Who Pays the Ferryman?

Who Pays the Ferryman? was a television series produced by the BBC in 1977. The title of the series refers to the ancient religious belief and mythology of Charon the ferryman to Hades. In ancient times it was the custom to place coins in or on the mouth of the deceased before cremation so that the deceased could pay the ferryman to go to Hades.

The eight episodes were written by Michael J. Bird and its success propelled him into being a major screenwriter. He'd used his knowledge of Crete, where the series is based, incorporating local history and lore to help viewers understand the core of this tight-knit community and how the past has - for better or worse - has shaped the present to the point that it endangers the central characters finding any happiness in their future. Helped by stunning scenery, the serial became a major success when transmitted on BBC1 in 1977.

Premise

An ex-soldier returns to Crete, to take stock after his boat-building business is bought out, thirty years after he had fought alongside the local resistance (andartes) during the Second World War. He finds the ghosts of the past waiting for him there, and those who would do him ill. The shadows of his past interrupt and threaten his present happiness.

Plot

After suffering personal and professional misfortunes, boat designer Alan Haldane (Jack Hedley) decides to take a trip to Crete after 30 years away. Now a widower and having sold his business, Haldane needed to find a new meaning and this break is a chance to find himself and try to rediscover a sense of belonging such as he'd experienced there during World War 2. Back then, Haldane fought shoulder to shoulder with the Andartes against the occupying Nazis; his skill and determination earned him the honorary name of "Leandros" and his exploits subsequently slipping into local legend. He'd also enjoyed a deep and meaningful affair with co-partisan Melina Matakis, from whom he temporarily parted when repatriation took place. Once back in England his letters to Melina went unanswered and so dejected, this temporary parting became permanent.

Now at a loose end, Haldane is met by many a mainly positive welcome, many remembering the exploits of the one they called Leandros. On reaching the area where he was based with Melina, a local homeowner approaches. As glances are exchanged, this pretty and successful businesswoman and Haldane unconsciously form an immediate rapport. Annika had divorced her husband - something you just don't do in Crete - however, this strong woman and Haldane get on so easily and both recognise a need for each other which grows ever-stronger each time their paths cross, which in time will become understandably frequent.

Haldane at last manages to meet up with his Greek 'brother' from whom he was almost inseparable during the war, a lawyer named Babis Spiridakis. Haldane is pleased to see Babis, but the latter merely acknowledges Leandros' presence after an admittedly long time apart. But they talk and as facts are eased out into the open both men are in for a few surprises. It turns out both Melina and Haldane wrote letters to each other, which neither received. Haldane discovers Melina died four years ago. That might have been that but Babis goes on to explain that Melina was pregnant with his child, a daughter, who with her husband run a taverna. They have now gone on to bear him what is his grandchild. And if that's not enough, the magical bond between Haldane and Annika gets immediately complicated when Babis tells Haldane that Annika is actually the sister of Melina, therefore his daughter's aunt.

Leandros determines to get to know his daughter and grandchild without any of them knowing. And he can never tell Annika, with whom he is falling deeply in love with, because what he knows would tear everyone's world world apart. In addition, those who still hold age-old vendettas plot against Leandros, such as Annika's matriarchal mother. The stage is set for a Greek tragedy, in which all parts were cast many years before, to play right out to the bitter end....

Episodes

• S1, Ep1 - Return to Yesterday (7 Nov. 1977)
• S1, Ep2 - Some Talk of Alexander - (14 Nov. 1977)
• S1, Ep3 - Long Shadow (21 Nov. 1977)
• S1, Ep4 - A Dead Man to Carry My Cross (28 Nov. 1977)
• S1, Ep5 - Receive the Light (5 Dec. 1977)
• S1, Ep6 - The Well - (12 Dec. 1977)
• S1, Ep7 - A River to Cross - (19 Dec. 1977)
• S1, Ep8 - The Daughters of Themis - (26 Dec. 1977)

Filming

The serial was filmed on location in and around Elounda and was responsible for the surge of tourism that descended on the area in the late 1970s. The serial was particularly memorable for its theme tune composed by Yannis Markopoulos, which became a hit single in the UK in late 1977 and early 1978 - BBC Records RESL 51: Who Pays The Ferryman/Fanfare For Charon. The soundtrack album and the book of the series continue to be popular with visitors to Crete.

Jack Hedley starred in the central role of Alan Haldane, whilst other notable cast members in the serial included Betty Arvaniti, Neil McCarthy, Stefan Gryff, Patience Collier, Jack Watson, Lalla Ward, Gareth Thomas, Patrick Magee, Marina Sirtis and Sally Knyvette.

Availability

The series was available on DVD in the Netherlands ("Wie betaalt de veerman?") some time before the UK release finally arrived on 20 February 2012 by Eureka. Some mention was made on Amazon to a decline in picture quality on the UK version compared to the earlier Dutch release.

As of 19 August 2012 it is also available for Kindle.

External links

• Michael J. Bird tribute website
• Who Pays the Ferryman? at the Internet Movie Database