It's difficult to choose a Sapphire and Steel story as a favourite, but this is right up there for atmosphere and the unhumanness of the central characters. The sets are marvellous and the enclosed nature of this and other future adventures add to the tension tremendously. The station sets are absolutely first class and show how much could be done on a limited budget with good direction and lighting. This is a classic of 80s TV.
My favourite episode. Tully is one of the most incredible and understated performances I have ever seen. He serves as a method of explanation to us the audience and also for a number of reasons which will become clear. Hope you love this as much as I did
This series is well awesome in billions of ways, and also the characters Sapphire and Steel are awesome Lead was also awesome too he reminded me of Gan from Blakes Seven a gentle giant he could sing well and the song he and Rob sang drunken sailor was awesome Alexa. I hope you have fun with this adventure like you did with the first one.
The whole thing is written in such a way that left to audience to work out what's happened Take the introduction of Mr George Tully into the story. We watch him move around the station, light the lamps, the candles, set up his tape recorder and speak into, it only then do we have anything but ambient sound. A full three minutes of just watching a man go about his routine. even when he’s interacting with Steel there is something missing, they have a ten minute conversation and didn’t know each others names. It only when Sapphire turns up and introduces herself and Steel does.
So pleased you're keeping on with this series. This story in particular is pretty intense, and I look forward to your reactions all the way to the end!! Again, it's so interesting how creepily atmospheric they can make it, not despite, but because of the small budget, and how they are so happy to take their time with building the atmosphere. You can imagine all the committees these days saying this would be impossible because it wouldn't hold the viewers' attention, but I find it riveting, because the writing and the acting are top notch
My local station is not dissimilar to the one in this story (minus the hotel element) and, ever since I watched Sapphire and Steel as a child, I've found it eerie to wait for trains on the platform at night (and I'm DEFINITELY not going in the waiting room! LOL).
I think the tune being played is "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", which dates back 1912. Don't let the fife and drums mislead you; some modern British military bands still use them on ceremonial occasions.
the premium British telefantasy story of the 1970s, I remember this being shown in late 1979 around the same time as the Quatermass Conclusion and all such quality which is rarely made today.
Ah yes, THIS story.. Sapphire and Steel could always conjure up ridiculous amounts of tension and unease, this story is... *Chef's kiss. If you enjoy this sort of uneasy viewing, might I add 'The Owl Service' and 'The Changes' to your list for consideration..
The style this episode is almost chiaroscuro, only the characters lit in a dark set: as contrasted with when Sapphire switches to period dress. This must be what 'darkened room viewing' means. (I have to cover the bright part of the screen, with my hand, to see details :-)
Oh, I think you'll like this one. It is one of two stories that all the fans seem to enjoy! The music you hear was often used as a cheerful singalong by soldiers setting off to war. Generally, those who returned were less cheerful...
I call this one ‘The Railway Station.’ Definitely the creepiest story and in my rankings of all of them, it comes in at second from the bottom. I forgot to comment on the first story that i call it ‘The Remote House’ and rank it third from bottom.
This is still like a first reaction to me. Nice to hear your ghost story in the abandoned hotel! My experience could have been the result of the Bull inn being haunted. The entity could have stalked me on my foolish, late night walk in the countryside, but that's not the only experience I've had in the country at night. I've seen an entity appear behind me & I wasn't alone. I had a friend with me who also witnessed it (we both ran.😂) . It was so dark against the night & thin!, not even Twiggy could be that thin! 🤣 There was a sudden ball of blue lightning in an otherwise peaceful night that drew our attention to it. I think abandoned hospitals especially the mental health kind can be worse than abandoned hotels, you should try it, but be careful! This show is so apt with Halloween around the corner!👻
Oh I have been in many abandoned hospitals but the ghost hunters always get that wrong. Like Angel Island - they keep setting up in the hospital and there is no paranormal activity there. You need to go to the band building. I always wondered why until later I found an old newspaper article - turns out the person in that building murdered someone on the island, then shot himself.
A great reaction to my favourite 'Sapphire and Steel' episode, Alexa. I think that you'll love this one by its conclusion as it has it all, I'll say no more as it might spoil it for you.
Thanks Alexa for the commentary. You remind me of an old girlfriend. Who had a penchant for the esoteric and as the Roman's would say obscurus. Keep up the great work!
Very perceptive regarding the different time of Sapphire's late Victorian dress and what seems a later time on the platform...all will be revealed in due course ;-)
It's difficult to choose a Sapphire and Steel story as a favourite, but this is right up there for atmosphere and the unhumanness of the central characters. The sets are marvellous and the enclosed nature of this and other future adventures add to the tension tremendously. The station sets are absolutely first class and show how much could be done on a limited budget with good direction and lighting. This is a classic of 80s TV.
So, here’s a thing: I realized only the other day that “sapphire” and “steel” are two materials commonly used in wristwatches.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing about this episode for me is that I am now only a few years younger than Tully. How the hell did that happen?
My favourite episode. Tully is one of the most incredible and understated performances I have ever seen. He serves as a method of explanation to us the audience and also for a number of reasons which will become clear. Hope you love this as much as I did
This series is well awesome in billions of ways, and also the characters Sapphire and Steel are awesome Lead was also awesome too he reminded me of Gan from Blakes Seven a gentle giant he could sing well and the song he and Rob sang drunken sailor was awesome Alexa. I hope you have fun with this adventure like you did with the first one.
The whole thing is written in such a way that left to audience to work out what's happened Take the introduction of Mr George Tully into the story. We watch him move around the station, light the lamps, the candles, set up his tape recorder and speak into, it only then do we have anything but ambient sound. A full three minutes of just watching a man go about his routine. even when he’s interacting with Steel there is something missing, they have a ten minute conversation and didn’t know each others names. It only when Sapphire turns up and introduces herself and Steel does.
I have a reel-to-reel tape recorder just like that. I actually do. :-)
This is a good story as well.
So pleased you're keeping on with this series. This story in particular is pretty intense, and I look forward to your reactions all the way to the end!! Again, it's so interesting how creepily atmospheric they can make it, not despite, but because of the small budget, and how they are so happy to take their time with building the atmosphere. You can imagine all the committees these days saying this would be impossible because it wouldn't hold the viewers' attention, but I find it riveting, because the writing and the acting are top notch
My local station is not dissimilar to the one in this story (minus the hotel element) and, ever since I watched Sapphire and Steel as a child, I've found it eerie to wait for trains on the platform at night (and I'm DEFINITELY not going in the waiting room! LOL).
I think the tune being played is "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", which dates back 1912. Don't let the fife and drums mislead you; some modern British military bands still use them on ceremonial occasions.
All will be revealed in a later episode :)
"Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag" is tune I think.
@@junior602002Correct
@@alexachipmangreat episode I am watching snow white from 1937 wit my cousin who is 6 years old 😊
the premium British telefantasy story of the 1970s, I remember this being shown in late 1979 around the same time as the Quatermass Conclusion and all such quality which is rarely made today.
Quatermass Conclusion ring stone round freaky
This episode is very true to the shows ideal of making everyday things horrifying.
Ah yes, THIS story..
Sapphire and Steel could always conjure up ridiculous amounts of tension and unease, this story is... *Chef's kiss.
If you enjoy this sort of uneasy viewing, might I add 'The Owl Service' and 'The Changes' to your list for consideration..
The music & outfit match. Not spoiling things, but they're both from the early 20th Century.
I would disagree - her outfit is 1890s even though her “character” is from later :)
The style this episode is almost chiaroscuro, only the characters lit in a dark set: as contrasted with when Sapphire switches to period dress.
This must be what 'darkened room viewing' means. (I have to cover the bright part of the screen, with my hand, to see details :-)
Oh, I think you'll like this one. It is one of two stories that all the fans seem to enjoy!
The music you hear was often used as a cheerful singalong by soldiers setting off to war. Generally, those who returned were less cheerful...
I call this one ‘The Railway Station.’
Definitely the creepiest story and in my rankings of all of them, it comes in at second from the bottom.
I forgot to comment on the first story that i call it ‘The Remote House’ and rank it third from bottom.
This is still like a first reaction to me. Nice to hear your ghost story in the abandoned hotel! My experience could have been the result of the Bull inn being haunted. The entity could have stalked me on my foolish, late night walk in the countryside, but that's not the only experience I've had in the country at night. I've seen an entity appear behind me & I wasn't alone. I had a friend with me who also witnessed it (we both ran.😂) . It was so dark against the night & thin!, not even Twiggy could be that thin! 🤣 There was a sudden ball of blue lightning in an otherwise peaceful night that drew our attention to it. I think abandoned hospitals especially the mental health kind can be worse than abandoned hotels, you should try it, but be careful! This show is so apt with Halloween around the corner!👻
Oh I have been in many abandoned hospitals but the ghost hunters always get that wrong. Like Angel Island - they keep setting up in the hospital and there is no paranormal activity there. You need to go to the band building. I always wondered why until later I found an old newspaper article - turns out the person in that building murdered someone on the island, then shot himself.
@@alexachipman I bow to your experience.😊❤
Scariest story... enjoy 👍🏻
A great reaction to my favourite 'Sapphire and Steel' episode, Alexa. I think that you'll love this one by its conclusion as it has it all, I'll say no more as it might spoil it for you.
Good 🎉
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
It's home from work we go
😊
Thanks Alexa for the commentary. You remind me of an old girlfriend. Who had a penchant for the esoteric and as the Roman's would say obscurus. Keep up the great work!
Very perceptive regarding the different time of Sapphire's late Victorian dress and what seems a later time on the platform...all will be revealed in due course ;-)
its a grea\t season this one makes you think a bit