User Reviews

Originally broadcast in colour in 1970, only a black and white copy now exists.

It is a well known episode. The Steptoe's horse Hercules suddenly dies in the middle of the road. Harold has to call the abattoir van to take him away and then carry the cart home himself and tell Albert the bad news.

Albert is upset and blames Harold. Hercules was like a member of the family and now Hercules gone to become a tin of cat food for 30 pieces of silver.

A distraught Harold goes off to buy a new horse on his own and rather seems not to know what he is doing. He calls the new horse Samson but Albert who is still upset has to step into help when Samson falls ill. It seems Samson is pregnant.

There is a lot of pathos in this episode, as it seems Hercules was about when Harold was a nipper.

This episode was the first one to be made in colour originally broadcast on 6 March 1970 unfortunately the colour master is lost and now only exists as a black and white copy. Hercules their beloved horse has a heart attack and dies on the Goldhawk Road,Harold deeply upset at the situation has no option (as the dead horse is blocking the road)to sell Hercules to the cats meat man for 30 shillings (£1.50)then he has to go home and break the news to his dad and so begins another episode of great acting and top drawer writing as they argue and blame each other for the situation they find themselves in and come to terms with the fact that Hercules although a much mourned member of the family will have to be replaced.

After an absence of five years, 'Steptoe & Son' returned to B.B.C.-1, and at an interesting time for British television. Colour had arrived, and I.T.V. were topping the ratings with 'Please Sir!', the 'Doctor' series, and 'On The Buses', meaning the B.B.C. needed to compete. Shows made pre-1969 could not be re-run ( two exceptions were the period drama 'The Forsyte Saga' and the children's programme 'Andy Pandy' ). The obvious solution was to either remake old shows ( as was done with 'Sykes' ) or to construct sequels to earlier hits ( such as 'Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads' ). Just think of it - had Harry H.Corbett and Wilfrid Brambell refused to reprise their roles, 'Steptoe & Son' would now be a forgotten show.

'A Death In The Family' was the first of the new run, and a sad little episode it is too. Hercules, the Steptoe's horse, drops dead while Harold is on his rounds. When a tearful Harold tells his father, he is accused of causing the animal's death. The horse was not just an important part of the business, more like a family member. The old man takes to his bed, refusing to get up. Harold buys a new horse - which he calls Samson - but Albert does not want to know. Then Samson falls ill. Of course Harold never bothered to check the animal's sex before buying...

Hercules' death and Samson's arrival can be seen as a metaphor for the end of the old show and the commencement of the new one. Some people found it a bit hard to take, however; on 'Points Of View' complaints were read out from those who found the sight of Harold and Albert grieving for a dead animal upsetting rather than funny. Nevertheless, as the weeks rolled by, it became clear that the new 'Steptoe' was every bit as good - if not better - than the old.

Funniest moment - Harold, determined to erase the memory of Hercules' death, switches on the television. A Western is on, followed by a commercial for dog food ( think about it! ) This episode, along with several other early '70's 'Steptoes', exists only in monochrome. Luckily, comedy of this calibre looks good no matter what medium it is in.