Mother Love

Now that DVD recordings of films are commonplace, the producers of "Mother Love" owe it to Dame Diana's global fans to issue this fantastic horror/suspense film as a two-DVD set. Rarely have we seen such a tour d'force by any actress, even though Dame Diana has gratified us with many other outstanding performances. This rich characterization bears repeated viewing because so many of her inspired expressions and gestures can be overlooked when we focus on the twists and turns of the complex story line.

Fortunately for us, we taped the four "Mother Love" episodes on VHS when PBS-TV broadcast them in 1990. The film was not bleeped for language, and we did not see any indications of content censorship. My wife and I watch the tapes about once a year, and we see something different each time. But we would love to have the film on DVD because we're sure they would be sharper than the TV reception was, and our 16-year-old videotape copies are starting to show their age.

One note: the PBS broadcasts included interviews with the screenwriter and actors, as well as introductions by Dame Diana herself. Those would make dandy extras in a DVD set, because Dame Diana explains how she built her character into the believable psychopath named Helena Vesey.

I love this movie - a real chiller. Diana Rigg is at her riveting, chilling best! She seems to innocent and ladylike - at first. I particularly enjoyed the actress who played the new wife and I enjoyed seeing David McCallum play the piano. I've been trying to find a copy for years - any one know where a copy can be purchased?

Diana Rigg is outstanding as the deranged and possessive Helena Vesey in this marvellous BBC mini-series of 1989. It is a role that, I believe, won her a British Academy Award (BAFTA). It is hard to remember anyone who managed to be so funny, scary and mesmerising than Ms Rigg as this indelible protagonist, who brings the superb dialogue to life - "Laburnum! Such a pretty tree... and so many of them!"; "Treachery, disloyalty... are the most DREADFUL of crimes. And deserve the severest punishment!"; and "Ha ha ha! HERE's Mr Tiger!". This series is sometimes repeated on Sky's UK Gold channel - make sure you see it!

Diana Rigg will scare you under the carpet in this story of "treachery, disloyalty" and family ties. A simple lie, Helena's son keeping in touch with his father but not telling his mother, spins wildly out of control, while Helena gradually suspects that her family are keeping information from her. The cleverly-constructed back story, showing that Helena was capable of terrible things as a child, cranks up the tension and gives a sense of terrible foreboding. Helena's paranoia and loneliness take over, creating a horrible revenge.

Almost camp in some scenes, (calling everyone "darling", giving her family nicknames and shopping at Fortnums), Diana Rigg gives an intense performance full of pain at the upsets of her past life and full of hatred at her ex-husband. She definitely deserved her Bafta award.

I was riveted to the television set for all 3 nights of the series.

Not only was Diana Rigg's performance a tour de force, but the script itself was a true psychological thriller, beautifully written - I could actually believe there is a mother somewhere who could be so unhinged yet appear so normal. I did wonder about the author's own mother.

The flashbacks to "Mother's" childhood provided an extra dimension without totally explaining her future behavior, which really worked for me - I find too much exposition can spoil the punchline.

During the final half hour, no phone calls were answered, no trips were made to the frig, no cats were let out, no dogs were let in...I think you get the picture.