TV Gold

Thumbing through my small handful of paperback books I came across a novel written by Richard Cooper, based on a TVS Production series called ?Knights of God? (ISBN 0-00-672534-1) which was published in 1987. The cover photographs feature George Winter as Gervase and Claire Parker as Julia.

The backcover blurb of this book reads:-

?The love between Gervase and Julia was very strong. But are they strong enough to stand up to Prior Mordrin, the ruthless dictator, who with his Knights of God now rules a rebellious Britain in this year 2020?

?I have all power of life and death in this country,? said Mordrin, who is determined to root out and destroy all those resistant to his will. Gervase is the one he needs to help him in this task. And, at last, Mordrin has him in his clutches.

Inside the book, before the story begins there is a short series overview which reads:-

The year is 2020. Great Britain has been devastated by civil war. Mass unemployment, riots, arson, murder, factories not working ? in fact, everything is at a standstill. North and South are utterly divided. London is completely destroyed, and Winchester is the new capital. Prior Mordrin, a ruthless dictator, rules, supported by his military elite, the Knights of God.
Resistance is growing all the time.
Seventeen-year-old Gervase, whose father Owen Edwards leader the resistance in Wales, is rounded up by the knights and sent to an Education and Re-Training Centre. There he meets another young rebel, Julia Clarke.
Mordrin seeks out Gervase at the Centre. Why? What is so special about him? What bargain does Mordrin strike with Gervase so that Julia?s life may be spared.

Sounds interesting? <!--emo&:huh:-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> Well I?d certainly be persuaded to read further in light of the limited chance of it ever resurfacing in both retail sales or repeat broadcast format.

Looking at the brightly coloured ?eye-catching? dramatic artwork adorning this book (George Winter strikes a dramatic pose holding a gun in his right hand in the midst of a rural setting) I struggled to remember anything at all about this series. I?m pretty certain it was a ?Sunday afternoon serial? but cannot remember over how many weeks it ran for. The main protagonist, I believe, was played John Woodvine, whom I best know for his performance as ?The Marshal? in the Doctor Who six-part story ?The Armageddon Factor?. There was a strong supporting cast in this series was both Gareth Thomas and, correct me if I?m wrong, Patrick Troughton. I feel it?s rather appropriate to talk about and, hopefully, jog some memories about this series as, like the 2005 Doctor Who, was also filmed around the glorious countryside of Wales.

Although my memory of this is virtually non-existant, looking at the paperback book I've got I suspect it might have been rather enjoyable.

Here's a link to an interesting page about the series-

<a href='http://users.ox.ac.uk/~whosoc/tides/27.3.html' target='_blank'>http://users.ox.ac.uk/~whosoc/tides/27.3.html</a>

Anyone out there got any recollections of this?

Having more time to read what Matthew Peacock has written the other day certainly intrigued me further.

Beautiful location filming and post apocalypse setting. There seems to me to be certain similiarities between this and 'Survivors'. If you add in the additional bonus of a star-studded cast including the last ever performance of Patrick Troughton and it seems quite a tempting series.

It started me wondering if it might be something that could fit in with the DD Home Entertainment catalogue of titles.


I suspect with it being a TVS product (TVS was the forerunner to current Southern ITV region Meridian) it could be difficult to get the licencing/contractual requirements for potential release sorted out.

But should there be a possibility that these could be resolved it just might be worthy of a retail release.

If you are looking at this Andy, what do you think?

<!--emo&:blink:-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> <!--emo&:huh:-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

Another amazing find!

try here for this... http://www.raretelevision.com/knights-of-god-1987-dvd-p_481.html

Originally transmitted in a late Sunday afternoon ‘teatime’ slot usually reserved for children’s adventure serials “Knights of God” seems to me to be remarkably grown up compared with other weekly offerings you’d find during the 80s with the show featuring helicopter gunships, gunfire and explosions. The title sequence is certainly stirring stuff which begins with the sight of the outline of a medieval sword outline against a black background filling the screen. In the midst of this a helicopter rises into sight away from the licking fire flames at the base of the sword point. We pull in closer to the flaming area at the hilt of the sword and the underside of the machine gun equipped helicopter before it flies away above us. We move down to where the fire is burning a large Union Jack embalmed flag before cutting away to a group of men walking purposely down stone steps. A front view of these men show their black leather outfits, black motorcycle helmets with visors down and right hand clasped machine guns over their chests. They move out of shot whilst behind them, stepping from the columned building is a hooded cowled figure brandishing two daggers. The figure, clearly identified as John Woodvine whom plays the series main protagonist Mordryn, brings these implements together in a crossed configuration. The action leads to a flash effect fading into the series ident crossed daggers held by hands against a red diamond square set on a grey flag material which billows in the wind. Onto this the series title “Knights of God” and “by Richard Cooper” captions are presented. The emotive opening theme tune matches such dramatic imagery emphasing the threat posed by the Knights whilst the closing theme I feel blends this with the slightly mystical quality surrounding the Welsh resistance movement.

For over twenty years now “Knights of God” has been left neglected and forgotten but thanks to unofficial release companies like raretelevision I hope that interest in this 1987 TVS thirteen part series might hopefully lead to an official highly polished DVD release with extras like a ‘making of’ item, extensive photo gallery and maybe the odd cast/production crew commentary. To be honest I haven’t seen “Knights of God” since it was originally transmitted and apart from the paperback I have no memory whatsoever of it. For me it was the impressive cast list (the chance to see Gareth Thomas and Patrick Troughton (in his final TV appearance) together) that lead me to nab a copy and I have to say that I’m very impressed with how the series itself stands up here in the twenty-first century. For this raretelevision two disc set the thirteen part series is presented in a seven/six episode split and for the first week I had a look at the first four episodes. Of course you do notice that this is a ‘bootleg’ copy particularly in episode one where there is moderate horizontal picture lining and the sounds quality is fairly poor but both problems are very temporary and there is generally an improvement the further into the series you go although certain scenes appear slightly fuzzy (e.g. the pub scene with Gareth Thomas and Patrick Troughton in episode two). To their credit raretelevision offer a worthy looped menu screen of the title and writer captions zooming over the billowing flag although the momentary sight of Julia hitting the bed seems a bit puzzling especially if you’ve not seen any of the series yet. There is chapter selection again with looped episode specific sequences played against a background of another looped episode sequence although selecting an episode does not mean just watching that individual program and then back to the menu/chapter selection option. Although there is plenty of comment about this series around the Internet I thought I’d add some thoughts of my own about the series in general and various aspects of episodic progression. So with a ‘Beware possible series spoilers’ warning lets get started with the first episode…

Disc One – ‘episode one’ (26:05)
Well this first episode starts off with Owen Edwards (perfect and most welcome casting to get Gareth Thomas to play a Welshman) returning from an innocent fishing trip however when talking with others including his son Gervase he is in truth transporting weapons just as helicopters periodically sweep the area. As Owen walks away from the waters edge around the sand dunes Owen insists that his son Gervase joins his mum down at the village chapel. He further goes on to say (rather enigmatically at this point in the series to us viewers!) there is something going to happen in his life and that he ‘has to live for all of us’. As Gervase climbs the nearby hills beginning his trek back to the village Owen looks briefly in his direction before being joined standing by the fishing nets by Arthur, an elderly silver haired full bearded man played by Patrick Troughton. I thought it interesting to note that this sequence features the first use of a rather ethereal incidental music cue which brings together harps and a slightly operatic female voice which I feel effectively establishes the isolated Welsh community feel. With all the townspeople assembled and dutifully issued with flags ready to wave at a propitious moment they look towards a screen where, like others around England they wait to hear the transmission from the ‘Knights of God’ leader Father Prior Mordrin. The Father Prior makes an impassioned speech to the people of England for total obedience and submission to his orders will from a television studio located in the capital city which is now Winchester. He makes a last appeal for compliance from the rebellious Welsh which falls on deaf ears and even after the transmission concludes they remain as unswerving as ever. Instead of singing the Knights anthem they start up with their own Welsh song. As they filter out of the village church hall armoured personnel arrive to segregate and remove the population as designated by the orders they have received. Gervase and his mum are separated with the youngster being told that he is going to education and retraining centre fifteen. Owen suddenly appears disguised as a guard and gives Gervase a new identity card for which he will now be known but will not explain his reasoning for this action. Before Owen can discretely depart a ranking officer orders him to join the youngsters gaining obvious contempt from one girl. The truck and other Knights vehicles joined in a convoy are ambushed by Welsh resistance led by Colley effectively played by Don Henderson. This is certainly an exciting and well staged sequence with much use of explosives and weaponry which leads to the youngsters momentarily leaving the lorry and seek shelter in the countryside hills. Before the military can move their prisoners away and back on to waiting transport Owen spends a moment to further reinforce how extremely important it is that Gervase live but again enigmatically for viewers will not disclose just why this should be. In the confusion Owen escapes no doubt to join Colley and his fellow Welsh resistance members. Meanwhile back on the lorry Gervase and Julia meet for the first time which although, in my opinion, is a fairly weak conclusion to this series opener it is an important aspect in the continuing plot narrative. Going back to the Knights of God themselves and counterpointing the relatively primitive rural Welsh community their headquarters in Winchester is relatively (due to obvious series budgetary constrictions) high tech by comparison. In the main control room Mordrin talks with his deputy a loyal balding individual called Hugo as the pair look over a map of the British Isles adorned with various symbols and lines. The southern portion is defined as Anglia whilst to the north is the vast expanse known only as Northumbria. In the midst there is a narrow buffer zone which has been designated as ‘the wastelands’ which if you look closely has in its midst the clear lettering of Manchester which I think could conceivably have upset any viewers whom lived in this mid country town!

Disc One – ‘episode two’ – (25:19)
We pick up the story in this weekly serial with Gervase, Julia and the other Welsh youngsters arriving at Camp 15 where they find a very ‘Big Brother’ type atmosphere with uniforms, parade drills and education classes. Meanwhile we see that Owen Edwards is still organising/participating in resistance mischief against the Knights of God out in the Welsh countryside with one sequence showing he and his group stealing ammo from hijacked lorries. Despite their bleak incarceration in Camp 15 there is a glimmer of hope when Julia speaks with fellow inmate Kate after the youngster had spent three days in the punishment block. Kate indicates that this environment has open floorboards which lets in the cold night air and a large assortment of rats in adding to the discomfiture of confinement. However this naturally gets Julia thinking about the possibility of escape and broaches the subject with Gervase whom during this episode is initially dismissive of the opportunity. Meanwhile Mordrin talking with Hugo expresses his belief that Owen Edwards is his principle opponent to establishing order primarily over the Welsh people. He forms a plan that initially involves the locating of Owen’s son, something that like other plot developments is revealed gradually to maintains viewer interest in the series. A satisfying second episode that further illustrates the totalitarian state that the Knights of God are trying to impose on the country of 2020.

Disc One – ‘episode three’ – (22:45)
Back in camp 15 Julia asks Gervase to come with her to escape via the punishment block and although he initially turns her down he eventually agrees. Under the cover of night Gervase is seen smashing cabin windows whilst Julia organises a small fire. Into the resulting chaos of guards and prisoners rushing around Mordryn arrives by helicopter intent on locating Gervase. Order is eventually restored to the camp and Gervase and Julia are taken in for questioning which seems largely unproductive so Mordryn questions the boy alone. He eventually removes Julia from the punishment block and prepares her for execution by firing squad. In clear view of he and Gervase, Mordryn says that the boy can prevent her death by signing a declaration to renounce the resistance movement and join the Knights order. Even at this early stage in the series the love that Gervase has for Julia is clearly self evident so it comes as no surprise that regrettably he has to metaphorically speaking ‘give his sole to the devil’ by signing the document. A dramatically tense instalment which satisfactorily advances the continuing narrative.

Disc One – ‘episode four’ – (25:58)
Returning to Winchester with Gervase we see Mordryn speaking with two characters played by actors whom should be familiar to viewers. Playing Brother Simon is Nigel Stock whom I recall as the ‘alternative Number 6’ in ‘The Prisoner’ episode “Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling”. The Knights resident Doctor checks on Mordryn’s health and assists in preparing Gervase for initiation and this character is played by Michael Shead, an actor whom I’m sure doesn’t need any introduction from me. I personally thought his character in “Knights of God” was almost a complete reprisal of Doctor Summers the self-effacing, meek bespecticaled medic found in Stangmore Prison in the classic series Doctor Who story “The Mind of Evil”. This fourth episode presents dramatic personal challenges for Gervase and Julia which are suitably tense and exciting for viewers to witness. Within the confines of the Knights building Gervase (now shorn of his flowing locks and presenting a new shaven headed persona) is suitably attired in the black leather uniform of the Knights and is initiated into the order in a ritualistic ritual full of religious symbolism replete with the pouring of blood over his hands into a baptism font. At Camp 15 Julia puts her escape plan to the test and under cover of night she removes the floor boards of her cell and after a daring high wire journey plunges to the ground beyond the perimeter fence just as her disappearance is detected. Whilst Gervase’ initiation into the order makes the national newspaper press we witness Julia attempting to evade the Knights pursuit of her across open country fields. Will she escape alive? Well as a series lead character this question was never really in doubt however the way the episode closes it presents the life or death situation in such a graphically enticing way that viewers will be undoubted compelled to tune in to see how the sequence is resolved!

Going to be watching the next three episodes later today and probably come back next week with some more thoughts/observations...

Had trouble logging in earlier this week but happy to be back once more to share some more thoughts about this series...

Disc One – ‘episode five’ – (24:54)
News of Gervase treachery against his father and the Welsh resistance movement continues to filter through with Arthur showing the front cover newspaper article to Owen whom not only refuses to accept it but blames the white haired man for causing the sequence of events that have now transpired to take his boy from him. Although as evasive as ever about Gervase the white haired elderly man does mention that it is the youngsters destiny to unite the country. This episode also sees Owen reunited with his wife Beth. Back at the Knights headquarters in Winchester the scheming smooth talking (IMO slightly camp) Brother Hugo continues to foster a friendship with new arrival Brother Williams and atypically we get to see the pair taking to the squash courts. Separate story lines feature once more for our series leads with Gervase beginning his Knighthood training up in Wetherby. You have to say that he is laughably pathetic when it comes to his turn to abseil down the side of a wall which naturally leads his instructor to say that he will continue to do the exercise until he does it right. Part of his arrangement with Mordrin was for enlisting in the Knights he would ensure Julia’s safety and now despondent that he has not heard any word about her he suddenly halts his training and storms off intent on speaking with the camp commander. Mordrin, having been incensed to learn that, under Hugo’s orders that Julia has been killed is forced to make concessions to Gervase. He agrees to allow the boy to visit the spot where she was gunned down however now by the stream where she fell Julia cannot be found. She is infact tantalisingly close by, hiding in a farmers cottage, her shoulder injuries being tended by the now widowed farmers wife Nell. Unwilling to drawn the Knights attention to the cottage Nell forcibly pulls Julia away from the window before Gervase learnt of her location. A fairly effective ending with him flying away whilst Julia sobs at the window closes out a satisfying fifth episode.

Disc One – ‘episode six’ – (24:58)
The dominating aspect of this sixth episode is Mordrin’s attempts to regain loyalty from Gervase with a key fairly lengthy scene between the two characters. It’s a very wordy instalment with Hugo’s continual scheming with Williams, Albert speaking with Beth down on the beach, and Nell talking with Julia in the cottage. With such a distinct lack of dramatic action on offer compared with other episodes this does make for a relatively lacklustre twenty-five minutes. However all is not lost within the series as it builds to a satisfying conclusion with Gervase riding on a motorbike towards the cottage where Julia is with the Knights, under Hugo’s orders, preparing an ambush.

...and lastly from me this week...

Disc One – ‘episode seven’ – (23:08)
Knocked off his bike by an explosion Gervase with gun in hand makes his way to the cottage as we open this seventh episode. Inside the structure Nell loads a pistol and gives it to Julia whilst she prepares to defend her home with a machine gun. After the joyful albeit brief reunion of Gervase and Julia the three of them engage in a satisfying, well staged and exciting armed conflict with the advancing Knight forces outside. Yes with such a dramatic conflict with casualties for both sides this instalment of the ‘Knights of God’ series gets off to a really great start! Eventually Gervase and Julia leave the cottage and make their way across country followed by the grizzled Don Henderson and his ragged band of resistance fighters whom pose a real deadly threat to our series leads. Elsewhere you’ve got Patrick Troughton’s Albert character meeting with the British Army Brigadier Clarke, the individual whom is in charge of all English resistance and apparently has some limited access to the Knights and Mordrin. He leads his horse through a wooded glade as Albert informs him of the real importance of Gervase although once again we viewers are not privy to what was spoken thus maintaining the mystery for a bit longer! After the relatively underwhelming previous instalment, this seventh episode is a significant improvement with a marvellous amount of action, dramatic development and tension as Gervase and Julia attempt to survive the many challenges that present themselves in the Welsh countryside. Add in the enigmatic Albert, played as usual by the marvellous Patrick Troughton, tantalisingly teasing viewers about Gervase destiny and you have all the ingredients for a most rewarding episodic viewing experience.

Disc Two – ‘episode eight’ – (24:24)
Gervase and Julia are taken into the underground rebel base which, judging by its entrance on the side of a mountain, was more than likely was a former coal mine. There is understandably considerable unease at their presence considering the death of their friend whilst the pair attempted to evade capture during the closing scenes of the previous episode. However this is rather overshadowed by a couple of key revelations, the first of which, that Julia is infact Brigadier Clarke’s daughter was fairly obvious even before Mordrin stated the fact to the young girls father when he pays a visit on the Father Prior. The second that of Alfred stating that Mordrin is actually his son was something that I definitely didn’t expect and it has ramifications for this and all subsequent episodes. The main set piece of this eighth episode is of course the face-to-face meeting of Alfred and Mordrin and the locale of a deserted railway bridge built high over a river makes for a suitably memorable stark location emphasing the importance of the scene. Whilst Mordrin attends this meeting with the intention that Gervase should kill the man he has been conditioned to back at the Winchester headquarters Hugo is fostered dissention amongst the brother Knights by holding a council meeting in his absence. This gathering is notable for including guest star Peter Childs (an actor best known for playing DI Rycott in the classic ITV comedy drama series “Minder”) as Brother Tyrell. A satisfactory episode that nicely keeps the plot ticking over whilst providing the viewer with a couple of worthy unexpected revelations.

Disc Two – ‘episode nine’ – (24:29)
Mordrin returns to Winchester to face the prospect of insurrection from Hugo and broaches the matter in a council meeting. He gains a vote of confidence in his wish to strip Hugo of office but there is worse to come for Mordrin’s former closest friend and confidant (someone whom we are told took pleasure in killing the entire Royal family at York). Our smooth talking treacherous series character once more takes to the squash court to talk with Williams but this is not his best ally at this moment. Williams later invites Hugo to the chapel on the pretence that there are others whom wish to side with him against Mordrin however once inside the junior Knight swiftly engages in a battle to the death utilising the broadswords on the revolving dalais that I previously thought were merely for decorative purposes. Hugo gets the better of Williams and as he lies seriously wounded Mordrin and other loyal Knights come and arrest him. Slung in a prison cell Mordrin visits the disgraced former high ranking Knights to state that he shall stand trial for murder on Wednesday and executed on the day after! A similar type of inquisition is proposed by Colley for Gervase regarding his killing Fenn with the youngster to be hung if he is found guilty. Alfred has to agree to the rebel and his men’s wishes which features worthy eloquent words in his sons defence by Owen however with the eventual voting split the casting vote falls to the white haired elderly man. Stating that there is not sufficient evidence to indicate their guilt or innocence Alfred advocates a sentence of total banishment. With consequences of the past actions of two central characters taking precedence there is certainly a worthy dramatic tension to this ninth instalment with a worthy piece of effectively staged swordplay added into the mix.

Disc Two – ‘episode ten’ – (23:08)
Although totally left to their own initiative to survive in the rain lashed bleak countryside Alfred secretly visits to convey more of the task he is destined to do. Apparently he must travel on south to Canterbury to find the King whom will unit the people against Mordrin and the Knights. Without being too disingenuous towards Patrick it’s clear that whilst initially talking with Gervase it’s clear that Troughton’s hair really doesn’t like the rain! Well Gervase and Julia continue on however when they reach a deserted warehouse they encounter Colley once more. The grizzled resistance fighter has no intention of merely keeping the pair safe from harm as he promised Alfred but instead, still harbouring thoughts of revenge, engages in physical combat with the young boy whilst resisting Julia’s protestations. However you just knew that Gervase, as the series lead, would triumph in this struggle however he and Julia’s success is short-lived as the exit the building and run straight into to a group of armed Knights whom take them prisoner. In another worthy plot twist whilst riding in the armoured troop transport the uniformed passengers disables and throws out the driver at the instruction of the officer present whom turns out to be Julia’s father, Brigadier Clarke. So whilst they trundle into Canterbury onboard the troop transport straight through a checkpoint gate Mordrin continues his obsessive fascination with taking on some form of regal status to the extent of the manufacturing of a ornate golden crown which he mesmerisingly stares at as the episode concludes.