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). 

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

Read Next...

Secret Mission

They lived in constant danger of capture, torture and death at the hands of the Gestapo. Secret Mission, a 1950s docudrama, revealed the truth of six individual women who worked behind the lines in German occupied France

Also starring Adrienne Corri

Armchair Thriller

By the time the final story of the first series was broadcast, Armchair Thriller had built up quite a following, resulting in the first episode of 'The Limbo Connection', which starred James Bolam as a man in search of his missing wife, achieving an audience in excess of 17 million viewers.

Also tagged Anthology Series

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

US anthology series by the production company owned by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, that gave rise to 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Untouchables'

Also tagged Anthology Series

Andy Robson

Based on Frederick Grice's 1969 novel, The Courage of Andy Robson, about a young boy who is uprooted from his life in the pit community of Easington, in 1910, when his father is killed in a mining accident.

Also tagged Drama Series

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.

Also released in 1967

Seven Deadly Sins

Seven self-contained plays by different writers - each featuring one of the sins categorised by the founders of the Christian Church as "deadly."

Also tagged Anthology Series

Gentle Ben

Man's best friend in this series wasn't a dog but a huge bear...

Also released in 1967