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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In the summer of 1988 The Bill began broadcasting twice weekly throughout the year. The change of format also saw the programme having to tone swearing and violence as it was now broadcast before the 9:00pm watershed. As a consequence of this, the key cast member and central character Roy Galloway left the programme with actor John Salthouse stating that he did not like the changes. The red haired short tempered DI was not given an on screen departure, and it is implied that he has moved to another station. Several cast members are also missing including Inspector Kite and PC Shaw. In their place we see the arrivals of Inspector Fraser, PC Peter Ramsey, PC Malcom Haynes and a character destined to be a big part of the programme for many years, Chief Inspector Derek Conway. Although the programme would arguably reach its peak in 1990/1991, there are some very good episodes included on this release. Opening episode Light Duties has Tom Penny struggling to cope after being shot. In another memorable episode Frank Burnside arrives as the new Detective Inspector during a football hooligan crackdown in which he has been acting undercover.
PC Stamp also makes his debut as a new regular in Light Duties, athough he does not feature that much in the subsequent episodes. The programme seems to have one of its strongest lineups, with no weak characters in the cast. It was a shame that Pc Ramsey and Haynes only stayed with the programme for a year. Ramsey being a particularly flawed character who takes bribes and also rips off Sgt Cryer's mechanic friend after he repairs his porsche. Cryer and Ramsey do not get along from this point and this was perhaps a storyline which would have developed further had Nick Reding who played Ramsey decided not to leave. Although some of the cars and fashions have dated in the last 20 years, these episodes are far superior to those made today. It is a reminder of when the programme did not resort to sensationalism to get good ratings.
PC Stamp also makes his debut as a new regular in Light Duties, athough he does not feature that much in the subsequent episodes. The programme seems to have one of its strongest lineups, with no weak characters in the cast. It was a shame that Pc Ramsey and Haynes only stayed with the programme for a year. Ramsey being a particularly flawed character who takes bribes and also rips off Sgt Cryer's mechanic friend after he repairs his porsche. Cryer and Ramsey do not get along from this point and this was perhaps a storyline which would have developed further had Nick Reding who played Ramsey decided not to leave. Although some of the cars and fashions have dated in the last 20 years, these episodes are far superior to those made today. It is a reminder of when the programme did not resort to sensationalism to get good ratings.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Series 4 marked the first of the 30 minute twice weekly episodes in place of the 50 minute "originals". The show also lost two of its best characters in Inspector Kite and DI Galloway. Replacements included Inspector Christine Fraser, and PC Pete Ramsey, a slimey ex-DC from Barton Street superbly played by Nick Redding. The series also marks the full time debut of Frank Burnside as Sun Hill's new D.I. - his previous portayal as a cockney wide boy being explained by a backstory involving Operation Countryman. Old favourites still with the show include Sergeants Cryer, Penny & Peters, DS Roach & DC Dashwood, and all the uniformed officers - "Taffy" Edwards, Reg Hollis and June Ackland amongst others.
The main consequence of the move to the 30 minutes/ twice a week format is loss of overall quality. However, when the show is good, it's very good. Fears that the gritty tone of the show would be fatally compromised are only slightly realised - an episode such as "Here We Go With The Loopy Loo" would never have made it to screen as an "original". However, there's still some fairly meaty storylines to be had, most notably Tom Penny's attempts to deal with the aftermath of his shooting in Season 3, as well as epsiodes such as "Home Sweet Home" & "Hold Fire".
Overall, although not as good as the "originals", when compared to the childrens program that airs under The Bill moniker today, Season 4 is a must to see what real policing was/ is all about
The main consequence of the move to the 30 minutes/ twice a week format is loss of overall quality. However, when the show is good, it's very good. Fears that the gritty tone of the show would be fatally compromised are only slightly realised - an episode such as "Here We Go With The Loopy Loo" would never have made it to screen as an "original". However, there's still some fairly meaty storylines to be had, most notably Tom Penny's attempts to deal with the aftermath of his shooting in Season 3, as well as epsiodes such as "Home Sweet Home" & "Hold Fire".
Overall, although not as good as the "originals", when compared to the childrens program that airs under The Bill moniker today, Season 4 is a must to see what real policing was/ is all about
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Includes the first 13 episodes of season 4. Most episodes are excellent entertainment. They do seem short, only 22 mins long after the hour long series. A wonderful blast from the past. 80's attitudes etc. I loved the old Bill so I love this set. More episodes per set would be more econonmic.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The first of the Sun Hill half hour episodes
This DVD contains the first 13 episodes of the new half hour format that were originally aired in July and August 1988. Read more
Published 6 months ago by CJ1980
A Disappointed Bill Fan
Really disappointed with this series. The characterisation is OK but the storylines are poor and you are sometimes left in the air at the end of some of the very short episodes.
Published 13 months ago by Red Wine
Burnside is back as a main charecter
The bill series 4 is the best season of season 1, 2, 3 and having seen all of the series 1 and 2 and 3 episodes. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2008 by Mrs. D. Wilson
The first 25-minute episodes from the series' classic era.
For anyone who misses the days when The Bill was about police drama rather than soap opera tedium, this is a gem. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2008 by StormSworder
the bill - good but not as good as the originals
the initial half hour episodes were mostly good, though due to the change in format and the toning down of show the atmosphere of the original episodes are lost. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2008 by sbt48
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