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
David Wilkinson
On promotional material for 70s US cop series Starsky and Hutch when it was remade, Paul Michael Glaser commented that that series worked because it was first about men, second about cops. The same applies for The Sweeney. Regan and Carter are not perfect, they are not saints, they are not superheroes. They do not solve every crime perfectly. That is why we can relate to them. We watch them and see men like ourselves.The setting is firmly in the Seventies, with all its period detail. But as with Starsky and Hutch, we see the relationship between men engaged in battle. The dated backdrops fall away and we see the same spirit behind it - an appeal to heroism in an age when this is lacking.The series is over 30 years old but talks to men today. Therein lies its continued appeal - and success.
Callum Gee
"The Sweeney" is one of the best, if not THE best, British Television crime drama ever made.The scripts, directors, producers and not forgetting the actors are all of the highest calibre especially Messrs. Thaw & Waterman with their great characterisations of Regan & Carter."The Sweeney" portrayed the real 'Flying Squad' as it apparently was in real life, and thus caused the controversy that it did in the mid-70's. The guys didn't always catch the villains either, so it never held that fantasy element like every other series of the time.It was the seventies equipped with flared trousers, kipper ties, dodgy hairdos and moustaches along with Ford Cortinas and all. But, it is the most entertaining hour from the seventies produced in the most hard-hitting way.There's A Pilot feature entitled "Regan", Four glorious TV series and 2 Award-Winning Feature Films - ENJOY!!!
browncal
The Professionals, Starsky and Hutch and Knightrider. What do they have in common? They have all aged terribly! Have you also noticed that they are all cop shows? Well heres one that hasn't The Sweeney! This show first hit our TV screens in 1975 and even tough it was launched more than 30 years ago is still widely talked about today. The famous scenes with the Jaguars and cortinas, the famous guest appearances, the gun play and gritty realism. But of course we all remember the SHUT IT! The realism all starts at the end of many of the episodes. Such as the episode entitled MAY where the villains get away and are not caught. John Thaw is here in one of his most memorable roles, along with Dennis Waterman. The show was pulled after 4 Series as John Thaw and Dennis Waterman both agreed that they should stop the show before people became less interested. A good idea as many programmes had once been popular but fell into the TV black hole as they were carried on too long.
