Or even War Of the Worlds.... - in the final scenes. As many other episodes of this series this one seems inspired by movie topics; such as SHADOW OF THE CAT, FIEND WITHOUT A FACE, and other classic horros of British or American film industries. The final part is absolutely terrific, even now in 2019. So imagine in 1966 !!!!
9 Reviews
ONE OF THE MOST BIZARRE EPISODES OF THE SERIES
asalerno1016 June 2022
Generally, this series presents facts that seem unreal but that are given a logical resolution at the end. Well this is not the case and here we have one of the most bizarre and crazy cases that were presented in the series. It is a plant from space that has the ability to dominate the will of a group of botanical experts and handle them at will in addition to turning the rest of the plants into true living vegetables. The episode is entertaining although its theme is quite delirious and far from reality.
An enjoyably sci-fi/horror episode
Tweekums20 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Something strange is happening to horticulturists; we see one; one minute she is ecstatic about a new plant discovery the next she just drops it and walks off trampling the plant beds on her way. She isn't the only one; several have disappeared in an area of Surrey and Steed and Mrs Peel are on the case. An early lead takes Steed to the home of Sir Lyle Petersen where he finds the missing woman as well as the others; Sir Lyle says they are working on a new plant but something seems a bit off. Soon there is another discovery in the area; a space capsule which had crashed
apparently after hitting a 'space-plant'! Further research shows that it isn't like other plants; it has a brain, may have telepathic powers and most frightening of all it is carnivorous
in fact it needs to eat people to survive!.
This episode is rather enjoyable and sometimes laughable. We never see the plant in its entirety; while this was probably for budgetary reasons it did make it more frightening; certainly better than a 'man in rubber suit' monster. When we learn why certain people are susceptible are vulnerably to the plants telepathic powers and others aren't is amusing and provides a method were people can be rendered immune but in a way that isn't fool proof this leads to an entertaining fight between Steed and a possessed Mrs Peel! Overall this may be a bit silly, it wouldn't be 'The Avengers' if it weren't, but it is fun and is more frightening than one might expect.
This episode is rather enjoyable and sometimes laughable. We never see the plant in its entirety; while this was probably for budgetary reasons it did make it more frightening; certainly better than a 'man in rubber suit' monster. When we learn why certain people are susceptible are vulnerably to the plants telepathic powers and others aren't is amusing and provides a method were people can be rendered immune but in a way that isn't fool proof this leads to an entertaining fight between Steed and a possessed Mrs Peel! Overall this may be a bit silly, it wouldn't be 'The Avengers' if it weren't, but it is fun and is more frightening than one might expect.
Rare all-out horror episode
kevinolzak22 February 2011
"Man-Eater of Surrey Green" is the one and only episode not to feature any central villains, because the story involves a massive takeover by a carnivorous species of vegetation life not of this world. A lone astronaut died alone in orbit, and his tiny craft continued for 11 months to circle the Earth, until four weeks ago, when a collision with an intelligent, telepathic alien plant sends it crashing onto a deserted British farm. Eminent botanist Sir Lyle Petersen (Derek Farr) falls under its hypnotic control, using his estate in Surrey Green to cultivate the spores left from the crash, which results in the sudden disappearances of several other plant specialists. When Alan Carter (William Job, later seen in "False Witness") learns where to find his missing fiancée, Laura Burford (Gillian Lewis), he calls out to her, only to be cruelly electrocuted as she dispassionately observes close by. Athene Seyler, previously seen in "Build a Better Mousetrap," plays the scientist who diagnoses how to destroy the man-eating creature, but Steed must first contend with a possessed Mrs. Peel in order to finish the job. Described by some as silly and over-the-top, the script from Philip Levene (author of "The Cybernauts") never loses sight of its human characters, making the horror of their eventual fate all the more effective (nearly everyone becomes plant food). Easily the least typical, but one of the most famous series entries, which didn't require expensive special effects to succeed (in fact, there are virtually none). Among the unbilled actors are Harry Shacklock, previously seen in "A Change of Bait" and "The Mauritius Penny" (and went on to do "Thingumajig"), John G. Heller, effective as a homicidal chauffeur (later seen in "The Correct Way to Kill" and "Split!"), and Ross Hutchinson, later seen in "They Keep Killing Steed."
Out and out horror, fabulous.
Sleepin_Dragon5 July 2022
Steed and Mrs Peel enlist the help of a notable horticulturist to battle an alien, man eating plant that's landed in the local area.
You could be forgiven for thinking they you were watching an episode of Doctor Who, namely The Seeds of Death, there really are a few similarities.
I loved the horror vibe, it's so unlike any other episode I've seen, this one is just out and out horror. There was one bizarre moment....the spaceship.....excuse me .....
The highlight for me, Athene Seyler, I think she'd provided my favourite guest performance so far, magical as Doctor Sheldon, her delivery is to perfection, enormously charismatic, I cannot help but be reminded of Margaret Rutherford, the same eccentric charisma. I like the fact they she has a big part to play in the ending.
I bet they had a lot of fun making this, I certainly had a lot of fun watching it. 9/10.
You could be forgiven for thinking they you were watching an episode of Doctor Who, namely The Seeds of Death, there really are a few similarities.
I loved the horror vibe, it's so unlike any other episode I've seen, this one is just out and out horror. There was one bizarre moment....the spaceship.....excuse me .....
The highlight for me, Athene Seyler, I think she'd provided my favourite guest performance so far, magical as Doctor Sheldon, her delivery is to perfection, enormously charismatic, I cannot help but be reminded of Margaret Rutherford, the same eccentric charisma. I like the fact they she has a big part to play in the ending.
I bet they had a lot of fun making this, I certainly had a lot of fun watching it. 9/10.
Avengers goes full on monster SF
robert375011 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Wow! I had no idea that the show did a full on alien monster invasion story. A thinking, moving, man eating plant from outer space with the ability to control minds has arrived from a crash landed space probe sent up to explore space. It proceeds to command prominent botanists in a plot to help it take over the earth. Of course, it's up to Steed and Peel to stop it. One of the most interesting aspects of the episode to me is showing what would happen if Steed had to fight Mrs. Peel. I got a kick out of the elderly lady botanist expert who's brought in to help figure out what's going on. She's a hoot.
Ten stars for Athene Seyler's (age 76), Doctor Sheldon
DriftedSnowWhite17 November 2020
N. B. Watch for the scene where Athene Sayler, as
'Dr. Sheldon', makes an exclamatory gesture with her hands, one of which lands squarely on Diana Riggs' 'Mrs. Peel', rather emphatically. This had to be unanticipated.
Director Sydney Hayers could easily allowed one congratulatory moment for Doctor Sheldon, given that she, alone, saved the world in this episode.
It may well be due to a lack of sufficient movie exposure, but I have the impression that British film and television set the standard which exalted the elderly women actresses, not assigning them to the "dotty" bunch. Athene Seyler's Doctor Sheldon, is, after all, THE expert called in to save the day - and she does.
With over 50 years of rewatching the Avengers, I hope it is not due to current "consciousness" that I find 'John Steed', unbearably arrogant in the Avengers' season up to 1966, is it? In this episode, not only is Steed unbearably arrogant, everything seems to be beneath him. 'Mrs. Peel', fortunately, does just fine.
Athene Seyler. Margaret Rutherford. Brilliant actresses. And, they did it within the systems of their era.
Director Sydney Hayers could easily allowed one congratulatory moment for Doctor Sheldon, given that she, alone, saved the world in this episode.
It may well be due to a lack of sufficient movie exposure, but I have the impression that British film and television set the standard which exalted the elderly women actresses, not assigning them to the "dotty" bunch. Athene Seyler's Doctor Sheldon, is, after all, THE expert called in to save the day - and she does.
With over 50 years of rewatching the Avengers, I hope it is not due to current "consciousness" that I find 'John Steed', unbearably arrogant in the Avengers' season up to 1966, is it? In this episode, not only is Steed unbearably arrogant, everything seems to be beneath him. 'Mrs. Peel', fortunately, does just fine.
Athene Seyler. Margaret Rutherford. Brilliant actresses. And, they did it within the systems of their era.
Man-eater of Surrey Green
coltras356 December 2023
A man-eating plant from outer space - a stalky veg in outer space is the culprit as it struck the spaceship back to earth!! - lands in Middle England and takes several top horticulturists as its prisoners in an effort to germinate the Earth. Fortunately for the Earth, Steed just happens to be a herbicidal maniac!
The last twenty minutes are the best part in this Day of Triffiddesque episode in which our two heroes end up fighting each other in the plant garden- the special effects of the plants are quite good, though you know some bloke is properly shaking them. The rest of the story is rather average- the eccentric botany expert was a great character.
The last twenty minutes are the best part in this Day of Triffiddesque episode in which our two heroes end up fighting each other in the plant garden- the special effects of the plants are quite good, though you know some bloke is properly shaking them. The rest of the story is rather average- the eccentric botany expert was a great character.
Man-Eater of Surrey Green
guswhovian21 July 2020
When several horticulturists disappear, Steed and Mrs Peel discover that a man-eating plant from outer space has kidnapped them.
Man-Eater of Surrey Green is one of the more entertaining episodes so far. Athene Seyler is wonderful as the horticulturist. As always, there's plenty of recognizable faces in the cast, such as Derek Farr (the creator of Orac from Blake's 7) and Joby Blanchard (later a regular on Doomwatch). The one noticeable thing about the episode is how well paced it is; it feels a lot shorter than it's 50 minute run time.
Man-Eater of Surrey Green is one of the more entertaining episodes so far. Athene Seyler is wonderful as the horticulturist. As always, there's plenty of recognizable faces in the cast, such as Derek Farr (the creator of Orac from Blake's 7) and Joby Blanchard (later a regular on Doomwatch). The one noticeable thing about the episode is how well paced it is; it feels a lot shorter than it's 50 minute run time.
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