Uncle Silas (1989)

Arguably the archetypal Gothic thriller, The Dark Angel is a sensual and stylish adaptation of Uncle Silas - J. Sheridan Le Fanu s influential Victorian literary masterpiece. Starring Peter O Toole in a wonderfully rich performance as the dangerous, scheming and perhaps quite mad Silas Ruthyn, this three-part drama is elegantly directed by cult favourite Peter Hammond (Sherlock Holmes, The Avengers) and also features Beatie Edney as the unfortunate Maud, Jane Lapotaire as the grotesquely sinister Madame de la Rougierre, Tim Woodward as the brutal Dudley and Hammer Horror doyenne Barbara Shelley in her final dramatic television role. When her father unexpectedly dies, young Maud Ruthyn becomes heiress to a large fortune that is held in trust for her until she comes of age. Romantically obsessed by a youthful, Byronic painting of her Uncle Silas she readily agrees to being placed in his care - ignoring warnings of his behaviour as a known rake, wastrel and opium fiend. Unfortunately for Maud things are not what they seem, and Silas benevolent demeanour hides a web of deception and terror.