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Rate 'Brief for Murder' |
10 |
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29% |
[ 5 ] |
9 |
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41% |
[ 7 ] |
8 |
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11% |
[ 2 ] |
7 |
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5% |
[ 1 ] |
6 |
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5% |
[ 1 ] |
5 |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
4 |
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5% |
[ 1 ] |
3 |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
2 |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
1 |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
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Total Votes : 17 |
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darren Mission... Highly Improbable!
Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 2081 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:55 am Post subject: 3.01 - Brief for Murder |
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Written by Brian Clemens
Directed by Peter Hammond
Production completed: 12 April 1963 |
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cyberrich Site Admin
Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 1331 Location: Midlands, U.K.
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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9/10. Great episode, if a little wordy! A very clever script and idea nonetheless. Rich. |
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darren Mission... Highly Improbable!
Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 2081 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:33 am Post subject: |
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One of my absolute favourites. It has a real feel of an Ealing comedy. It's easily one of Clemens' best scripts - especially as he didn't research or anything, just wrote by what he'd heard. It was such a good way to start the season. Cathy had not yet been a full time regular and had enjoyed an antagonistic relationship with Steed. There must have been a few viewers who were fooled. The reveal of Cathy in the black wig is so good (Honor really suits it). This episode feels like the show has really found it's style.
Peter Hammond is always excellent value as director (he'd have directed the whole show if I had my way:)). It's beautifully stylishly shot and perfectly cast. I love the weirdness of the Yoga school with the girls dressed in black almost like mannequins not reacting to anything, shot from a low angle. The Old Bailey on a Budget is wonderful, again shot low. And the shots through the fireplace at the Lakin Brother's office. And the edited pub refurbishments are so witty. Designers (in this case James Goddard) always give something extra for Hammond. The different stock music helps to add a new flavour - it's quite Johnson-esque at times.
Brilliant cast with John Laurie (always an Avengers favourite and different each time) and Harold Scott the stars as the Lakins. Helen Lindsey as Barbara Kingston is one of those performers who makes such an impression that you feel like you've seen her in loads of things. June Thody as Dicey is very amusing and fits the show so well. Alice Fraser as the floating Miss Prinn is another one who feels like she's done loads of Avengers but hasn't. Fred Ferris even returns again from Bullseye again as a policeman - I wonder if he was the same one - always drafted in to deal with Avengers cases.?
10/10 |
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Allard The Ministry
Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 2076 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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Does anyone know whether this episodes plot was inspired by Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution? |
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darren Mission... Highly Improbable!
Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 2081 Location: UK
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 4:54 am Post subject: |
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Allard wrote: | Does anyone know whether this episodes plot was inspired by Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution? |
Brian Clemens was a big fan of Perry Mason so that probably influenced the courtroom setting. |
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Rhonda How to Succeed... at Posting!

Joined: 19 Jan 2010 Posts: 853 Location: A town, UK
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Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 1:50 am Post subject: |
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8 for me. Its a lovely little court case for Steed and Cathy to deal with. _________________ Ron
Last Watched : Trap |
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Frankymole Diabolical Mastermind

Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 5671 Location: Carmadoc Research Establishment
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2021 6:04 am Post subject: |
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I re-watched this last night. I also listened to the Brian Clemens commentary for the first time. Interesting that John Laurie wasn't that enamoured of his Dad's Army role (for which he's most famous, mainly because the BBC seem to repeat it every year, as they have done for the last 40+ years!). He's clearly having a ball here.
Clemens mentioned how it looked better here than the video release, and maybe that's what put me off it a bit before. With the film noir-like images and Peter Hammond's direction now clear (luckily, he doesn't go overboard with the stylings but keeps everything just sufficiently weirdly off-kilter) it's a really jolly romp through human wickedness.
The only bit I don't understand is how Steed's hat got bigger. It fitted him when he was on his bike. And where did he get the bike from?
Two strong female roles (besides Cathy who's great of course, playing a double- or triple-game). Barbara Kingston, the QC, is eminently sensible as the defending lawyer but also bright and engaging; the seemingly old dinosaurs the Lakin brothers admire her skill and attack - and despite being beautiful no crass "sex appeal" is referred to in word or direction. Of course, the Lakins are a lot more embracing of innovation than it would at first appear. They adapt the past to make a future where the whole legal system can be perverted and made a mockery of itself (some would argue this has already happened).
Cathy's friend Miss Prinn who runs the yoga centre, and who witnesses her "murder", is also intriguing and confident despite facing insurmountable odds. She could've made a good returning ally for Cathy. Steed spars with her delightfully too, and she comes off better - because he's having to act more of a cad than usual to make it seem like he could be capable of murder. As it is, he did aid a traitor to escape -a small fish perhaps, a sprat to catch two mackerels?
The sets are, of course, superb given the resources, and as well-used as you'd expect them to be by the best director for the best TV drama company of the time. _________________ Last watched: "The Medicine Men" |
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mousemeat Diabolical Mastermind
Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 6312 Location: Elvis Central, U.S.A.
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2021 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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darren wrote: | Allard wrote: | Does anyone know whether this episodes plot was inspired by Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution? |
Brian Clemens was a big fan of Perry Mason so that probably influenced the courtroom setting. |
yes, I've read that.that he was a avid fan of the Mason Episodes that aired on CBS...and I'm sure it sorta influence him... |
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Frankymole Diabolical Mastermind

Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 5671 Location: Carmadoc Research Establishment
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2021 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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Rhonda wrote: | 8 for me. Its a lovely little court case for Steed and Cathy to deal with. | I gave it 8/10 too. A good 8, nearly 9. If it were slightly less whimsical it might've got 9 or even a 10. I liked how Steed's traitor-friend and his girlfriend were really helpful, quite an unusual set-up. A bit like in Series 1 when he more often used dodgy underworld contacts. _________________ Last watched: "The Medicine Men" |
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