Gideon's Way

Happily 'Gideons Way' was recently released on DVD in the UK in full.

At 32, I obviously missed the series first time round, and some may suppose a B&W police series for 1965 may be somewhat old fashioned for a thirtysomething. However, its blend of well crafted story lines, an often shocking brutality for 1960s television, and the honest and natural acting make it unmissable. It represents now a lost London : of gangs and protection rackets, Soho coffee bars, undeveloped docklands and seedy rooming houses. Superb!

John Gregson was hugely underrated as an actor. A biography on this talented man is highly overdue. Anyone know of one? Or shall I have to write one myself?!

You may be interested to know that all 26 episodes of the series have been released on DVD by Granada (UK) (about October 2005). It is superb although' it appears that some of the original films haven't stood up to the passage of time but this does not detract from the viewing. I vaguely remember the original TV showing of these in the mid-60s and the series benefits from getting out of the studio. However, the public standing at the roadside watching the action can be a little distracting. I was given the set as a Christmas (2005) present so I haven't managed to get thru' them all yet but so far it appears that they stick closely to the segments from the original novels on which the episodes are based. In this regard, however, I am disappointed that Gideon's right hand men in the books (Bell & Lematre) do not play the same role in the series. I don't remember 'David Keen' from the books! Given the success of 'Heartbeat' (which dallies from time to time as a police series), I wonder if the series could be re-made today? (John Creasey as) J.J. Marric's novels ran to 26 (including 4 by Vivian Butler) and the series only really used about the first half dozen or thereabouts so there is a lot of scope to take the series on from those days. Of course, the backdrop of London in the mid-60s is no longer there. Who would you cast in the title role? Would it work now in these days of instant ratings success? Anyway, it was a great series, both in its' day and now on DVD.

Strangely the sequence of episodes on the DVDs follow the filming dates and NOT the transmission dates.

I have waited for a long time for this series to come out on DVD and am not sorry for the wait. I saw the series on tele in the 60s and boy what a difference to todays world. John Gregson was an excellent actor who deserved better parts that what he got in his days. What happened to our once loved and respected police from that series. Long gone and nothing like what we have today. Poorly trained, invisible, no ties, failure to wear their headgear when on duty unless visiting royalty and ministers visits. The series was well acted and with good location series and memories of a lot of great actors and actresses of that time it is a joy to watch. Loved the policemen all dressed properly and smart, the police cars that brought fear into our young hearts at the time. The police sergeants out on their bikes inspecting the troops again something long gone. Sad it all gone. Thank god for dvds.

if you appreciate well written and crafted police drama with an authentic and quality feel to it's production then Gideon's way is for you. I have spent many a moon searching for any videos of the 1960's TV series and have still only obtained around 6 of them!! John Gregson and Alexander Davion are excellent as the detectives out to solve some tricky crimes and criminals. Shot virtually always on location the series have a real taste of the times and are nicely set with believable and tasty villains. What a shame that the series have rarely been re run on present TV schedules. John Gregson, a sensitive and human actor as always, died suddenly in the early 1970s, his acting and valuable contribution to British films and TV remain a quality legacy for us to enjoy.Please would someone release the series on DVD/video!!

Long forgotten police drama series featuring the cases and adventures of honest family man copper Inspector Gideon.All the hallmarks of its production company are there,such as easily digestible stories that had an international appeal and production values that were head and shoulders above the well remembered police series of that day such as 'Z Cars' and 'Dixon Of Dock Green'. Shot entirely on film it was possibly one of the first British police series to escape the studio and use extensive location filming. TV stations have prejudice against shows made in black and white so consequently this has probably not been on TV since its first or second showing?