Special Branch (TV series): Difference between revisions
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{{For|the actual police division|Special Branch}} |
{{For|the actual police division|Special Branch}} |
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'''''Special Branch''''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[television]] series made by [[Thames Television]] for [[ITV]] and shown between 1969 and 1974. |
'''''Special Branch''''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[television]] series made by [[Thames Television]] for [[ITV]] and shown between 1969 and 1974. A [[Police_drama#United_Kingdom|police drama series]], the action was centered on members of the [[Special Branch]] anti-[[espionage]] and ant-[[Terrorism|terrorist]] department of the London [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]]. |
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The first two series were shot mainly on videotape with filmed inserts and starred [[Derren Nesbitt]] as DI Jordan, working to D.Supt Eden ([[Wensley Pithey]]) and subsequently D.Supt Inman ([[Fulton Mackay]]). |
The first two series were shot mainly on videotape with filmed inserts and starred [[Derren Nesbitt]] as DI Jordan, working to D.Supt Eden ([[Wensley Pithey]]) and subsequently D.Supt Inman ([[Fulton Mackay]]). |
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Another character was Strand, who appeared in the fourth series, the man from the [[government department|ministry]], played by [[Paul Eddington]]. Strand was a toffee-nosed civil servant who kept an unwanted eye on the detectives and their budgets. He sometimes manipulated them in order to pursue obscure matters of state, such as in "Double Exposure". |
Another character was Strand, who appeared in the fourth series, the man from the [[government department|ministry]], played by [[Paul Eddington]]. Strand was a toffee-nosed civil servant who kept an unwanted eye on the detectives and their budgets. He sometimes manipulated them in order to pursue obscure matters of state, such as in "Double Exposure". |
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The theme music was by [[Dudley Simpson]]. |
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The 1973/4 series of this police drama is notable for being the first production by [[Euston Films]], later responsible for such series as ''[[The Sweeney]]'' and ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]''. The influence on ''The Sweeney'' is clear, although the rough and tumble nature of that show is fairly lacking in ''Special Branch''. |
The 1973/4 series of this police drama is notable for being the first production by [[Euston Films]], later responsible for such series as ''[[The Sweeney]]'' and ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]''. The influence on ''The Sweeney'' is clear, although the rough and tumble nature of that show is fairly lacking in ''Special Branch''. |
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Revision as of 22:31, 30 August 2009
Special Branch is a British television series made by Thames Television for ITV and shown between 1969 and 1974. A police drama series, the action was centered on members of the Special Branch anti-espionage and ant-terrorist department of the London Metropolitan Police.
The first two series were shot mainly on videotape with filmed inserts and starred Derren Nesbitt as DI Jordan, working to D.Supt Eden (Wensley Pithey) and subsequently D.Supt Inman (Fulton Mackay).
The show was revamped in 1973 after Thames Television's Euston Films Limited subsidiary took over production using film which allowed for a less studio based series. These episodes starred George Sewell as Chief Inspector (CI) Alan Craven and Roger Rowland. The show was slow to take off so the producers introduced Patrick Mower as Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Tom Haggerty, and by the 1974 series Roger Rowland had been axed, his character being shown as having a nervous breakdown (though he returned for one episode, later in the run).
Another character was Strand, who appeared in the fourth series, the man from the ministry, played by Paul Eddington. Strand was a toffee-nosed civil servant who kept an unwanted eye on the detectives and their budgets. He sometimes manipulated them in order to pursue obscure matters of state, such as in "Double Exposure".
The theme music was by Dudley Simpson.
The 1973/4 series of this police drama is notable for being the first production by Euston Films, later responsible for such series as The Sweeney and Minder. The influence on The Sweeney is clear, although the rough and tumble nature of that show is fairly lacking in Special Branch.
In an ironic turn, both Sewell and Mower later starred as villains in The Sweeney — while Sweeney star Denis Waterman appeared in the 1974 Special Branch episode "Stand and Deliver" as a criminal. Mower later went on to star in the 1977-78 BBC police series Target.
The 1973 and 1974 series have been released onto Region two DVD by Network, and both sets include an episode from the original Thames TV series. The 1969 series was released as a 4-Disc DVD set by Network in January 2007 and the 1970 series was released as a Website Exclusive in November 2007. In 2008, all four series were released on DVD by Network in a 16-disc box-set featuring all 53 episodes.
External links
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