The Shepherds are still watching their flock

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33516, 23 April 1974, Page 4

The Shepherds are still watching their flock

Four weeks with “The Lotus Eaters” have established the programme: among the most interesting of current offerings; but for all the . Mediterranean warmth it captures, for all itst sound acting, it has; some frustrating habits.’ The frequent flashbacks, i still being used in the fourth (programme, are now a 'minor irritation to those who have seen all the epi--Isodes. and they must havej been no more than a conifusion to newcomers to the Iprogramme on Sunday. They relate to the back-i grounds of the principals, Erik Shepherd (lan Hendry) and his wife. Ann (Wanda Ventham). They have an intriguing story to play out, no doubt; but this main theme has stood still for the last two episodes, as secondary plots have been substituted. Perhaps' these seemingly unrelated passages will tie up eventually. I In 'the meantime, there isi la growing impatience to dis-j icover just what task the; beautiful spy has beeir given, and how her husband is going to come out of it ‘all. | For all that, Sunday's “A iTouch Of Home” was strong 'stuff, with Thorley Walters and Sylvia Coleridge performing splendidly in a hor-i rifying look at the break-f

down of the peppery retired major and his brow-beaten, .deranged wife. It was a macabre touch to have the major killed with his own ancient and beloved cricket bat. ■'The Lotus Eaters” is sound in casting and acting, and it has a particular eye I for detail and effect. The :business about the biscuits at the coffee table revealed much of the majors relationship with his wife. There was effective use, too. of contrasts between the noise of the birthday partyjin the hotel and the silences 'at the major’s house. Colour viewers must be taking particular pleasure in “'Country Calendar,” which offers scenic backgrounds of great attraction, as well as informative investigations of farming problems or advances. Sunday’s “Country Calendar” rivalled some of the new tourist advertisements on television in colour and charm. St Si Si “Thirty Minutes Worth” is not highly regarded, for very ; good reason. But this viewer (has found a fascination 'about this very wet comedian. His stuff is terrible, but Harry Worth seems now to be conscious of it, and to (find enjoyment in . what amounts to a double bluff. Sunday’s episode had a spark of interest, too, in the appearance of Robert Keegan. to recall Barlow’s “Blackie" of years ago.

d There was some startling . Japanese Avar film on the i fall of Singapore in “The ?|British Empire". This docui mentary has not been guilty t of jingoism at any stage but on Sunday it captured the pride and' sorrow of thisi , heavy defeat, through inter- 1 ?-views, the war' film, and Robert Hardy’s sensitively-. I - delivered narrative. 1 ::: .'K “Sideline” dealt with the' l Masport Cup speedboat race J , on the Estuary. It was un-.l ? fortunate for the production (( / team that it was so one- ■ > sided a race. This led to one.i of the flattest and dullest sports commentaries for ay 2 long time. — R. T. B.