Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786303154862
Format: Box set
ISBN: 6303154867
Label: Bfs Entertainment
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
Number Of Items: 6
Publisher: Bfs Entertainment
Release Date: 1998-11-11
Running Time: 312
Studio: Bfs Entertainment

Customer Rating:
Summary: SUPERB!!!
Comment: This is the best espionage drama I have ever seen. Each performance is par excellent, with special acclaim deserved by Roy Marsden, who has the wound-up, tightly-knit character he plays down to perfection.

I would like to mention to those who are deciding between purchasing the VHS series as oppposed to the DVD, that the seventh episode is missing in the VHS series, but is included in the DVD. Does it matter? It sure does, because the missing episode is not so much one of suspense (probably that too though, since I haven't seen it), as to the outcome of the major romance in the series.

Having viewed Sandbaggers Collection 1 twice, I am now ready to go on to the second series. There was one episode that I could not bring myself to view twice because of the brutality and horrible ending. My stomach was just not strong enough.

There are no holds barred in this series. One feels that one has come as close as possible to how it really is, how it really was in the world of secret intelligence. Not very pretty. But fascinating to watch!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The Best in Captivating, Thought-Provoking Suspense Drama
Comment: I have no hesitation in saying that this is one of the best dramatic series I've ever seen. Certainly, so far as intelligently-written, intellectually-satisfying British dramas are concerned, it is second-to-none.

The series stars Roy Marsden as Neil Burnside, the Director of Operations for the SIS (Britain's Secret Service) and head of the Sandbaggers (a special unit of highly-trained operatives within the SIS). Burnside is a multi-faceted individual, and like the system of which he is a part, he is not without flaws. A former Sandbagger himself, Burnside will move heaven and earth for his operatives--a devotion which is commendable. But he is also ambitious and capable of being ruthlessly manipulative. While he cares deeply about his operatives, it is in those rare instances when the needs of an individual collide with his or her job as a Sandbagger that we see a surprising--indeed startling--side to Neil Burnside.

Roy Marsden (who will be familiar to many as Adam Dalgliesh of the P.D. James' dramatisations) is simply splendid in portraying the nuances in Burnside's personality as well as in evoking often conflicting emotions on the part of the viewer. In fact, it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role.

The portrayal of the policies, priorities, and hypocrisies within the SIS, the Ministry of Justice, and indeed the government in general is thought-provoking not to mention disturbing. If you've enjoyed the humourous (albeit highly accurate) depiction of government in the Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister series, you will certainly enjoy this series. The approach is a serious one (although punctuated with comic relief in the form of witty remarks), but the insights into the running of (and indeed corruption of) government remain the same.

The boxed set contains six 50-minute episodes, each of which is absolutely first-rate with very tight, fast-paced plots. There is suspense, but it is not long and drawn out. There are twists and surprises galore, but all are intricately connected to the storyline; none have been inserted gratuitously merely for the sake of thrills.

Whether or not you like the spy genre in particular, so long as you enjoy intelligent, impeccably-written and consummately-acted suspense drama, you will enjoy this outstanding series, which is as much a drama about people and human nature as it is about spies and government corruption. Quite frankly (and this goes for both boxed sets), I simply cannot recommend this series highly enough. It's outstanding!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Classic British Series!
Comment: I have viewed this series endless times, never tiring of the complex characters and brilliantly written scripts. This series contains everything uniquely British and portrays the 'Cold War' during the late 1970s exteremely well. The acting is first rate. Although filmed with a limited budget, the direction is tops. The main characters are all played by experienced theatre actors and their skills in natural looking movement around the limited sets, helps to instill 'life' into so-called numerous non-action scenes. The more one views this series, the more quotation gems, one discovers! The dry humour at times is hillarious! Roy Marsden leads this excellent cast, and shows the versatility of this excellent actor. He reveals a hidden talent for comedy, as he delivers his pointed, very funny lines, with perfectly timed deliberate deadpan expression.What a different character from his more recent, poet/dectective Adam Dalgliesh in the Mystery Series on PBS. I feel that this series, which has quite a 'cult' following, is ageless and certainly does not appear 'dated.' I highliy recommend the purchase of this set, and the next in the series. there is only one note of disappointment in that the highly emotive Episide 7 "Special Relationship" is not included in this or the next set! A strange omittence, as this episode was crucial to the main characters development for the rest of the series! However this set is great value and a 'must' for a dedicated video collector!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Awesome! .... Give us MORE!
Comment: The absolute best quality drama ever produced!

Have just ordered the 2nd set and can't wait to watch them. Hopefully, we will soon be privy to set #3!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A great espionage soap opera
Comment: I've seen the entire series and have off-the-air copies of all but two of the episodes so I refresh my memory of how good this series is often.

It's very well written and well performed. The production values are somewhat lacking and some of the political situations described sometimes stretch believability even with what we know NOW about how things were in the late 1970s. Nevertheless, the show is immensely entertaining and the plots are thorougly gripping.

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