The Guardians (1971)

michaellevenson

michaellevenson

Moderator
Staff member
This is a similar series to 1990, the BBC series (see thread). Made by ITV, it has the same premise as the later series 1990, a right wing government takes over England, a dictatorship with secret police ,The Guardians, the Royal family exiled, freedom crushed. This 13 part series takes a different perspective though, with the lead characters are the antagonists, the Guardians are at the centre of the stories, the resistance group, Quarmby, does feature, but aren't main players in the drama. The good guys are mainly represented by Dr Benedict , a sympathetic character even though part of the establishment. He is played by David Burke, Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes series with Jeremy Brett. A large part of the series deals with the head civil servant Norman, and his plan to dispose of the PM and take over.
The series available on DVD, below link to YouTube clip of opening scene of series. The opening theme music is very striking, terrific IMO.
 
michaellevenson

michaellevenson

Moderator
Staff member
1. THE STATE OF ENGLAND

After a period of chaos, unemployment and failure of government law and order has been restored to England. But the price of this order is personal liberty. Dissenters gradually appear, dedicated to the overthrow of the new regime.
2. PURSUIT
An agent provocateur planted in the ranks of the Guardians to root out communists is shot dead and an attempt made on the PM's life.
3. HEAD OF STATE
A diplomatic situation develops when the French president, due in London for defence talks refuses to attend unless he meets the head of state. With the Queen exiled and the PM a pawn of the Guardians, who really is Head Of State.
4. THE LOGICAL APPROACH.
The new Home Secretary is perturbed to discover that prisoners under sentence of death are put to sleep 48 hrs before their hanging to keep things " tidy "
5. QUARMBY
The Home secretary assassinated, the PM informs Norman , head civil servant, he intends to disband the guardians. Norman casts suspicion on Dr Benedict who counselled the assassin.
6. APPEARANCES
Having killed a detective Benedict returns to the routine business of causing chaos for the Guardians. Resistance group Quarmby decide to make a spectacular attack to inspire the man in the street. But first a scapegoat must be found.
7. THIS IS QUARMBY
Quarmby continues with its attempts to destabilise the government with a new tactic, Norman and the Guardians fight back.
8. THE DIRTIEST MAN IN THE WORLD.
Weston, ex guardian incarcerated in a rehabilitation centre, must be rescued by Benedict.
9. I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND ME
When a kidnapped guardian is assassinated by terrorists the PM is sent an ultimatum, restore the monarchy or else. Weston escapes from detention ,and Norman orders the liquidation of all inmates at the maximum security detainment centre.
10. THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.
Clare Weston has problems now her husband is a drug addict and being hunted by Guardians. She hopes psychiatrist Benedict can help, but he receives a visit from Quarmby himself, leader of the resistance.
11. THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Norman grooms the PM's son Chris for succession if the PM should die, or be disposed of. Chris is involved in the investigation of a woman who set herself alight in Hyde Park.
12. THE KILLING TRADE
Benedict under pressure to reveal Weston's whereabouts, as he continues to treat the drug addicted escapee.
13. END IN DUST
Norman has the PM bugged and Chris let's slip to his father something vital that Norman believes is a danger to the state, Norman acts, Chris must decide whose side he is on.
 
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