Great write up Luke! Remember growing up watching this and I’ve loved it ever since! It still holds up well today too! And of course… one of the best opening soundtracks out there!
Perhaps! What rank was Colin Gubbins of SOE? When it started? Brigadier. But had to check. And Cummings of SIS? RN Captain. Again, had to check.
The point is that CI5 is supposed to be above the law. Literally. They have a brief to do anything they want. Anything. Which sounds nuts. But, hey, it was the late 70s- and there was a sense that order was breaking down. Hmmmm.
Interesting what you say about Southwark. When I first visited London as a child in the mid-80s, we stayed at the Tower Thistle in St Katharine’s Dock, by Tower Bridge. At the age of nine or so, I knew next to nothing about London, but looking across Tower Bridge to Southwark, I had a definite feeling that over there was different, other, menacing.
If you haven't seen it, I recommend The Hard Way (copyright 1979) with Patrick McGoohan and Lee Van Cleef. I love the settings, the cinematography and Patrick's performance.
I was a big fan of The Professionals. I was allowed to stay up (school night), and watched it with my Dad. Some years later I met Lewis Collins. He was in, of all things, a pantomime. Cinderella, I think. He landed on the stage via a zipline, with the Professionals theme tune playing! Afterwards, I went backstage and knocked on his dressing room door to ask for an autograph. He was lovely and we had a bit of a chat.
I’m a great believer in owning a physical copy of something I enjoy. Our shelves groan with books, CDs and DVDs (including The Professionals) but at least they are ours.
It's a good point, isn't it? I don't think Amazon is going to go bust, but you never know. Look what happened to Barings! And then what happens? Do you lose all your downloads. The other nice thing about DVDs is that they often come with all sorts of extras. Directors' commentaries, documentaries, original trailers and subtitle options.
It was that sort of programme, wasn't it? We were allowed a half hour extension to stay up to watch it at school, which must have meant that normally we were packed off to the dorm at 9.30pm? Is that right? Seems rather strict. But that's the early 80s for you.
Oh, memories....
Thanks! That takes me back. And yes, loved the soundtrack too.
Great write up Luke! Remember growing up watching this and I’ve loved it ever since! It still holds up well today too! And of course… one of the best opening soundtracks out there!
I get the sense that the job might have been just beneath it for a Brigadier while offering faint hope of breakthrough advancement for a Major
Perhaps! What rank was Colin Gubbins of SOE? When it started? Brigadier. But had to check. And Cummings of SIS? RN Captain. Again, had to check.
The point is that CI5 is supposed to be above the law. Literally. They have a brief to do anything they want. Anything. Which sounds nuts. But, hey, it was the late 70s- and there was a sense that order was breaking down. Hmmmm.
I preferred Sandbaggers for my dirty work
That's a good idea! I could do something on Sandbaggers. Watched several episodes recently. Cracking stuff.
Interesting what you say about Southwark. When I first visited London as a child in the mid-80s, we stayed at the Tower Thistle in St Katharine’s Dock, by Tower Bridge. At the age of nine or so, I knew next to nothing about London, but looking across Tower Bridge to Southwark, I had a definite feeling that over there was different, other, menacing.
Always had a soft spot for the Tower Hotel. Sticking up a brutalist concrete job (1973) bang next to Tower Bridge- now that requires confidence.
If you haven't seen it, I recommend The Hard Way (copyright 1979) with Patrick McGoohan and Lee Van Cleef. I love the settings, the cinematography and Patrick's performance.
I was a big fan of The Professionals. I was allowed to stay up (school night), and watched it with my Dad. Some years later I met Lewis Collins. He was in, of all things, a pantomime. Cinderella, I think. He landed on the stage via a zipline, with the Professionals theme tune playing! Afterwards, I went backstage and knocked on his dressing room door to ask for an autograph. He was lovely and we had a bit of a chat.
Good old Lewis! I hear only good things about him.
I’m a great believer in owning a physical copy of something I enjoy. Our shelves groan with books, CDs and DVDs (including The Professionals) but at least they are ours.
I'm with you!
I completely agree with you about DVDs. I’ve got hundreds of them and people in our house have now stopped complaining for your very reason.
It's a good point, isn't it? I don't think Amazon is going to go bust, but you never know. Look what happened to Barings! And then what happens? Do you lose all your downloads. The other nice thing about DVDs is that they often come with all sorts of extras. Directors' commentaries, documentaries, original trailers and subtitle options.
My brother and I always tried to get out baby sitters to let us stay up to watch The Professionals.
It was that sort of programme, wasn't it? We were allowed a half hour extension to stay up to watch it at school, which must have meant that normally we were packed off to the dorm at 9.30pm? Is that right? Seems rather strict. But that's the early 80s for you.