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Product Description
There have been three attempts to kill Lew Burnett. After the third attempt Burnett decides to stay 'dead' - so that he can stay alive.
Burnett, owner of an international construction company, begins scouring his past to find out who hated, loved or envied him enough to want him out of the way for good; he is not running from his enemies but trying to draw them out.
Undercover and on borrowed time, he has been given a second chance at life. In this state of transition - symbolised by the Hanged Man of the Tarot - he can no longer fall back on his money or influence, just the wits and hands with which he built up his own small empire.
In the process, he is forced to confront some painful truths.
In an exceptional performance, Colin Blakely (Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Son of Man) stars as Lew Burnett alongside Michael Williams as Alan Crowe and Gary Watson as hired assassin John Quentin.
This powerful eight-part thriller series also features guest appearances from Jane Seymour, Gareth Hunt, James Grout and Frederick Jaeger, and is scripted by Edmund Ward, whose previous credits include The Power Game and The Main Chance.
Ward found inspiration for the series in his own experiences in the often morally dubious world of international construction; The Hanged Man is both a story of self-discovery, and a journey into dark places where money ultimately determines who lives and who dies.
This complete series, made by Yorkshire Television and originally screened in 1975, is now available for the first time in DVD format.
Product Description
There have been three attempts to kill Lew Burnett. After the third attempt Burnett decides to stay 'dead' - so that he can stay alive.
Burnett, owner of an international construction company, begins scouring his past to find out who hated, loved or envied him enough to want him out of the way for good; he is not running from his enemies but trying to draw them out. Undercover and on borrowed time, he has been given a second chance at life. In this state of transition - symbolised by the Hanged Man of the Tarot - he can no longer fall back on his money or influence, just the wits and hands with which he built up his own small empire. In the process, he is forced to confront some painful truths.
In an exceptional performance, acclaimed RSC player and character actor Colin Blakely (Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Son of Man) stars as Lew Burnett alongside Michael Williams as Alan Crowe and Gary Watson as hired assassin John Quentin. This powerful eight-part thriller series also features guest appearances from Jane Seymour, Gareth Hunt, James Grout and Frederick Jaeger, and is scripted by Edmund Ward, whose previous credits include The Power Game and The Main Chance. Ward found inspiration for the series in his own experiences in the often morally dubious world of international construction; The Hanged Man is both a story of self-discovery, and a journey into dark places where the global reach of money ultimately holds the power of life or death.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Peter2
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I remember enjoying this when it was first broadcast, and it has lost little of its impact in the years since. Briefly, Colin Blakely plays the character of Lew Burnett, a self-made man who has created and built up a successful construction company. However, his single-minded drive to succeed has made him a lot of enemies, and one of them wants him dead. As the series opens, he has just (and only just) survived an attempt on his life and the penny has at last dropped that this was not the first "accident" arranged for him, and that somebody is trying to kill him. He decides to "stay dead," and try to identify his attacker from a number of the most likely candidates.
The series makes very convenient watching, because each episode deals with a different suspect and the sub-story is complete in itself. Colin Blakely plays Lew Burnett very well, and succeeds in generating audience empathy for an arrogant and in some ways brutal character, who nevertheless shows a degree of basic honesty. But for me, the one who stole the show was Michael Williams as Alan Crowe, an ex-army officer who leaves his job as an insurance company investigator in order to guard Burnett's back. The way he develops his character during the series is a pleasure to watch. Some of the minor parts are a bit over-acted (hence not 5 stars), but this is a minor flaw, and for those who like action and intrigue, I wholeheartedly recommend this series as a worthwhile buy.
The series makes very convenient watching, because each episode deals with a different suspect and the sub-story is complete in itself. Colin Blakely plays Lew Burnett very well, and succeeds in generating audience empathy for an arrogant and in some ways brutal character, who nevertheless shows a degree of basic honesty. But for me, the one who stole the show was Michael Williams as Alan Crowe, an ex-army officer who leaves his job as an insurance company investigator in order to guard Burnett's back. The way he develops his character during the series is a pleasure to watch. Some of the minor parts are a bit over-acted (hence not 5 stars), but this is a minor flaw, and for those who like action and intrigue, I wholeheartedly recommend this series as a worthwhile buy.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Siobhan
Format:DVD
Watched the Hanged man way back in the mists of time. It was one of the best and most compelling series at the time. Even watched it on honeymoon.
Ok it is very dated now. Younger viewers might find it slow, but I loved it.
Ok it is very dated now. Younger viewers might find it slow, but I loved it.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A. J. Sturgess
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of those TV series that I have remembered all the years since it was first broadcast (I still have the original vinyl of the soundtrack). The fights are very hammy compared to today's violent style, but overall, the entire 8-part serial is still well worth watching.
The characters of Crowe and Burnett are well acted but one really does have to marvel at the incompetency of the assassin who always thinks he's got his man only to then discover that he hasn't.
If re-made today, this story would undoubtedly get the full Bourne treatment and would indeed be a good candidate for a big success, but it is still very enjoyable to see how this type of hunter vs hunted theme was developed all those years ago.
If you also recall the original broadcast, then I don't think you'll be too disappointed. If you didn't see the original, then be prepared for a much slower type and style of storytelling. (It probably would have been better as a 6-parter).
The final minutes of episode 8 provide a resolution that is more enigmatic than a complete closure - but at least there are no loose ends.
The characters of Crowe and Burnett are well acted but one really does have to marvel at the incompetency of the assassin who always thinks he's got his man only to then discover that he hasn't.
If re-made today, this story would undoubtedly get the full Bourne treatment and would indeed be a good candidate for a big success, but it is still very enjoyable to see how this type of hunter vs hunted theme was developed all those years ago.
If you also recall the original broadcast, then I don't think you'll be too disappointed. If you didn't see the original, then be prepared for a much slower type and style of storytelling. (It probably would have been better as a 6-parter).
The final minutes of episode 8 provide a resolution that is more enigmatic than a complete closure - but at least there are no loose ends.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Memory tricks
When this weas originally released, I can remember being captivated. For years I hoped that it would eventually be released on DVD. Sadly, my memory played tricks. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Booksmith
4.0 out of 5 stars
The hanged Man
I had seen this series before when it was first broadcast but never caught the last episode,
it is very much a seventies program and if you are of the times then you will... Read more
it is very much a seventies program and if you are of the times then you will... Read more
Published on 9 May 2011 by OLDLOL
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