Death
In Deep Water
(ITC Movie title "Death In Deep Water")
Original UK transmission: 22nd May 1976
Original US transmission: 4th November 1975
WRITTEN BY: Brian Clemens
DIRECTED BY: James Ormerod
PRODUCED BY: Ian Fordyce
MAIN CAST: Bradford Dillman (Gary Stevens), Suzan Farmer
(Gilly), Ian Bannen (Doonan), Philip Stone (Burton), Diana Weston
(Helen Wiles)
Teaser
Sequence
The camera pans up over New
York harbour, where a plane is passing overhead. In the baggage
storage area of an airport, a worried-looking man stuffs his
jacket into a suitcase and removes a false moustache and wig.
Another figure armed with a pistol spots him and the two launch
into a desperate struggle, but the man with the suitcase manages
to knock him out before dashing frantically to board a plane in
time. Yet, elsewhere, an innocuous-looking gentlemen receives a
photograph of the fugitive from an unseen party, with the words
"I want him found...I want him dead." The man nods, and
smiles...
Plot
Summary
A prime witness against a
powerful crime syndicate, former hit man Gary Stevens escapes his
would-be assassins by taking up residence in a lonely island
cottage. One day during a violent storm, a beautiful young girl
pounds on the door in her bathing costume and begs to be allowed
in out of the rain. Stevens cautiously agrees, and finds himself
attracted to his mysterious visitor, who confesses that she
recognises Stevens' face from the newspapers. Subsequently, the
girl returns to the island and a romance blooms, but she still
refuses to give any details about herself other than that she is
married to a wealthy older man whom she does not love. Stevens,
now fully under the girl's spell, acquiesces to her plan for him
to murder her husband and share in the money. The deed goes
ahead, but then events begin to take a bizarre turn...
Comments
Opinions are divided over this one but I've always found it to be
very atmospheric and enjoyable. The plight of Stevens, vulnerable
and alone on a remote island far from home, is a very appealing
one. Bradford Dillman, who had given such a memorable performance
in The Next Voice You See, returns in a completely
different role as the bad guy with a soft heart. The plot is
certainly very convoluted and interesting, and the ending is
wonderful. A worthy finale to
the series.
Trivia: the location filming took place at Bantham, in the town of Totnes.
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