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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ford Consul & old Jags., 9 Dec 2008
For those of you who already know this series, and remember enjoying it when it was on TV, you'll probably be pleased with this presentation.
The often lampooned line "Shut It" attributed to John Thaw's character, never actually took place, but for one time maybe, the episode in which it takes place, nobody seems to be able to identify.
According to the packaging, every episode made is included, which totals 53, including the pilot film "Regan"; also are the two films made for the cinema "Sweeney"(1976) & "Sweeney 2" (1978). There are a plenty of extra features, commentaries, & introductions from people involved: Also included are individual episodes from other TV serials made around that time, which are scattered over a number of discs; there are 18 in total.
For those of you who haven't seen any episodes before, or only excerpts enough to arouse your interest, I really don't know if it would be worth your while buying this box-set, perhaps try renting it first.
There were four seasons from 1974-1978. It was highly thought of in it's day, and was considered ahead of it's time, shot entirely on location, and on 16m film, which gives it (I think) a better quality than Television cameras-recorded unto tape.
The stories follow the adventures of DI Regan (John Thaw) & Sergeant Carter (Dennis Waterman) of Scotland Yard's Flying Squad ; and the mostly nasty situations they get into. The usual array of villains, such as gangsters,bank-robbers, fraudsters, murders, abductions etc. nothing new in this aspect, but, what makes it different is that by today's standards, the criminals are remarkably polite, in most of the episodes. Few expletives are uttered. As for the violence, it was considered heavy going at the time, and ground breaking, nowadays it wouldn't startle most children.
It was the first British cop-show of it's kind, employing guns, to rival the American imports. Previous UK shows such as "Zed-Cars", or "Dickson of Dock-Green", were left behind, by "The Sweeney". It has been claimed that this is a realistic program, about this I'm doubtful, perhaps it does have verisimilitude ,but, it is too polished to be really convincing. The Metropolitan Police procedures, the bureaucracy, & inter-departmental bickering are integral to the stories, no less than the action sequences.
I found the scripts well written, for the most part, & the acting convincing, all the thespians involved really get into their parts. Many people of the British cinema & stage, of that era; appear as guest protagonists. Many of them are no longer amongst us in the corporeal realm, including Mr.Thaw.
If you're a Londoner, and remember the 1970's as adult, or child, it might amuse you to identify the locations (quite a face-lift to our city has transpired since that time), many areas of the city were utilized over it's four years in production, so you may well see your locality make an appearance.
The two feature films, are to my mind inferior to the best episodes of the TV series. "Sweeney"(1976), takes Regan & Carter, into the territory of MI5; political conspiracy, & terrorism; I found the story convoluted. The violence in this film, really is nasty & gory in parts, even by today's standards. Silly, but there are worse time wasters.
"Sweeney 2"(1978) was to me, an over-padded, higher-budget take on one of the TV episodes; it could have been 30 minutes shorter, without losing the thread. It deals with Regan & Carter's escapade with robbers, that live in Malta, and come back home, to do their jobs. Quite amusing in parts, if you're fond of the series.
In the last instance, as to the overall quality, it is really subjective as to whether or not something is enjoyable. I find it great stuff, even on the level of something as feeble as nostalgia, for the good old days that never were! If you have no memory of it from the time it was aired, I don't know how much it will appeal.
The intervals of the now demised Thames Television are inserted; which I found a bit annoying, but thankfully the advertisements are omitted.
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