LONDON - 5 February 2007 - 200 words
DVD: The Lotus Eaters
The Lotus Eaters was one of the most popular BBC television series of the 1970s. Set on an idyllic Greek island, while technically it does look somewhat dated now, it offers a rare glimpse of Greece under the rule of the Colonels, before the arrival of developers and mass tourism. Few foreign filmmakers were ever allowed in the country at that time.
The central characters are an English
couple, Erik and Ann Shepherd, played by the late Ian Hendry and
Wanda Bentham. They run a bar together, acting as hosts and counsellors
to various newcomers who wash up there for one reason or another.
Some are running away from something; some drifting, others searching.
The mysterious background of the two central characters is straight
out of Cold War fiction. (She is a 'sleeper' spy waiting to be
called on assignment. He has something dark in his past). This
doesn't intrude much on most episodes, which are self-contained
stories with some very entertaining plot-lines and characters.
The role of the Police Chief Michael Krasakis, played by Stefan
Gryff, adds a touch of humour and philosophy.
At a time when we are being inundated with dull reality TV shows, makeovers, shopping programmes and the like, not too mention so much sex, violence and bad language, it is a pleasure to watch a good old fashioned drama like this.
The first series of the Lotus Eaters on
DVD is now in the shops. The second will be out at the end of
next month.
© Independent Catholic
News 2007
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