Freewheelers
| Freewheelers | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Genre | Children's television series |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 8 |
| No. of episodes | 104 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Chris McMaster |
| Location(s) | Southern England, Spain, France, Sweden, Netherlands |
| Cinematography | Stan Bréhaut |
| Editor(s) | Michael Womersley |
| Running time | 24 mins |
| Production company(s) | Southern Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV |
| Original release | 4 April 1968 – 5 May 1973 |
Freewheelers is a British television series made by Southern Television between 1968 and 1973. It was the brainchild of television producer Chris McMaster, who was aware of the popularity of adult action series such as The Avengers and Department S amongst teenagers and saw the potential of a version aimed at a younger audience. In 2010, reruns of Freewheelers were being shown on the British satellite television channel Film 24.
In the opening story three young people become caught up in the plans of ex-Nazi officer Karl von Gelb to "reverse the verdict of the last war" and inflict revenge on his former enemies. Under the direction of Colonel Buchan of MI5 the trio thwart von Gelb's scheme to launch Polaris missiles on London from a captured nuclear submarine. This set the template for future stories with the teenagers regularly preventing von Gelb from carrying out massive and ingenious threats to Britain's security.
The format of fast paced action and outdoor locations was enormously successful and the programme enjoyed a large home audience as well as gaining overseas sales. In colour from the fourth series, location filming moved out of the South of England with scenes shot in Spain and Majorca. Future locations would include Amsterdam, Sweden and the Ardèche.
High-tech gadgets were a regular component, often machines developed for peaceful purposes seized by the villain and turned to criminal use. Whole teams of scientists were also regularly kidnapped and induced into building similar gadgets. Devices for changing the weather, controlling minds and melting metal at great distances all featured.
Strong incidental and closing music by Laurie Johnson and a memorable theme tune, the Carnaby Street Pop Orchestra's "Teenage Carnival" composed by Keith Mansfield, helped maintain the momentum and Von Gelb's appearances were invariably accompanied by stirring passages from Wagner's Ring Cycle.
...
Wikipedia