User Reviews

First viewing: October 1984 / Second viewing: October 2003

Back in 1984, `Last Video And Testament' seemed cruel. Now with a long-awaited repeat viewing it still does. An aging electronics wizard David Langton [familiar to us as Richard Bellamy of `Upstairs Downstairs' fame] plots his revenge on his unfaithful wife and her lover - one of his business associates. Ingenious in its conclusion - although the plot could be tidied somewhat - this remains a compelling episode in the classy `Hammer House Of Mystery And Suspense' series. 6/10

Aging Victor Frankham, CEO of an electronics company, seems to have everything - a beautiful, much younger wife, a sprawling mansion in the stockbroker belt, and a jet-setting lifestyle. His wife however, isn't quite as doting as he thinks - she's secretly having an affair with one of Frankham's younger execs. The pair plot to put the old man out of the picture for good by exploiting his fear of claustrophobia - with the intention of bringing on his premature demise due to his weak heart.

When Victor inadvertently discovers their treachery, he has some plans of his own - and secretly decides to make some changes to his will...

This was originally the penultimate episode of Hammer House of Mystery & Suspense shown in my ITV region back in the summer 1985, and it's a very good one. Veteran 'Upstairs Downstairs' actor David Langton is excellent as Frankham - as are Deborah Raffin and Oliver Tobias as scheming wife and lover.

The tension builds nicely to an unexpected conclusion, and there's some good location filming around Windsor. Some of the electronics may appear a little clunky and dated these days, but were of course quite de rigueur at the time.

This is a good, intriguing episode with a clever plot, and a bitter sting in its tail.

I enjoyed very much this episode which a small part, especially the second one, reminds me an AVENGERS episode called THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. See for yourself and you'll find out what I mean. The other stories of this tV show are unfortunately not of the same scale.

Rich businessman and tech lover Victor Frankham, believes that his younger wife is having an affair with his business associate Derek Tucker. Victor has a weak heart, and suffers a series of minor accidents, all of which lead him to a heart operation.

Is put this up there with Czech Mate, as contender for show's best episode, it's a straight up thriller, and a great one at that. Intrigue, suspense, surprise and shock, it really does have a lot going on. It reminds me of a tales of the unexpected episode, William and Mary, which started the wonderful Elaine Stritch, worth checking out.

Two things going on, the affair, and the threat to Victor's health, but it's what comes after the reading of the will that makes this such a classic. What a truly brilliant tale of revenge this is.

All you can say, they got everything they deserved.

David Langton is first rate, it's an excellent performance from him, Deborah Raffin and Oliver Tobias are both very good also.

Excellent.

9/10.

I remember when this was shown in reruns in the mid 80s on afternoon TV, didn't know it was part of an actual British series, "Hammer House of Mystery," but I remember the tagline in the TV Guide -- "A cuckold teaches his wife and her lover the meaning of high fidelity." Together with the title, to the point and also a great pun.

Rather flatly directed (a mystery TV series after all) but there's poison in its sting. Simple and reminiscent of Rod Sterling in which boringly corrupt people get what's coming to them, usually from equally unhappy people.