Rent Survivors: Series 1 (1975)

1977 Survivors - Privations and solutions - Survivors: Series 1 review by AW

I watched right through the whole of the series some years ago (no telly at the time of the original showing) and I think way before the real thing, our recent Pandemic, kicked off. The opening title sequence depicted the bug originating in China(!) and spreading across the world is very moving.

All of this kinda brought home the difficulties, privations and day to day solutions faced by survivors without any of the technology which naturally you would be starved of if it happened now. It was gripping and real and I liked the actors Carolyn, Lucy and Ian.

The character of Tallfryn Thomas really irked me, I think I'd have bopped him on the head eventually or banished him from the encampment.

All this also certainly made one think, What If? What would you do for food, clothing, shelter, medications and protection from others, that feral, rogue element of other groups of survivors intent on theft and power ? How do you face the uncertain future? It just shows one has to revert for safety back to a fortified castle type compound and a siege mentality.

I think theres been a modern rendering of the general storyline, also called Survivors on the 2000s, not a remake but based on Terry Nation's book. Don't think I saw many episodes, but didn't find it nearly as gripping as the original, with the usual twists of modern diversity. Hmn.

Give the original one a go.