Shadows

Like some others here I have only vague memories of this series, but remember being freaked out by it at around the age of ten. There seem to have been quite a few series in the 1970s that tapped a vein of supernatural terror, often with Celtic overtones or suggestions of folkloric nastiness. Another I remember vividly was 'Children of the Stones'.

The episode of "Shadows" I recall featured some people who were trapped in the bottom story of a country house or possibly a windmill converted into a house. They were being threatened by the trees outside - branches were bursting through the windows and poking around to get at them.

Would be interesting to see again, but don't know if it'd stand up now - such shows seem more intense when you're younger and less cheesy.

I vaguely remember the series too - I remember one episode about a woman staying at a hotel and met a ghost from the past, who hadn't heard of Heathrow Airport.

There was also an episode of a girl left home in the dark alone, and her Dad returns, acting strangely, and quite scarily in his motorbike helmet. The house looked quite eerie in just the flashing lights of a pedestrian crossing outside.

I have even hazier memories of another episode where a child shrinks to the size of his/her toy soldiers and dolls, and they come alive.

Not much help I know, but maybe it might trigger a few more memories for people? I remember the story of "the other window" as being the scariest episode for me.

The first two series were very good for children and adults alike. I loved seeing the future stars of stage and screen including Jenny Agutter, Pauline Quirke and Sophie Ward and a few who became Children's TV presenters. The third series was pretty awful. Bad acting, stories and a lot of green screen scenes. It turned into a pantomime or even a parody of itself. It just became too silly for a fourth series to be made.

A wonderful collection of atmospheric tales of the Supernatural penned by the likes of J.B. Priestley and Roger Marshall not to mention Ace of Wands creator Trevor Preston.

Featuring tales of long dead witches, ghosts from the future and my personal favorite featuring a very young Pauline Quirke a story about 3 teenagers and a old haunted Tudor mansion.

There are all 7 episodes of the first series shot in 1975 on the network DVD release. Some great actors feature like Jenny Agutter, Russell Hunter John Nettleton and a very young Sophie Ward.

Some stories stronger than others; but series one is by far the best. Sadly the writing became poorer and the acting hammier in later series.

But takes you back to the day's before children's TV became Americanised, patronizing and bland.

Currently being reaired in the UK be the Talking Pictures TV channel. Taking into account it dates from the early 70's, I watched it objectively (so forget any special effects!).

Interesting to see a number of actors and actresses before they became famous.

Some stories are stronger than others, ranging from very good to very poor. S2 ep6 "The Eye" is an example of the latter. The least said the better.

A series well worth a view, if only for the few memorable episodes, rather than the forgettable others. This in mind gave it a mid-way 5 star score.