| The Adventures of William Tell | |
|---|---|
| Format | Historical |
| Starring | Conrad Phillips Jennifer Jayne Richard Rogers Willoughby Goddard |
| Theme music composer | William Tell Overture by Rossini |
| Opening theme | Lyrics by Harold Purcell, sung by David Whitfield |
| Ending theme | Lyrics by Harold Purcell, sung by David Whitfield |
| Composer(s) | Albert Elms Sydney John Kay |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 39 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Ralph Smart |
| Producer(s) | Leslie Arliss |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Distributor | ITC Entertainment |
| Broadcast | |
| Picture format | Film 35 mm 4:3 Black-and-white |
| Audio format | Mono |
| Original run | 15 September 1958 – 15 June 1959 |
The Adventures of William Tell is a British swashbuckler adventure series, first broadcast on the ITV network in 1958, and produced by ITC Entertainment.
Contents |
The series was produced by Ralph Smart, who wrote a number of stories for the series and who also produced The Adventures of Sir Lancelot. The show was made at the National Studios in Elstree. The outdoor scenes were filmed around the mountains and lakes of Snowdonia in the UK. The film base and make up were at a small farm in Cwm-Y-Glo in Snowdonia. This is directly beside Lln Padarn, a lake which can be seen in many of the location shots (as can cars driving on the A4086 road on the opposite side of the lake!). The crew used to walk up the mountain from their base as there was no vehicular access, and brought much needed work for at least three yearly shoots to a tiny corner of North Wales before tourism took off.
Daily rushes were viewed at the only cinema in the area, that at Llanberris which was taken over from 08.00 until noon every morning for the duration of the shoot. It is interesting to note that the film was transported to Soho in London for developing and the rushes returned to Llanberris by 08.30 the next morning. Such was the excellence of rail transport even in 1957!
Although all three series had location scenes, the third was far more studio based and what location scenes there were mostly taken from unused and reused stock shots from the first and second series. A smaller crew went to Wales for this series and more money was saved by shooting "mute", i.e. without synchronised sound. In the days of strict union rules when demarcation was strictly enforced, this saved several technicians wages.
Though in some ways the same as The Adventures of Robin Hood, a brave bowman fighting against a tyrant, this was a much harder show with crossbow bolts often killing people and Tell fighting hard hand-to-hand battles, which often resulted in the death of the bad guy. Unlike the foppish Sheriff of Nottingham, Gessler was portrayed as a pig of a man, unshaven, often eating or drinking without any hint of manners and throwing his metaphorical as well as literal weight around. Goddard proved to be very active, despite his size. The series was repeated well into the 1960s.
The series featured a long-remembered theme song, with music based on the William Tell Overture by Rossini. For the show, the song lyrics were by Harold Purcell and were sung by David Whitfield.
Because this portion of Rossini's overture was the theme of The Lone Ranger in the United States, a different portion of the overture, with lyrics added, became the theme song there, titled: The Freedom Song - "Marching Behind William Tell" by Geoffrey Parsons. This is on The Network DVD episode Castle of Fear.
Incidental music was by Albert Elms and Sydney John Kay
|
1. Come away, come away with William Tell, 2. Come away with Tell to the mountainside 3. We are simple peasant folk 4. Hurry on, hurry on, there’s a dungeon cell; 5. We lived our lives, we loved our friends, |
6. Follow on, follow on, with the leaders feel 7. Give ‘em one for the day they bared the grain, 8. The shepherd’s crook, the reaping hook 9. Come away, come away with William Tell, |
Verses 1, 2, 4 with the opening titles, 6, 7, 8, 9 with the closing credits.[1]
Airdate is for ATV Midlands [2] ITV regions varied date and order.
| Episode # | Prod # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Emperor's Hat" | Ralph Smart | Rene Wilde and Leslie Arliss | 15 September 1958 | |
| The Swiss are subject to heavy taxes and cruel laws by the conquering Austrians and have to show respect to the Emperor's hat placed in each village. William Tell refuses and is arrested and hearing of his prowess with the crossbow Landburgher Gessler forces Tell to shoot at an apple on his son's head. Adapted from the original story by Johann von Schller. Stars Derren Nesbitt and Norman Mitchell. | |||||
| 2 | "The Hostages" | Ralph Smart | Doreen Montgomery story by Ralph Smart | 22 September 1958 | |
| Gessler orders William Tell's arrest, after he steals a cache of arms, and takes six innocent men hostage who will be executed if Tell does not surrender. Stars James Booth and Roy Purcell. | |||||
| 3 | "Secret Death" | Peter Maxwell | Doreen Montgomery story by Ralph Smart | 29 September 1958 | |
| When his wife Hedda is captured by Gessler, Tell offers himself in exchange. Stars Sid James, Howard Lang and Peter Welch. | |||||
| 4 | "The Gauntlet of St. Gerhardt" | Peter Maxwell | Doreen Montgomery story by Ralph Smart | 6 October 1958 | |
| The Gauntlet of St. Gerhardt is a religious relic that the Swiss rally round and carry into battle. Gessler plans to steal the relic by killing the abbot that guards it. Stars Derren Nesbitt, Edward Judd and Ian Wallace. | |||||
| 5 | "The Prisoner" | Peter Maxwell | John Kruse | 13 October 1958 | |
| The Austrians building a road into the heart of Switzerland with slave labour capture a resistance fighter. Tell has to free the prisoner. Stars Michael Caine, Bruce Seton, Keith Pyott and Richard Shaw. | |||||
| 6 | "Voice in the Night" | Terry Bishop | Ralph Smart | 20 October 1958 | |
| Gessler falsely imprisons two men, Jules Gunther and Judge Furst who is William Tell's father-in- law. Tell has to expose his replacement Judge and free the men. Stars Ronald Leigh-Hunt, Michael Ripper and Derren Nesbitt. | |||||
| 7 | "The Assassin" | Terry Bishop | Ralph Smart story by Rene Wilde | 27 October 1958 | |
| Prince Karl, the cousin of the Austrian emperor is assassinated and Gessler arrests two men but gives them the chance to save themselves if they find William Tell and kill him. Stars Alfred Burke, Edwin Richfield and Roy Purcell. | |||||
| 8 | "The Baroness" | Peter Maxwell | John Kruse story by Ralph Smart | 3 November 1958 | |
| A beautiful woman seeks William Tell's help as she is being blackmailed by her bailiff for helping a resistance fighter. Hedda Tell suspects a plot and follows her husband. Stars Delphi Lawrence and Bruce Seton. | |||||
| 9 | "The Elixir" | Terry Bishop | Lindsay Galloway story by Ralph Smart | 10 November 1958 | |
| A local monastery is making money from the wine they make, with the proceeds going to founding a school, comes to the attention of Gessler and he wants the recipe in lieu of taxes. Stars Jack Watling | |||||
| 10 | "The Suspect" | Quentin Lawrence | Doreen Montgomery and Larry Forester | 17 November 1958 | |
| A young girl is accused of spying for the Austrians and Tell has to prove her innocence before the townspeople hang her. Stars Edward Judd, Tommy Duggan and Sheila Raynor. | |||||
| 11 | "The Cuckoo" | Peter Maxwell | Ralph Smart | 24 November 1958 | |
| Gessler is under pressure from the Emperor to collect more taxes but his sleep is disturbed by a persistent Cuckoo outside his bedroom. Stars Jack Watling | |||||
| 12 | "The Bear" | Ernest Morris | Doreen Montgomery story by Michael Connor | 1 December 1958 | |
| The son of a robber known, because of his size, as The Bear joins the resistance against his father's wishes. The Bear challengers Tell to a fight and if Tell wins his son can stay with the resistance. Stars Nigel Green | |||||
| 13 | "The Magic Powder" | Peter Maxwell | Martin Worth story by Ralph Smart | 8 December 1958 | |
| Tell and Gessler meet unexpectedly at the castle of Dr. Kleine, a scientist experimenting with explosives. Gessler wants the magic powder for warfare. Stars Gerald Cross. | |||||
| 14 | "The Golden Wheel" | Peter Maxwell | Michael Connor | 15 December 1958 | |
| Gessler discovers the location of resistance funds being channelled to Italy by a Swiss banker, Hanzler, to buy arms. William Tell has to save the banker. Stars Patrick Troughton and Derek Godfrey. | |||||
| 15 | "The Bride" | Quentin Lawrence | Doreen Montgomery story by John Kruse | 22 December 1958 | |
| Maddelena, a beautiful countess, is kidnapped by Austrian soldiers on the orders of Gessler so that he can marry her. Tell sees an opportunity; his wife Hedda is not so sure. Stars Glyn Owen and Nadja Regin. | |||||
| 16 | "The Boy Slaves" | Terry Bishop | John Kruse | 29 December 1958 | |
| Outraged when a boy knocks his hat off, Gessler cancels an agreement to release young slave labourers. When the boy gives himself up, Gessler decides to hang him. Stars Frazer Hines and Derren Nesbitt. | |||||
| 17 | "The Young Widow" | Peter Maxwell | Paul Christie | 5 January 1959 | |
| Escaping the Austrians, William Tell and his wife Hedda, who has been injured, seek refuge with the Countess von Markhein. The Countess's servant recognises the pair and threatens to inform unless the Countess agrees to marry him. Stars Melissa Stribling. | |||||
| 18 | "Landslide" | Terry Bishop | John Kruse | 12 January 1959 | |
| Gessler uses a double of Tell to discredit him as the double robs the Swiss and Gessler's men collect the taxes again. Stars Charles Lloyd Pack, Wilfred Bramble and Frank Thornton. | |||||
| 19 | "The Trap" | Quentin Lawrence | Doreen Montgomery story by Max Savage | 19 January 1959 | |
| The Bear is rescued by Peter von Brechet who claims to be a fugitive but has Gessler a plan to smash the resistance. Stars Robert Shaw and Walter Gotell. | |||||
| 20 | "The Shrew" | Peter Maxwell | Max Savage | 26 January 1959 | |
| Hedda Tell is lured to a village when told her sister is ill and becomes a pawn in Gessler's plan to capture her husband. Stars Keith Pyott. | |||||
| 21 | "The Manhunt" | Peter Maxwell | Doreen Montgomery story by Ralph Smart | 2 February 1959 | |
| William Tell is trapped on an island and hunted by Prince Erik who enjoys hunting human prey. Stars Christopher Lee and Kevin Stoney. | |||||
| 22 | "The Killer" | Peter Maxwell | Lindsay Holloway | 9 February 1959 | |
| Accused of murder and theft of a partisan, William Tell has to prove his innocence in the face of his main accuser who he believes is the real killer. Stars Richard Vernon, Derek Godfrey and Kevin Stoney. | |||||
| 23 | "The Surgeon" | Peter Maxwell | Doreen Montgomery | 16 February 1959 | |
| Seriously wounded William Tell is taken to a Swiss surgeon pursued by Gessler. The surgeon has to think of a way to hide Tell. Stars Frank Thornton and David Blake Kelly. | |||||
| 24 | "The Ensign" | Quentin Lawrence | Max Savage and Leslie Arliss | 23 February 1959 | |
| Fritz, a young Austrian officer, faces a conflict between duty and conscience and turns unexpectedly to William Tell for help. Stars John Carson, Edward Evans and John Maxim. | |||||
| 25 | "The Unwelcome Stranger" | Peter Maxwell | Paul Christie | 9 March 1959 | |
| Tell travels to the sword making village of Linzen to find out why they have stopped the supply and finds himself under suspicion and the villagers wanting him gone. Stars David de Keyser, Derren Nesbitt and John Maxim. | |||||
| 26 | "The Avenger" | Anthony Squire | Lindsay Galloway | 16 March 1959 | |
| Two envoys sent to negotiate a peace treaty have disappeared and William Tell suspects the beautiful Anna might be involved. Stars John Le Mesurier, Derek Waring and Ralph Michael. | |||||
| 27 | "The Bandit" | Anthony Squire | Doreen Montgomery story by Ralph Smart | 23 March 1959 | |
| Tell searches for one of his men, sent to make contact with a rival resistance leader, and whom may have been murdered, but a bandit is operating in the area under Gessler's orders. Stars Kenneth Cope, Brian Rawlinson, Maurice Kaufmann and Robert Raglan. | |||||
| 28 | "Gessler's Daughter" | Ernest Morris | Lindsay Galloway | 30 March 1959 | |
| Gessler seeks William Tell's help when his daughter is kidnapped and held for ransom. Stars Patsy Smart. | |||||
| 29 | "The General's Daughter" | Peter Maxwell | Ian Stuart Black | 6 April 1959 | |
| The Bear is captured when a young Swiss patriot, Stephan, is handing food to the partisans. Tell must rescue him and determine whether Stephan is a traitor. Stars Michael Caine and Bruce Seton. | |||||
| 30 | "The Raid" | Leslie Arliss | Leslie Arliss and Rene Wilde | 13 April 1959 | |
| A daring raid on a Swiss-occupied fortress for much needed arms leads to disaster when William Tell is recognised. | |||||
| 31 | "Castle of Fear" | Peter Maxwell | Roger Marshall story by Max Savage | 20 April 1959 | |
| Visiting Werner castle to track down a murderer of a resistance leader, the gateman gives Tell a dire warning of death with his own life at stake. Stars Ferdy Mayne, Edwin Richfield, Alan Rowe and Erik Chitty. | |||||
| 32 | "The Black Brothers" | Quentin Lawrence | Arnold Abbot | 27 April 1959 | |
| The three Black brothers, Italian bandits, steal arms intended for the Swiss resistance and then try to sell them to William Tell. Stars Roger Delgado, Warren Mitchell, Paul Stassino and Eileen Way | |||||
| 33 | "The Lost Letter" | Terry Bishop | Michael Connor | 4 May 1959 | |
| Without realising it, Gessler is walking about with a letter for which he is searching in the sole of his boot. William Tell must retrieve it to save the lives of resistance workers. Stars John Dearth and Derren Nesbitt. | |||||
| 34 | "Secret Weapon" | Ernest Morris | Doreen Montgomery story by Arnold Abbot | 11 May 1959 | |
| Gessler is erecting new fortifications that will split the country in two. Tell and The Bear investigate. Stars Jack Watling and Derrick Sherwin. | |||||
| 35 | "The Master Spy" | Ernest Morris | Doreen Montgomery | 18 May 1959 | |
| A beautiful spy, Mara, known as The Shadow, is sent by Gessler to lure Tell into a trap. Stars Jack Watling, Adrienne Corri and Glyn Owen. | |||||
| 36 | "The Traitor" | Peter Maxwell | Roger Marshall and Leslie Arliss | 25 May 1959 | |
| William Tell and Hedda receive a visit from a friendly resistance leader needing help to find a traitor in his camp. They soon find they are in a trap. Stars William Lucas, Neil Hallett, Bruce Seton and Derren Nesbitt. | |||||
| 37 | "The Spider" | Ernest Morris | Roger Marshall story Ralph Smart | 1 June 1959 | |
| A ruthless Austrian commander nicknamed The Spider capture two of Tell's men demanding to know of under threat of torture the whereabouts of Tell's camp. Using false documents Tell infiltrates The Spider's ranks. Stars Donald Pleasence, Robert Cawdron and Deborah Watling. | |||||
| 38 | "The Mountain People" | Quentin Lawrence | Doreen Montgomery story by John Kruse | 8 June 1959 | |
| A beautiful naive girl is rescued by William Tell from Austrian soldiers and find his life and reputation endangered. Stars Lee Montague, James Booth, Maureen Davis and John Dearth. | |||||
| 39 | "Undercover" | Ernest Morris | Lindsay Galloway | 15 June 1959 | |
| Tell goes deep into Austrian territory after the death of a partisan whose sources of information go as far as the emperor's daughter. Stars Derek Bond, Jill Browne and Peter Welch. | |||||
Conrad Phillips later went on to play William Tell's sidekick, Stefan, in the series Crossbow which ran from August 1987 till February 1989. William Tell was played by Will Lyman. The series ran for 72 thirty-minute colour episodes over three seasons, 24 each, with the third season unaired in America. Other members of the cast were Jeremy Clyde as Hermann Gessler, Valentine Pelka as Roland, Melinda Mullins as Blade and David Barry Gray as son, Matthew Tell. Four episodes were issued on VHS, retitled "The Legend of William Tell". Gessler was referred to as 'Governor' throughout, perhaps on the premise that the children watching at the time were less likely to have read the book, and thought that a 'Landburgher' was something one bought at McDonalds.
There was a third series of William Tell, produced in New Zealand and called The Legend of William Tell, which only lasted one season of 16 episodes of sixty minutes from August till December 1998. Cast were Kieren Hutchison as William Tell, Andrew Binns as Xax, Nathaniel Lees as Leon, Katrina Browne as Aruna, Ray Henwood as Kreel, Sharon Tyrell as Kalem, Beth Allen as Princess Varga and Drew Neemia as Drogo.
In the United States, the thirty-nine 30-minute long episodes aired on the syndicated NTA Film Network in 1958-1959. The Adventures of William Tell was the first of two syndicated television programs about the Swiss folk hero William Tell; the second was 1991's The Legend of William Tell.
The entire series is available on a 5-disc region 2 set from Network DVD.
TelevisionHeaven.com [2]
Whirligig-tv.co.uk [7]