Does Anyone Remember 'brond'?

[Backdrifter]

I was reminded of this 1987 TV drama starring the young John Hannah, and Stratford Johns who played the mysterious title character. It opened with Hannah's character witnessing Brond casually pushing a young boy off a bridge to his death, then amiably winking at the shocked witness. I recall that after that compelling opening, it got a bit convoluted, I have a vague memory of not fully getting what was going on. I'd be intrigued to see it again though, but I don't think it was ever re-shown or released. There is a 5-minute clip on youtube featuring a scene involving removal men, a huge wardrobe and a flight of stairs.

The original novel seems available on Amazon so maybe I'll try that.

Anyone else recall this odd show?

[Fibonacci]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275235/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idwuGOhHTL0

[kvalidir]

That looks strangely fascinating. It was released on video apparently according to this link, so you might one day get it if you keep hunting. I quite want to see it now too.
http://notesfromthegeekshow.blogspot.co.uk/2006/09/brond.html

[kvalidir]

Actually no apparently it wasn't released on VHS but this guy has a copy so might be worth speaking to him.
http://www.demonoid.ph/files/details/2913717/007049511091/

[Backdrifter]

kvalidir, thanks for the link to the VHS guy. "Strangely fascinating" nicely sums up the whole series. I remember finding it confusing, but compelling. And after that (literally) killer opening, I wanted to find out what the hell was going on. If I ever did, I've got no memory of it! Other things I do recall: Stratford Johns cut a sinister figure as the mysterious Brond - avuncular and with a trademark wink, yet obviously prone to shoving young boys off high bridges. In another scene, a repulsed Robert (the Hannah character) is watching through a 2-way mirror in a brothel as Brond is being zapped by a madam wielding a cattle prod. Brond then seems to sense he's being watched, "looks" at Robert and winks again. He was certainly far removed from Barlow of Z Cars and Softly Softly.

It also had a party scene in which Robert is either drunk or drugged, it was the first time I'd seen that effect you get when the camera is strapped to the actor so as he staggered around and eventually collapsed, he seemed static but with the room tilting and swaying around him - visually really effective.

I think that maybe the child-killing at the start signals Robert's entry to the 'adult' world, or something like that. Though apparently as the story develops it takes in stuff relating to the N Ireland Troubles - I don't recall that element at all.

[Backdrifter]

Oh, and the theme tune was called 'Secret Ceremony', by Bill Nelson.