Sweeney! (1977) User Reviews

Cheers Guv'nor

[markmartin2305 · 8/10 · 29 October 2005]

A no frills film in keeping with the series, the genre and the time.

This is a film about edgy London police in an edgy London in the edgy 70's. You could of course substitute "edgy" for "dodgy" in the above sentence and it would still be true...

For those of us around in the 70's it, like the series, is fantastically atmospheric. The hair, the clobber (look out for Regan's green anorak), the boozers, the motors, the women.

The plot is far less important than the characters who are all superb, and a particular mention for the young (and very beautiful) Diane Keen, and to a lesser extent Linda Bellingham - whose nudity makes you look at those OXO adverts very differently (or it would if they were still on) The film also gives some extra scope to the relationship between Regan & Carter, and there are some edgy moments between the 2, starting with their morning-after-the-night-before and culminating in the dramatic ending and indeed the film's last words. One of the many things I liked about the Sweeney was its realism and how it didn't portray its main characters as heroes but showed their dark sides and their failures.

I loved the TV Sweeney, for me John Thaw's (God rest his soul) Regan is one of, if not the, best TV characters of all time and this is an appropriate and very satisfying movie length "episode" Hollywood it ain't guv'nor, and for me thats what makes it the boll***s.

Top TV spin-off movie.

[RatedVforVinny · 8/10 · 4 November 2018]

A great film adaptation of the legendary tv series. 'Sweeney!' was a milestone for all 'Brit' Gangster' movies that followed (two decades later). See vintage 'Jags' and Ford Granada's, tearing up the streets of London; plus with an increase in violence, to give it a more brutal reality. The complicated plot was criticized for slowing the action but the 'Sweeney!', remains a great sign-of-the-times piece. Sort of dated but in the most endearing of ways.

They didn't kill him. YOU DID!

[philkessell · 7/10 · 11 June 2005]

I suppose anyone born in the late 60s or before is going to look fondly on this, and I'm no exception. I don't know about you but watching this (and the series of course) makes me think that there is just something missing in today's police related stuff on TV. It comes across as too sanitized, too clean, as though every 'officer' is reduced to some kind of professional stereotype (the good guy, the bad guy, the guy trying to escape his typecasting as Mark Fowler etc etc).

'Sweeney' comes across as REAL. Of course it's cannon fodder for all those comments about trim phones, flares, kipper ties etc, but let's face it folks, at least the 70s had an IDENTITY. What is there now? What differentiates a 15 year old episode of 'The Bill' from one made in 2005? Not much I reckon.

That's why this is good - real people with real personalities, foibles, quirks etc behaving human beings. I remember once that Regan was asked why he was still an inspector - 'I don't play golf' was the response. How true is that in the wider world! Enough rambling - the film itself. To me the acting is uniformally excellent; Foster doesn't come across as negatively pragmatic or oleaginous till mid way through the film, and the way his plan unfolds slowly as your distaste for him increases is carefully handled. By the end, you're rooting for him to get his come uppance. Also, the way Regan is hemmed in by those in authority as the film progresses is nicely claustrophobic, particularly when a suspended Regan meets Carter in a pub and is advised to 'get yourself some Alka Seltzer.' There are many quotable one liners here, deftly delivered by key protagonists. 'Alright Tinkerbell, you're nicked' is up there with 'in a thin glass' IMHO. Of course, they needed a 'big' plot to fill 90 minutes, and comparisons with Watergate and the general economic malaise endemic in Britain in the mid 70s are obvious. But put all that to one side folks - if you liked the series, you will like this, especially if, like me, you can remember a time when watching something on TV was an event to look forward to.

Sweet as a nut, guvnor

[Oct · 18 September 2004]

"Sweeney!" was one of the innumerable TV spin-offs which kept the British film business perilously afloat in the 1970s. For once this low-budget work did not spring from a sitcom but from Britain's best ever cop show, which made "Starsky and Hutch" look like "Sesame Street" with its relentless violence and raucous backchat. ("Sweeney Todd", it should be explained , is London rhyming slang for the Flying Squad, an elite detective unit of the Metropolitan Police.)

Jack Regan and his sidekick George Carter here find themselves out of their depth with a bigger budget and canvas than on the boob tube: they get "webbed up"in an international conspiracy to lower, or raise, or something, oil prices. A suave Energy Minister is too fond of the high-class "brasses" furnished by his American PR agent. He is blackmailed, with multiple-murderous consequences and mucho ketchup.

In some ways this is very much a 1970s period piece: flared trousers, two-tone grey telephones and no computers, police who drink and smoke heroically, ugly lowlifes, hideous pubs, tyre abuse, shootouts in junkyards and an overall grey, downbeat atmosphere which is a far cry from the Swinging London of Hollywood England in the previous decade. "Sweeney" was conceived at the moment of maximum crisis when OPEC was holding the industrialised nations to ransom, inflation was the highest for 60 years and trade unionists and militant socialists seemed poised to seize power in Blighty.

True, a red double-decker bus figures during one chase, but the film makes concessions to mid-Atlanticism neither in casting, nor by moderating the constant Cockney badinage ("leave it aht!", "you wot?", "shut it!", "dull it isn't" (mocking a Met recruitment slogan)) nor by glamourising its high-life scenes. Also carried over from the series is the endless friction between different law enforcers: Regan clashes not only with his superior but with the security services and Special Branch, the Met's anti-subversion arm. Typically, he cocks up the operation to snatch the PRO and bring him to justice. Regan is no superhero.

Contrary to what others have posted, I find Foster's accent and manner all too convincing, and his performance incisive. The theme of politicians being corrupted by their spin doctors remains fresh. Ian Bannen as the blackmailed MP looks and has a role not unlike Robert Vaughn's. Thaw and Waterman are the same crumpled reprobates as on the small screen, but the plot makes too little of their partnership; Regan is suspended and lone-wolfing it for much of the running time.

No doubt the best of "The Sweeney" was on TV, but this is a fair-value distillation and introduction. It makes the mockney gangster movies of Mr Madonna and his posse look pathetic. "Up yours, sunshine!"

a fun watch if you like the series but something about it always bothers me

[ib011f9545i · 7/10 · 14 August 2021]

I liked/like The Sweeney tv series but feel it has always been overrated.

I find I get more from watching The Professionals than The Sweeeney.

People who study these subjects say that the British film industry in the 1970s was kept going by porn films,pop music films and tv spin offs.

If you don't know or like The Sweeney tv series this film is not for you.

The 2 leads play their usual parts as well as ever and the supporting cast is fine as well.

It seems Garfield Morgan did not want to play Haskins in this,felt the part was too small.

There is quite a lot of nudity and violence in this.

I have seen this film countless times but just saw it on a remastered blu ray and it looks great.

Some of then then topical jokes,referring to tv commercials will mean nothing to a younger audience.

The plot involves corrupt politicians and prostitutes.

One of the working girls she cost 1000 a night which seems an awful lot in 1976.

I like the film but the plot annoys me a little.

We had a Labour government 1974-1979.

This film was made in 1976.

Britain had a controversial energy minister,Tony Benn.

This film is partly about a dodgy energy minister.

Is the plot partly a political comment? Maybe I am reading too much into it.

Elsewhere in the film Jack Regan the policeman makes a left wing speech and Colin Welland plays a heroic editor of a left wing magazine.

Leave it out, George!

[Duckmaster · 7/10 · 3 January 2009]

Ahh, to revisit the halcyon days of 1970's London policing! Anyone watching this film will probably be aware of the infamous TV series, so introductions are not needed. Free from the restrictions of television guidelines and budgets, the makers of Sweeney! show us what a sleazy and violent world 1976 London can be. D.I. Reagan promises an old friend he will investigate further the death of a high class escort (yes, the oxo mum herself going topless) and slowly uncovers a high level conspiracy involving a naive politician and his crooked press relations man, who wants to lower oil prices for a year and make the oil companies billions in the process. With me so far? It matters not, forget the plot and enjoy the fistfights, shootings and the wonderful teamwork of John thaw and Dennis waterman. Altogether now..."You're nicked, son!"

Cop Show Meets Political Thriller With Mixed Results

[Theo Robertson · 7/10 · 8 January 2010]

Without doubt THE SWEENEY is one of the most popular and fondly remembered television shows Britain has ever produced and this was the first of two films made to tie in with the television series . It's certainly the more compelling of the two but where as the sequel did mirror the Thames Television series the original doesn't entirely

One of the reasons for the show's success was its offbeat humour which features here in an early scene

" What you mean Tiny Large ? "

" He's a total animal . I remember we had him down the station and he wouldn't leave his cell so we sent in an alsatian . He broke its jaw and threw it out "

" Dog Day Afternoon "

What is noticeable right from the opening scene is that politics is involved and this film version of THE SWEENEY is very much a political thriller which sets in motion a shadowy conspiracy involving Special Branch trying to bump off DI Jack Regan who knows too much for his own good . It's a bit more grittier than the TV show if only that it shows a graphi scene of a constable getting shot in the head but the whole conspiracy is unlikely and feels false . And the final scene is somewhat confusing

Having said that it's always good to see the underatted John Thaw playing the all drinking all smoking DI Regan during an era when TV cops were nasty but nice crimebusters . Certainly a film that reflects the strengths of the television show and one wonders if Nick Love's big screen version later this year will be a very pale imitation ?

Sweeney Todd-Flying Squad.

[hitchcockthelegend · 6/10 · 9 November 2009]

Detectives Regan & Carter investigate the suspected murder of a prostitute and find that there is major corruption, blackmail and murder bubbling under the surface.

Sweeney! is a TV spin-off that further pushes the grit and grime that had been established in the hugely popular series. Boasting call girls, blood, automatic weapon carnage, more blood and lots of shouting, it does in short have most things fans of the series could want. It also serves as a interesting snap-shot of mid to late 70s London as various sequences operate in and around the old smoke. Yet in spite of its guts and gusto and nicely woven plot {incorporating the oil slant}, it ultimately sags too often and criminally under uses Dennis Waterman's Carter. This is really about John Thaw's Reagan. Fine for fans of the always excellent Thaw, but this was a dynamite duo, and somewhere along the way somebody made a poor decision to focus on one part of the team.

The cast is filled out with notable British actors as the story unfolds. Barry Foster {Frenzy}, Ian Bannen {Too Late the Hero}, Colin Welland {Straw Dogs}, Brian Glover {Kes} and Diane Keen; who was a star of many a British TV production. It's pretty much one for fans only, because you get the feeling that newcomers, although sure to be impressed with its toughness, will wonder just what all the fuss was about back in the sweary Sweeney 70s. 6/10

'All right, Tinkerbell, you're nicked'

[ogdendc · 8/10 · 6 May 2013]

I remember seeing, and liking, this when it first came out in 1977. I loved the introduction to Regan and Carter, hung over after a night of debauchery with an air hostess. 'The code word is air screw.' The initial murder scene of Lynda Bellingham's character sticks in the mind too. I found it believable and it sets the film off at a great pace.

I loved the 70s British clothes. Look out for the ubiquitous green parka with the furry hood! We all had them. And the 70s British cars. They were brilliant once you got them started and before they rusted through. God, those stunt drivers could handle them.

I loved the grittiness of it all and the convincing performances by Thaw, Waterman, Welland, Keen and Foster. I loved the details like the Private Eye hung up by Cater's toilet.

Great plot and great snapshot of 70s British culture. 'All right, Tinkerbell, you're nicked'.

Passable

[TomFarrell63 · 6/10 · 9 June 2022]

Just watched this for the first time, and it's definitely a different animal from the TV series.

Quite slow moving, with just a couple of exciting interludes, and possibly one of worst miscastings ever committed to film, Barry Foster as McQueen. Was the budget that limited they couldn't afford an American to play the part?

Nice to see 70's London streets, and the usual 70's furnishings and fashions.

It's a passable 97minutes or so, but don't expect non stop excitement.

A big shout out for the Network blu ray which is how I watched it, picture quality is absolutely superb, and the sound is as clear as a bell.

Looking forward to watching the sequel tonight, which by all accounts is a little more in the traditional vein of the TV series.

So much better on telly

[Jack_Yan · 5/10 · 21 August 2004]

** Spoiler warning **

I remember catching part of this late one evening on telly when I was much younger and recalled it being fairly good. Then the DVD came out and I was on to it quickly.

Save your Nelsons, lads.

What this film has going for it is the moody, grey 1970s cinematography giving it a dose of realism, the beauty of Diane Keen, and the groovy score, but there's little more. The sound on my DVD was awful. David Wickes' direction is not of his usual high standard and Ranald Graham seems to have inserted violence just because he could.

Even Regan and Carter seem to lack their usual panache from the TV series, and I could have done without the thought of the former exposing himself to Carter and his neighbours in one scene. As to Barry Foster, his "American" accent seems to derive from somewhere between Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins and the entire cast of Mind Your Language. It was that bad.

I have a problem with the script in general. Graham tries to politicize it, but one gets the feeling these elements are tacked on to the murders to make the film supposedly "intelligent". It fails on that score. If Graham had a one-hour format, he could have succeeded – his 'Blind Run' episode on The Professionals is a superior work.

He creates so many loose ends that it is tidily summarized by a civil servant 10 minutes before the close. Regan asks one or two questions and the whole conspiracy is explained in about 60 sec, while reminding him that he's still bound by the Official Secrets Act.

This is all done with the production budget of period television. Here's Regan in an old Ford Escort and Carter in a (then-) 10-year-old Vauxhall Viva. No prizes for guessing whether they'd wind up with a few dents.

The dissatisfying ending, as an earlier reviewer stated, is played up for controversy but is ultimately weak – having parallels with other Graham scripts. It tries to leave things up in the air as though we have to guess how Regan might get himself out of his pickle. What pickle? Come to think of it, what conspiracy?

It's one of those rare cases where the sequel is superior to the original. That could be, however, fond childhood memories coming through again.

Get Carter ( And Regan Too! )

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 27 September 2009]

Amongst the many British sitcoms of the '70's to be turned into movies were a couple of dramas - 'Doomwatch', 'Man At The Top', 'Callan', and, of course, 'The Sweeney'. Ian Kennedy-Martin's hit I.T.V. show starred John Thaw as D.I. Jack Regan and Dennis Waterman as Sergeant George Carter, and ran from 1975-78. It set new standards for television violence, language and nudity. It unsurprisingly made an effortless transition to the big screen in the decade of 'Get Carter' and 'Villain'.

Ranald Graham, one of the show's best writers, penned a gritty political conspiracy thriller, turning 'Sweeney!' almost into a British version of 'The Domino Principle' and 'The Parallax View'. An unknown multi-national corporation is out to wreck an oil conference in London; firstly, they murder a prostitute ( Lynda Bellingham ), leaving her nude body in the hotel room of Energy Secretary Charles Baker ( the brilliant Ian Bannen ) M.P. When her boyfriend, used car dealer Ronnie Brent ( Joe Melia ) calls on the Flying Squad to investigate, he and his staff are viciously slaughtered in a machine-gun attack. Then the villains turn their attentions to Regan himself. After being captured, he has whisky poured down his throat, and is put behind the wheel of a car. It crashes, and his superiors suspend him. But Regan is determined to go on.

As one might expect, the violence levels are higher than those of the series. The murder of the Bellingham character is executed with such cold, clinical precision as to be shocking ( as is the sight of a policeman shot in the head ), while the massacre in the used car lot evokes Peckinpah. The sight of Diane Keen ( then best known for her role in 'The Cuckoo Waltz' sitcom ) topless in bed must have raised eyebrows. Michael Coles is particularly menacing as the smiling assassin 'Johnson'. As 'Regan', Thaw is, as ever, marvellous. Another man would quietly let the matter drop, but he chips away until the conspiracy unravels. Waterman, likewise, is great, although, he is missing for long stretches, while Thaw teams up with Keen.

The reviewer who said the movie was good only for a few laughs because of the outdated fashions has missed the point. The notion that big business would sanction criminal acts to protect its interests strikes me as frighteningly believable. David Wickes does a good job in keeping the action moving, achieving some superb location filming in London.

A few quibbles - where was Haskins ( Garfield Morgan )? Why did they not use Harry South's smashing theme tune? And why was an American actor not hired to play the pivotal role of 'Elliot McQueen', Baker's crooked P.R. man? Barry Foster ( of 'Van Der Valk' fame ) struggles but sounds about as American as Fidel Castro.

'Sweeney!' opened to ecstatic reviews ( 'The best British crime thriller in years!' raved one ) and won a clutch of awards. A year later, 'Sweeney 2' appeared, but although written by Troy Kennedy-Martin ( brother of Ian ) it was not a patch on the first.

If you have never seen the series, this movie should serve as a useful introduction.

Too Much Thaw; thirsts for more Waterman

[TheFearmakers · 6/10 · 17 February 2019]

While THE SWEENEY television series spent equal time with John Thaw's Jack Regan and his younger partner Dennis Waterman as George Carter, they worked overtime turning the devil-faced Thaw into a womanizing sex symbol, hence this theatrical feature hybrid of NORTH BY NORTHWEST about Regan turned Wrong Man force-fed booze (to crash his car and lose his badge), and ALL THE KING'S MEN being that SWEENEY! Is a paranoiac Political Thriller with a villain in politician's spokesman Barry Foster, taking out anyone in his path (including Woodward/Bernstein style Collin Weiland) by calling a thug service that seems phone-book ready, far too easy despite the complicated plot involving... not water like another inspiration CHINATOWN... but oil...

And so, with Waterman benign and almost entirely absent, Thaw's involved in gun fights with tons of running, ducking and hiding. But it's this film's Eva Marie Saint in hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold Diane Keen, working for the villain before reluctantly then willingly not only aiding our runaway rogue, but falling madly and predictably in love...

Which is normal since every woman in almost every episode of THE SWEENEY melts for the conventionally unattractive Thaw... but it's England where not only J. R. R. Tolkien writes fantasy...

And while SWEENEY! Is a violently fun, gritty rollercoaster ride... being based on a series about cop partners, two would have worked better than one: another reason to see SWEENEY 2 instead.

very much a piece of its time

[regthrumper · 4/10 · 28 July 2021]

This filmis an attempt to cash in on the fashion in the US of "conspiracy" theory films made in the wake of Watergate. Since the ongoing political scandal at the time in UK was the Thorpe/Scott scandal, which was very much sub judice, and the previous one was the Poulson affair, which was still too politically sensitive for a film, the film makers turned to a scandal from two decades earlier; Profumo. With Ian Bannen's Energy Minister as a latter-day Profumo, and Barry Foster as a counterpart to Stephen Ward.

Unfortunately there was no clearly identified Eugene Ivanov, unless Joe Melia's Ronnie Brent (Linda Bellingham's gangster boyfriend) fills that role.

SHUT IT! (What did you expect?)

[Gary-161 · 17 July 2000]

This ropey old seventies schlock turns up as a late nighter ever so often. In an attempt to open up the series for the 'big' (snigger) screen, the makers involved Regan and Carter in a 'big' plot involving government MP's and big business, namely oil barons who will stop at nothing, even dodgy hitmen, to achieve their sinister aims. The result is uncomfortable and frequently risible viewing. The film making is curiously sloppy. Regan and Carter start the film off with a bang by plunging headfirst into self parody by waking up late and drunk with air hostesses draped all over their couch (not that they live together, they're not like THAT). These men are macho, right? They abuse their positions by diverting police vehicles to give their girlfriends lifts to work and have no qualms about drink driving, so SHUT IT! After rolling around the pavements with bear guts and clothes awry, they arrive at Scotland Yard just in time for a bit of far fetched gratuitous violence against a bunch of blaggers (armed robbers, for our cousins across the pond).

The funniest performance comes from Barry Foster who, replete with outrageously bogus American accent, plays a blackmailing personal secretary to a government minister who is also into extortion, prostituition and murder. You know, the usual CV. He spends the entire film trying to keep a low profile with his involvement in OPEC dealings in high places by drawing as little attention to himself as possible. He achieves this by sending out two of the most hilariously conspicuous hitmen you've ever seen who run around London with a submachine and bombs wearing a series of very obvious disguises, not least the highly risky impersonation of police officers. A text book discreet hit? How about machine gunning three villains to death in broad daylight in a scrap yard. One of the villains, who suspects a conspiracy behind his girlfriends murder, we are led to believe was not even slightly suspicious of two maniacal police officers holding a machine gun in a plastic bag making unlikely enquiries. You could excuse this heavy handed slaughter as an attempt to make the murders look like a gangland execution. Trouble is, they maintain the same gobsmacking "hello-BANG!-here we are" strategy for the rest of the film. Later on one of the hitmen poses as a window cleaner to plant a bomb in the office of a newspaper reporter. He is seen very obviously handling a suspicious package practically under the nose of actor Colin Weiland (the hitmen are coming! The hitmen are coming!) and then takes out the detonator box while still walking across an office filled with secretaries. Yup, call in the professionals. Not surprisingly he is nearly busted. Later, in another subtle attempt not to draw attention to themselves, the hitmen load a submachine gun on the fire escape of a hotel in broad daylight and then fill a room with lead. In the ensuing chase to kill Regan and actress Dianne Keen (curiously miscast as a call girl) they then shoot dead a bobby on the beat so as not to create a stir in the tv and press. Unsurprisingly, with help like this Barry Foster is doomed to a sticky end which Carter blames his boss Regan for, in a would-be controversial freeze frame ending. LEAVE IT OUT George, those hitman almost shot you to death in a fracas outside your apartment block...so SHUT IT!

The budget on this film seems no higher than the series and affords a few cheesy and tacky kipper tie laughs if you're in the mood for some nostalgia. If not, then I'LL give you a RIGHT SPANKING!

Sweeney!

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 6 April 2024]

Yikes but there's some shocking acting in this film adaptation of the popular television series. It seems that one of Her Majesty's ministers - "Baker" (Ian Bannen) might be a little too close to the oil industry as a major announcement on pool pricing is due to be made in London. The Flying Squad's finest "Regan" (John Thaw) and sidekick "Carter" (Dennis Waterman) are soon embroiled, but as the body count starts to mount up the former is suspended from duty. Undeterred, he faces the wrath of not just his own bosses but also of some blokes who're marauding round the city with machine guns. His searching leads him to high-class hooker "Bianca" (Diane Keen) and all of this is going on whilst we the just sense that adviser "McQueen" (Barry Foster) is up to no good. Thaw does try, a bit too hard I reckon, but the rest of this is pretty sloppy stuff. Keen dreadfully over-acts, Foster seems to pick up an accent that vacillates wildly from scene to scene and Waterman doesn't really feature enough to make much difference to this pretty predictable cop drama where the rules are meant for someone else. Gritty? Possibly - but I just figured that in the end, they all pretty much deserved each other. Of it's time, I'd say - and that day has long gone.

Not quite as good as the show, but still a very entertaining film

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 19 May 2010]

I absolutely love The Sweeney, it is gritty, violent and very addictive not to mention compelling and I never miss it. Then again, I am a huge John Thaw fan, having loved him since Inspector Morse. Sweeney! is not quite as good as the show, which is a classic to me, but it is a worthy film. The plot is complicated with some holes and the violence level did get quite shocking at times, but the location shooting is superb, the music is great and the action pieces are a real joy. As is the dialogue, one of the main reasons why I love the Sweeney is because of its irresistibly quotable dialogue, and here there is some really juicy dialogue. Maybe I am biased but anything Regan said stood out a lot. The direction is good, but the acting was really good bringing to life some very intriguing characters. The late great John Thaw is outstanding as Regan, and Dennis Waterman is delightful as Carter. Their chemistry together is wholly believable as well, and I also enjoyed the performances of Colin Welland, Barry Foster(actually didn't mind his accent) and Diane Keen. Overall, a worthy film with flaws and not as good as the show, but it is very entertaining on the whole. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Highly entertaining police drama

[grantss · 8/10 · 29 August 2022]

When one of his informants is murdered, Detective Inspector Jack Regan is drawn into a deadly political game. He is soon a marked man and, after being framed, is suspended from duty. This doesn't stop him searching for the murderers and the truth.

A full-length movie spin-off of the popular TV show The Sweeney (1974-78). The movie includes the two main characters of the show, DI Jack Regan (played by John Thaw) and DS George Carter (Dennis Waterman) as well as a few other characters.

The result is a great mix of police investigation, intriguing conspiracy at the highest level and enthralling action scenes. The dynamic between Regan and Carter also provides some great lighter moments.

Not perfect - the plot does feel a bit holey at times and the ending is a bit odd - but it's still very intriguing and entertaining.

Not the Demon Barber of Fleet Street...

[udar55 · 9/10 · 8 December 2007]

but the rough English cops of The Flying Squad (which, oddly enough, gets Sweeney from the Cockney rhyme for Flying Squad, Sweeney Todd!). Detectives Jack Regan (John Thaw) and George Carter (John Waterman) are our main characters as Regan begins to investigate the "suicide" of a working girl as a favor for an underworld figure friend/informant. Naturally, he uncovers a high level conspiracy and becomes the next target. A theatrical spin-off of the popular THE SWEENEY television series, SWEENEY! is my first exposure to the characters and it is fantastic. Thaw is outstanding as the gruff detective and he and Waterman have a great rapport. The film is peppered with some great (and really violent for the period) action pieces and location filming. I also like the realistic portrayal of the relationship between cops and crooks.

Great spinoff.

[ple-may · 10/10 · 15 January 2023]

An excellent spinoff off from the popular TV series. The story is bigger but has all the grittiness and natural interaction of the characters that made the series so good. It's of it's time and anyone watching it today should remember that the language isn't tame and will offend some. Oh dear, never mind. It's genuine and that's what makes it believable.

The only let down is the lack of supporting characters carried over from TV. Many didn't have big roles but were familiar faces in the background. Haskins was especially missed.

If you remember The Sweeney from the first time around or just like gritty seventies British movies, then this is a great watch.

Violent, OTT and Exiting

[Dandy_Desmond · 9/10 · 8 March 2010]

As a recent fan of the series the movie came with the box set I purchased. Of course it is different to the series, Haskins being the main omission and the focus is definitely on John Thaw's excellent Jack Regan character. This feels different to the series, the violence level is upped, the stakes are raised and the action is more intense. Particularly one part when Thaw just manages to save a high class hooker and himself from being assassinated and they go on the run through the streets while shooting and mayhem ensues, including a graphic scene of a copper being shot in the head! I did find the violence level shocking but I liked it - I get the feeling they really went for it and the result was exiting. Its a great slice of 70s hard boiled cop action check it out.

Good but with a few plot holes

[captainhowdy1967 · 8/10 · 7 February 2010]

People have often speculated about George's behaviour in the last scene of this film, and wondered why he reacted as he did. I watched this again recently and noticed that after McQueen breaks free of his arresting officers, as he runs onto the bridge he shouts 'Johnson' as if he is almost inviting the smiling assassin to take him out. Johnson and his mob duly oblige. It's almost as if he knew it was going to happen. It's possible also that they would have killed McQueen even had he not escaped, since the chap who stripped Lynda Bellingham at the start was also present, pretending to be a road sweeper. Why? Were the going to murder McQueen, or try and free him? Who knows.

I've often found the end of this film confusing, and George's reaction is a surprise. Why would anyone be so upset about the death of someone as wicked and nasty as McQueen? Also, with reference to the aforementioned LB, surely even someone as ditsy as Janice Wyatt would have smelt a bit of a rat being coaxed into a hotel room and made to record specific references to Charles Baker and 'going to sleep' before being murdered by lethal injection. What was she told they needed that for? I think it's a bit far fetched to expect anyone to actually do this with no explanation, and none is never offered on screen. I agree with another posting however that the murder scene is surprisingly effective, and Janice certainly looks dead pretty quickly after being given a forced overdose. On the DVD Lynda Bellingham states that she was actually injected with distilled water, and had they caught a vein she might well have gone the same way as her character.

Gritty and hard-hitting

[SueBee55 · 9/10 · 26 January 2024]

I loved the film series of The Sweeney, the first one in feature length featuring the lovely Diane Keen. It featured one the of more surreal memories of the 1970s.

In the film (watched on the big screen in the ATV cinema in Hammersmith) we watched as Thaw has alcohol forced down his throat and placed at his wheel of his car blind drink. He is now stopped by fake police and 'fake' arrested. This is all took place outside the ATV in Hammersmith, the very cinema we were sitting in watching in the film.

I do wonder how long these reviews need to be so you can fulfil the requirement for a longer review!