Mother Love

I don't understand why this first-rate television movie isn't widely available on DVD. Are the producers holding it back to drive up the market price? One would think that the demand is already as high as it is ever likely to get.

Anyway, this movie will give you a look at Diana Rigg that you won't soon forget. I saw it only once (back in '89), and was greatly impressed by Rigg's ability to communicate the sly, murderous, sick mind of her character. The story is well structured, the script well written, the parts well played. It is far better than most of the stuff you find in the PBS catalogs--but as I say...

I had known for a long time that Rigg was a classically trained actresses, but having seen her in nothing but _The Avengers_ before this film, I was unaware of the extent of her gifts.

Bob Champ

Diana Rigg is outstanding as the deranged and possessive Helena Vesey in this marvellous BBC mini-series of 1989. It is a role that, I believe, won her a British Academy Award (BAFTA). It is hard to remember anyone who managed to be so funny, scary and mesmerising than Ms Rigg as this indelible protagonist, who brings the superb dialogue to life - "Laburnum! Such a pretty tree... and so many of them!"; "Treachery, disloyalty... are the most DREADFUL of crimes. And deserve the severest punishment!"; and "Ha ha ha! HERE's Mr Tiger!". This series is sometimes repeated on Sky's UK Gold channel - make sure you see it!

Diana Rigg, playing Helena, has the performance of her life here as the tightly wound mother of the title who gradually comes to the realization that her ex-husband, whom she despises, has been secretly seeing her son for years behind her back.

Through a series of flashbacks we see Helena, as a child, committing a horrendous crime when she perceives disloyalty from her best friend. Disloyalty to Helena is one of the worse things one can do.

When she accidentally discovers that her cousin George has been disloyal, she punishes him also so that he winds up in jail for a crime he did not commit.

To the world Helena is perfectly groomed and poised but underneath she is a seething mass of resentment, barely contained until one final incident sends her over the top into a raging frenzy - "I gave you life and I can take it away". Chilling.

Everything about this series is perfect, the rest of the cast (David McCallum,James Wilby, James Grout, Isla Blair) are superb also. Wonderful script. Not a false note. The tension just builds and builds until at the end you feel you have run a marathon.

10 out of 10.

I love this movie - a real chiller. Diana Rigg is at her riveting, chilling best! She seems to innocent and ladylike - at first. I particularly enjoyed the actress who played the new wife and I enjoyed seeing David McCallum play the piano. I've been trying to find a copy for years - any one know where a copy can be purchased?

as that of a woman, scorned. Diana Rigg is superb in the role of Helena Vesy, a woman with a mysterious and nefarious past, who becomes infuriated with her ex-husband (well portrayed by David McCallum,) and his new family, including a young new wife.

Some of the scenes are memorable, as when she is strolling in the park, debating her lot in life, and walks under the shade of a laburnum tree. Laburnum, such a lovely tree, she ponders, as her mind wanders to its poisonous qualities.

Another scene with the young children, and an arsenic laced gift of marzipan at Christmas time is also quite chilling.

Rigg looks wonderful and believable in this role, would be nice if she were able to do a sequel. Highly recommended, excellent suspense. 9/10.