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Sandbaggers (The): The Complete Second Series
R2 - United Kingdom - Network Review written by and copyright: Rob Hunt (6th August 2006). |
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The Show
 Do you remember that stern face? Do you remember that simple yet wonderful theme tune? Do you remember the scrolling titles? The nostalgic feel upon watching these episodes of this late, great British TV crime series, The Sandbaggers, is very evident - and Network have aided in this enjoyment by including all the original fade-out title cards "End of Part One", "Part Two" and so on - a definite treat for the original fans. That and those red, white, grey and brown phones... In perhaps Roy Marsden's most prolific role, as Neil Burnside - head of the elite covert operations unit 'The Sandbaggers', the TV series of the same name is a little gem from the late '70s - an interesting and well written series that makes some bold moves, especially in the opening episode - a continuation from where the first series ended up. Although only three series were made of The Sandbaggers, this is still a fantastic show and another great TV series 'made in Britain'. Joining Marsden are some very familiar faces, including Richard Vernon and Alan MacNaughton in addition to the other core actors themselves. The second series picks up where the first left off and sets the ball rolling for more missions to go on. Comprising of 6 episodes, the series manages to keep itself going without feeling like it has been padded out to fill more episode slots, and in doing so makes each episode a worthwhile watch, if not a very enjoyable one. Summing up the episodes has been done very well by the TV.com Guide so I will use them alongside the episode listing. DISC 1: - "At All Costs" (53:06) The head of the Bulgarian Secret Service asks to meet with Sandbagger Tom Elliott in Sofia, but Burnside doesn't like it and intends to give Elliott backup whether his bosses approve or not. - "Enough of Ghosts" (51:21) Permanent Under-Secretary of State Sir Geoffrey Wellingham goes missing in Brussels and the Sandbaggers are dispatched to find him, for Burnside's sake as well as Wellingham's. - "Decision by Committee" (52:06) On an airline flight back from Sri Lanka, Caine and CIA covert-action agent Karen Milner run into trouble during their stop in Turkey, and Burnside runs into bureaucratic opposition when trying to help them. DISC 2: - "A Question of Loyalty" (51:50) Sandbagger Mike Wallace runs afoul of the local SIS station while on a risky mission in Warsaw, and Burnside risks his own career to show him support by sending him on a subsequent mission to Stockholm. - "It Couldn't Happen Here" (51:42) In the wake of the assassination of one U.S. senator, the Sandbaggers are assigned to bodyguard another, while Burnside gets wind of a traitor in the British cabinet. - "Operation Kingmaker" (52:12) When there's talk of getting a new 'C', Burnside decides to back Peele for the job, believing him more malleable than the other most likely candidate, whom Burnside once clashed with. NOTE: The episodes are reported as UNCUT by the front cover, but the discs are rated PG, whilst a longer 12-rated submission exists over at the BBFC. It is unclear what the differences are. See more in the Overall.
Video
This looks like it has been sourced directly from a (good condition) VHS tape, which - judging by what British TV companies did in the past - is probably the master tape itself. There is some instances of (brief) magnetic interference but the biggest deterioration is probably that in the form of dirt and telecine wobble - however this is nothing unexpected, and the picture quality is good considering what it could be like.
Audio
The audio track is a 2.0 dual mono one, in the original English language, and does the job well - apparently having survived better than the image (but only marginally). Nothing I'd complain about, and there was no noticeable distractions. What I would expect, perhaps a bit better.
Extras
None.
Overall
A very good TV series and a solid release by Network. Sadly, whilst I am slightly disappointed at the lack of extras, the biggest annoyance on this disc is the lack of English or English HoH subtitles. It's only a small thing, but it goes a long way in my books. Other than that, I would recommend this release to fans of the show, as I enjoyed it very much. NB/ As above, there are two submissions over at the BBFC - a 12-rated one and a PG-rated one and it is unclear whether there has been a rating dispute or some edits or an error on the BBFC's part. The BBFC made no response when contacted.
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