Unconvincing debut by “The Guardians”

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33477, 7 March 1974, Page 4

Unconvincing debut by “The Guardians”

“Save us from the Guardians,’’ was the cry of the striking workers in the new British futuristic drama serial of the same name — and it could well be the cry of late evening viewers for the next 12 weeks.

This pessimistic peep at England, circa 1984, provided, in the main, tedious fare whicn rhe dovetailing of scenes failed to lighten. Both the writer and the producer made commendable efforts to capture the mood ; of a country with a long i history of democratic rule, ’.suddenly plunged under the ; control of a “Big Brother" general, backed by a police force of supposedly superior beings. But, somehow, the story failed to strike a responsive chord — and not only because of a series of unexplained flashbacks. Watered down a little, “The Guardians” might make a good children’s adventure series. There were, admittedly, some good characterisations.

John Collin, a sort of latter day James Cagney, and the doomed Peter Lee (Robin Ellis) played their con-, trasting roles with con-1 viction. Derek Smith and Cyril ! ’ Luckham were competent, asi ■ expected, but only these two and Gwyneth Powell im-, parted the chill feeling of!' existing under the General’s regime. The garralous Dr Benedict (David Burke) had foisted on him lines which’: disrupted the impression i which the director was trying to create. The Guardians looked a < little like the Keystone Cops ’ during their chase after the 1 mysterious sniper, although the opening riot scenes were well handled. Thereafter, p however, the pace was une-;j ven and the interest lagged’' because of a profundity of , verbal shadow boxing. v; ; c “Nationwide" confirmed the promise shown in its j first programme with an ex- L haustive study of the prob-ji lems facing Matai Industries. ’, Diligent questioning by < Guy Salmon and David Beat-1 ( son removed many of the ( clouds of doubt over the

Government’s reason for appointing a receiver-manag t and did much to indicate tne probable future of the com- ■ pany. The programme appears to be far more polished and i streamlined than its predecessor, 'Gallery”, if only for the fact that it deal's 'with one topic rather than a collection of items It is thus able to examine its subjects in greater depth and. consequently. seems to be more authoritative. But these are early days for “Nationwide”; it has set : a high standard, and this might be difficult to maintain. The return of “M.A.S.H.” will be welcomed in manyi' homes, for Alan Alda and! i Wayne Rogers form an ac-' ceptable comedy team and the plots are invariably light and frothy. But the most welcome item on Tuesday evening! was a commercial in which the word “please” was used. ( Advertisements in the form 1 of a demand belong to the ! era of the General and hisc Guardians. —J. K. B.'j r t I t c