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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Complex characters; superb acting; like reading a good novel, September 23, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Sandbaggers Collection Set 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The Sandbaggers was written by Ian Mackintosh, a man who wished to debunk the James Bond mythology and portray Cold War era espionage as it really was. The series was made in the late 1970s, and three short seasons were produced - this boxed set includes the first six of the seven episodes that comprise the first season. Roy Marsden is superb as Neil Burnside - Director of Operations for the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). He is in command of a three-man section of special agents, nicknamed the Sandbaggers, who undertake politically sensitive and hazardous missions outside the UK. The world of spies is shown to be prone to budget cuts and political interference, and internal office politics affect the outcome of missions as much as (if not more than) international politics. The entire cast is exceptional, rising to the task of breathing life to excellent, witty, and complex scripts which really demand that the viewers pay attention (repeated viewings also yield new understanding and new surprises). The characters are multi-layered and grow with each episode - no one in this series is all good or all bad; they each have their strengths and their failings, and it is a joy (and sometimes heartbreaking) to accompany them on their journey. It is a shame that this box set omits the seventh episode (the finale of the first season) because there are character arcs that are built to a climax in episode #7. Still, PBS airs the show occasionally, and this boxed set is a good introduction to a wonderful and unique British television experience.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb spy drama awaits fans of British television, January 19, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Sandbaggers Collection Set 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
These videos are the first six (out of 20) of a brilliant British spy series produced by Yorkshire Television. The 50-minutes episodes focus on the elite covert operations section of British Intelligence, nicknamed Sandbaggers. The timeframe is the late 1970s and early 1980s when the Cold War dominated the intelligence community. Neil Burnside, perfectly played by Roy Marsden, is Director of Operations for the Sandbaggers. A former Sandbagger himself, he is world-weary, bitterly divorced, and fighting against the bureauracy to protect and defend his directorate. The TIMES weekly entertainment guide called it "the second best espionage series ever" (the best being "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"). It never had a big audience, but has gained a cult following. l I think The Sandbaggers the best drama ever made. It is thought-provoking, as well as entertaining. If you know Roy Marsden only in his role of mild-mannered Adam Dalgliesh you are in for a surprise. Marsden is masterful in his portrayal of the complex Neil Burnside, and he is supported by a brilliant cast. Happy viewing!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic British Series!, May 7, 2000
This review is from: Sandbaggers Collection Set 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
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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