Redcap

I recently came across this tv series on Youtube. I am just too young to have watched it as a kid although I remember it being on. I think my parents probably thought that I was too young to understand the subtleties of the characters and situations. They were probably correct as the series seemed to cover most of the deadly sins somewhere within the 26 episodes. For the 1960's it was an astonishingly realistic and gritty production.

John Thaw is at his best in his first starring role, and it makes interesting viewing to see which of the many other, now famous, actors can be spotted in each episode.

Another curious and rare thing which makes watching Redcap worthwhile is that of the 26 episodes that were made, no less than 25 actors, other than Thaw, appear in 2 episodes. They can be spotted playing characters of completely different rank and class, sometimes as goodies, sometimes as baddies. It gave the actors a great opportunity to display the range of their acting ability.

I'm a bit fed up with all the obituaries about John Thaw, and how he's sorely missed because of his INSPECTOR MORSE stuff (and yeah, GOODBYE MR TOM is a wonderful piece)....

The latter veneration of his TV work seems to me to have obscured some of his astonishing work in other series and TV work.

REDCAP was my first exposure to John Thaw. A young, raw and angry actor - who my own Dad COMPLETELY identified with at the time of the series' showing. Dad was an ex-soldier, with no love of military policemen. But he used to let me stay up late to watch REDCAP, because he was so taken with Thaw's portrayal of a FAIR army cop. Angry, aware of what he had to do, aware of his subordination to senior officers (who often pulled rank in the episodes, despite the justice of the case) Thaw's performances were utterly compelling. I hope someone reads this review, has some clout - and could bring 'em out on video/DVD, whatever.

Last throwaway point to anyone wanting to follow-up John Thaw's acting power prior to the MORSE years.

Check out if you can, a British television production of MACBETH from the 60's/70's starring Eric Porter - which has John as the scariest Banquo's ghost you've ever seen.

This short lived 1960's tv series in b&w on UK tv gave a first starring role to John Thaw as a Military Policeman in the British army. From this series he became a firm favourite and went on to star in The Sweeney as Jack Reagan, Inspector Morse, and many other tv specials and series. A consummate actor he will be sorely missed . RIP