Episodes right length and not too long, interesting stories
Disadvantages:
Some episodes can be disappointing compared to others
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Tales of the Unexpected are a series of stories that have been adapted to be show on television. The stories are very different to each other but the one thing that they have in common is that they all tend to have an unexpected twist. Most of the time, these are very hard to guess.
Tales of the Unexpected ran from 1979 to 1988. There were 9 series. The one that I am reviewing is the complete first series.
I have just started to collect these as they are now at a very reasonable price and when I came across them I remembered how much I used to like watching them years ago. I wasn't born when the first series was released but can remember my mum watching these in later years and that is how I started to get into them. I enjoy short stories with a twist (as you will also see from my Alfred Hitchcock Presents review) and have been enjoying watching these.
This series comes in a two disc set. Six episodes are on the first disc and three episodes are on the second. Roald Dahl talks the audience through an introduction at the beginning of each episode of this series. I find these introductions very interesting as he explains how he came about the story, how long it took him to put together and interesting facts he has about it. This then leads on to the episode.
I am guessing the episodes would have aired as half hour as it clearly shows in each episode there was a break. Taking out the break, the episode is around 25 minutes. It's something good to watch if you have a half hour to spare. That is unless you are like me and tend to watch one after the other.
I wouldn't say that the programme is dated. The clothes and décor in the episode are definitely different but I think it is still as good today as what it would have been watching it back in the 70s. The stories themselves could really be shown in any decade.
I have listed below each episode that is on this disc with a short description of them. I have tried to give you an idea of what the episode are about without giving too much away. I have also listed who starred in each episode as it is interesting to see how many famous names starred in this series. All of the actor/actresses make the episodes good and enjoyable to watch. The DVD also told me the dates that the original transmission was so I thought I would add this for your information.
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Man from the South
This story starts with an old gentleman on holiday in Jamaica. A young sailor is also there on a break from training and they begin talking. This leads to a bet between the two men and the stakes are high. If the sailor wins, he wins a car, if the stranger wins, he wins the sailors finger… As always there is a twist at the end of this tale but you will need to watch it to find out what it is. I never guessed it!
Stars Pamela Stephenson, Jose Ferrer and Cyril Luckham
Original ITV Transmission 24 March 1979
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Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat
Mrs Bixby has been having an affair with a wealthy retired colonel for the past 8 years. She sees him for a weekend every three months pretending to her husband that she is visiting her Great Aunt. The first part of this episode is basically showing how she lies to meet the colonel and when she leaves him, the colonel gives her a mink coat. She thinks that it is a present; he has given it to her as a leaving gift. But how can she explain it to her husband without arousing his suspicions? Another twist to this one that I never twigged.
Stars Julie Harris, Michael Hordern and Richard Greene
Original ITV Transmission 31 March 1979
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William and Mary
The episode starts with Mary at her husband William's funeral. Soon after the funeral his lawyer visits Mary. It is explained that William worked at the university and was a very clever man to the audience watching, it appeared that the university was his life. A letter left for Mary from William, asks her to visit his neurosurgeon? Why does she need to visit his neurosurgeon? Good twist to it and I don't want to say anything else about the storyline as I do not want to give anything away.
Stars Marius Goring and Elaine Stritch
Original ITV Transmission 7 April 1979
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Lamb to the Slaughter
'A distraught pregnant wife arrives home to find her policeman husband strangely murdered. A colleague called in to investigate the killing is baffled. What mysterious weapon did the killer use in the dead man's skull? And why can't it be found?'
This story explains itself as the episode goes on. You will find out the answer to who the killer is and how the husband was killed. But who was it and how did they do it? I enjoyed this episode and thought it very clever how somebody could have come up with this.
Stars Brian Blessed, Susan George and Michael Byrne
Original ITV Transmission 14 April 1979
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The Landlady
Billy Weaver is a young worker who has been assigned to Bath through his company for some time. He is recommended to stay in a B & B and finds himself one which he is initially very happy with. He gradually starts to get an uneasy feeling about the place that he is staying. Watching this episode you will tend to agree with his thoughts as it is shown to the audience that the landlady of this particular B & B appears odd and as though she is hiding something. Billy soon realised that the last two guests signed in more than two years ago. Why has nobody stayed there since? Unfortunately Billy will soon get the answers.
Starring Siobhan McKenna and Leonard Preston
Original ITV Transmission 21 April 1979
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Neck
Joan Collins plays Lady Turton in this episode. She is married to Sir Basil but this does not stop her from having affairs which are not very discreet so her husband is very aware of them. This story is really about, given the opportunity, will Sir Basil get revenge if the chance is offered to him. Enjoyed this one and found it lighter than some of the ones I have watched.
Starring Michael Aldridge, Joan Collins, Sir John Gielgud and Peter Bowles.
Original ITV Transmission 28 April 1979.
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Edward the Conqueror
Louise, a woman who regularly plays the piano, finds a stray cat. The cat comes into the house where she plays it various tunes on her piano. This leads her to believe the creature is a re-incarnation of the composer Franz Liszt. The look on her husband's face when she tells him what she believes says it all. The husband becomes jealous of the attention that Louise is giving the cat and it all ends tragically but whom for?
This was probably my least favourite one on the DVD. It is watchable but not very good compared to the others on this disc.
A tourist is on his way home from Europe on a transatlantic liner when he decides to enter an auction. This auction is a bet to see how far the ship will travel by noon the following day. But his plan to scoop the jackpot looks doomed when there is a sudden change in the weather. The twist to this is how will he win his bet? Enjoyed this one and it had a clever twist.
Stars Jack Weston, Gladys Spencer and Michael Troughton
Original ITV Transmission 12 May 1979
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The Way Up To Heaven
Mrs Foster is a worried wife with a fear of being late. Her trip to America to see her daughter and grandchild is hit by a series of delays and her husband seems to delight in her frustration, until events take a mysterious turn…
Another enjoyable episode with a good twist to it.
Stars Julie Harris and Roland Culver
Original ITV Transmission 19 May 1979
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I really enjoy this series and have watched it more than once. I would definitely recommend it for anybody who enjoys watching programmes with a twist in the tale.
Have done a quick check on various websites and you can pick this series up for around £9 and further series are around the same price.
The DVD has no extras, just the episodes. There is the option to play all or an episode at a time.
More details
Soundtrack
Unmemorable
How does it compare to others by the same director?
Not applicable
Value for Money
Good
What format are you reviewing?
DVD
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