The Fear

This was the best series i have ever seen on television it really was, the storyline was great and the acting was spot-on, Iain Glen (Carl) played a chillingly real role in the film, he was perfectly cast as the gang leader, London was an interesting and happening place to live at that time, unlike now, its a toilet. I was in a gang just like this one at the time, so i know from experience what it was really like, i had a great time being in the gang/firm whatever you want to call it, it really was that way where i lived in North & South London, a lot of the scenes from the series actually happened to me and people i know, the series was a mirror image of life at that time, money and ultra violence was everywhere. It was VERY VERY exciting and things were changing all the time on a daily basis, the series shows this very well in all manner of ways, it was not just what you saw on screen, but what you never saw, it was very cleverly made and directed, i don't think they could show the series now on television, as its all become far too PC now, they swapped "The Sweeney" for the bill and it all went rapidly downhill from there, i really hate it. The series portrays a time that is long gone and will never return, mores the pity. Over the years i have really wanted to see this series again but have not been able to. I would love to be able to buy a copy of this series if anyone has a copy, please let me know and you can consider it sold, kind regards everyone, Gerard.

Cor blimey - Old Laaandun Taaan was never like this, was it?

It's 2017 - I'm watching this for the first time... and it's aged horribly. But I have a feeling that this is down to me rather than the series. The searingly honest and uncomfortably accurate portrayal of a depressing London during the Margeret Thatcher years is hard to watch.

This is an ambitious production and the drama moves at a rapid clip so you have to pay attention. But the scenery, the clubs, the cars, the general downbeat working class lives are all hard to stomach. It's just TOO realistic. It's 'Only fools and horses!' without the humor!

The highlight of this series is Anthony Valentine better known for his immaculate role in the classic Raffles.

There's not much here for a modern audience to enjoy. The music, the padded shoulders, the hair (oh, the hair!) and the language all seem a bit cheesy now... but if you're a product of the 90s then this may just remind you just how horrible it all was!

If I was grading this when it first came out I'd have easily given it an 8 or 9... but it's a 4 today. :(

It's been a long time since I saw this mini-series dealing with London gangsters, and I didn't get to see all of it, but I remember being extremely impressed by the acting and by the general presentation. Production values were outstanding. It seemed relatively slow-moving in terms of plot, more slice of life than fast-paced actions or twists and turns, but there was a real plot. This program was very dark in tone, not because of excessive violence, but because of its portrayal of a criminal subculture where no-one can be trusted or relied upon, where success is fleeting, and where even successes are hollow. Unlike Tarantino's gangster flicks or Japanese yakuza films, there are no amusing quirks of character or cartoonish elements to provide comic relief. The lead character has the expensive cars and clothes, and the trophy wife, but it's still not enough to fulfil his ambitions. His sneer of cold command and chilly, controlling demeanour suggests a total emotional vacuum. His wife can't stand his lifestyle, he doesn't even truly know his best friend, his gang consists of imbeciles and traitors, and the timid Irish accountant that he thinks he controls is actually putting the screws on him. The other gangsters he deals with are similarly disillusioned. One talks of how he hates his kids, another says that to him the 60's meant little fun and a lot of hard work. Nobody ends up feeling satisfied despite their desperate and dangerous striving, and perhaps this is what resonated with me so powerfully and made it so memorable.

The Fear followed on the true tradition of Euston Films.....an action drama with a viable plot and characters.

The series follows a London firm who attempt to break into the big time of the London underworld....with tragic consequences.

This is the sort of thing I like,a crime drama.

In 1988 when it was on tv I was a student and was too busy to watch much tv.

So I was glad to catch up with this on dvd.

But I didn't like it much,the plot is predictable and there are no great performances.

Apart from anything else the sound levels on the dvd make it hard to make out all the dialogue.

Sadly just because it was by Euston Films does not mean it was a classic sadly.