Timeslip (Forward Thinking Drama of the 1970's)

Timeslip is one of many science fiction series from the 1970's. However, crucially it is also one of the best, standing the test of time better than say the excruciatingly cheap but entertaining romp that was the Tomorrow People or the imaginative fantasy series The Ace of Wands. Created by Ruth Boswell (Escape Into Night, The Tomorrow People) and husband James Boswell, the series focused on crucial issues in an increasingly technological age and did so all under the banner of a serious children's television drama, which for its time was really quite something.

Acting stalwart John Barron and Spencer Banks as Simon in Timeslip

Aimed as a rival to the BBC's Doctor Who, the Boswell's and excellent television writer Bruce Stewart produced something entirely different from what was available on British television at the time. Doomwatch, the gritty and at times rather lacklustre series covering moral, social and environmental issues was the only programme that came close to Timeslip at this time, but Timeslip was overall much more successful. The premise of the story, a young girl finding a time barrier at an abandoned naval station, is truly intriguing, add in some atmospheric direction from a team of excellent directors, sparse but brilliantly executed location footage and some solid performances (a special note goes to the flawless and concentrated performance of Denis Quilley as Commander Traynor) and you have a remarkably entertaining and memorable series. The regulars, intrigued by local gossip about the young girl and drawn to the time barrier were an excellent choice as central characters, as children from 1970 could instantly relate to them. Simon, portrayed by the excellent child actor Spencer Banks is the brainy one, interested in science and maths, with an instinct for discovery he single-handedly figures out all the crucial plot points for the audience to absorb, whilst (rather unfortunately) the naive and whining Liz, played by the admirable Cheryl Burfield, whines a little longer. In this respect the serial has dated but the concepts and ideas put forward, and its ability to predict many future issues put the series way ahead of its time.

Timeslip logo and title card 

Timeslip is quite simply 26 episodes of virtually flawless television. Throw away the minor grumbles about the sexist interpretation of Liz  (an all too common trait at the time sadly) and the opening story's slightly laboured execution and delve in. The Wrong End of Time is a fantastic instalment in which one of our central protagonists encounters her father in a 1940's naval station, coincidentally where the time barrier stands in 1970's England and with the first appearance of Commander Traynor a character so crucial to the overall story. The Time of the Ice Box gives viewers a terrible insight into future earth and Liz's alter ego Beth. One of the strongest stories of all The Year of the Burn Up gives us an equally bleak presentation of future earth, Buckinghamshire turned into an Amazonian jungle, with the issue of climate change being brought to the fore and all this occurring as a possible projection (like the Ice Box) of the Earth in 1990. The final story, written by the excellent Victor Pemberton (who had worked on Doctor Who and would go on to work on Ace of Wands and others) effortlessly following on from Bruce Stewart, addresses the importance of individuality and the limits of genetic progress, with another appearance of the excellent John Barron as Devereaux and a marvellous final twist concerning the malevolent and untrustworthy Commander Traynor.

A screenshot from 'Time of the Ice Box'. Liz as played by Cheryl Burfield is on the far left 

And so after 26 episodes, the series ended. Could it have ran for another series? Quite possibly, but what we have is truly special, consistently brilliant, consistently thought provoking and remarkably well made for its small budget, skilfully avoiding ambitious special effects and concentrating on character, mood and atmosphere. Timeslip is a slice of television gold, one of the best TV series of its time. So sit back relax, and watch the excellent DVD set of all 26 episodes. Beware though, you might want to adjust your lenses for episode 12! Originally shot in colour, episode 12 is the only remaining colour episode, the rest now only available to us via some black and white 16mm film prints produced for overseas sales. The remaining episode is very bright and gaudy compared to the monochrome footage, but thank goodness in one way or another we still have the whole series. There are so many productions that tragically we can not say that of, and maybe never will be able to. To summarise, Timeslip is thrilling television and a one off in the crowded halls of science fiction and fantasy television, a must for any fan of television drama.

NOTE: All production stills and photographs used in this review are copyrighted to ATV and Carlton Entertainment. The next review will be on the classic Amicus Horror film 'The Beast Must Die!'