Doomwatch [VHS] [1972]

Having never seen any of the series in question, I can only judge this film on it's own and not as a comparison. I found it interesting, particularly as an example of life in the '70's. The way that the 'islanders' were portrayed was pretty laughable as I'm sure anyone living off the coast of Cornwall would agree. This lot, regardless of their problems, were more like the Stepford Wives.

I agree with the point about the medical knowledge. I can't believe they thought that it was possible to reverse physical defects even in 1972. This does affect the credibility of the film but it's not a major problem.

It was an enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half though, not what I expected and I would definitely recommend it. However, I have to pick up on a point from an earlier reviewer - Ian Bannen was no spring chicken, granted, but Judy Geeson would have been 24 at the most. Therefore, your comments about them being middle aged were hardly fair. And a stirling job was done by both Bannen and Geeson.

And if anyone spots Pam St Clement, who is listed in the credits, please let me know!

A favourite scenario of British horror movies and thrillers, is given a different twist in this early eco-drama. Scientist Ian Bannen visits an isolated island community to monitor the effectiveness of an oil-spill clean-up operation and is met with hostility. Eventually enlisting the reluctant cooperation of the island's only other outsider, teacher Judy Geeson, he uncovers an ecological disaster.

While the pace is a little slow at times, the story is engrossing enough to hold the attention and a potential for preachiness is kept to a minimum. As the production notes indicate, the halves of the film are quite different in style. The first is an excellent example of the outsider-in-a-hostile-community genre, the second an investigation procedural story as Bannen uncovers the trail of blunders and ignorance that have caused the situation. There are no villains in this story, which makes the chain of events all the more convincing. It's all too easy to see how the problem was caused.

Although the packaging seems to give away the horror lurking on the island, this doesn't matter and the resolution is surprisingly affecting as the villagers suffer the outcome they feared more than any other.

The Doomwatch TV series cast do as much as they can with the little they are given, having been effectively sidelined in favour of bigger names for the cinema audience. George Sanders is probably the biggest name, playing the establishment figure, an old-school admiral who is the first suspect in the investigation.

Star of the film is Ian Bannen, who was enjoying silver screen acclaim at the time. He brings an earnest sincerity to his role and his concern and anger over the situation on the island give the film it's emotional core. Judy Geeson gives an equally convincing performance as the cautious school teacher who overcomes her reticence to try to help the beleaguered islanders. They are backed up by a cast who will be familiar to anyone who has seen TV and film from the sixties and seventies. There are excellent performances all round, especially from Shelagh Faser, later to achieve cult status as the homely Aunt Beru in Star Wars. Here she gives a beautifully layered performance, easilly moving from a slightly sinister suspicion to brusque acceptance of Bannen's prescence, through some genuinely moving scenes where your heart goes out to her.

There are a few clicks on the sound track, but the sound on my copy was not affected as another reviewer's was.

A good film and a still pertinent message nearly 40 years later.

Firstly, I have to say, that Doomwatch is an amazingly good film, and I have been a big fan since I first saw it, many years ago.

Unfortunately, Prism Leisure have not done a good job at putting this title on DVD. Although the picture quality is reasonably good, parts of the sound track are seriously damaged throughout the film. These faults are present in the form of a click, immediately followed by a drastic drop in volume. The sound then fades back in, until the fault happens again. This caused me not to be able to hear key parts of dialogue, and I am amazed that Prism Leisure have let this through their quality control.

Another less important point, is that they have presented the film in 4:3 (full frame), instead of it's original widescreen format. My personal preference is that films be presented in their original cinema ratios.