... With a Little Help from My Friends 

Harry finds his family being threatened after he agrees to guard a visiting president in London.

Director:

Jeremy Summers

Writer:

Sylvia Anderson

Stars:

Robert Vaughn, Nyree Dawn Porter, Tony Anholt

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Robert Vaughn	...	Harry Rule
Nyree Dawn Porter	...	Contessa Caroline di Contini
Tony Anholt	...	Paul Buchet
Hannah Gordon	...	Laura Rule
Roshan Seth	...	Persuer
Yasuko Nagazumi	...	Suki
Marc Zuber	...	Kahan's Henchman
John Gatrell	...	Butler
Jeremy Brett	...	Kahan
Daron Barnham	...	Johnny Rule
Anthony Chinn	...	Chino
Martin Benson	...	President
Saeed Jaffrey	...	President's Aide
Desmond Jordan	...	Doctor

Storyline

Harry is appointed as the bodyguard for a visiting Middle Eastern president but his ex-wife Laura turns up in a frantic state. The president's political opponent Kahan has had the Rule's son Johnny kidnapped and he will be harmed unless Harry shoots the president. A charade follows in which Harry appears to do as he is ordered and Caroline then kills Harry.

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Genres:

Adventure | Crime

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User Reviews

It was Covid 19 what else was I to do?

This is the cheesy, unreal world of 30 minute drama. No time to develop the plot or characters etc., but wait this one delivers! Very well written and paced. Really good direction and the script seems oddly out of sync with some of the other ones found in this ITC series.

It helps that it is shot about London. A balance of the outside and in. This has a very fine cast. They ARE actors. The delightful Hannah Gordon, and Nyree Dawn Porter. The incredible Jeremy Brett is a delightful bonus and didn't I hear Victor Maddern during the intro to add gravitas? (Doesn't get a credit - am I wrong?)

Even the wooden (but equally delightful) Robert Vaughn appears interested. Maybe it was having the dog and family interest that sparked him to switch on his own actor's button? (He is the real star, ITC must have paid him well?)

This is possibly the finest example of this series. Still very hard to deliver action and dialogue, creativity and pathos within the time frame. But this one appears to deliver hence my score. Sylvia Anderson clearly more than just the wife of Jerry, Thunderbirds and Lady Penelope! .

Unusually the big props (the exotic cars) are MIA in this one. (But teh Rover and RR delight).

Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1973 (UK)

Filming Locations:

2 Courtfield Mews, South Kensington, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1