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The Charmer

1987

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 Gorse, the Tempter Oct 18, 1987

After agreeing to house sit for friend Ronnie Shooter, Ralph Gorse meets solicitor Donald Stimpson for the first time, Stimpson makes the mistake of introducing him to middle-aged Joan Plumleigh-Bruce (with whom Stimpson has 'expectations'). Plumleigh-Bruce is immediately smitten, Ralph meanwhile spots the chance to talk Joan into investing in a business opportunity. Gorse also falls for posh Clarice Manners whom he meets at a 'den of iniquity' with Stimpson.

EP2 Gorse, the Investor Oct 25, 1987

After agreeing to house sit for friend Ronnie Shooter, Ralph Gorse meets solicitor Donald Stimpson for the first time, Stimpson makes the mistake of introducing him to middle-aged Joan Plumleigh-Bruce (with whom Stimpson has 'expectations'). Plumleigh-Bruce is immediately smitten, Ralph meanwhile spots the chance to talk Joan into investing in a business opportunity. Gorse also falls for posh Clarice Manners whom he meets at a 'den of iniquity' with Stimpson.

EP3 Gorse, the Deceiver Nov 01, 1987

Having swindled Joan Plumleigh-Bruce out of £1,000 Ralph has quickly spent it and is now cashing dud cheques. Once more down on his luck Ralph takes back an old car selling job with Harold Bennett, later he is tracked down by Stimpson and Plumleigh-Bruce but having got Bennett's daughter Pamela pregnant manages to wangle his way out of his problems.

EP4 Gorse in the Middle Nov 08, 1987

Ralph, having married Pamela as a way out of his financial difficulties is now feeling more trapped than ever, after having their new house, paid for by Bennett, signed over to him, Ralph plans to get his wife out of the way and tries a spot of arson for the insurance money, his wife however has stayed at home after rowing with her parents. Following Pamela's death the insurance company are none too happy about the circumstances and refuse to pay out.

EP5 Gorse, The Imposter Nov 15, 1987

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
Please check back later for more update.

EP6 Gorse at the End Nov 22, 1987

The body of the man Ralph took the RAF uniform from is washed up on the beach, its reported that the body is Ralph. Stimpson and Plumleigh-Bruce head down to Brighton and it looks like the net is closing in on Ralph. Alison has also realised the truth about Gorse leaving Ralph once again resorting to murder. Gorse then tries to run but doesn't get far before the hangman's noose tightens.
7.8| 0h30m| en
Synopsis

The Charmer was a 1987 British television serial set in the 1930s, and starring Nigel Havers as Ralph Ernest Gorse, a seducing conman and murderer, Rosemary Leach as Joan Plumleigh-Bruce, the smitten victim widow and Bernard Hepton as Donald Stimpson, Plumleigh-Bruce's would-be beau, who vengefully pursues Gorse after he has conned her. It was made by London Weekend Television for ITV, and based on the 1953 novel Mr. Stimpson and Mr. Gorse by Patrick Hamilton, the second work in the Gorse Trilogy. The series was repeated in February and March 1990. ITV3 also repeated the series in full at 01:45am from 5 September 2009. Narrative repeats were on Mondays from 7 September 2009 at 10:05am.

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Reviews

Lumsdal Good , But It Is Overrated By Some
XoWizIama Excellent adaptation.
Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.
Abegail Noëlle While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.
1bilbo This is an excellent series and would have made a really good full length movie.The acting is perfect in this as are the period sets and a flawless plot. There is not a single person in the whole series who is likable but this just adds to the intrigue.The Charmer is very clever at conning women into bed and out of money but he is poorly educated and does not have the common sense of being able to play his cons properly and is easily distracted by various women, he is always playing the next woman in order to settle accounts with his past.The elderly boyfriend of one of the Charmers conquests becomes the hunter and is determined to bring him down – not ever realising that it will be his own undoing as well and he will lose the one thing he wants out of it all.I pray that Hollywood never remakes this as they will ruin it – as they do with most remakes. This film is about a story – not about the actors – which is why it is so good. Buy the DVD
whistlestop I saw this when it was aired in 1987 and have never forgotten it - we couldn't wait for the next episode! It was mesmerising, and Nigel Havers was truly creepily thrilling as the handsome cad who gets himself deeper and deeper into trouble. I can never forget the final image; I won't spoil it in case they ever do show it again, but it is beautifully handled. You feel satisfaction, pity, compassion and a sense of justice. Bernard Hepton was even more creepy as the outwardly mild-mannered man out for revenge. I would love to see it again, still hoping for a DVD. I've always liked Rosemary Leach, her performance is great as well. I don't know why comments now have to be 10 lines - they never used to be. Why write more than you have to?
gazebo I saw "The Charmer" years ago when it was on PBS. That was the first time I ever saw Nigel Havers. He was perfect for the role! Nigel Havers blonde handsomeness was a great direct contrast to the evil that was inside Gorse. Nigel Havers played this role so well, I heard that even after the series ended, alot of women wanted this character to return to the screen! We watch how Gorse charms his way with women to get money and how he ruins everybody around him. I won't say what the ending is, but it was absolutely satisfying as we see Gorse get his just desserts! This was a totally compelling, mesmerizing show as we can't help but watch a psychopath's rise and fall! I highly recommend this show!
joewright1935 A superb series, excellent script and great acting. This should not be missed, anyone who likes the British dramas will not be disappointed with this fare. Each week reveals a new aspect in the mind of the conniving Ralph Gorse, Nigel Havers, a man who has no scruples and will stoop to anything, even murder, to further his ambitions and his bank account.J.W.