A pity Strange-8 didn't seem to enjoy this children's serial as much as I did . Yeah I do confess that I can't remember the show scene for scene ( I only saw it on its original broadcast 25 years ago ) but if memory serves me right this was deeply thought provoking stuff and I'm willing to bet my life that it's more intelligent and compelling than stuff made for an adult audience in 2004 never mind children
In many ways NOAH'S CASTLE is a precursor of ITV's QUATERMASS production that was made at round about the same time and in many ways mirrors the early chapters of John Christopher's doom laden The Death Of Grass , though this is probably coincidence since there's only so many ways you can write this type of scenario . Hyper inflation is destroying Britain's economy and the scenario is far worse than that seen in 1930s Germany because no one can afford much in the way of food and the population are on the verge of starvation . This is a possible flaw with the central plot since it's never explained why a country crippled by hyper inflation would be on the brink of starvation . Surely the rich would be able to afford food ? but for some strange reason butchers and bakeries are empty while shoe shops still remain open for business
Reading through the cast list on this page I'm struck by how many of the cast were totally unknown at the time of broadcast but who are now familiar faces due to their long running roles . People like Christopher Fairbank ( AUF WEIDERSEIN PET ) , Lee McDonald ( GRANGE HILL ) and Alun Lewis ( EMMERDALE ) . There is a cast member who was well known in 1979 and that was Mike " Ricky " Reid long before he became Frank Butcher in EASTENDERS but in the 70s Reid was a well kent face due to his stand up comedy routines . Here he plays the villain of the piece Vince Holloway . Much of the story centers around Holloway holding a birthday party for his daughter , one of whose friends brings some food as a present which sets Holloway on a personal quest to find out where it came from . Suffice to say Holloway is not the sort of gentleman who will ask nicely for some food if he finds the family's store . Some people may find the ending slightly irritating since it's inconclusive but like I said you could easily watch Nigel Kneale's 1979 QUATERMASS serial or read The Death Of Grass from chapter 4 if you want the story to continue
I'm also glad that the previous commentator mentioned the opening title sequence as being so memorable . From memory I recall it was superbly done with some very haunting synth music . The end credits featured several cross cut scenes of soldiers on patrol though spoof radio announcements about riots and civil disorders did seem rather unsubtle . But I'll wager you any money that the title sequence of this kids show is more impressive than many shows broadcast on British television today