Armchair Thriller: Fear Of God (ITV 1980, Bryan Marshall)

In the Armchair Thriller serial Fear of God a teenage girl falls to her death from the roof of a condemned block of flats where the only apartment still occupied belongs to journalist Paul Marriott. Wondering why Special Branch are so interested in the case Marriott begins digging and discovers the girl was linked to a religious organisation known as The Regiment of God. With the help of the dead girl’s sister Marriott learns that the cult have a “sonic weapon” with which they plan to brainwash large sections of society.

Fear of God starts off as a straightforwardish thriller but by episode three has entered into the realms of science fiction with the religious cult attempting something of a planned world take over, it’s all fairly unbelievable but Bryan Marshall is excellent as always in the lead. Watch out too for an early role for Alun Armstrong as well as a cameo from cult tv specialist Michael Sheard. Bryan Marshall.

production details
UK / ITV Network – Thames / 4×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 26 February – 6 March 1980

Writer: Troy Kennedy Martin / Novel: Derry Quinn / Production Design: Martyn Hebert / Producer: Brenda Ennis / Director: Robert Tronson

Series: Armchair Thriller / Story 9

cast
BRYAN MARSHALL as Paul Marriot
MADELINE CHURCH as Nicola Clay
PETER CELLIER as Maitland
PETER SETTELEN as John Aubrey
MICHAEL SHEARD as Colonel Morgan
HELEN COOPER as Erica
ALUN ARMSTRONG as Trahearne
MICHAEL WATKINS as Cyril
MADELINE HINDE as Francesca Thornton
LAURENCE HARRINGTON as Sub Editor
LYNN CLAYTON as Helen
LIONEL SANDSBY as Ambulance Man
SUSAN SHERIDAN as Rosamund’s Voice
GARRICK HAGON as Walters
KEVIN COSTELLO as Sandy
ROGER BRIERLEY as Vic
CHRIS JENKINSON as Larke
DAVID GRAHAM as Vicar
DAVID HEALY as Anvil
STEVE KELLY as Electonic Man
DAVE COOPER as P.T. Instructor
ROBERT AUSTIN as Stapleton
ANNE GODLEY as Lady Diana