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The Best Episodes of Tales of the Unexpected Season 4

Every episode of Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Tales of the Unexpected Season 4!

A British television anthology of stories, often with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, and a twist at the end. With early episodes written and presented by Roald Dahl, the series featured a plethora of big name guest stars.

Genre:Drama
Network:ITV1

Season 4 Ratings Summary

The best episode of "Tales of the Unexpected" season 4 is "Would You Believe It?", rated 6.7/10 from 212 user votes. It was directed by Barry Davis and written by Julian Bond. "Would You Believe It?" aired on 4/5/1981 and is rated 0.3 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Vicious Circle".

  • Would You Believe It?
    6.7/10 212 votes

    #1 - Would You Believe It?

    Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 4/5/1981

    Two archaeologists working in Jordan get more than they bargained for when they decide to smuggle the statue of a mysterious woman over the border to Israel.

    Director: Barry Davis

    Writer: Julian Bond

  • Vicious Circle
    6.4/10 209 votes

    #2 - Vicious Circle

    Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 4/12/1981

    An old lady catches Rex Tobin, a young burglar who was planning to rob her, and makes friends with him. But what is she really up to?

    Director: Philip Dudley

    Writer: Robin Chapman

  • The Boy Who Talked with Animals
    5.2/10 225 votes

    #3 - The Boy Who Talked with Animals

    Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 4/19/1981

    When David rescues a giant turtle, it looks as though he's found a new friend, but there could be more to his pet than meets the eye.

    Director: Alan Gibson

    Writer: Robin Chapman

  • The Best of Everything
    7.0/10 225 votes

    #4 - The Best of Everything

    Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 4/26/1981

    Desperate to win the affections of his boss’s daughter, Arthur accepts the help of his friend Charlie. But is he ready to count the true cost of love?

    Director: John Bruce

    Writer: Denis Cannan

  • A Woman's Help
    6.3/10 185 votes

    #5 - A Woman's Help

    Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 5/3/1981

    Henpecked Arthur decides to get rid of his demanding wife once and for all, so long as he gets her money. Unfortunately, his wife has a few secrets of her own.

    Director: Bert Salzman

    Writer: Bert Salzman

  • Shatterproof
    6.9/10 229 votes

    #6 - Shatterproof

    Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 5/10/1981

    Property tycoon Gerry Williams is married to the beautiful but unhappy Ellen, and somewhere the marriage has gone terribly wrong. Then an assassin is hired to kill Gerry, and he makes the mistake of getting too friendly with his target.

    Director: John Jacobs

    Writer: Pat Hoddinott

  • The Sound Machine
    6.4/10 198 votes

    #7 - The Sound Machine

    Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 5/17/1981

    A botanist has invented a machine that translates the sound of plants into speech. What he hears gives him a shock.

    Director: John Gorrie

    Writer: Ronald Harwood, Roald Dahl

  • Never Speak Ill of the Dead
    6.7/10 197 votes

    #8 - Never Speak Ill of the Dead

    Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 5/24/1981

    David is accused of murder when his wife Irene vanishes. Her promiscuous lifestyle made her the talk of the town, but the gossip has escalated.

    Director: John Gorrie

    Writer: John Collier, Robin Chapman

  • The Best Policy
    5.3/10 179 votes

    #9 - The Best Policy

    Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 5/31/1981

    Harry Flock has had a temporary promotion as acting manager of a branch bank. He is honest and meticulous to a fault, but in danger of losing his job when head office gets anonymous complaints about alleged embezzlements. His accounts are immaculate - in fact, they seem too good to be true.

    Director: Ray Danton

    Writer: David Scott Milton, Ferenc Molnár

  • The Last Bottle in the World
    6.3/10 202 votes

    #10 - The Last Bottle in the World

    Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 6/7/1981

    Kyros plans on giving his wife a priceless bottle of wine for their anniversary, but he has no intention of drinking to her health.

    Director: John Gorrie

    Writer: Denis Cannan

  • Kindly Dig Your Grave
    6.7/10 194 votes

    #11 - Kindly Dig Your Grave

    Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 6/14/1981

    Madame Lagrue runs a smart but commercial art gallery in Montmartre, Paris, getting rich at the expense of struggling artists. Then one of her victims falls in love with Fatima, an artist's model, and Lagrue is up against someone even more cunning than she is.

    Director: Alan Gibson

    Writer: Robin Chapman

  • Completely Foolproof
    6.4/10 203 votes

    #12 - Completely Foolproof

    Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 6/21/1981

    The very rich Joe Brisson is a self-made man with a number of enemies - including Lisa, his elegant but dangerously dissatisfied wife.

    Director: John Jacobs

    Writer: Robin Chapman

  • There's One Born Every Minute
    6.9/10 196 votes

    #13 - There's One Born Every Minute

    Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 6/5/1981

    Arthur and Margaret are a quiet couple. When she inherits £50,000, he reluctantly agrees to gamble it all on a dubious property deal.

    Director: Alan Gibson

    Writer: Chaim Bermant

  • Bosom Friends
    6.6/10 205 votes

    #14 - Bosom Friends

    Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 6/12/1981

    Nell and Emma are old school friends who are reunited after years apart. However, things quickly turn sour.

    Director: Graham Evans

    Writer: Robin Chapman

  • A Glowing Future
    5.5/10 184 votes

    #15 - A Glowing Future

    Season 4 Episode 15 - Aired 7/19/1981

    Jack and Betsy are lovers. That is until Jack decides to go halfway across the world to be with his new Australian girlfriend. But Betsy isn't going to make it easy.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Ross Thomas

  • The Way to Do it
    6.2/10 181 votes

    #16 - The Way to Do it

    Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 7/26/1981

    The casino offers Roger an escape from his domineering aunt. He has a love for both gambling and a pretty hostess, but the casino boss has a score to settle.

    Director: Alan Gibson

    Writer: Denis Cannan

  • Hijack
    6.9/10 212 votes

    #17 - Hijack

    Season 4 Episode 17 - Aired 12/26/1981

    A hijacker on an aeroplane takes a stewardess hostage before demanding a million dollars and a parachute. Will the captain give in to his demands?

    Director: Herbert Wise

    Writer: Denis Cannan