Best Drama Series Ever Made By British Television

[Shadwell]

I openly challenge any member of this community to name me a better drama series than "The Sweeney" I've just finished watching the the DVD box set of "The Sweeney" and I suppose at the moment I'm a little Sweeney obsessed but nonetheless I openly challenge you!!! C'mon then. Name me a series which tops "The Sweeney" Like many people I first caught the Sweeney in the 70's when I was a nipper. Most people think of the sweeney as being all about blaggers robbing banks. This is not the case as "The Sweeney" dealt with serious issues of the day which are still relevent today. C'mon then yer slags!!! If you know of a series which your think tops "The Sweeney" then let's not be shy. Let's have yer...get yer trousers on, yer nicked!!!

[aaron]

I was enjoying the re-runs on Men & Motors, sadly only about one series' worth....
I have to say, i got very into it, and enjoyed seeing some of the well known actors turning up in a few episodes.
The Sweeney, had some danger to it, both in the story and the dialogue. And often, a story wouldn't end all 'neat & tidy'.
It's only when you see these kind of shows now, that you realise how well conceived and performed they were, and how poor things have become.
There are probably a few contenders that can match The Sweeney, but no, i can't think of any that can surpass it.

By the way, does the dvd boxset contain the pilot episode/play 'Regan'?

[Fellwanderer]

Originally posted by Shadwell@Sep 5 2005, 11:24 PM I openly challenge any member of this community to name me a better drama series than "The Sweeney" I've just finished watching the the DVD box set of "The Sweeney" and I suppose at the moment I'm a little Sweeney obsessed but nonetheless I openly challenge you!!! C'mon then. Name me a series which tops "The Sweeney" Like many people I first caught the Sweeney in the 70's when I was a nipper. Most people think of the sweeney as being all about blaggers robbing banks. This is not the case as "The Sweeney" dealt with serious issues of the day which are still relevent today. C'mon then yer slags!!! If you know of a series which your think tops "The Sweeney" then let's not be shy. Let's have yer...get yer trousers on, yer nicked!!!

Prime Suspect.

FELL

[samkydd]

Originally posted by Shadwell@Sep 5 2005, 10:24 PM I openly challenge any member of this community to name me a better drama series than "The Sweeney"

A handful of my favourites which I consider more enjoyable than The Sweeney are:

Frost
Inspector Morse
Our Friends in the North

In recent years it has to be two excellent US series:

The Sopranos
24

In my opinion The Sopranos is the best TV drama series ever made and I hate gangster movies, violence and swearing! If you haven't seen it go and get it on DVD and enjoy some excellent storylines, brilliant acting, well developed characters, and probably the best music you'll ever hear on a TV series! A lesson on how to make good television.

[David Challinor]

Edge of Darkness HAS to be up there

[Steve Crook]

Originally posted by Shadwell@Sep 5 2005, 11:24 PM I openly challenge any member of this community to name me a better drama series than "The Sweeney"

Although I liked The Sweeney, my tastes do tend to lead me towards more gentle things like:
Mapp & Lucia (1985)
Press Gang (1989)
The Beiderbecke Affair (1985)
The Beiderbecke Tapes (1987)
The Beiderbecke Connection (1988)
Ever Decreasing Circles (1984)
Brush Strokes (1986)
Nightingales (1990)
The Paradise Club (1989)
To Serve Them All My Days (1980)
To name but a few.

And yes, I'm aware that a lot are from the 80's, I think that was a particularly good time for UK TV.

Steve

[Shadwell]

Originally posted by aaron@Sep 6 2005, 01:08 AM I was enjoying the re-runs on Men & Motors, sadly only about one series' worth.... I have to say, i got very into it, and enjoyed seeing some of the well known actors turning up in a few episodes. The Sweeney, had some danger to it, both in the story and the dialogue. And often, a story wouldn't end all 'neat & tidy'. It's only when you see these kind of shows now, that you realise how well conceived and performed they were, and how poor things have become. There are probably a few contenders that can match The Sweeney, but no, i can't think of any that can surpass it. By the way, does the dvd boxset contain the pilot episode/play 'Regan'?

No it doesn't. That wil be out on DVD on September 12th seperately. Finally, I can replace my aging VHS copy. Apparently, Dennis Waterman has provided some of the commentary. By the way, I agree with the shows other people have listed. Watching the Sweeney makes me realise how poor modern tv has become. Your comments above exactly mirror mine..... By the way, if you're a fan of the Sweeney, I highly recommend the book "Sweeney The Official Companion" available here : http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1...2835416-2735028
Obviously it's about the Sweeney but it also talks about the set up of Euston film Studios, the techniques the television crew used and of course all the background gossip and information on every episode. Even if you prefer John Thaw as Inspector Morse, you'll get some interesting insights into the man himself and even to some of the usual suspects. You know the regular actors like Ian Hendry who'll you will instantly recognise as being a "seventies" face. Recommened reading...

[Shadwell]

Originally posted by David Challinor@Sep 6 2005, 02:23 PM Edge of Darkness HAS to be up there

Yes I agree, but just a little behind the Sweeney! Edge of Darkness was a superb series and I could not fault the performance of Bob Peck one bit. It's a pity he's no longer with us. A bit like John Thaw really. Both excellent actors...

[Tony Pendrey]

Originally posted by Shadwell@Sep 5 2005, 10:24 PM I openly challenge any member of this community to name me a better drama series than "The Sweeney" I've just finished watching the the DVD box set of "The Sweeney" and I suppose at the moment I'm a little Sweeney obsessed but nonetheless I openly challenge you!!! C'mon then. Name me a series which tops "The Sweeney"

Alright Guv.

I really enjoyed "Our Friends in The North", and more recently "The Long Firm".
They both had a story line which covered a relatively long period of time. For some reason that always engages me, and you really get a sense of the characters as they progress (or not).

"Sweeney" was ace though. Always used to look for the motor which you knew would be smashed up at the end. Usually a knackered old Jag. Bloody criminal looking back, but back then you could get those pretty cheap.

"SHUT IT !!!!!!!!! "

[mysteriesofedgarwallace]

I love the Sweeney.
But in my opinion all of the following wipe the floor with it:-

'Callan
'The Sandbaggers'
'Public Eye'
'Edge of Darkness'

but 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' is the finest British television series ever made

no contest.

[Shadwell]

Originally posted by mysteriesofedgarwallace@Sep 6 2005, 06:55 PM I love the Sweeney. But in my opinion all of the following wipe the floor with it:- 'Callan 'The Sandbaggers' 'Public Eye' but 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' is the finest television series ever made no contest.

Strange you should mention Callan as I've just ordered Callan - Series 1 Box Set DVD. Well, we all need to treat ourselves now and again. I remember Callan and it will be great to get reintroduced to it again. Once I see that swinging lightbulb and hear the opening music, the memories will come flooding back. I may agree with you after I've seen it, but in the meantime, there can be only one guvnor. As for "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" yes, excellent series no question. However was it as revolutionally as the Sweeney? Did it have the same impact on modern culture as the sweeney? One of the major legacy of the Sweeney and Euston films was the production methodology of British television film drama. After the Sweeney, everything changed and I really don't know of a series which the public still fondly remember and is still talked about despite it being made 30 years ago. Look at the stuff around today. Do you think any of that will be released on DVD and still be talked about in 30 years time? I doubt it. All in my humble opinion of course. Now shut it!!!

[Harbottle]

Some excellent choices, might I add I Clavdivs......sorry I Claudius. Just watching this again after many years, quite quite superb

[Freddy]

Shadwell Yesterday, 10:24 PM Post #1 I openly challenge any member of this community to name me a better drama series than "The Sweeney" I've just finished watching the the DVD box set of "The Sweeney" and I suppose at the moment I'm a little Sweeney obsessed but nonetheless I openly challenge you!!! C'mon then. Name me a series which tops "The Sweeney" Like many people I first caught the Sweeney in the 70's when I was a nipper. Most people think of the sweeney as being all about blaggers robbing banks. This is not the case as "The Sweeney" dealt with serious issues of the day which are still relevent today. C'mon then yer slags!!! If you know of a series which your think tops "The Sweeney" then let's not be shy. Let's have yer...get yer trousers on, yer nicked!!!

Aitch was in three episodes, wonder if he had the pleasure of having his collar felt?

Freddy

[DB7]

Originally posted by Shadwell@Sep 6 2005, 07:02 PM Did it have the same impact on modern culture as the sweeney? One of the major legacy of the Sweeney and Euston films was the production methodology of British television film drama.

What was The Sweeney's impact on modern culture?

[Tony Pendrey]

Originally posted by DB7@Sep 6 2005, 09:23 PM What was The Sweeney's impact on modern culture?

That middle-aged men look silly in flares