The classic 1970s cop series The Sweeney is released, fully restored, on Blu-ray on 2nd June to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.
The iconic police series, created by Ian Kennedy Martin, debuted on UK TV in 1975 and was a ratings smash, running for four seasons and making household names out of John Thaw and Dennis Waterman as Detectives Regan and Carter, with the brilliant Garfield Morgan as their long-suffering boss. It changed the landscape of TV cop dramas forever, with its no nonsense approach to crime-busting, pithy, quotable dialogue, punch ups galore (including Carter reliably being duffed up every episode), edge of your seat car chases, and some properly nasty villains.
Series One has been painstakingly restored for a superb five-disc Blu-ray Collector’s Edition, featuring all the episodes from the groundbreaking inaugural year, two versions of Regan, the original pilot of the show, a host of extras and commentaries, a booklet, and lavish packaging.
Featuring guest appearances from the cream of British acting talent – including Prunella Gee (Never Say Never Again), Dudley Sutton (The Devils), Billy Murray (The Bill), Warren Mitchell (In Sickness and In Health) and Wanda Ventham (UFO), and showcasing the directing skills of the likes of David Wickes (The Professionals) and Tom Clegg (McVicar) – The Sweeney is a top notch, must have purchase for those who like their cop dramas gritty, action packed and most definitely ‘old school’.
The beautifully restored episodes, in the original 4.3 TV format complete with ad breaks, look absolutely fantastic, and if it wasn’t for all the smoking, lack of seatbelts and vintage Jags tearing around gravel pits, you’d swear it was filmed yesterday. If you’re a fan of The Sweeney, you’re going to want to start your collection to come with this definitive Series One box set, no arguments!
BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
Option to view episodes in original Mono, 5.1 surround sound, or isolated music tracks
Armchair Cinema: Regan (original and 50 minute cut-down versions)
Interview with series creator Ian Kennedy Martin
Restoring The Sweeney
Reconstructed titles from Original Stills
Vintage Thames Trailer for Jackpot
Introduction to Queen’s Pawn by Tony Selby
Introduction to The Placer by John Forgeham
Introduction to Cover Story by Prunella Gee
Introduction to Golden Boy by Dudley Sutton
Introduction to Stoppo Driver by Billy Murray
Introduction to Big Spender by Warren Mitchell
Introduction to Abduction by Wanda Ventham
Audio Commentary on Armchair Cinema: Regan by actor Dennis Waterman, producer Ted Childs & director Tom Clegg
Audio Commentary on Ringer with actors Dennis Waterman, Garfield Morgan, writer Trevor Preston & editor Chris Burt
Audio Commentary on Jackpot with authors of “The Sweeney The Official Companion” Robert Fairclough & Mike Kenwood
Audio Commentary on Thin Ice with Producer Ted Childs, writer Troy Kennedy Martin & director Tom Clegg
Audio Commentary on Night Out with director David Wickes & assistant director Bill Westley
Additional Audio Commentary on Night Out with producer Ted Childs & writer Troy Kennedy Martin
Audio Commentary on Stoppo Driver with actors Dennis Waterman & Garfield Morgan
Audio Commentary on Abduction with actors Dennis Waterman, Garfield Morgan, writer Trevor Preston & director Tom Clegg
Booklet featuring an essay by Dennis Waterman
THE SWEENEY: SERIES ONE IS RELEASED ON BLU-RAY ON 2 JUNE
Available to order now from Amazon, HMV, Rarewaves and Zavvi
