Customer Reviews

The Sandbaggers Collection Set 1

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So speaks Neil Burnside (Roy Marsden, "Inspector Dalglish"), the steely D-Ops of THE SANDBAGGERS, a covert three-man team of spies operating at the height of the Cold War. It's an appropriate comment to describe the entire series. Created and Written by former British Intelligence officer Ian MacKintosh, any given episode is more likely to spend time discussing a mission than showing the mission itself... it's several episodes in before a Sandbagger is even armed. Emphasis is on the politics and pressures of a life lived in shadows, trading gunfights and explosions for cracking dialogue and fascinating characters. It's an approach that fans of HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET will more than appreciate. But it's Marsden who carries the series. As Neil Burnside, he is a man whose job has consumed every aspect of his life. He smoothly alternates between tart humor and devious ambition, able to hurl abuse at anyone who irritates him (which is everyone at some point or another) one moment, fight to prevent sending his men on a foolhardy mission behind the Iron Curtain the next, and plan an unsanctioned Assassination the next. Even at his most cold-blooded, Marsden's deft performance never lets us fully hate Burnside... but rather, pity him. It's more than likely you'll never find a more accurate account of the Intelligence community outside a documentary - it's rumored to be a favorite inside the CIA. A Sandbagger may spend most of his time "shuffling paper from in-tray to out-tray," but once in the field on assignment it often proves to be an ugly - and ultimately deadly - job. Gritty and compelling to the end, THE SANDBAGGERS is sophisticated entertainment, not for everyone. But those who invest their time and minds in this oft-forgotten series will not regret it... or forget it. This first set is low on Extras, and even begins with a written warning about the quality of the DVD image. However, it does beat third-generation VHS copies taped off PBS back in the 80's (the "traditional" SANDBAGGERS medium for years), and is more than adequate for the material. The package includes both a glossary of the omnipresent governmental abbreviations which even long-time fans will find useful, and the pivotal seventh episode "Special Relationship," inexplicably left out of the BFS's two VHS collections. The three-disk set includes the first seven episodes; 1. First Principles 2. A Proper Function of Government 3. Is Your Journey Really Necessary? 4. The Most Suitable Person 5. Always Glad to Help 6. A Feasible Solution 7. Special Relationship and Bonus: A Guide to Sandbaggers Abbreviations

The excellence of the BBC's THE SANDBAGGERS overcomes any quaintness of plotting that pits Her Majesty's Secret Intelligence Service against the machinations of the Evil Empire's KGB and its minions. Considering the menace of today's shadowy terrorist groups unaligned with any particular nation state, a return to the Cold War seems almost like the Good Old Days.

The "hero" of this television miniseries that aired in 1978 and 1980 is Neil Burnside (Roy Marsden), the wily, lonely, ruthless, testy, and driven Director of Operations, who works out of MI6's London headquarters in Century House. More specifically, Burnside oversees the "Sandbaggers", a trio of special agents available for covert operations against foreign enemies in the world's hotspots.

If you're expecting to see feats of derring-do reminiscent of 007, or even the Avengers, look elsewhere. Indeed, it's when the camera occasionally follows Neil's agents on their oversees exploits that the action gets clunky and amateurish. The essence of each episode's script lies back in London as we watch Burnside match wits with his immediate boss, SIS Deputy Chief Peele (Jerome Willis), and the agency's Director General (Richard Vernon), otherwise known as "C", both of whom Neil scornfully regards as bumbling incompetents, as well as with the meddling political wallahs in the Ministry of Defense and the Foreign Office. Who needs enemies with friends like these? And there's Neil's awkward relationship with Sir Geoffrey Wellingham (Alan MacNaughton), the urbane Permanent Undersecretary of State and the father of Burnside's estranged wife.

Perhaps the best episode in Set 1 is number 7, "Special Relationship", in which Neil dispatches Sandbagger Laura Dickens (Diane Keen) to East Berlin to retrieve some photographic intelligence from an agent-in-place. The mission turns into a personal disaster for Burnside in which the viewer first sees a human side to the Director.

THE SANDBAGGERS series nowhere approaches the superb BBC's productions of John Le Carre's TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY and SMILEY'S PEOPLE, both starring Alec Guinness. But, THE SANBAGGERS is an intriguing and intelligent depiction of the politics and backstage maneuvering of spycraft.

Two ways to guess Sandbaggers' age, or mine. One: it is the last series in my experience that features telephone cords. No cellulars, no wrist radios; indeed none of that high-tech gadgetry that figures to prominently in another spy series best left unnamed. Two: this is the last series for which my wife and I used to leave parties early. That is to say, the last before we got a VCR, and what a delight it is to find that this best of all TV dramas has moved on to videotape, and now to DVD.

When I say best, I mean it. I'm picky about my TV. I do like a few of the big intricate series numbers: Hill Street Blues, and then Northern Exposure and then -- well actually, then not a lot until the Sopranos. Sandbaggers is the only one that I willingly go back and re-watch again and again (for the Sopranos, we'll have to wait and see).

For diehards, there is a serviceable fan site (maybe the only one I've ever checked in on): see www.opsroom.org. A recent post by (producer) Ian Mackintosh's brother recalls how the series ended abruptly with Macintosh's disappearance in a small plane over Alaska -- and raises the possibility that it might have been more than just a simple misfortune.

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 DVD boxed set contains all seven 50-minute episodes from the first series (there are three in all), 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 superb series, which is as much a drama about people and human nature as it is about spies and government corruption. Quite frankly, I simply cannot recommend it highly enough. It's nothing short of outstanding!

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, also known as MI6). 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. PBS airs the show occasionally, and this boxed set is a good introduction to a wonderful and unique British television experience.

Simply put, this is the finest television show in the history of the medium. For realism, it goes all the way. Sure, TV shows today are more violent, meaning that there is guns and blood shown, but even the hardest core show that I can think of, Oz, comes off like sentimental hogwash by comparison. If you doubt me, watch episodes Is Your Journey Really Necessary? (Set 1) A Special Relationship, (Set 1)or At All Costs (Set 2) and tell me if Im not right. I wont describe what happens, which would spoil the enjoyment, but suffice to say that many hard decisions are made and many sacrifices are necessary. This is a hard-edged, realistic look at a secret service. The writing and acting is Incredible across the board. Roy Marsden is superb as the thin, cold leader, Neil Burnside. The inner-office politics are great fun to watch, as Burnside and his immediate superior, SIS deputy Chief, Matthew Peele vie for power and control. Just a great production from beginning to end.

I just finished the 20th episode and all I can say is this has to be one of the best shows ever made for TV. It's just too bad the show never caught on I would happily watch another 20 episodes. I assume the show was to cynical and subtly compelling to ever be a big hit. 25years after first airing it is quite interesting to see how prescient the sandbaggers proved to be in its understanding of the cold war dynamics. A must see.

You can't imagine how excited I was to hear that "The Sandbaggers" was gloriously released on DVD! I hope that now this program will receive the long-awaited praise and recognition it richly deserves. Rarely do we see a TV show that recognizes that there are intelligent people out in the audience. "The Sandbaggers" did just that, with excellent writing, excellent acting (Roy Marsden is brilliant!), and excellent direction.

I first came across "The Sandbaggers" when I was in junior high in the early 90's (I'm now 23). I absolutely loved staying up late at night to watch the PBS Mystery programs on Fridays. Back then, I'm sure most of the dialogue and plot went over my head, but I still enjoyed the show.

An exceptional show such as this might tempt people to do a remake of the series, but let's stop that thought right there. This program's a classic. Let's not tamper with greatness.

Due to the poor quality of the original material, the sound slightly fades in and out throughout the DVD series, but don't let that stop you from buying this gem.

I was young when the Sandbaggers were on TV, so it didn't really have enough action at the time, but something about it was compelling. Now I remember why; this is now my new (old) favourite TV show! I will get to the the end of that third set all too soon! If you want 24 or 007 this is probably not for you, but if you want 'real', this is it, or at least was in the good old days of the cold war. Don't get me wrong, you'll still be on the edge of your seat, but not because of special effects and stunt-men but because the characters come across as real people who don't win every battle.

The 20 episodes of "The Sandbaggers" unfold against the clammy backdrop of the Cold War, circa late 1970s, contemporaneous with Yorkshire Television's production of the series. The British Secret Intelligence Service is a familiar milieu for spy sagas. This is turf well trod by thoroughbreds such as John Le Carre and lesser stallions like Ian Fleming. The intelligence community of series creator Ian Mackintosh is brisk and serious, populated by businesslike professionals. The Sandbaggers are George Smiley pushed past The Circus and the Old School Ties by the institutional thrust of modern spycraft; they are James Bond shorn of the pyrotechnics, the carnality and the wisecracks. Characters and plots are more concerned with budgets than body counts, with internal politics as much as Realpolitik in the international order. They are conscious that their actions have moral implications; they debate the purpose and propriety of their covert undertakings. There is no skunkworks in the basement to arm agents with lethal toys. The tools of Special Section operatives are guts, good sense and grounding. They are products of the world's most experienced intelligence service. They never forget that they are employees of Her Majesty's government. They have their meager paychecks to remind them.
The central character is Director of Operations Neil Burnside, played sharply by the impeccable Roy Marsden. If ever there was a fictional television hero with a right-wing agenda, the relentlessly machiavellian Neil Burnside is its epitome. Patriotic, nostalgic for the old values, uncompromisingly resistant to liberalizing influences, self-righteous and contemptuous of his adversaries, Burnside seems deliberately modeled on that loathsome cowboy of American espionage, William Casey.
What is it about Neil Burnside that so engages our sympathies? It is this: he is always true to form. The Burnside package comes agreeably wrapped in the cultivated diction, the caustic wit, the keen analytical mind, the cool under pressure. But, no matter what, you can count on Neil being Neil. You can accept the duplicity, the intransigence, the mendacity, the audacious scorn for superiors, the heartless means justified by their dubious ends because you can hang a plumb line on Burnside and it will invariably orient itself toward Duty. Although ambitious, Burnside is always willing to subsume his personal aims to his larger loyalty, the S.I.S.
It is this ineluctible trueness in Burnside, for example, that elevates Episode Seven, "Special Relationship", from maudlin melodrama to sublime tragedy. Only the intervention of the gods can forestall the inevitable, but as always the gods are conspicuously absent when a hero is faced with a tough call.
Most episodes of "The Sandbaggers" are not so majestic, but all are impelled by crisp, blunt dialogue from the lexicon of British bureaucracy and all wrestle with the exigencies of black ops under democratic government. The cast glitters with accomplished English TV veterans Ray Lonnen and Jerome Willis, as well as sturdy film actors Richard Vernon, Alan MacNaughtan and Bob Sherman. Most plots display a satisfying polyphony - contrapuntal story lines reinforce each other, lending momentum and underscoring ironies. Even the less well-executed stories convey urgency, etched in the anxious visages of the directorate staff monitoring crucial developments from the Ops Room.
The series is both dynamic and cerebral, a blend of action and rumination that, as it entertains, also invites the viewer to contemplate the nature and purpose of covert missions necessarily executed without the express permission of the public they are meant to serve.
How cruel and stupid television can be! So many episodes of "Mission Impossible." So few of "The Sandbaggers."