Dark Island, The

1 9 6 2 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes

A strange torpedo is found on the Atlantic shore of Benbecula – a lonely island in the Outer Hebrides – by local crofter Ian McLeod (Bryden Murdoch).

A Naval team from a rocket range in the islands – accompanied by a security officer named Nicolson (Robert Hardy) – arrives to deal with the apparent menace but their attempt to defuse it reveals a disturbing discovery.

The “torpedo” contains a complete do-it-yourself spy kit with an international flavour, including a Finnish passport, British and Swedish money, US service pattern revolvers, and East German binoculars.

Grant (Francis Matthews), a man from government security, joins Nicolson to investigate. He meets a sticky end and Nicolson is left with many unanswered questions: What is Doctor Glenville (Michael Barrington) doing in the islands? Who is the mysterious friend of Colonel Jamieson (William Sherwood) whom Grant recognised? Who killed Grant and why?

This Sunday teatime BBC series debuted on 8 July 1962 and ran for six weeks. A radio version was also transmitted on Radio 4.

Nicolson
Robert Hardy
Grant
Francis Matthews
Mary Somers
Angela Browne
Brigadier
Cyril Luckham
Ian McLeod
Bryden Murdoch
Swanson
Michael Golden
Colonel Jamieson
William Sherwood
George Hammond
Edward Jewesbury
Doctor Glenville
Michael Barrington
Major Williams
Denis Holmes
Davy McNeil
Walter Carr
Donald MacAulley
Wallace Campbell
Mr Stewart
Alex McCrindle
Alec Thomson
Douglas Murchie
Margaret
Morag Forsyth
Katie Kennedy
Ellen McIntosh