Bat Out of Hell

Review by Laurence Marcus

Presented as a five-part series between November and December 1966, and released under the banner Francis Durbridge Presents, Bat Out of Hell was the fourteenth television series from the prolific crime writer.

"It's different from my previous stories," he told David Griffiths of the Radio Times, "in so far as you know the villain early on. I usually start with a body and the problem is whodunnit? This time, we begin before the murder."

Durbridge had devised his first thriller series (Send for Paul Temple) for the radio at the age of twenty-four. His first televised series was The Broken Horseshoe in 1952 and was broadcast live from the BBC's Alexandra Palace but, like all of his 1950s serials, was never recorded. The Broken Horseshoe, however, was made into a 1953 feature film starring Robert Beatty. By the time Bat Out of Hell was produced, Durbridge's programmes were very lucrative for both the author and the BBC with the productions being shown in many parts of the world, notably Canada, Australia and Europe. The Netherlands, Germany and Italy produced their own versions for television and radio. Altogether, Durbridge wrote 43 novels, many of which were later adapted from his scripts, often with the help of others.

"There's no set of ingredients on which I depend," said Durbridge. "I just get an idea that appeals to me and work from it. I also spend a lot of time touring around, looking for likely locations. If I can, I always visit a place before I write about it."

Bat Out of Hell, starring John Thaw (The Sweeney), Sylvia Syms (My Good Woman), and Dudley Foster (Z Cars), opens with a seemingly ordinary married couple preparing for a month-long holiday to Europe. However, beneath the surface, tension simmers. Geoffrey Stewart (Noel Johnson - An Age of Kings), a successful yet frugal estate agent from Sussex, has some last-minute business to wrap up before their departure. His wife, Diana (Syms), is visibly discontent with their travel plans, hinting that all is not well in their marriage.

While Diana broods at home, Geoffrey heads to his office where he meets his employee, Mark Paxton (Thaw). Mark informs him of a crucial meeting to finalise the sale of a remote property. After driving Geoffrey to the location, Mark promises to return shortly. But when Geoffrey steps onto the property to inspect it, his life is abruptly cut short—three gunshots ring out, and he crumples to the ground. Mark steps over his body, gun in hand, as Diana arrives, eerily calm.

The shocking truth soon unravels: Diana and Mark are lovers, and they’ve meticulously planned Geoffrey’s murder. The body is hastily stuffed into the trunk of Mark’s car, driven to a secluded garage, and left there for later disposal. Diana, ever the actress, returns home as if nothing has happened, while Mark resumes his routine at work. But as night falls and Geoffrey doesn't come home, Diana calls the police to report him missing. Inspector Clay (Foster) is sent to investigate, but he’s reluctant to file a missing person report, sensing something is off.

Meanwhile, Mark opens the garage only to discover that Geoffrey’s body has mysteriously vanished. Diana, now terrified, becomes convinced that her husband somehow survived the shooting. Her worst fears are confirmed the next morning when Geoffrey's voice—alive—echoes through the phone, demanding she "identify the body." The police soon report the discovery of a mutilated corpse in Geoffrey’s clothes and wearing his distinctive signet ring, and Diana, though shaken, identifies it as her husband. But the nightmare doesn't end there.

The following day, Diana’s neighbour and close friend, Thelma (June Ellis - Porridge), arrives with disturbing news: she too received a phone call from Geoffrey, asking to pass on a message to Diana to meet him at a nearby hotel. When Diana arrives at the hotel, however, she’s greeted by the police, led by Inspector Clay. Another body has been found, and this time, it’s been positively identified as Geoffrey Stewart.

As the murderous couple believes they have got away with it, an unseen hand lurks in the shadows, aware of their deadly secret. Someone knows what truly happened that night—and they’re eager to exploit it for their own gain. Blackmail is the least of the couple's worries, as the sinister consequences of their actions come creeping ever closer.

Bat Out of Hell is a gripping thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, packed with twists, intriguing mysteries, and plenty of red herrings. Its final climax is well executed, adding to the suspense. Thaw, Syms and Foster are at the top of their game and deliver believable performances, each bringing depth and authenticity to their roles, which intensify the drama and make the story all the more captivating. The series is available on DVD and can also be found in five episodes on YouTube.

This compelling 1960s episodic drama is an excellent example of its genre and comes highly recommended for those seeking an engaging and well-crafted story.