Bledlow Ridge: the Intruder

The first episode in a British-produced youth series with a Christian point of view, The Intruder is an oftentimes melodramatic story about the Barton family who live in the village of Bledlow Ridge. The story kicks off with a visit from a troubled teen cousin named Kevin. Together with the three Barton children, Kevin discovers a gang hideout where stolen stereo equipment is being stashed. But while arguing with his cousins over what to do, Kevin learns that his parents have basically dumped him, and traveled to Singapore for a year. In back-to-back events that would make a soap opera producer proud, Kevin gives his cousin a bloody nose, and then dashes back to the Barton house in a rage, where Mrs. Barton suddenly has a heart attack. How the family is eventually reconciled with Kevin (which takes a bit of Christian forgiveness) and Kevin's fingering of the thieving gang are the subjects of the second half of the film. While some of the story's elements are clearly overboard, the issues of loyalty, fairness, and forgiveness are dealt with in a convincing and even touching manner. Better than average, this episode of Bledlow Ridge is still not nearly as well-done as, say, the McGee & Me series (VL-3/92). An optional purchase. (R. Pitman)