The Avengers International Fan Forum

Discuss, review and rate The House That Jack Built, produced early January 1966 to mid January 1966.

Teleplay by Brian Clemens
Directed by Don Leaver

THis was a brilliant episode. Besides Diana Rigg's marvelous performance, the character actor who repeats the rhyme," the House that Jack built" was seriously good. He really looks crazy.
It was brilliant to put another actor in the story to show what could happen to Mrs. Peel next.
His part was so small but so noteworthy. Not too many performances that are that convincing.

10.

Undoubtedly one of the best. Decades later I've met people who have not seen The Avengers since the original broadcast but still remember this one.

Definitely, the masterpiece.
Many russian perceive the season 4 boring and avoid it altogether. It's pretty sadly. However, I noticed that if someone started a preview of the season with of this episode, he has had a chance to delve into it. Thus, I started to show this season for the russian spectators from The House That Jack Built.
The theme of the episode - definetely previously was a win-win for authors. Remember the episodes "Don't Look Behind You" and "Dressed to Kill": suspense in a confined space, mysterious atmosphere and strange characters (for episodes with Cathy Gale, strange characters was rather unusual approach to style early The Avengers) it all are the best examples.
Here the authors again went to this territory and not just given an excellent history, but something innovative - the building with the great mind. I'll tell you, this is not outdate - as fantasia from mad creator just sparkles on the screen even today. Praise to Brian Clemens! Where you can still see it?

I remember the face of Russian teenager who said after watching "It's the best I've seen in my life."
Yes, this is The Avengerworld!

I love this episode.
For me this this is THE atmosphere that makes love the Avengers!
Like The Joker, Epic...

Topaze wrote:I love this episode.
For me this this is THE atmosphere that makes love the Avengers!
Like The Joker, Epic...

Well put Topaze. I love the pics Denis added that remind us. It was brilliant!

What prevents it from being an absolute classic for me is the complete lack of humour and the absence of dialogue. Otherwise, wonderfully atmospheric. Subversive, but almost no champagne.

Love it in terms of Emma's solo performance, with excellent acting from Rigg. I wish they'd dispensed with the voiceover, which I always find jarring (and which they thankfully did not use in the similar The Joker). The final scene between her and Steed when he arrives at the house is subtle and lovely, expressing all the affection they obviously have for each other with very few words.

It's interesting but for similar "Brian Clemens's Thriller" style jeopardy I think The Joker works better.

I gave 5