Spectre (1977) (TV)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Clive Donner

Writers:

Samuel A. Peeples (writer)
Gene Roddenberry (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 May 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Plot:

Renowned criminologist and occult investigator William Sebastian (Culp) recruits his old friend Dr. Hamilton (Young) to aid him in his current case...

Plot Keywords:

Occult | London England | Cave | Fire | Unsold TV Series Pilot

Cast

Robert Culp	...	William Sebastian
Gig Young	...	Dr. Ham Hamilton
John Hurt	...	Mitri Cyon
Gordon Jackson	...	Inspector Cabell
Ann Bell	...	Anitra Cyon
James Villiers	...	Sir Geoffrey Cyon
Majel Barrett	...	Lilith
Jenny Runacre	...	Sydna
Angela Grant	...	Butler
Penny Irving	...	First Maid
Vicki Michelle	...	Second Maid
Lindy Benson	...	Third Maid
Sally Farmiloe	...	Fourth Maid
Michael Latimer	...	Co-pilot

Runtime:

USA:98 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

The jet seen in the film, tail number G-BFAN, is a Hawker Siddeley HS 125.700.

Goofs:

Continuity: Different airplanes are used in different exterior shots of what is supposed to be the same jet. Though they appear to be the same model, they have distinctive markings.

Quotes:

Dr. Hamilton: It's impossible for something to feel evil to the touch. Am I imagining it?

Movie Connections:

References The Exorcist (1973)

Why couldn't this have gone to series?

Spectre is one of Gene Roddenberry's busted pilots.All during the 1970's he tried to repeat the success of Sta Trek only to churn out pilot after pilot and failure after failure. Most were cliché ridden variations on a sci-fi theme and probably wouldn't have gone anywhere. Spectre is the exception to that cycle.

Telling the story of a supernatural Holmes and his Watson this is a very good thriller that might have been the lead into bigger things had it been picked up. More akin to Hammer's The Devil Rides Out than any standard satanist film of the period this film has our heroes investigating a rich English Lord and his family. While not particularly scary, it is extremely entertaining as Robert Culp shows himself to be much more clever than anyone around him.

If you can see this film. Its worth your time.

8 out of 10