Tales of the Unexpected

In the programme “The Vorpal Blade”, an elderly aristocrat reminisces about a duel he fought in Germany during the 1920s, forming the core of the narrative and driving the tension. He then reveals a shocking secret, in a drama starring Peter Cushing.

The Vorpal Blade is a television programme, formatted as an episode and classified under drama. Though brief in scope, it offers a self‑contained story that centres on a single narrative thread. The production lists Peter Cushing as its starring actor, anchoring the piece with his presence. The episode runs within a traditional broadcast slot and relies on dialogue and performance rather than extensive action. At the heart of the story is an elderly aristocrat who reflects on a duel he fought in Germany during the 1920s. As he recounts the encounter, he gradually unveils a shocking secret that had remained hidden for decades. The recollection drives the episode’s tension, linking past violence with present revelation. This disclosure reverberates throughout the narrative. The episode unfolds through the aristocrat’s memories, using his perspective to guide the audience back to the German duel of the 1920s. By keeping the focus on his personal account, the drama maintains a tight, introspective feel, allowing the secret to emerge gradually rather than through external exposition. Peter Cushing’s performance anchors this reflective storytelling. Overall, The Vorpal Blade presents a compact drama that hinges on a single, startling revelation. Its format as an episode means the story is resolved within the allotted time, without extending into a longer series. The combination of a historic duel, an elderly narrator, and Cushing’s central role gives the piece a distinct, self‑contained character.