"The Black Tower" (1985) TV mini-series 1985-

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

8 November 1985 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

A desolate clifftop retreat is witness to a series of bizarre and inexplicable deaths...

Plot Keywords:

Påskekrim | Monastery | Police | Detective | TV Mini-Series

Cast

Roy Marsden	...	Adam Dalgliesh (5 episodes, 1985)
Pauline Collins	...	Maggie Hewson (5 episodes, 1985)
Martin Jarvis	...	Wilfred Anstey (5 episodes, 1985)
Rachel Kempson	...	Grace Willison (5 episodes, 1985)
John Franklyn-Robbins	...	Henry Carwardine (5 episodes, 1985)
Carol Gillies	...	Dot Moxon (5 episodes, 1985)
Richard Heffer	...	Dr. Eric Hewson (5 episodes, 1985)
Heather James	...	Helen Rainer (5 episodes, 1985)
Harriet Bagnall	...	Ursula Hollis (5 episodes, 1985)
Art Malik	...	Julius Court (4 episodes, 1985)
Martyn Hesford	...	Dennis Lerner (4 episodes, 1985)
Valerie Whittington	...	Jennie Pegram (4 episodes, 1985)
Albie Woodington	...	Albert Philby (3 episodes, 1985)
Maurice Denham	...	Father Michael Baddeley (2 episodes, 1985)
Gillian Barge	...	Millicent Hammitt (2 episodes, 1985)
Gawn Grainger	...	Bob Loder (2 episodes, 1985)
Andrew Hawkins	...	Steve Hollis (2 episodes, 1985)
David Webb	...	Inspector Rouse (2 episodes, 1985)

Series Directed by
Ronald Wilson		(5 episodes, 1985)

Series Writing credits
William Humble		(5 episodes, 1985)
P.D. James		(5 episodes, 1985)

Series Produced by
John Rosenberg	....	producer (5 episodes, 1985)

Series Original Music by
Richard Harvey		(5 episodes, 1985)

Series Cinematography by
Geoff Greenleaf		(4 episodes, 1985)
Trevor Vaisey		(4 episodes, 1985)

Series Film Editing by
Kevin Waters		(4 episodes, 1985)

Series Casting by
Jenia Reissar		(1 episode, 1985)

Series Production Design by
Spencer Chapman		(1 episode, 1985)

Series Costume Design by
Joan Ellacott		(1 episode, 1985)

Series Makeup Department
Jane Atkinson	....	makeup artist (1 episode, 1985)

Series Production Management
Geoff Fletcher	....	unit manager (1 episode, 1985)

Series Art Department
Jo Clatworthy	....	production buyer (1 episode, 1985)

Series Sound Department
Colin Lovewell	....	sound (5 episodes, 1985)
Walter Sparrow	....	sound (5 episodes, 1985)
Vic Thurston	....	post-production sound (4 episodes, 1985)

Series Stunts
Peter Brayham	....	stunt arranger (1 episode, 1985)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Chris Brown	....	lighting (1 episode, 1985)
Geoff Greenleaf	....	camera operator (1 episode, 1985)
Peter Harvey	....	vision controller (1 episode, 1985)
Roger Law	....	lighting (1 episode, 1985)
Spike Thorne	....	vision controller (1 episode, 1985)
Trevor Vaisey	....	camera operator (1 episode, 1985)

Series Editorial Department
Mike Aston	....	vision mixer (1 episode, 1985)
Philip Bunn	....	technical supervisor: post-production (1 episode, 1985)
Tim Jeffes	....	vision mixer (1 episode, 1985)
Jill Shaw	....	vision mixer (1 episode, 1985)
Kevin Waters	....	editor: video tape (1 episode, 1985)

Series Other crew
Averil Brennan	....	stage manager (1 episode, 1985)
Alan Cordner	....	technical supervisor: location (1 episode, 1985)
Tony George	....	floor manager (1 episode, 1985)
Elizabeth Hare	....	production assistant (1 episode, 1985)
Alethea Wigzell	....	stage manager (1 episode, 1985)
Christine Wilson	....	production assistant (1 episode, 1985)

Production Companies

• Anglia Television

Distributors

• Independent Television (ITV)
• Mystery!
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

50 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Clavell Tower, Kimmeridge Bay, Swanage, Dorset, England, UK

Company:

Anglia Television

Movie Connections:

Followed by "A Certain Justice" (1998)

A very depressing film

Compared with other films in the Roy Marsden/Dalgliesh series, this one must have the most unpleasant cast of characters. The acting is unremarkable except for the actors playing the old priest and the old woman named Grace. Ugly interpersonal relationships abound, dialog filled with sarcasm, very far-fetched, unrealistic attitudes and motivations of several characters. Painful to watch all the way to the end. A more normal cross-section of humanity would have been better. There could not be so many unpleasant people all in one place. Of course I don't live in England, so what do I know? Other films in the series are better.