Out

What was brilliant, absolutely unmissable TV in 1978 looks dated nearly 40 years on. Other than Tom Bell most of the supporting cast look quite wooden, but this could be due to 1970s direction. The story line is excellent and it would be good to see it done today for a new audience. I think the rhyming slang used put a lot of people off as they would not have a clue what 'reels of cotton' meant; or 'dabs'; 'the island'. It was alright for me as I was in that world, but this may have been one of the reasons why it won just one award for Editing... It's a shame that they used a fleet of Ford cars all beginning with the same three letters as you never knew if it was the old bill or the villains pulling up! It was worth another watch after so long, but don't expect it to feel as good as it did back then. Euston Films did some great stuff back then, classic TV, but style has changed and moved on with television.

Out has a similar premise to Get Carter except the main character here is upsetting the underworld's status quo by trying to find the people responsible for getting him locked up. You never know how far the character of Frank Ross will go when he tracks these people down and that adds to the suspense. Perhaps I was adding that on my own because in Get Carter, Carter simply murders almost everyone involved in his brother's death.

There is alot of implied violence and near violence but ultimately only two or three characters get shot and one dies from an accident. If you watch it, you think it gets far more violent than it does but it is actually very tame for this kind of entertainment.

The ending is deliberately open ended but such is life. The resolution is never 100% resolved. I don't know if a sequel was planned. Trivia here claims Bell was offered a sequel but declined but I like that it ends a little open ended.

I thought the entire cast was excellent. I never saw Brian Croucher in as a sympathetic role as this playing Frank's financially broken best friend. Brian Cox is everything you'd expect as the sociopathic mobster. He has bright yellow hair which strangely works for the character. It is difficult to not notice the character. Tom Bell is of course the star as Frank Ross. You really are guessing how far he will go in finding answers and what he will do when he gets there. Enigmatic.

Sure, this can be considered dated but I imagine people say the same about Long Good Friday, and Get Carter. I don't mind it. This was a great mini series I had trouble shaking from my mind when it was over. Only the original Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Fear, The Wire and Breaking Bad had that effect on me after it was over. There is no higher compliment for a TV drama.

I was 18 in 1978 so was old enough to watch this but I don't recall watching it.

I do remember lots of trailers on ITV about it.

This gangster/cop thing set in London.

I bought the dvd recently because it is the sort of thing I like and because my late brother used to go on about how much he loved this drama.

It is interesting from a historical point of view.

The acting and casting are good.

I think it would have been big budget for its time.

But I was slightly disappointed after 6 episodes.

Considering the legendary status of this drama I felt The BBC's Gangsters from the same era is much more ground breaking and watchable.

If you like The Sweeney or The Professionals you will like this.

I find that The Professionals stands up better over time than The Sweeney or this programme.

In a word, they just don't make them like this anymore and most likely couldn't even if they tried!

Tom Bell is brilliant as Frank Ross in 'Out' and if you haven't seen it your're in for a real treat. Credit also to the rest of the cast who also rate very highly and it's hard to pick out anybody in particular. There're all good.

Also, unlike, say 'A Touch of Frost' or 'Midsomer Murders' etc, the plot of 'Out' is fairly easy to understand and doesn't leave you wondering "what the hell is going on here"? as it twists and turns through various sub-plots!

Anyway, watching this gem a second or third time round is in for a treat not a trick! I'm getting my copy on DVD this week along with a case of lagers and I'm going to sit back and enjoy a real TV classic. (over 2 evenings of course...)

PS Also, about this time the BBC aired another great British 4 part crime thriller (90 minutes each) called 'Law and Order' and what an addition that would make to anybody's archive DVD collection of '70's TV offerings.

Just watched the series for the first time on talking pictures.

Can't believe that I have never seen this before, but I do remember the book that was in the school library back in the early 90s and had a laugh at the language and phrases used.

For a fan of the Sweeney and other 70s British series it's a must see.