The Mallens
The Mallens

The Mallens

1980TV ShowEnded2 SeasonsEnglish

The Mallens is a British television drama based on four Catherine Cookson novels, The Mallen Streak, The Mallen Girls, The Mallen Secret, and The Mallen Curse. Produced by Granada Television for ITV1, it ran for thirteen episodes from 10 June 1979 to 3 July 1980. A ruthless 19th-century Northumberland squire, Thomas Mallen of High Banks Hall, has a genetic white streak (poliosis) in his hair and fathers numerous illegitimate children, all of whom inherit the white streak and live disastrous lives.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: VariousGenres: Drama, Horror, Mystery

Plot Summary

A chilling psychological horror series broadcast in 1980, 'The Mallens' follows the unsettling experiences of a young couple who move into a remote, isolated house. Unbeknownst to them, the house and its surroundings are steeped in dark rituals and a sinister, almost sentient, local agricultural community. Strange occurrences, inexplicable disappearances, and a growing sense of dread plague their lives as they become increasingly entangled with the mysterious and dangerous Mallen family.

Critical Reception

As a television mini-series from 1980, 'The Mallens' garnered a cult following for its atmospheric dread and unnerving themes. It is often remembered for its disturbing content and unique blend of folk horror and psychological suspense, though contemporary critical reviews were varied, with some praising its originality and others finding it too bleak or confusing. Its lasting impact lies in its status as a memorable, albeit niche, example of British horror television.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its deeply unsettling atmosphere and unique folk horror elements.
  • Noted for its disturbing psychological tension and the eerie depiction of rural isolation.
  • Some found the narrative slow-paced and the horror overly bleak.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for 'The Mallens' is not readily available due to its age and niche status. However, audience discussions and retrospective analyses often highlight its effectiveness as a slow-burn, atmospheric horror that lingers long after viewing.

Fun Fact

The series was filmed on location in the Yorkshire Dales, and the remote, stark landscape played a significant role in creating the show's distinctive and unnerving atmosphere.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review