Mother Love (1989) User Reviews

A first-rate, but (alas) unavailable movie

[robertchamp2002 · 9/10 · 18 February 2005]

I don't understand why this first-rate television movie isn't widely available on DVD. Are the producers holding it back to drive up the market price? One would think that the demand is already as high as it is ever likely to get.

Anyway, this movie will give you a look at Diana Rigg that you won't soon forget. I saw it only once (back in '89), and was greatly impressed by Rigg's ability to communicate the sly, murderous, sick mind of her character. The story is well structured, the script well written, the parts well played. It is far better than most of the stuff you find in the PBS catalogs--but as I say...

I had known for a long time that Rigg was a classically trained actresses, but having seen her in nothing but _The Avengers_ before this film, I was unaware of the extent of her gifts.

Bob Champ

Hell hath no fury....

[MarieGabrielle · 9/10 · 2 October 2008]

as that of a woman, scorned. Diana Rigg is superb in the role of Helena Vesy, a woman with a mysterious and nefarious past, who becomes infuriated with her ex-husband (well portrayed by David McCallum,) and his new family, including a young new wife.

Some of the scenes are memorable, as when she is strolling in the park, debating her lot in life, and walks under the shade of a laburnum tree. Laburnum, such a lovely tree, she ponders, as her mind wanders to its poisonous qualities.

Another scene with the young children, and an arsenic laced gift of marzipan at Christmas time is also quite chilling.

Rigg looks wonderful and believable in this role, would be nice if she were able to do a sequel. Highly recommended, excellent suspense. 9/10.

All else pales in Diana Rigg's shadow

[jjnxn-1 · 9/10 · 11 May 2013]

Dame Diana is extraordinary as a seemingly chic sophisticated woman who beneath the veneer is a psychotic maniac of staggering malice. The production is fine and all the supporting actors are more than capable but this is Diana Rigg's show all the way, she grabs it by the throat and never lets go. So skillful is her performance that you almost, only almost, feel sympathy for this deranged lunatic. Watching her ever so slowly unravel is a compelling experience. At one time plans had been in place to remake this as a theatrical feature with Glenn Close in the lead and while surely she would have been extraordinary in her interpretation it is impossible to imagine anyone besting Dame Rigg's work, perhaps the film makers realized this and that is why the project never went forward. This is an excellent entertainment, don't miss it!

One of the best mini-series ever

[wisewebwoman · 10/10 · 29 December 2003]

Diana Rigg, playing Helena, has the performance of her life here as the tightly wound mother of the title who gradually comes to the realization that her ex-husband, whom she despises, has been secretly seeing her son for years behind her back.

Through a series of flashbacks we see Helena, as a child, committing a horrendous crime when she perceives disloyalty from her best friend. Disloyalty to Helena is one of the worse things one can do.

When she accidentally discovers that her cousin George has been disloyal, she punishes him also so that he winds up in jail for a crime he did not commit.

To the world Helena is perfectly groomed and poised but underneath she is a seething mass of resentment, barely contained until one final incident sends her over the top into a raging frenzy - "I gave you life and I can take it away". Chilling.

Everything about this series is perfect, the rest of the cast (David McCallum,James Wilby, James Grout, Isla Blair) are superb also. Wonderful script. Not a false note. The tension just builds and builds until at the end you feel you have run a marathon.

10 out of 10.

Dame Diana's moment of glory?

[chuffnobbler · 3 June 2001]

Diana Rigg will scare you under the carpet in this story of "treachery, disloyalty" and family ties. A simple lie, Helena's son keeping in touch with his father but not telling his mother, spins wildly out of control, while Helena gradually suspects that her family are keeping information from her. The cleverly-constructed back story, showing that Helena was capable of terrible things as a child, cranks up the tension and gives a sense of terrible foreboding. Helena's paranoia and loneliness take over, creating a horrible revenge.

Almost camp in some scenes, (calling everyone "darling", giving her family nicknames and shopping at Fortnums), Diana Rigg gives an intense performance full of pain at the upsets of her past life and full of hatred at her ex-husband. She definitely deserved her Bafta award.

Diana Rigg at her finest hour - Barnaby Marriott

[Barnes-3 · 10/10 · 28 June 1999]

Diana Rigg is outstanding as the deranged and possessive Helena Vesey in this marvellous BBC mini-series of 1989. It is a role that, I believe, won her a British Academy Award (BAFTA). It is hard to remember anyone who managed to be so funny, scary and mesmerising than Ms Rigg as this indelible protagonist, who brings the superb dialogue to life - "Laburnum! Such a pretty tree... and so many of them!"; "Treachery, disloyalty... are the most DREADFUL of crimes. And deserve the severest punishment!"; and "Ha ha ha! HERE's Mr Tiger!". This series is sometimes repeated on Sky's UK Gold channel - make sure you see it!

Please take the time to go to amazon.com...

[fraserpatty · 10/10 · 29 January 2007]

use this link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MV8H3Y/102-4681375-7474562 or the link to the right of the name of this movie at the top of the page and ask to be alerted when the movie comes to DVD. According to the people at Amazon.com, these votes will alert the studio that people want this movie released to video. It may really help, because it is only recently that Amazon put up a page for this wonderful movie.

I won't bother to add more comments, because they all agree and they are all right--it's one of Ms. Rigg's finest, and overwhelmingly deserves a DVD release.

a truly memorable film

[jwley · 10/10 · 2 February 2005]

I was riveted to the television set for all 3 nights of the series.

Not only was Diana Rigg's performance a tour de force, but the script itself was a true psychological thriller, beautifully written - I could actually believe there is a mother somewhere who could be so unhinged yet appear so normal. I did wonder about the author's own mother.

The flashbacks to "Mother's" childhood provided an extra dimension without totally explaining her future behavior, which really worked for me - I find too much exposition can spoil the punchline.

During the final half hour, no phone calls were answered, no trips were made to the frig, no cats were let out, no dogs were let in...I think you get the picture.

Time for a DVD Set -- With Interviews

[rqhofacker · 10/10 · 3 May 2006]

Now that DVD recordings of films are commonplace, the producers of "Mother Love" owe it to Dame Diana's global fans to issue this fantastic horror/suspense film as a two-DVD set. Rarely have we seen such a tour d'force by any actress, even though Dame Diana has gratified us with many other outstanding performances. This rich characterization bears repeated viewing because so many of her inspired expressions and gestures can be overlooked when we focus on the twists and turns of the complex story line.

Fortunately for us, we taped the four "Mother Love" episodes on VHS when PBS-TV broadcast them in 1990. The film was not bleeped for language, and we did not see any indications of content censorship. My wife and I watch the tapes about once a year, and we see something different each time. But we would love to have the film on DVD because we're sure they would be sharper than the TV reception was, and our 16-year-old videotape copies are starting to show their age.

One note: the PBS broadcasts included interviews with the screenwriter and actors, as well as introductions by Dame Diana herself. Those would make dandy extras in a DVD set, because Dame Diana explains how she built her character into the believable psychopath named Helena Vesey.

A television masterpiece

[gray4 · 10/10 · 26 December 2003]

The votes say it all. This is an astonishing piece of TV drama. Diana Rigg gives the performance of a lifetime as the monstrously possessive mother, switching from poised charmer to wicked schemer and demented mother with no more than the flick of an eyebrow. The witty and literate script is by Andrew Davies - I saw Mother Love as part of an Andrew Davies season on a new BBC digital channel - and the direction by Simon Langton drives the plot relentlessly forward, keeping the viewer on the edge of the seat, with clenched fists and sweaty palms, never sure what will happen next.

The other main roles - James Wilby, Isla Blair, James Grout and David McCallum - are realistic and provide able foils for Rigg. But it is Diana Rigg's role with her chilling personality, cleverly reinforced with flashbacks to a terrible childhood incident, and her wonderful over-the-top dialogue, which makes this a memorable thriller and a 'must-watch' television masterpiece.

Mother Love

[jboothmillard · 7/10 · 24 February 2021]

It was sad to hear that Dame Diana Rigg had passed away, and I expected there to be broadcasts of her most popular films and TV shows, and it was a few months after her death that this miniseries was repeated. Basically, Kit Vesey (James Wilby), a London barrister, is in a relationship with Angela Turner (Fiona Gillies), a receptionist at an art gallery. She has accepted his proposal of marriage, but he is fearful of breaking the news to his fiercely controlling mother Helena (BAFTA winning Diana Rigg). Kit does eventually introduce Angela to Helena, who is pleasant towards her. But he insists she mentions nothing about going to visit his father Alex (David McCallum), who divorced Helena and remarried many years ago. Helena once threatened to commit suicide when Kit suggested going and living with him, but she has since blocked all mention of Alex from her life and even. Flashbacks also reveal that Helena had a troubled childhood, which included her not going for help when her sibling was on the verge of death. Accepted by Helena, Kit and Angela marry and have two children, and maintain a secret relationship with Alex and his new family. However, when Helena watches an arts television programme about Alex's wife Ruth (Isla Blair), a renowned photographer, she is shattered to see her driver George Batt (James Grout) attending a family function. She sees on television that Ruth has a darkroom, a bunker chamber, in her garden. Calling George, posing as Ruth, she tricks him into "doing a favour" and locking the darkroom door and closing the ventilators, unknowingly trapping Ruth inside. Ruth suffocates to death and Helena contrives evidence to convict George of murder. While visiting Rome, Alex meets American actress Jordan (Cordelia Roche), who he later marries, and she later gives birth to twins. Kit is examined by a doctor, who confirms he has a tumour that needs to be surgically removed. He ends up in a coma following the operation, and Helena regularly visits him in hospital. Over time, Helena uncovers evidence about Angela visiting Alex, and interprets her frequents visits as an affair between them. Helena becomes increasingly unhinged. Visiting Alex in hospital on day, while he is still comatose, she tells him about her plan to kill Alex and Jordan's children for treachery. She researches the plant laburnum, which has same potency as strychnine. She tests the effectiveness of the poison on a neighbour's cat, and subsequently makes marzipan shortbreads with poison. Helena gives them to her grandchildren, knowing that they do not like marzipan and that they will likely give them to the twins at their birthday party. However, Helena's plan fails as Olivia (Naomi Kerbel), a girl at the party, steals one of the biscuits while the guests are gathered outside taking a photo together. The girl is subsequently discovered in a convulsive state in the garden. Angela remembers answering a strange call from a woman posing as someone from the hospital, and realises she must have ben talking to Helena, who poisoned the shortbreads. Helena meanwhile has a complete breakdown, blaming Kit for everything; he has been listening to her plotting but has been unable to move. She embraces Kit before starting to take him off life support. Angela arrives in time as Kit struggles to breathe and nurses are called in. Helena is restrained but it turns out the shock of forced Kit out of his paralysis. The final scene shows Helena in a prison cell, staring emptily at a wall. Also starring Louisa Janes as Young Helena, Deborah Grant as Helena's Mother, Joan Bakewell as TV Commentator, Jonathan Burn as Chief Inspector Strachan, and Trevor Cooper as Sergeant Bear. Rigg absolutely deserved the BAFTA for her brilliant "nutcase" performance, as the elegant but wickedly obsessive mother seeking revenge for her past traumas and becoming more and more deranged. Rigg is the biggest reason to watch this, it an intriguing story, it is thrilling at the right moments, well written, and keeps you guessing and surprised with each turn, a most worthwhile drama. It was nominated the BAFTA for Best Drama Series/Serial, Best Film Editor, and Best Film Sound. Very good!

Superb drama, with a stellar performance from Diana Rigg.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 7 August 2018]

Firstly I need a rant, so much trash is released on DVD/Blu ray, and yet a drama such as this, which saw Rigg win a BAFTA for her performance remains hidden in the vault, it's criminal, as this show should be seen by many.

The story is a great one, for anyone that's read the book, they'll be aware of what a good story it is, a tale of betrayal and loyalty. From the very off you get an idea of the character behind Helena, a person who places a huge deal on loyalty, willing to go to extremes to punish anyone who crosses her.

Rigg brilliantly brings Helena to life, on the surface she's charm itself, measured and principled, when she's alone we see the unhinged side of her character, justified in her own mind to punish those around her. Rigg is in good company, James Wilby, Fiona Gillies, James Grout all excellent.

There isn't a boring spell, it passes by so quickly, you cannot help be captivated by Rigg, as you watch you become aware that all the events are culminating and will eventually head to a brutal climax.

Considering this was made back in 1989 it hasn't aged at all, quite remarkable, the quality is very much there.

They certainly don't make things like this any more. 10/10

Skip this if u missed it the first time round

[lynharris · 5/10 · 23 December 2020]

So where do I start,solid acting and was probably great in 89 but the characters are so stuffy,self absorbed and wooden,if like me u grew up in a real family,on a real street,in a real county,in a real.....the stereotypes are endless.women aspire to sleep with or marry rich older men and discussed it freely with their girlfriends.was that ever a topic between people in 1989?oh wait maybe in surrey.frightening!

Psychological Thriller

[kbettner · 13 July 2000]

I love this movie - a real chiller. Diana Rigg is at her riveting, chilling best! She seems to innocent and ladylike - at first. I particularly enjoyed the actress who played the new wife and I enjoyed seeing David McCallum play the piano. I've been trying to find a copy for years - any one know where a copy can be purchased?

OH MY GOD THIS WOMAN IS GOOOOOD SPOILERS!!!

[zaxxon_79 · 10/10 · 6 October 2004]

I have been a fan of Dame Diana Rigg since I was a child. Not so much for the Avengers I knew of her before I ever heard of the Avengers (honestly). One night as I was waiting for Mystery! (which Diana is the Hostess) I see Mother Love and I also notice that Diana Rigg was the star of the flick--so I was waiting and intrigued to hear Diana's commentary on HA! Herself. This mini kept me awake for every single second I couldn't leave the TV. What a diabolical B----! With her and I must say that Helena's love for Kit was shall I say in the incestuous side to a degree.During this whole time Kit has to lie to his loving mother about well pretty much everything even convincing her that he never met his father (He mentions to fiancée Angela that he told his mother one time he wanted to meet him and tried to kill herself)And getting wife to be Angela in the web. Her twisted mind scrambling every time she realizes those who were supposed to be "loyal" had betrayed her.She tricks Cousin George to locking Alex's wife Ruth in her bunker studio suffocating her (in case I didn't mention Alex is Helena's ex and Kit's father) How she managed to get her cousin in prison (which backfires because George Batt is happy there), her daughter in law and her grandchildren, which she poisons some pastries to eliminate them and then the ultimate her own comatose son. The scene in which she starts pulling all the plugs and tubes and the line: I gave you life and now I'm taking it" As we see which is not surprising to see Helena in a catatonic state (mix of meds and lobotomy maybe)Did I mention she killed the neighborhood cat?

Mother love review/DVD

[adrian_h20042000 · 10/10 · 8 October 2007]

Wow,just got hold of it on DVD from a friend who recorded it. I never saw it in 1989 and this is my first time. Rigg plays a woman who's approaching 50,she was abandoned in the past by her husband(played by David Mccallum) who now has a successful marriage to a photographer(Isla Blair). Dianas character is deeply possessive of her 20 something son who's just about to get married and leave home. He isn't supposed to see his Father because it would seem like betrayal to his mother,but secretly does. As it progresses we see how she reacts to her world falling apart. One of the best pieces of television drama I've ever seen.The ending is haunting and poignant.

A tour-de-force....

[ksdilauri · 10/10 · 21 May 2023]

....primarily by Dame Diana, whose "Helena" unleashes repressed manic-possessive issues like you've never seen. Attractive, stylish, educated and devoted (to a fault) she's a figure both tragic and heinous, due to an unfortunate habit of dispatching anyone she has even the slightest inkling may be disloyal--in even the most insignificant of ways.

Such qualities have a tendency to make people draw away, but Helena won't have that. She tries to completely possess anyone she feels close to, particularly when it comes to her much-too-adored son Kit--who, to Helena's malevolent annoyance, has become engaged.

A good cast including David McCallum supports Rigg's bravura performance. This should be released!

Mother love

[ninasoto20-178-376594 · 10/10 · 13 March 2020]

I watched this British movie by Mystery Theater on PBS back in 1886 I believe. I always loved foreign films. I began watching because I could not find a comedy I was searching for. The acting in this movie was excellent. The story, wow was awesome and scary because we know that these things really do happen in real life. When Helena was a little girl and poisoned her friend because she felt the friend had been disloyal to her by going to the bday party of a girl that did not like Helena. Therefore, Helena, was not invited. The bday girl said Helena was mean and cruel. The friend went to the party behind Helena's back but Helena found out. The next day she invited her to tea and pastries her mother made and told her that she knew she had gone to the party and that she was disloyal. she added poison to her friend's pastry. The little girl has a seizure and died. I never forgot that part. Even the children actors were great. i have been looking for this movie for so mnay years and finally found it but I cannot find it to rent or buy, can anyone help?

Best thing on PBS

[niteowlbabz · 9/10 · 2 August 2020]

Fantastic, mesmerizing, creepy, fabulous. Wish I could see it again.

I brought you into this world, and I am going to take you out

[richard.fuller1 · 9 September 2001]

The first time I saw Mother Love, it was being rerun during the day. I came in on the new wife locked in the bomb shelter studio. I sat bored knowing they would find her in time. They always do. Wow. Was I wrong! SPOILER ALERT I made sure I watched it straight thru to the end and looked for it the next time it came on. From that point on, the naive trust this woman had in her family crumbled away, one by one, as she felt betrayed over and over, until finally all she had was her precious "Kitten", lying in a coma in a hospital bed. That one simple phone call could set the revelation into motion and have the daughter-in-law racing to the hospital like that while Helena was overcome with grief at her ultimate betrayal; her own son. When she yanked that tube out of his nose, . . . ! In that little time frame, Diana Rigg played this tightly wound woman falling to pieces. There was nowhere else for Helena to go but where we see her in the closing credits. The movie was billed as the Man from Uncle (David MacCallum) meets the woman from the Avengers, but it was all Diana's show. I wouldn't have believed bloody cookie treats could be so evil!

The first time I caught it, her dialogue wasn't edited out and she spoke about her ex-husband like he was the devil incarnate. The second time the words were deleted as she referred to 'Vesey's w***** and Vesey's b*******'. A shame really as they were not in a hostile intimidating tone.

I had it on tape for the longest time. Seriously to make you think about what you have, it would be ideal viewing for Mother's Day.

A real psycho thriller!

[[e-mail] · 13 July 2002]

I first saw this movie years ago and was at the edge of my seat. Each time I watch it, I still get a little anxious...it's THAT good!

It is a true psycho thriller! Diana Rigg gives an outstanding performance as she slowly allows you to see her "real" character. The other members of the cast give equally fine performances. I have only seen this movie on PBS stations in the USA. I have recommended this movie to many people and everyone agrees that it's a first rate thriller.

an appreciative cheer for Diana Rigg..

[deliane · 7 June 2006]

I am not a fan of horror movies, usually- and definitely do not like gratuitous "gore." But this British production got me. And it is Diana Rigg's performance that won me- and that "makes" the series work. It is a dazzling virtuoso performance. Diana Rigg embodies the character of H Vesey so masterfully- she had me feeling "zero at the bone" (Emily Dickinson, pardon me..). It was one of the most deliciously terrifying movie entertainments I've ever had the pleasure of shivering through. Like an intellectual roller-coaster: Rigg keeps upping the ante, her behavior ever more outrageous and demonic, a preposterous crescendo of horror.

But the huge bonus.. is that, somehow, Ms Rigg also manges to be bleakly? black-ly? hilarious. So you are both holding your breath in abject fear and laughing despite yourself. How she does this is beyond me- because her character is truly monstrous. But there it is. Bravissimo Diana!