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Post by Kenny Dalglish 1979 on Mar 16, 2019 22:10:38 GMT
Been watching this every Friday. Colin Blakely is excellent as the wronged Lew Burnett who fakes his own death so that he can investigate the attempt on his life and nail his would-be killers. The theme tune is funky even if the series itself is dated, slow and quite stagey in places. Quite a few notable Sweeney guest stars including Michael Coles, Frederick Treves and Frederick Jaeger as well as Julian Glover and one excellent action sequence involved Burnett being stalked by a helicopter. However, there was one fight scene at the end of episode 5 which was complete tosh. Needed some Peter Brayham there. Quite a few of the music cues were used in The Sweeney, the 1st series of which was being shown on ITV at the time of this one.
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Mar 23, 2019 0:21:55 GMT
I enjoyed this unusual serial when I saw it a few years ago, very well written by Edmund Ward with some cracking dialogue. Colin Blakely makes a good hardnut though I think Michael Williams ( best known for the sitcom 'A Fine Romance' ) was miscast as his bird chasing sidekick. Though I like Alan Tew's famous soundtrack it's overused & sounds out of place to me, sounding more like it belongs in a 70's 'blaxploitation' film. It plays virtually throughout the episodes & sounds shoehorned into the show, of course being library music it wasn't written for the programme, the music originally appearing on two Themes International LP's- Drama Suite Part 1 & 2. It doesn't help that the music was used in The Two Ronnies.
This show spawned a spin off, the proto Minder comedy drama 'Turtle's Progress', another overlooked show.
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Post by Steve Austin on Mar 23, 2019 11:09:50 GMT
Been watching this every Friday. Colin Blakely is excellent as the wronged Lew Burnett who fakes his own death so that he can investigate the attempt on his life and nail his would-be killers. The theme tune is funky even if the series itself is dated, slow and quite stagey in places. Quite a few notable Sweeney guest stars including Michael Coles, Frederick Treves and Frederick Jaeger as well as Julian Glover and one excellent action sequence involved Burnett being stalked by a helicopter. However, there was one fight scene at the end of episode 5 which was complete tosh. Needed some Peter Brayham there. Quite a few of the music cues were used in The Sweeney, the 1st series of which was being shown on ITV at the time of this one. Is this on TV somewhere every Friday or just when you watch it on DVD? |
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Post by Kenny Dalglish 1979 on Apr 5, 2019 22:33:26 GMT
Just when I watch it on DVD.
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Post by Steve Austin on May 7, 2019 7:46:41 GMT
I picked the DVD up of this series a couple of weeks ago and agree with the posters here. Whilst I certainly enjoyed it, it did feel like the music was shoehorned in at times (it uses a few tunes from the The Sweeney though and so all is forgiven) although I will get a copy of the soundtrack CD the next time Volcalion have a sale.
Compared with The Sweeney, it is a little slow (mainly as it was filmed in studio locations I'd guess) and a certain amount of poetic licence is required as it seems between Burnett & Crow, they seem to know every crook and hitman going, allowing them to pick up dodgy passports, guns, safe crackers and dodgy politicians with consumate ease. I'll give it another watch as it did seem to jump from location to location and the reasons why were not always clear and so deserves another look.
As King Kenny says, there are a few Sweeney actors in it, I'll put a list up in the appropriate section. Another reason for watching it, who doesn't enjoy a bit of Sweeney actor spotting?
It is a good story however and there is a twist at the end. It is worthwhile watch and if you haven't purchased the DVD or seen it, I would recommend it.
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Post by Steve Austin on Nov 15, 2019 21:06:29 GMT
NetworkonAir have a sale on at the moment and you can pick up this DVD for less than a pint in a poncy southern pub, just £4.72 delivered, well worth it 
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The Saint
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Post by The Saint on Nov 17, 2019 9:43:11 GMT
NetworkonAir have a sale on at the moment and you can pick up this DVD for less than a pint in a poncy southern pub, just £4.72 delivered, well worth it  Looks good Steve, I think I will buy it. Thanks for posting the information The Saint |
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Dec 27, 2021 17:57:43 GMT
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Vienna
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Post by Vienna on Dec 28, 2021 13:40:12 GMT
I thought this was quite a good crime thriller when I viewed it on DVD a few years ago.
I see that Shropshire born actor Gary Watson, who played John Quentin in this 1975 mini series, is still with us and is 91 years of age.
Vi
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Post by Steve Austin on Dec 28, 2021 16:39:33 GMT
Excellent Arthur, a very interesting read. This series was given a lot of publicity in the run up to it's first airing. I've been reading about "The Likely Lads" and in comparison, that got little to no pre publicity at all. A lovely little snap of Prunella Gee too  |
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