gervase_fen | Viewing from the Vaults : The Consultant (1983)

Hidden on a popular video upload site across two different accounts is this four part 1983 computer thriller, adapted by Alan Plater from John McNeil’s novel. The original transmission dates (tx. 11/6/83 – 7/7/83) and scheduling (Saturdays, 10 pm-ish) suggest that it didn’t turn out the way that the BBC wanted – and presumably they wanted something in the mould of the previous year’s Bird of Prey, which would return in 1984.

The main draw here is Hywel Bennett as Chris Webb, a junior partner in a computer consultancy firm that pitches to run security checks to uncover fraud – and when the job’s done, unknown to the senior partner, quietly replicates the fraud for the monetary gain of Webb and his lead programmer. He’s had two small successes so far, but when one of the big six banks invites his firm to pitch for a contract he’s determined to win it at all costs – to become the man on the inside.

Hywel Bennett’s Webb is a driven version of his sitcom character Shelley – both are witty, educated and appreciate the finer things in life when they can get them. The difference is a streak of ruthless amorality which Bennett plays to perfection. Alan Plater finds plenty of opportunity to write compelling duologue scenes as Webb charms and corrupts. His scene partners include Donald Burton (officer class at the bank), Philip Jackson (channeling a non-Cockney Harry Palmer in sober specs), Pamela Salem (cool and wry) and Jonathon Morris (in his next TV role following Snakedance.)

The computers themselves and the programming milieu are also fascinating to look at forty years on. The actors peck at the keyboards slightly tentatively cueing up some very on-the-nose green on black VDU displays. There are reams and reams of fanfold printer paper to be analysed and annotated. A book of random number tables plays a key role in the fraud.

Alan Plater makes the best of the unlikely co-incidences that drive the plot at the end (Webb can’t believe that Jonathon Morris (a) has a girlfriend who (b) has access to the architectural plans of the building the bank’s computers are in) and everything seems set up for a sequel at the end. (There’s also a lovely trick played with the incidental music which I suspect was put in specifically by Alan Plater.) This is definitely worth a look but avoid looking up the relevant Genome entries as the first result is a spoiler filled synopsis for part four!