Review for Tightrope - The Complete Series

In 1972 a lot of kids were still watching their TV in black and white. The fortunate minority were busy watching in glorious colour so it was around this time that the most TV shows were transmitted in full colour. 'Tightrope' was one such series, though the colour tapes have long since disappeared. Export copies were sometimes sent out in monochrome and occasionally it is these, rather than original masters, that turn up. So the fact that 'Tightrope' is only available in black and white shouldn't deter you from checking it out. Apart from the fact that this is the only way you will ever see it, you will be seeing it in the same way that the majority of people will have seen it when it aired. So forget the cruel irony of seeing that ATV Colour logo in black and white, and settle back to enjoy this fun TV thriller (thanks to the fine folk at Network) that will transport you straight back to the age of the Spacehopper, the Chopper bike and Aztec bars.


The story-line for Tightrope may be a little convoluted but directly reflects the cold-war paranoia that had such an influence on adult TV shows of the late sixties. This is 'Man from Uncle meets The Prisoner meets Grange Hill' with a 'trust no-one' and 'nothing is what it seems' sensibility.


Something weird is happening at school. In fact, there's something weird going on in the whole village of Redlow - a small community set not half a mile from a high security US military base. When someone intercepts the 'School for Television' broadcasts during lessons with a 'Voice for Truth' message specifically about the school, asking students to question the authority of the establishment, Martin Clifford (superbly played by a young Spencer Banks) suspects that nothing is what it seems.


He's just about to take his A-Levels and could do without the disruption that is about to beset his life. When his headmaster, a kind old man, is murdered amongst the schools carrier pigeons (why have they got those?) it seems that all of Redlow is suspect.


Even stranger, Martin meets a slightly camp chap called Forrester (John Savident, best known as Fred Elliott from Corrie) a slightly surreal and larger than life character somewhat in the mould of 'The Avengers'. He persuades Martin to go undercover as a spy to find out which of the teachers at his school is a Soviet spy.


Once he's involved, his life is in constant danger and throughout the series it is unclear who the good guys are - and who are the bad guys. It seems everyone, from the old lady running the village shop, to the landlord of the local pub is in on the act. Even Martin's own Father falls under the shadow of his son's suspicion.


Though the story is a little rambling and repetitive, individual episodes taken in small doses are great fun. Every episode throws in a fresh twist or turn, whether it's exploding telephones, murder amongst the pigeons, mind erasing hypnosis or being held prisoner on a submarine, there's rarely a dull moment.


The acting is surprisingly good and a number of great British stalwarts put in early performances here, like Mike Grady, later of 'Citizen smith' and 'Last of the Summer Wine' fame.

Though strictly for retro TV enthusiasts, with very reasonable picture quality (for a video recorded series in the most part) and adequate audio, and thirteen episodes to enjoy, it's certainly to be recommended - and this from a man who didn't see it first time round, so is not viewing through the impossibly biased subjectivity of rose-tinted spectacles.

We should all be thankful that Network have managed to carve out so slight and targeted a niche that such releases are economically viable. Great stuff!