An episode of the fondly remembered British fantasy spy show about three superhuman spies who work for the international agency of NEMESIS.
Three Interpol agents based in Paris take their own lives in a few hours; one drives over a cliff ( providing yet another excuse for that famous stock shot of a white Jaguar crashing ), another jumps off a speeding train, while another steps in front of a car. What common thread binds these men? 'Craig Stirling' ( Stuart Damon ), 'Richard Barrett' ( William Gaunt ), and 'Sharron Macreasdy' ( Alexandra Bastedo ) head for Paris. After interviewing witnesses, their investigation hits a brick wall. Someone has a brainwave - the three dead agents had all given trouble to notorious Italian gangster 'Del Marco' ( Edward Brayshaw ). So off they go to Rome where Marco has his own casino. The Champions decide that the next step forward should be to anger Marco sufficiently to want to destroy one of them...
Written by Philip Broadley, one of I.T.C.'s most prolific contributors, 'Lemmings' is not bad as such, just feels as though it could have come from a different show, such as 'The Baron' or 'Danger Man'. I tend to prefer the more comic book-flavoured episodes. 'Lemmings' is watchable but just a bit ordinary for a show with such a larger-than-life premise. Edward Brayshaw a.k.a. 'Marco', was having a good year - he also cropped up as 'The War Chief' in the final Patrick Troughton 'Dr.Who' adventure 'The War Games'. Damon's Jimmy Cagney impression is a real hoot - he does everything except say "You dirty rat! You killed my brother!". The role of 'Claudine' is played by lovely Jeanne Roland, who only two years before appeared in the Bond movies - 'Casino Royale' and 'You Only Live Twice'.
The sequence where the suicide drug compels Craig to throw himself off a roof is remarkably similar to one which appeared in the 1968 Dirk Bogarde movie 'Sebastian'.
In true 'Mission: Impossible' fashion, the Champions defeat their enemy by turning his own weapon on him. Spotting Craig outside his apartment, Marco accuses 'Umberto' ( John Bailey ) of failing in his duty and commands his men to shoot him. A dying Umberto gets revenge by drugging Marco, who then takes his own life by jumping from the balcony. The secret of the suicide drug dies with Umberto. Good thing.
I want to conclude this review with a quick mention of Anne De Vigier, uncredited as the 'girl on the train'. She screams beautifully! Directed by Paul Dickson, who made one of the best Linda Thorson 'Avenger' episodes - 'You'll Catch Your Death'.
Three Interpol agents based in Paris take their own lives in a few hours; one drives over a cliff ( providing yet another excuse for that famous stock shot of a white Jaguar crashing ), another jumps off a speeding train, while another steps in front of a car. What common thread binds these men? 'Craig Stirling' ( Stuart Damon ), 'Richard Barrett' ( William Gaunt ), and 'Sharron Macreasdy' ( Alexandra Bastedo ) head for Paris. After interviewing witnesses, their investigation hits a brick wall. Someone has a brainwave - the three dead agents had all given trouble to notorious Italian gangster 'Del Marco' ( Edward Brayshaw ). So off they go to Rome where Marco has his own casino. The Champions decide that the next step forward should be to anger Marco sufficiently to want to destroy one of them...
Written by Philip Broadley, one of I.T.C.'s most prolific contributors, 'Lemmings' is not bad as such, just feels as though it could have come from a different show, such as 'The Baron' or 'Danger Man'. I tend to prefer the more comic book-flavoured episodes. 'Lemmings' is watchable but just a bit ordinary for a show with such a larger-than-life premise. Edward Brayshaw a.k.a. 'Marco', was having a good year - he also cropped up as 'The War Chief' in the final Patrick Troughton 'Dr.Who' adventure 'The War Games'. Damon's Jimmy Cagney impression is a real hoot - he does everything except say "You dirty rat! You killed my brother!". The role of 'Claudine' is played by lovely Jeanne Roland, who only two years before appeared in the Bond movies - 'Casino Royale' and 'You Only Live Twice'.
The sequence where the suicide drug compels Craig to throw himself off a roof is remarkably similar to one which appeared in the 1968 Dirk Bogarde movie 'Sebastian'.
In true 'Mission: Impossible' fashion, the Champions defeat their enemy by turning his own weapon on him. Spotting Craig outside his apartment, Marco accuses 'Umberto' ( John Bailey ) of failing in his duty and commands his men to shoot him. A dying Umberto gets revenge by drugging Marco, who then takes his own life by jumping from the balcony. The secret of the suicide drug dies with Umberto. Good thing.
I want to conclude this review with a quick mention of Anne De Vigier, uncredited as the 'girl on the train'. She screams beautifully! Directed by Paul Dickson, who made one of the best Linda Thorson 'Avenger' episodes - 'You'll Catch Your Death'.