
The Guardians
1971 · ITV1 · 60 min · 1 season
S01E13 · End in Dust
Sat, 2 Oct, 9:00 pm
Benedict embarks on a high-risk mission. Unaware that he is under surveillance and with anger growing in England, the time to take sides has come.
About
In a near-future Britain, the far-right government has declared a state of emergency and suspended elections. The Queen has fled in protest, while the defence of the state is in the hands of the Guardians, a paramilitary force with absolute power and a ruthless determination to stamp out resistance.
Episodes
- E01
The State of England
Sat, 10 July· 60 minAfter a period of mass unemployment, chaos and a complete failure of the government, order has been restored in the United Kingdom. However the price of this new stability is personal liberty. Dissenters soon appear, dedicated to the overthrow of the new regime.
- E02
Pursuit
Sat, 17 July· 60 minAn attempt has been made on the Prime Minister's life, and an agent planted to root out communists within The Guardians is shot dead.
- E03
Head of State
Sat, 24 July· 60 minA delicate situation develops when the French President, due in London for talks refuses to attend. He demands to meet the real head of state. With the Queen in self-imposed exile and the Prime Minister little more than a pawn of the General, who is the real head of state?
- E04
The Logical Approach
Sat, 31 July· 60 minThe new Home Secretary is perturbed to find out that in a supposedly humane measure, prisoners under sentence of death are sedated and painlessly euthanised 24 hours before their scheduled executions.
- E05
Quarmby
Sat, 7 Aug· 60 minThe search continues for a sniper and the Prime Minister has had enough. He decides to disband the Guardians but does he have the power?
- E06
Appearances
Sat, 14 Aug· 60 minHaving killed a detective in cold blood, the state psychiatrist and Quarmby activist Benedict returns to the routine of causing chaos for the Guardians and the government. Is it time for action to be taken?
- E07
This is Quarmby
Sat, 21 Aug· 60 minThere have been many strikes against the regime, but now the resistance launches a new campaign to persuade public opinion of the innate brutality of government.
- E08
The Dirtiest Man in the World
Sat, 28 Aug· 60 minAn officer of the Guardians is being held at the rehabilitation centre and is making no effort to leave; Benedict does not underestimate the officer's value as a pawn in the struggle against the Guardians.
- E09
I Want You to Understand Me
Sat, 4 Sept· 60 minWhen a kidnapped member of the Guardians is assassinated, the Prime Minister is sent an ultimatum; restore democracy or face more kidnappings and chaos.
- E10
The Nature of the Beast
Sat, 11 Sept· 60 minPsychiatrist Benedict has problems when a man calling himself Quarmby drops into his office without an appointment, while Clare has her own problems with her drug addicted husband.
- E11
The Roman Empire
Sat, 18 Sept· 60 minThe Prime Minister fearing for his career, rigs a show trial when a Guardian commander kills three workers during a protest.
- E12
The Killing Trade
Sat, 25 Sept· 60 minWeston is alone after Clare reveals her love for Chris; any escape plan will now be difficult with such limited support.
- E13
End in Dust
Sat, 2 Oct· 60 minBenedict embarks on a high-risk mission. Unaware that he is under surveillance and with anger growing in England, the time to take sides has come.
Cast

John Collin
Tom Weston

Cyril Luckham
Sir Timothy Hobson

Gwyneth Powell
Clare Weston
Derek Smith
Norman

Edward Petherbridge
Christopher Hobson

David Burke
Dr. Benedict

Lynn Farleigh
Eleanor