Villains Series 1 poster

Villains — Season 1

197213 episodes7.5/10 (4 votes)

About this season

Follows the linked fates of nine bank robbers, led by George. It begins with the nine men meeting in prison during their appeal and traces each individual after the group escape from custody.

Episodes (13)

1
E1

1. George

Aired 22 July 1972 • 51 min

An ingenious bank robbery with a seemingly infallible plan: nine men enter a disused ladies' lavatory and seal themselves in for the weekend. They then tunnel their way up through the floor of a nearby bank and make off with over £300,000.

2
E2

2. His Dad Named Him After the General

Aired 29 July 1972 • 51 min

Monty Parkin, a brash, callous 28-year-old Londoner sentenced to 15 years for helping the gang tunnel into the bank, has escaped alongside others. He now hides out with his girlfriend in South London.

3
E3

3. Commander

Aired 5 August 1972 • 52 min

Helen Griggs thought she'd seen the last of her fiancé Peter Glazebrook when he was sentenced to 12 years for his part in the robbery. His escape on the way to the Appeal Court means that Peter's able to turn up out of the blue.

4
E4

4. Chas

Aired 12 August 1972 • 51 min

Chas is a villain with a difference. With a D.A. haircut, a collection of old records, and a V8 car, he is a man still living in the 1950s. Chas has gone missing, along with his share of the heist.

5
E5

5. Alice Sheree

Aired 19 August 1972 • 50 min

Alice Clough, imprisoned for unwitting possession of stolen money belonging to one of the gang, finds on release that her parents have taken her daughter from her. The man responsible for her plight is now free.

6
E6

6. Sand Dancer

Aired 26 August 1972 • 53 min

Escaped robber Tel Boldon is determined to get home to South Shields to see his girl Rita before the cops catch up to him. After a series of narrow escapes, a ride from an amorous window dresser and a demonstration against blood sports, he finally makes it. Tel and Rita have a bittersweet reunion at Tynemouth Castle as they ponder what the future holds for them.

7
E7

7. Belinda

Aired 2 September 1972 • 49 min

Nine men are sent to prison after the robbery. But the police believed there were others involved who were still at large. They were right. Take Belinda, for instance, who worked in the bank's foreign exchange department.

8
E8

8. Move In, Move On

Aired 9 September 1972 • 51 min

Where did the Bog Robbery go wrong? Under a new identity in his Portuguese villa, Bill Whittaker, the brains behind the raid, has time to sit and ponder. But a man with his past can never relax for long.

9
E9

9. Knocker

Aired 15 September 1972 • 51 min

The villain expert at breaking down the defences of both safes and women is on the loose again, and trying to track down one of his fancy-free females. Sadly, all are otherwise engaged — abroad, betrothed, or pregnant.

10
E10

10. Bernie

Aired 22 September 1972 • 49 min

Bernie Owens, expert with a thermic lance, was sentenced to 15 years for his role. After his escape, Bernie waits in a quiet seaside town, reviewing his career and his marriage, and considering his future.

11
E11

11. Smudger

Aired 29 September 1972 • 51 min

Smedley is free... but only just. After being dragged unwillingly from the prison coach, he finds himself again under lock and key. But this time, his jailers claim to be his friends.

12
E12

12. Grass

Aired 7 October 1972 • 50 min

Arnold Hepton, the car salesman who organised the prison coach escape, is now himself on the run. Someone has grassed, and suddenly he discovers that his only friend is George.

13
E13

13. Billy Boy

Aired 14 October 1972 • 50 min

Whittaker is back in London, having eluded the police of various countries around the world. He now needs help, and visits his family for the first time in 15 years. Their reaction, however, is quite unexpected.

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