The Avengers International Fan Forum

darren · Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:55 am Post subject: 3.01 - Brief for Murder

Written by Brian Clemens

Directed by Peter Hammond

Production completed: 12 April 1963

cyberrich · Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 1:51 pm Post subject:

9/10. Great episode, if a little wordy! A very clever script and idea nonetheless. Rich.

darren · Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:33 am Post subject:

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

Allard · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 2:34 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know whether this episodes plot was inspired by Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution?

darren · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 4:54 am Post subject:

Rhonda · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 1:50 am Post subject:

8 for me. Its a lovely little court case for Steed and Cathy to deal with.
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Ron
Last Watched : The Thirteenth Hole

Frankymole · Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2021 6:04 am Post subject:

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.
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Last watched: "The Gilded Cage"

mousemeat · Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2021 3:53 pm Post subject:

Frankymole · Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2021 3:58 pm Post subject: