Ian Hendry + Wanda Ventham – The Lotus Eaters Promotional Still [BBC Production 1972- 1973]
From the archives comes a great still of Ian Hendry [as Erik Shepherd] and Wanda Ventham [as Ann Shepherd]
The Lotus Eaters is a BBC television drama made between 1972 and 1973.
Plot
The series, written by Michael J. Bird, dealt with the lives of various British expatriates living on the island of Crete and their reasons for being there.
The central characters were a married couple, Erik (Ian Hendry) and Ann Shepherd (Wanda Ventham), who ran a tavern called “Shepherd’s Bar”.
Picture: Ian Hendry and Michael J. Bird work on a script.
Ann is revealed in the first episode to be a sleeper agent of British Intelligence, Erik having been a broken-down drunk whom she was made to marry as part of her cover story. Other episodes dealt with the other expats who frequented the bar. The most intriguing character in both series is the Greek police captain, Michael Krasakis (Stefan Gryff). In the second series the British Intelligence aspect is developed, until a clash with Soviet and Chinese agents results in both Ann and Erik having to leave Crete. In the final scene, about to board a plane leaving Heraklion airport, they have a partial reconciliation, since each is the only person the other can trust.
Cast
Ian Hendry as Erik Shepherd
Wanda Ventham as Ann Shepherd
Timothy Carlton as Gerard Mace
Carol Cleveland as Leigh Mervish
James Kerry as Donald Culley
Sylvia Coleridge as Miriam Woolley
John Horsley as Sir Hugh Russell
Location
The Lotus Eaters was filmed in the Cretan resort of Aghios Nikolaos and derived its title from the Lotus Eaters of Greek mythology, where those who ate the fruit of the Lotus tree lost the desire to return home.
The series was also the first of the Mediterranean-based dramas written by Michael J. Bird for the BBC. The others included Who Pays the Ferryman?, also set in Crete, The Aphrodite Inheritance, set in Cyprus, and The Dark Side of the Sun, set in Rhodes.
Michael J. Bird
For those wishing to find out more about the work of Michael J. Bird, be sure to check out the excellent official tribute website run by Dave Rice.
Michael J. Bird – Official Tribute Website
Until next time,
Neil Hendry
Editor, Official Tribute To Ian Hendry
Further Reading
A detailed account of the life and work of Ian Hendry in the new biography:
Read: ‘Send in the Clowns – The Yo Yo Life Of Ian Hendry’ by Gabriel Hershman
More From Ian Hendry
The Avengers Series 1 (1961) The Search For The Missing Episodes – Ian Hendry + Patrick Macnee
Theatre of Blood [1973] – Autographed By Milo O’Shea, Harry Andrews, Ian Hendry, Arthur Lowe, Robert Coote and Jack Hawkins
Ian Hendry In The Secret Place [1957] – Video Of His First Speaking Role In A Film
Ian Hendry + Penny Finzel – Rare Photograph From Penny’s Personal Collection – The Beauty Jungle [1964]
Culford School Sports Day (1947) – Extremely Rare Footage Of A Young Ian Hendry ( Just 16 Years Old ) + His Brother Donald Hendry At The Culford School Sports Day
Complete Rare Film: Download +/or Watch – Live Now, Pay Later (1962) – Ian Hendry + June Ritchie
Nicol Williamson ‘Black Sheep’ The Authorised Biography By Gabriel Hershman
Ian Hendry + Janet Munro – Teddington Studios + Armchair Theatre’s ‘Afternoon Of A Nymph’ (1962)
The Informer (1967) – Rare Still Found From ‘Your Secret’s Are Safe With Us, Mr Lambert’ Starring Ian Hendry + Jane Blackburn [Dir. Ridley Scott]
Ian, Jo, Janet, Britt And A Neurotic Peter Sellers!
J.P. Donleavy – Acclaimed Auther Dies At 91 – Ian Hendry Starred As Dangerfield In The BBC TV Film Version Of ‘The Ginger Man’ In 1962
Ian Hendry And ‘The Circus That Came To Town’ – Part 1
Ian Hendry and Janet Munro At Home c.1964
This Is My Street (1964) – With June Ritchie
Welcome to the Official Website of Ian Hendry
Ian Hendry + Gabrielle Drake – ‘The Tycoon’ by Kenneth Jupp – ITV Playhouse [1968]
Ian Hendry + Liz Fraser – Live Now, Pay Later [1962] – Original Film + Promotional Still
With Umbrella, Scotch and Cigarettes – The Avengers, Series 1 – by Richard McGinlay and Alan Hayes
Repulsion (1965) 50th Anniversary Tribute Part #2 – Catherine Deneuve + Ian Hendry + John Fraser + Yvonne Furneaux (dir. Roman Polanski)
Repulsion (1965) 50th Anniversary Tribute Part #1 – Catherine Deneuve + Ian Hendry + John Fraser + Yvonne Furneaux (dir. Roman Polanski)
Ian Hendry, Alan Badel and Alfred Burke – Children Of The Damned [1963] – Film Review
Ian Hendry And ‘The Circus That Came To Town’ – Part 2
The Sweeney ‘Ringer’ (1975) – On Set With Ian Hendry + John Thaw + Dennis Waterman
Dr. David Keel – The Avengers (1961) | Portrait
Ian Hendry + Constantin de Goguel – The McKenzie Break (1970) – United Artists Promotional Still
BBC Radio Suffolk – Gabriel Hershman Discusses His New Biography On Ian Hendry
Ian Hendry – Magazine Portraits From The 1960s
David Warner – BBC Radio Interview in which he discusses his life, work and Ian Hendry – who also appeared as Morgan in ‘A Suitable Case For Treatment’
The Southern Star (1969) Stills – George Segal + Ursula Andress + Orson Welles + Ian Hendry + Harry Andrews
Ian Hendry + Tommy Cooper: Cooper To Play John Steed Of The Avengers? Royston Mayoh, Victor Spinetti And An Overheard Conversation At ‘The Agglers’…