Available now on the BBC Blu-ray of Fury from the Deep

Originally released by BBC Audio’s Classic Radio Sci-Fi Collection

An earthquake is the first sign of a terrifying attack on the heart of Kent…

Long lost from the BBC archives, but retrieved from writer Victor Pemberton’s files, The Slide is a fascinating piece of nostalgia. In many ways it’s like listening to a lost Quatermass story. Roger Delgado’s Professor is much nearer the beleaguered scientist of Nigel Kneale’s creation than he is to any incarnation of the Doctor, the comparison that’s normally and erroneously made. In fact, his closing speech is almost a paraphrase of Quatermass’ impassioned plea at the end of Quatermass and the Pit.

As the seven episodes proceed, the listener is drawn inexorably into the lives of the people whose world is being turned quite literally upside down. From the obsessed MP played by Maurice Denham, whose gradual collapse into madness is only partly provoked by the oncoming slide, to the farmer’s wife (Miriam Margolyes) who turns her back on the faith that’s sustained her throughout her life, we get to know their quirks, increasing the tension as events spiral away from them.

There are some similarities with Pemberton’s later Doctor Who story, Fury from the Deep, but it would be unfair to either to say that the latter is a remake. In fact, if anything, Fury… is more of a sequel, with whatever forces created the living mud turning its attention to seaweed.

Verdict: It has its faults – the pace is quite slow at times, and Delgado’s accent slips on more than one occasion – but overall The Slide is a worthy addition to the Radio Sci Fi Collection. 8/10

Paul Simpson

 

Paul Simpson