Crown Court

Daytime television in the U.K. didn't used to be about make over shows, 'Loose Women', and confrontational programmes of the 'Jeremy Kyle' variety. Back in the '70's, we had 'Crown Court', a series of intelligently written courtroom dramas, starring the cream of Britain's acting talent. The secret of the show's success lay in its simplicity; we rarely saw what was going on in the outside world, all we knew of the respective cases was what we heard from the witnesses, and that was enough. The jury was chosen from members of the public, who'd then deliver a verdict based on the evidence. Perhaps the most disturbing case was 'Destruct, Destruct' in which a sci-fi obsessed juvenile suffocates a boy with a plastic bag. Every time the camera focused on the accused, we'd be privy to his thought processes, which consisted of weird electronic noises. In 1976, Granada revamped 'Crown Court', putting it out on Saturday nights in hour-long shows. It didn't work, however, and soon returned to its natural habitat.

This long running series was of course set in and around a London court. Over three episodes which were transmitted during the week, viewers could follow the progression of a case, and marvel at the cross-examination of witnesses and defendants. It featured many actors who were unknown at the time, and have become household names, such as Ben Kingsley.

I remember one case in particular, called 'Sugar and Spice', which involved two friends, a posh public school girl and a spiky-haired punk girl, who were both accused of mugging a builder in the street. As in a real-life courtroom, the defendants' backgrounds and upbringing were brought before the jury. Viewers automatically assumed that the punk was the initiator of the attack, and had coerced her apparently meek friend into the crime. But it turned out that the meek shy posh girl was an absolute shrew (Hah!), after one lawyer successfully made her get angry and incriminate herself, and had been the instigator of the mugging.

Excellent!

'Crown Court' was superior daytime television throughout the 1970s, which is when I first saw it as a child, fascinated by the whole process and mesmerised by the cases and the acting.

Now rediscovering it thirty years on, it still feels relevant, and although some stories are contrived and rather simplistic, there are excellent cast appearances from the likes of Richard Wilson, John Barron, William Mervyn, Maureen Lipman, Mervyn Johns, TP McKenna, Ronald Lewis, Graham Crowden, and many more. The cases, running over three half-hour episodes, with a verdict 'from members of the public serving as a jury', keep the tension running as well as being easy enough to drop in and out of.

Quality drama then, sometimes with a touch of humour, especially from the actors playing the judges and prosecuting and defence counsels, bickering over points of court protocol. Entertainment without being dumbed down, and well worth watching even after all these years.

The legal teams make their cases, The Judge presides, but ultimately The Jury decide innocence or guilt at The Crown Court.

Wow, how unfair, in this day and age viewers have to endure Doctors and cookery shows, back in the 70's they got Crown Court. No wonder kids wanted to bunk of school to watch it, I'm sure I would have.

It's an incredibly watchable series, one that holds up remarkably well over half a century on. Gritty, amusing, baffling, intriguing, just some of the words I'd use to describe it.

One thing that the show definitely benefited from, was variety, writers, cast, producers, from one week to the next, it never felt stale, it always seemed to feel fresh, you never know what sort of case is coming next.

I'm so grateful to the folks at Talking Pictures for putting this great show on, I never miss, and am working my way through, a staggering number of episodes.

I am loving seeing so many familiar faces, so much talent to spot and enjoy, the likes of Richard Wilson, Maureen Lipman, William Mervyn, John Barron and many more.

So many brilliant episodes, far too many to mention, but if I were to urge to to seek out just one, Destruct Destruct, terrific.

Sadly the dvds are now discontinued, and as such fetching crazy prices, I only wish the remainder would get a release.

8/10.

I often binge watch this series & have seen every episode. The writers are stellar story writers BUT would make terrible lawyers, judges & jurors. Regularly I find myself screaming "You didn't pursue this line of questioning or You're not going to reexamine the witness?! Or Stop with the "I put it to you" arguments, that is NOT a question or Judge stop interrupting!" And don't get me started on the juries. Some of the verdicts have me throwing myself on the floor in a fit of RAGE! LOL. But on the other hand, I suppose that's what makes for great writing. A reaction such as mine. Touchet! CCTV!