King of the Castle

It was great to see this series again on DVD, having not seen it since its original screening back in 1977.

I can remember at the time quite liking the first episode... and then it all going 'a bit weird' after that! This still seems like a fair description watching it today - it's certainly a very unusual, and at times quite a trippy watch.

It all revolves around the imaginary world created by put-upon grammar schoolboy Roland. One day, to escape his tormenters at the tower block where he lives, he takes sanctuary in a broken elevator - which then plummets him to his doom! Or does it... could this be where his adventures start, and where he can perhaps learn a few useful life lessons.

It all looks a bit primitive now, especially the CSO effects. But it's clearly an imaginative and inventive story (by former Dr Who writers Bob Baker & Dave Martin), and one that maybe the budget couldn't do justice to at the time.

Philip DaCosta in the main role can be a little wooden at times but, to be fair, he did have to carry the whole show and certainly made the most of it. There's a host of familiar faces from 1970s TV in the supporting cast too - clearly having fun playing the different versions of themselves that the story demanded.

It's not dated that well, and can't really be regarded as a classic in the true sense of the word. It's more of a curious oddity of its time, and quite a brave piece of television - but will definitely be of interest to anyone who viewed it in the 1970s who fancies another look and a bit of nostalgia.