Seven Deadly Virtues

Seven Deadly Virtues

1967 United Kingdom

When 1966's Seven Deadly Sins proved popular with viewers, series producer Peter Willes decided to repeat the idea the following year. 

The series followed a similar format as the previous one with viewers deciding which virtue they were witnessing before the answer was revealed in the closing credits. The choice they had were justice, prudence, temperance, courage (standing in for fortitude in this series) as well as faith, hope and charity. Peter Willes told the TV Times article writer Sarah Snow; "Most people will agree that the so-called Seven Deadly Sins have changed their character over the centuries, and their words and meaning. Similarly, looking at the virtues, aren't these perhaps all a bit deadlier than they seem?" 

Writers included David Hopkins, Leo Lehman, Joe Orton, Bill MacIlwraith and Bill Naughton (author of the films Alfie and The Family Way). Actors included Donald Houston and Adrienne Corri (pictured above in the first tale Any Number Can Play). 

Share on...

Published on February 12th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Moonbase 3

Also starring Donald Houston

In the year 2003 humans have established a number of bases on the moon.

Orson Welles' Great Mysteries

Also tagged Anthology Series

Anthology series of different tales introduced by a star considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time

Armchair Thriller

Also released in 1967

'ABC Armchair Thriller', although sometimes listed alongside the later 'Armchair Thriller' series (1978 & 1980), is a separate series from the later Thames productions, which it preceded by 11 years.

Jemima Shore Investigates

Also starring Donald Houston

TV investigative journalist Jemima Shore turns amateur detective to uncover blackmail and murder among the upper classes in this 1980s blend of cozy mystery and conventional crime thriller

Ace of Wands

Also tagged Drama Series

Billed as a 20th century Robin Hood with a bit of Merlin and Houdini thrown in, this superior children's series concerned the adventures of Tarot (Michael MacKenzie), who used his skills to solve a series of bizarre crimes by a number of 'supervillians' who would not have been out of place in Batman.

Beggar My Neighbour

Also released in 1967

A 'keeping up with the Joneses sitcom starring Reg Varney and Pat Combs

The Carol Burnett Show

Also released in 1967

The multi-talented Burnett could play everything from a cleaning woman to a femme fatale, thanks to her lithe body, incredible facial expressions and that wonderful booming voice.

Ask the Family

Also released in 1967

BBC quiz show which originally was hosted by Robert Robinson and proved surprisingly durable running from 1967 to 1984.

Sword of Vengeance

Also starring Donald Houston

Under the flag of truce a Huguenot nobleman cannot refuse shelter, even to his catholic enemies. But he finds that under his roof lies the man who tortured and killed his wife in the massacre six years before