Jamesfilmfan905 The Sweeney was televisions toughest hardest most violent of its decade in the 70s well at least in the early seasons when in the later seasons it got toned down considerably but despite that criticism aside if u like solid writing story-lines first class acting car chases shootouts and the incredible john thaw and Dennis water-man as the two main characters Detective inspector Reagan and detective Sargent carter . And not forgetting the tough nonsense superior played by Garfield Morgan . I recommend u go for the earlier seasons preferably seasons 1 and 2 where the gritty and some doses of humor whereas the later seasons mid way through season 3 to 4 just lose their grit and become to comedic .

candidcamel American here. I have just finished watching NEW TRICKS all episodes for the 3rd time. Around Christmas for the past 3 years I treat myself. This year I went looking for older things that the cast may have appeared in and I had never seen. I found The Sweeney with Dennis Waterman in it. I began watching and to my delight I had failed to reference John Thaw as a lead character. I could not believe my Good Fortune. I am now in the second season and really enjoying this series. I am glad that I had seen Morse and New Tricks first. These two for the most part are playing the same characters with similar mannerisms. Morse is a wee bit less disgruntled in this series and Jerry/Carter is more subdued as a character. It always takes me a few episodes to really get into the rhythm of a UK show. This series took longer because of the rhyming phrases sprinkled everywhere within the shows. I have had to look up a few phrases more than usual. Being an Artist and a Hippie Chick from The Sixties, I have to admit that I adore The Fashion of the show. I have made my daughter come into see outfits that are simply so lavish and charming I wax nostalgic. My nic-name in college was Velvet, because I wore lots of it and lots of plush wide Wales corduroy to boots! Love it, love it, love it. Amazing are the Velvet Jackets worn to work during the day. You just had to be there. I also miss hair, long beautiful hair, here hair, there hair, everywhere HAIR. I am pleased that I have found this series to indulge my long cold winter here in the Midwest of the US. I am a big Mystery Buff and kudos to you UK Folkes for creating SMART characters and series for the rest of the world. My Favourite Crime/Mystery Series New Tricks, Dalziel & Pascoe, Lewis, Morse, Frost, Midsomer Murders, Lynley, Hetty Wainthrope, Marple (Margaret being the best!) The Last Detective Waking The Dead Jonathan Creek, Hamish Macbeth, Pie In The Sky, Rosemary & Thyme, Poirot Sherlock, Wallander and wish I could get the new Father Brown series!

ShadeGrenade It was a night to squirm in your armchair - in 2005, B.B.C.-4 put out 'Television On Trial', a series in which programmes from a particular decade were shown to 'experts' who would then debate their merits. One week, the '70's was under the microscope. The dice seemed loaded against the era from the start, as 'Love Thy Neighbour' was included ( some seem to think it was the only I.T.V. sitcom made then ). Other shows included 'That's Life!' and 'The Sweeney'. The 'experts' were the late Alan Coren and Sarfraz Manzoor. Coren defended the shows as much as he could ( only to do an astonishing U-turn at the end ), while Manzoor grumbled and griped like one of the brats from 'Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory'. This guy, born in 1971, obviously had a bad childhood and blames it on the television of the time. When 'The Sweeney' came on, I thought 'he's got to change his tune. The show is a classic' but no, he put the boot into that too.Created by Ian Kennedy Martin, 'The Sweeney' started life as a one-off play for the I.T.V. network called 'Regan', broadcast in June 1974. It presented a tougher police character than had been seen on television before, in fact at times it was hard to distinguish his actions from those of the criminals he was chasing. John Thaw gave a brilliant performance, supported by Dennis Waterman as 'D.S. George Carter', and Garfield Morgan as their no-nonsense superior 'Haskins'. 'The Sweeney' appeared a year later, and quickly established itself as a ratings hit. In 1976, it formed part of a strong Monday night line-up, along with 'Coronation Street' and 'George & Mildred'. The groundwork had been done by the third and fourth seasons of 'Special Branch', a Euston Films production starring George Sewell and Patrick Mower. Despite a number of good episodes, 'Branch' failed to gel, hence its eventual replacement by 'The Sweeney'. The show derived its title from the Cockney rhyming slang for 'Flying Squad' - 'Sweeney Todd'. It should be noted that the B.B.C.'s 'Dixon Of Dock Green' was still on air when Regan and Carter began their battle with the London underworld, and the contrast between the shows could not have been greater. Whereas Dixon greeted audiences with a friendly 'evenin' all', 'The Sweeney' were more likely to knee you in the groin and exclaim: "You're nicked, son!". It set new standards for violence, bad language and nudity. It was compulsory viewing for us strapping lads, albeit embarrassing if viewed in parents' company.It did go over the top at times. One early episode had the Sweeney receiving a tip-off that a bank was due to be robbed, so they staked out a pub across the road. Within minutes of arriving at the scene, Regan was in bed with the landlady, and directing police operations by phone from her bedroom! Another story involved a craze for homemade handguns. When two men got into a scrap, one of these 'cowboy' guns went off accidentally, resulting in their horrific disembowelling. Patrick Mower and George Layton played a pair of Australian con-men in two enjoyable Roger Marshall-scripted episodes. John Hurt guested in 'Tomorrow Man' as a computer expert seeking revenge on the man who cheated him out of a fortune ( George Cole ). And who can forget 'Hearts & Minds' which guested no less than Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise? 'The Sweeney' was so popular it spawned two cinema films. The B.B.C. tried to cash in with their series 'Target' starring Patrick Mower which was, if anything, even more violent ( and which seems to have been virtually forgotten ). More recently, 'Life On Mars' was a superb tribute to the show's greatness, with Philip Glenister's 'Gene Hunt' and John Simm's 'Sam Tyler' doing perfect justice to the memories of Regan and Carter.Violent cop dramas are commonplace now, but in 1975 'The Sweeney' came as a breath of fresh air - it was closer to reality than anything seen before on British television - a fact Sarfraz Manzoor should bear in mind the next time he attempts to watch an episode. Interestingly, when the 'Television On Trial' audience cast its votes as to which decade was the best for television, the '70's won by a landslide! Hard luck, Mr.Manzoor!

TheLittleSongbird This is on every Saturday night on ITV4, and I never miss it! Why? Because I genuinely love this series, and I am 16. Sure, some episodes are better than others. My one complaint of the show, is that they overdo it slightly with the violence, but being not a huge fan of violence anyway, I guess that is just me. The story lines are intriguing, it looks good(though by today's standards, a little dated)and the acting is top notch. The late John Thaw was one of the greatest TV actors on screen, creating a complex but truly in-depth character in the name of Morse, a decade or so after this, but he is equally brilliant here. You would think though he is out of character, because whereas Regan is foul-mouthed, violent and quite aggressive, Thaw was in real life shy, generous and a real family man, according to those who worked with him. But that's the thing with Thaw, he gives you sides to his character that you either don't know he has, or overlook, considering him in-versatile.(when he isn't)He isn't as overrated as people say. Just because Inspector Morse, Kavanagh and Sweeney is on on a regular basis, doesn't mean at all that Thaw was overrated. He was an exceptional actor, who acted in some of the gems of British drama, who will be sorely missed by all his fans. Back on target, Dennis Waterman matches him perfectly as George Carter, and when they're on screen, there is a partnership that has only been surpassed properly by Thaw and Whately in Morse. The title music by Harry South is catchy and very jazzy. The Sweeney, when commissioned, was accused of giving the police force a bad name, but now it is considered by many as a conventional and highly entertaining show. Perhaps because Regan and Carter never go by the book, but even Morse and The Bill do that. The dialogue, like "We're the Sweeney, and we haven't any dinner" and "Get yer trousers on you're nicked" aren't funny really, but they are very witty, adding to the sense of grit needed for this sort of show. The delivery of the dialogue by the two stars, is be praised by fans, honestly it should, as that contributes to the sheer entertainment involved here. I am glad, like Morse, that it ended very well, as Regan , I believe retires from the force. In some shows, you're left to wonder what's happened to the characters. About the films, I haven't seen the first movie, but the second while dated, is better than people give credit for. In conclusion, a highly entertaining and compelling show, that no matter how much you love it or hate it, is so addictive, you can't help watching it. 9/10 Bethany Cox