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...

Ask the Family

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

Also released in 1967

Beasts 1976

Laden with suspense, drama and a thick vein of black humour Beasts presented stories of civilised man in conflict with the primal, animal side of existence.

Also tagged Anthology Series

The Baker Street Boys

Based on a group of street urchins whom Conan Doyle recruited on behalf of Holmes to perform various missions, take messages, search London following clues and going to places where the detective himself could not.

Also tagged Drama Series

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

Court Martial

Court Martial was a British made production co-funded by ITC (in the UK) and Roncom Productions (in the USA) which aired on ITV in 1965 and on ABC in 1966.

Also tagged Drama Series

Beggar My Neighbour

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

Also released in 1967

Brendon Chase

Classic children's story shown over thirteen episodes concerning the Hensman brothers, Robin, John and Harold, who spend eight months living as outlaws in the forest of Brendon Chase.

Also tagged Drama Series