Bill Wright
Director
Mastermind (1972)
1997
Mastermind is a British quiz show, well known for its challenging questions, intimidating setting and air of seriousness. Devised by Bill Wright, the basic format of Mastermind has never changed — four and in later contests five contestants face two rounds, one on a specialised subject of the contestant's choice, the other a general knowledge round. Wright drew inspiration from his experiences of being interrogated by the Gestapo during World War II. The atmosphere is helped by Mastermind's famously ominous theme music, "Approaching Menace" by the British composer Neil Richardson. The quiz programme originated and was recorded in Manchester at studios such as New Broadcasting House and Granada Studios, before permanently moving to MediaCityUK in 2011.
Released Sept. 11, 1972
Episode 30 min
None+
Genres: Game Show, Talk, Talk Show
Keywords: tmdb.quiz, imdb.quiz-show, mdblist.has-trailer, imdb.general-knowledge, imdb.contestant, imdb.famous-opening-theme, imdb.long-running-tv + 12 more, imdb.one-word-title, imdb.spotlight, imdb.chair, imdb.question, imdb.non-fiction, tmdb.knowledge, imdb.game-show-host, imdb.1970s, imdb.1980s, imdb.1990s, imdb.british, imdb.quiz
Production Companies: Hat Trick Productions, Hindsight Productions
Network: BBC Two
Country: United Kingdom
Languages:
English
S25E1 - Episode 1
The first of 13 programmes, introduced by Magnus Magnusson, in the final series tonight comes from Blenheim Palace. Contenders are Stephen Quick, Judith Falcon, Clare Ockwell and Ivan Limmer, and their chosen subjects are Formula One Racing from 1970, the life and works of Roald Dahl, anorexia nervosa, and the Russian Revolutions of 1917.
June 9, 1997, midnight
S25E2 - Episode 2
Tonight's edition comes from the Great Hall at Blenheim Palace.
The contenders are Maureen Hichens, Michael Smith, Gareth Ribbon and Michael Settle, and their chosen subjects are the original series of Star Trek, the Irish Civil War 1922-23, the life and music of Prokofiev, and organic gardening.
Introduced by Magnus Magnusson.
June 16, 1997, midnight
S25E3 - Episode 3
Tonight's edition comes from the debating chamber of the Cambridge Union Society. The contenders are factory worker Peter Bolt, graduate student Katherine Taylor, mature student Tony Bell, and checkout operator Christine Warman.
Their chosen subjects are the reign of Franz Joseph 1848-1916, the life and music of Elton John, the life and works of Arthur C Clarke, and theropod dinosaurs. With Magnus Magnusson.
June 23, 1997, midnight
S25E4 - Episode 4
Tonight's edition comes from the Cambridge Union Society.
The contenders are foster carer Ann Kelly, forensic psychiatrist Akintunde Akinkunmi, artist Leo Stevenson, and Open University student Susan Leng. Their chosen subjects are the life and music of Buddy Holly, the Nuremberg Trials, Dutch Art 1620-72 and Olave, Lady Baden-Powell. Introduced by Magnus Magnusson.
July 7, 1997, midnight
S25E5 - Episode 5
Tonight's edition comes from the Stephen Joseph theatre in Scarborough. The contenders are Stafford housewife Fiona Redmond; Timothy Robey, a retired teacher from South port; Richard Goodale, a management consultant from Aberdour in Fife, and teacher Jocelyn Lavin from Lancashire. Their chosen subjects are the life and painting of Rossetti, the Dreyfus affair, golf links of Britain and Ireland, and symphonic choral music. With Magnus Magnusson.
July 14, 1997, midnight
S25E6 - Episode 6
Tonight's edition comes from the Stephen Joseph theatre in Scarborough. The chosen subjects are the life and films of Errol Flynn, the life and poems of Wilfred Owen, English church music 1505-1625, and James I. With Magnus Magnusson.
July 21, 1997, midnight
S25E7 - Episode 7
Tonight's edition comes from the Great Hall at Blenheim Palace.
The chosen subjects are the life of the prophet Muhammad, the six wives of Henry VIII, the life and works of Jerome K Jerome, and the Thirty Years War. Introduced by Magnus Magnusson.
July 28, 1997, midnight
S25E8 - Episode 8
Tonight's edition comes from the Great Hall at Blenheim Palace.
The contenders are Akinade Ajayi, Katrina Campbell, Colin Cadby, and Tony Dart. Their chosen subjects are the life and career of David Gower, the Pern stories of Anne McCaffrey, the life and reign of Queen Victoria, and the life and career of Sir Thomas Sopwith.
Introduced by Magnus Magnusson.
Aug. 4, 1997, midnight
S25E9 - Episode 9
The Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon is the setting for the last of the heats. The chosen subjects are the Borgias; the life and children's books of Arthur Ransome; Frances Howard, Countess of Somerset; and the stories of HP Lovecraft.
With Magnus Magnusson.
Aug. 11, 1997, midnight
S25E10 - Episode 10
The first of three semi-finals comes from the Britannia Naval College, Dartmouth. The contestants are quizzed on British naval history, 1939-45, the marathon footrace since 1896, the Professor Fen novels of E. Crispin and the life and career of Rommel. With Magnus Magnusson.
Aug. 18, 1997, midnight
S25E11 - Episode 11
The second semi-final comes from the Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere. The chosen subjects are the Regency novels of Georgette Heyer , wines of France, the life and music of Anton Bruckner , and the Duncton Chronicles.
With Magnus Magnusson.
Aug. 24, 1997, midnight
S25E12 - Episode 12
The last semi-final comes from the Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere. The competitors are questioned about the life and 1860s novels of Wilkie Collins, the city of Prague, the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett, and the Tudor conquest of Ireland. With Magnus Magnusson.
Aug. 27, 1997, midnight
S25E13 - Episode 13
After 25 years, the quiz series concludes with four contestants competing for the title of Mastermind 1997. The setting for this last final is St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney, where the questions are posed by Magnus Magnusson.
Sept. 1, 1997, midnight
S25E14 - It Started, Now It's Finished
Last week's Mastermind final marked the end of the quiz which became a national institution during its 25-year run. This documentary follows the last four contenders to sit in the black chair as they prepare for the "final final", and explores the programme's appeal.
Featuring interviews with Patrick Moore, Bamber Gascoigne, former winners, and question master Magnus Magnusson.
Sept. 8, 1997, midnight
Network: BBC Two
Episode Runtime: 30 min.
Season Runtime: 33810 min.
Released: Sept. 11, 1972
Last Air Date: Nov. 24, 2025, midnight
Status: Returning Series
Certification: NR
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