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Post by Kenny Dalglish 1979 on Apr 28, 2018 0:29:12 GMT
Enjoyable crime series that began as a VT/filmed insert drama starring Derren Nesbitt then became the first Euston Films production starring George Sewell and Patrick Mower as DCIs Craven and Haggerty, being made entirely on 16mm and featuring more in the way of action and violence. It helped pave the way for The Sweeney thanks to its tough, maverick cops, on-location filming and exciting set-pieces. Dennis Waterman and Garfield Morgan (Carter and Haskins) even guest starred on some episodes as villains.
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Post by Gene Hunt on Apr 28, 2018 6:55:42 GMT
Special Branch is a great series. I'm not keen at all on the Nesbitt episodes but the George Sewell episodes are really good. Some fantastic locations on offer too throughout.
Gene.
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Post by Charles Bronson on Apr 28, 2018 8:30:58 GMT
I keep meaning to get hold of this series. I've seen some of the episodes with Sewell and Mower years ago and liked them a lot.
Haven't seen any with Derren Nesbett though. I will have to look out for it.
Charles.
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Post by D.C. Burtonshaw on Apr 28, 2018 14:48:48 GMT
I've got all 4 series of SB, and the Euston episodes are the definitive ones, I quite enjoy it, I believe George Sewell's only lead role. Some great gritty London locations, (I think a few of which were later used in The Sweeney; like Colet Court) great motors, (squad cars supplied by FoMoCo in the last series), and some really good episodes with a few that were more with dialogue and a bit pedestrian.
Some of the incidental music is recognisable as used in The Sweeney too, and a few familiar guest star actors.
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The Saint
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Swinging London - 1967
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Post by The Saint on Apr 28, 2018 16:42:16 GMT
Special Branch is a great series. I'm not keen at all on the Nesbitt episodes but the George Sewell episodes are really good. Some fantastic locations on offer too throughout. Gene. I agree, the Sewell episodes are great, they have a pre-Sweeney feel to them The Saint
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Post by Kenny Dalglish 1979 on Apr 28, 2018 19:45:47 GMT
Patrick Mower said in an interview on the series 4 set that a US network wanted to buy Special Branch but they wanted it to have more action, sex and violence to boost its ratings. He said it was never going to happen and in the UK, it did anyway with The Sweeney which he guest starred on twice as did Sewell in the 1978 episode Bait.
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Post by Dirty Epic on May 1, 2018 19:49:15 GMT
I keep meaning to get hold of this series. I've seen some of the episodes with Sewell and Mower years ago and liked them a lot. Haven't seen any with Derren Nesbett though. I will have to look out for it. Charles. Get the complete boxed set Charles. Yes the Euston Films 1973-74 episodes are the best some almost up there with The Sweeney but don't ignore the earlier Thames made episodes too... yes a few stinkers but they're complementary to the better stuff which came later.
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Post by Charles Bronson on May 1, 2018 22:20:03 GMT
I'm really looking forward to watching it Dirty. I've put my order in.
Charles.
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Post by D.C. Burtonshaw on May 2, 2018 16:39:58 GMT
I would quite agree DE - although not as good as the Euston series, even the earlier Derren Nesbitt episodes are better than a lot of todays dross!
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2018 10:45:28 GMT
Great series! Think the last two series are better, with more stuff being on location! But noting compares to The Sweeney 🤓
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