers and warfare of all kinds within all eras of history has long been documented), Bruno Heller and William J. MacDonald, filmed entirely in Italy and one of the most expensive productions ever realised by HBO (in partnership with the UK's BBC and Italy's RAI television), primarily revolved around two loyal Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo (Kevin McKidd as the former (a slightly rigid, battle hardened and square jaw warrior loyal to Rome and family) and Ray Stevenson (as the latter: a likeable (if a little thick) but loyal friend used to violence and hard living), in career making performances which I don't think they've yet topped), and their partaking, whether deliberately or not, in some of the greatest moments in living history linked to the then seemingly invincible, world dominating Roman Empire. Events affecting not only their friendship but everyone else around them like outward expanding ripples in the water, from lovers and families to acquaintances and rivals/enemies, during a memorable period of time when political alliances, theft, greed, betrayal, lust and battlefield honour ruled, amidst a sea of power and opportunity during which its leaders (including Julius Ceasar (a more sympathetic and intriguing portrayal of the character by Ciaran Hinds) and Mark Anthony (a fine performance of bullying thuggishness from THE SAINT to be's James Purefoy), its senate government, the mob of the people and the huge armies of Roman Centurions were a fixture and way of life which one both admired and feared in equal measure, spanning a time of bloodshed and battlefield warfare the likes of which had hitherto never been experienced before, and certainly never forgotten since...

The series central stars: Ray Stevenson as Titus Pullo and Kevin McKidd as Lucius Vorenus.

Through the first few opening episodes courted controversy from the press and behind the camera (allegedly the BBC, much to the chagrin of series director/consulting producer Michael Apted, edited down the first three episodes as they thought British viewers, unlike their US counterparts, were more familiar with Roman history and wanted to get to the chase with regards to the sex and violence), whilst the likes of sensationalist UK newspapers like THE DAILY MAIL would get on their high horse and quickly rode the crest of the publicity wave by debating whether the BBC should be involved with what they deemed such a disgusting series showing such graphic bloodshed and nudity. Dedicated audiences overall reacted differently to the series, though, as they soon became immersed in its epic, multi-layered story-telling (if sometimes soap-like) drama of the two men and their worldwide adventures and the bickering and betrayals of the numerous powerful Roman houses linked to Caeser, the lavish production values, mostly historical accuracy, and its epic cast (with further great acting from the likes of Kenneth Cranham, Lindsay  (as a very randy and power ambitious Cleopatra characterisation far removed from Elizabeth Taylor's version of the role), Polly Walker (as Caeser's ambitious cousin Atia), Lindsay Duncan (as Caeser's revenge fuelled mistress Servilia), Ian McNeice and Indira Varma (as Lucius' wife Niobe, who bears a tragic secret from her husband). The only true reason the show would eventually stop- its memorable second year including a plot line linked to to the legendary power and passion relationship between Mark Antony and Cleopatra- would be due to its prohibitively very high production costs.

On the battlefront, Vorenus amidst her fellow centurions.

Memorable and stylish series opening titles: YouTube - Rome Opening Credits Intro

Regardless of its eventual cancellation (and a planned sequel movie release that sadly never happened), ROME remains one of the most memorable series to have come from American television in a long time, and well worth watching for first time newbies, or in a second time for fans wanting to re-live a rollicking good drama, when it starts tonight for a new UK re-run of the TMC movie channel...