Callan

Staggering how the plots are reflected in current international situations now in 21st century. Plus sa change. Edward Woodward superb as is Anthony Valentine as Meres gorgeously and menacing. Taught writing and gutsy dialogue love this. No better spy intelligence drama does not date at all. Get the DVD you won't be disappointed.

Callan was a series I discovered after being laid up with a heavy cold a couple of years back. Taughtly written, gritty, with an extraordinary air of oppression. David Challan worked for a secretive government department with a grim mission...

All I could say I was hooked.

This was espionage for adults, the perfect antidote to the CGI and exaggerated heroics of Bond and Bourne; Edward Woodward's David Callan - an angry, cynical, insubordinate ex- con/ ex- soldier - could have done them a nasty (and a half) without blinking. Prior to Callan, the closest we had to 'real' spies was Alex Le Mass or Harry Palmer...and like them Challan knew he was in a dirty business.

Good turns too from Russell Hunter, William Squire, Liz Langdon and Patrick Mower (staggers me he made Carry On England at this time!). Harold Wilson said he liked the show too... while I admire his tastes - bearing in mind the climate of the Seventies - I have to ask what was going through his head when he watched it?

Highly recommended.

I think I managed to see the entire series bar a couple of episodes and the story lines were always excellent. Great casting throughout. Alas, I realize how old I have become now when I see how Anthony Valentine has aged - have just watched a 2005 episode of the BBCs "New Tricks" this evening, in which he featured. Sadly don't seem to have seen Edward Woodward in many productions during the years since "Callan".

I only ever saw the "Callan" episodes in black and white - colour TV didn't reach New Zealand until several years after it was available in the USA and Europe, and we couldn't afford a colour set until 1982 - but I wonder whether viewing it in black and white added more gritty realism to the plots, and perhaps if I watched it now remastered in colour, would I find it slightly disappointing? I haven't noticed it around on DVD but if I do, don't think I'll be tempted to buy, as I prefer to remember it still with great enjoyment.

I'm young, just entered my 20s and yet I know they don't make spy series like this anymore. Callan was light but has certain depth on each and every episode. The writing was unique and somehow relatable. It centered not only in storytelling but also character development (which in today's standard is a bit hard to find. At least a good one). I personally think that's what series should do: showing characters development/arcs that movies mostly can't do. And they executed it perfectly when they decided to write Callan.

Woodward was such a phenomenal gem in this one. He pictured Callan so perfectly. His fears, his dislikes, his interests, all was in the right place. It's as if he was born to play Callan. I have absolutely such a delightful time watching him.

Initially I'd give it a 8.5 but alas... But after I think about it again, Callan deserve a spot of 9 on IMDB.

I as addicted to this series when it was first shown. Seeing it again in recent years confirmed to me just how good it was. Far better than most modern fare.

Callan was a reluctant killer who somehow always ended up doing what he knew was right but also what was morally grubby. The other characters were all superb and strongly drawn in their own right. Hunter, the leader of the section, Lonely the criminal low life friend, Toby the upper class psychotic who ends up his friend. The only drawback is the lack of strong women characters, apart from a few occasional guests.

This was a spy drama that made you think, that made you question your own side.

Modern writers could well learn from this series.