The Borderers

The Borderers is a British television series produced by the BBC between 1968 and 1970.

The Borderers
GenreDrama
Created byBill Craig
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of series2
No. of episodes26 (11 missing)
Production
Producers
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release31 December 1968 (1968-12-31) –
31 March 1970 (1970-03-31)

Setting

A historical drama series, The Borderers was set during the 16th century and chronicled the lives of the Ker family, who lived in the Scottish Middle March on the frontier between England and Scotland. Some episodes of the show depict the wider politics, mostly as it affects their relative Sir Walter Ker, warden of the Middle March

The series was described by The Guardian in 2007 as "brave and original...a kind of north-eastern western".[1] It shows an ordinary family trying to live as part of a society of Border Reivers, a world where raid and feud were unavoidable parts of daily life. The wars between England and Scotland had destroyed the normal processes of law enforcement. The setting is a particularly tense time, with Elizabeth of England and Mary, Queen of Scots, in competition. Also the struggle between Protestants and Catholics in both kingdoms. Amidst all this, the Kers of Slitrig are trying to live an ordinary life.

The leading cast members were Iain Cuthbertson, Edith MacArthur and Michael Gambon.

Season One was produced by Peter Graham Scott, who had worked on The Avengers, Mogul, The Troubleshooters and would later go on to make The Onedin Line.

Season Two was produced by Anthony Coburn who had previously worked on Doctor Who.

In 2007, two episodes of The Borderers were part of the BBC Archive Trial.[2]

Cast

The regular cast were Michael Gambon as Gavin Ker (male head of the family),[3] Edith McArthur as Margaret Ker and Iain Cuthbertson as Sir Walter Ker of Cessford. Nell Brennan as Agnes Ker (Series 1) and Eileen Nicholas as Agnes Ker (Series 2). Margaret Greig as Grizel Ker, Joseph Brady as Rab (Series 1) and James Garbutt as Rab (Series 2). Ross Campbell as Jamie Ker and Russell Waters as Pringle (Cessford's clerk).[4] Sir Walter Ker is a real historical figure, though little is known of him and most of what is shown in the series is invented.

Episode guide

Of the show's 26 episodes, only 15 survive today, mainly from series 1, with 7 existing in their original colour format, the other 8 existing as black and white telerecordings.[5]

Series 1
Ep. No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerAirdateArchive status
1"Vengeance"Bill CraigPeter Graham Scott31 December 1968Exists in colour
The elder of the Ker family, Gavin, has a shattering experience in front of him when he seeks a wider world.
2"Truce"Bill CraigPeter Graham Scott7 January 196916mm black-and-white film print exists
When Gavin leads his men across the border to seek Agnes, he is accused of murdering an Englishman.
3"Witch Hunt"Vincent TilsleyPeter Graham Scott14 January 196916mm black-and-white film print exists
Gavin's younger sister Grizel is put on trial for being a witch. (This episode was given a Radio Times cover.)[6]
4"Treason"Jack RonderPeter Graham Scott21 January 196916mm black-and-white film print exists
A friend visits Gavin who tries to persuade him to travel to Europe. But when pilgrims arrive, he is caught up in religious turmoil of the era.
5"Fugitive"Allan PriorPeter Graham Scott28 January 196916mm black-and-white film print exists
An English fugitive saves Gavin's life, but is soon compromised when he gives him shelter.
6"Stranger"Bill CraigPeter Graham Scott4 February 196916mm black-and-white film print exists
Gavin has a rival, when a David Scott claims to be the real Laird of Slitrig.
7"Hero"Jack RonderPeter Graham Scott11 February 1969Missing
Cessford lies wounded at Slitrig after an assassination attempt by John Hume.
8"Bloodfeud"George F KerrPeter Graham Scott18 February 196916mm black-and-white film print exists
The Kers' arguments with the Armstrongs lead Jamie to be accused of murdering one of them.
9"Giant"Eve MartellPeter Graham Scott25 February 196916mm black-and-white film print exists
Gavin must sneak into England to rescue a Scottish spy.
10"Wedlock"Sean HignettPeter Graham Scott4 March 1969Missing
The Scotts of Branxholm raise Gavin's wrath when they boast openly of stealing the warden's cattle.
11"Outlaw"Bruce StewartPeter Graham Scott11 March 196916mm black-and-white film print exists
When the Telfers, friends of the Kers, are evicted for debt, they desperately seek religious justification for the only option open to them: stealing.
12"Justice"John LucarottiPeter Graham Scott18 March 1969Missing
A young Italian physician, Mario Vecchi, seeks refuge with the Kers, when he fails to save a patient's life, and the Armstrongs seek vengeance.
13"Dispossessed"Julian NeesPeter Graham Scott25 March 1969Exists in colour
An English princess is taken hostage, while on the way to marry a Scot she detests. Guest starring John Thaw and Vivien Heilbron.[7][8]

Series 2
Ep. No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerAirdateArchive status
1"The Siege of Cocklaws"Jan ReadAnthony Coburn6 January 1970Exists in colour
The English attack a castle owned by the Laird of Cocklaws, Gavin defends him, whilst knowing his motives are a sham. Guest starring William Hurndell and Hilda Braid.
2"Survival Day"George F KerrAnthony Coburn13 January 1970Exists in colour
The Kers believe a cattle buyer is in league with Cessford to rob them of their living.
3"Snatch"Jan ReadAnthony Coburn20 January 1970Exists in colour
Agnes Ker is snatched by a gypsy, Hector Faa. Gavin must fight Hector and Agnes to get her back.
4"What a Vengeance Upon England"Anthony StevenAnthony Coburn27 January 1970Missing
Cessford tries to marry off his troublesome ward to an English warden. The romance turns lethal and is complicated by an Arab stallion.
5"Among The Eagles"Bill CraigAnthony Coburn3 February 1970Missing
Cessford is involved in a charge of treason when he attempts to uncover a traitor at the court of Queen Mary. (This episode was given a Radio Times cover.)[9]
6"Plot Counterplot"Anthony CoburnAnthony Coburn10 February 1970Missing
Cessford travels to Edinburgh seeking promotion, only to end up with dismissal and disgrace.
7"The Quacksalver"Roy RussellAnthony Coburn17 February 1970Missing
The Quacksalvers trick their way into Slitrig, and Gavin has to decide whether they should be pitied or are rogues.
8"To The Gallows Tree"Martin WorthAnthony Coburn24 February 1970Missing
Gavin defends his bonded tenant against torture and a monstrous charge.
9"A Woman or an Epitaph"Bruce StewartAnthony Coburn25 February 1969Missing
A woman called "The Wee Daftie" changes men's opinions on the role of women in society.
10"Hostage"Tom WrightAnthony Coburn10 March 1970Missing
A boy is to be hanged within three days if stolen beasts are not returned.
11"Where The White Lilies Grow"Martin WorthAnthony Coburn17 March 1970Exists in colour
Cessford's son brings a new bride and murder with him to Cessford Castle.
12"The Terror of the March"Martin WorthAnthony Coburn24 March 1970Missing
Cessford has a hugely powerful cannon, which to the surprise of everyone, finds itself at the bottom of Slitrig Loch.
13"The Sea-Cole Man"Morris FarhiAnthony Coburn31 March 1970Exists in colour
To settle the feud between the Kers and the Johnstones, a wrestling match is arranged.[8][10]

References
  1. "Obituary – Peter Graham Scott". The Guardian. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  2. "Feature Obituaries – Peter Graham Scott". The Mausoleum Club. 21 June 2007. Archived from the original on 10 November 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  3. "The Borderers:Series info". The TVDB.com. 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  4. "The Borderers Cast & Crew". TV.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  5. The Borderers and other unseen series
  6. "The Borderers with main cover photo of Iain Cuthbertson, Michael Gambon & Joseph Brady". Kelly Books Limited. 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  7. "The Borderers Season 1". TV.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  8. "The Borderers". Lost Shows. 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  9. "The Borderers Iain Cuthbertson RT 2412 – 29 Jan 1970 (31 Jan-6 Feb)". Kelly Books Limited. 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  10. "The Borderers Season 2". TV.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
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