There's very little Eco-Drama on TV these days. It used to be very popular and highly topical. Eco-drama needs an environmental crisis, preferably a conspiracy, at its heart. Global catastrophe, nuclear energy, dodgy genetics, that sort of thing. I suppose the Project SWORD story arc might even be Eco- Drama?
The earliest Eco-drama I can remember watching were the Quatermass films based on the popular black and white BBC TV series. I've never seen the series and must do one of these days. I imagine Quatermass set the scene for all eco-dramas that followed: shady government units, remote locations, science out of control and public secrecy. Oh and a charismatic central lead always helps, usually an honest boffin like Quatermass himself. My own personal favourite is the colour version of the film, Quatermass and the Pit.
One eco-thriller of the Seventies caught my eye on the big screen, Doom Watch, released in 1972 [released as Island of the Ghouls in the US]. Essentially it's UFO but instead of aliens there are eco-disasters at every turn. The film centred on mutation amongst the inhabitants of a remote island. Doom Watch, a government unit, are sent in to investigate. Ian Bannan, one of my favourite actors of that generation, plays the lead role as Dr. Del Shaw. John Paul played the role of Dr. Spencer Quist as he did in the original TV series of Doom Watch. Again, the series passed me by but I have started watching the initial episode, The Plastic Eaters.
The Eighties were rife with eco- drama on TV as Britain knuckled down for the Thatcher years. Edge of Darkness is probably the best series ever made in the sub - genre and often lauded as one of the finest British TV series of all time. It starred Bob Peck, who would become even better known as the tough shorts - wearing warden in Jurassic Park. In Darkness Peck plays a gruff Yorkshire policeman, whose daughter is murdered. Shady government goings-on are everywhere and Peck digs deeper and deeper till the truth is finally revealed. I had the pleasure of watching the entire series yesterday on DVD, 314 minutes! Highly recommended.
The Nineties gave us genetically modified nightmares with Chimera in 1991, released as Monkey Boy in the US. I remember watching this TV series at the time and really enjoying it. It's one I'm hoping to track down again this year. I suppose the modern equivalent if it would be the movie Splice.
I'm not sure that Gerry Anderson's series and films were eco-dramas. UFO comes closest with its hidden HQ and secret battles. I would place it more in the alien conspiracy sub-genre, which later peaked with The X-Files.
What are your favourite eco-dramas and do you think the sub-genre is still relevant today?
The original BBC tv version of Q and the Pit is stunningly atmospheric, filmed live, its a real tour de force
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