ITV Playhouse Rumour (1967– ) watch online HD

The remarkably adept paranoia thriller actually had the qualities which were proclaimed for British TV at the time - often without justification.

Using the small scale production resources of TV, Mike Hodges puts together the account of the over confidant lead, who underestimates the powerful group that gets his car into the back of a semi. A brief coda with kids and the tape recorder in a city dump is an unlikely note of hope in the grim proceedings.

The small cast do well, with a large part of the ending a two hander. The choice of angles, pacing and interpretation are an indicator of Hodges substantial career to come in feature films. The mood foreshadows his GET CARTER and the feeble I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD.

This masterpiece from the series "ITV Playhouse" contains some outstanding television drama.

"Rumour" was one of the first TV episodes to be shot entirely on film and on location. This made such a welcome change from the confines of the studio.

Without divulging many plot details, a London journalist is put on a trail of corruption in high places - and is truly out of his depth. It's shades of the Hollywood classic "The Parallax View" in a loose way.

Mike Hodges demonstrates his directing ability by keeping the viewers gripped til the rather ambiguous ending.

This is the kind of television that puts most modern stuff to shame!