For years, Edwin Astley's theme song from Gideon's Way stuck in my mind. I remembered it as well as John Gregson's splendid performance as the show's title character. Imagine my delight at finding Gideon's Way on DVD. Although produced over forty years ago, the show is as compelling as any recent TV offering. I think John Gregson captures the essence of the character he plays. He's surrounded by a solid supporting cast and guest stars like a very young John Hurt. The black and white photography is an asset to the programme; it gives Gideon's Way a gritty realism. Some of the prints used for the DVD seem a bit soft, but all are watchable. Movies and TV shows that survive as more than quaint time capsules do so because they are still relevant in some way. The human drama of Gideon's Way proves this.
15 Reviews
Missing Police
malcolmjames14 August 2008
I have waited for a long time for this series to come out on DVD and am not sorry for the wait. I saw the series on tele in the 60s and boy what a difference to todays world. John Gregson was an excellent actor who deserved better parts that what he got in his days. What happened to our once loved and respected police from that series. Long gone and nothing like what we have today. Poorly trained, invisible, no ties, failure to wear their headgear when on duty unless visiting royalty and ministers visits. The series was well acted and with good location series and memories of a lot of great actors and actresses of that time it is a joy to watch. Loved the policemen all dressed properly and smart, the police cars that brought fear into our young hearts at the time. The police sergeants out on their bikes inspecting the troops again something long gone. Sad it all gone. Thank god for dvds.
They really don't make them like this anymore.
davidcorne24519 September 2006
For anyone interested in Scotland Yard, London of the 60's and a veritable conveyor belt of some of the best British character actors, this box set is a must have. Starring the ever likable John Gregson as Commander George Gideon (who never monopolises the story lines) and the handsome Alexander Davion as Det. Inspector David Keen this takes you back to the era of run down streets, policemen still visible on those streets, old cars, motor scooters, pork pie hats and ersatz Rock 'n Roll. Amongst those appearing are George Cole, Ray Barratt, Harry Fowler, George Sewell, Justine Lord, Victor Maddern, Sydney Tafler, Ray Brooks, Jack Hedley, Angela Douglas, Patrick Allen, Eric Barker, Alfie Bass, Bryan Pringle, Ann Lynn and an extremely young looking John Hurt and a rarity for the time, just one token American in Donald Sutherland. A mention also for the magnificent Derren Nesbitt who turns up in the first episode 'The Tin God', I've never seen an actor use such exaggerated hand movements as he did in every appearance he ever made on celluloid. Worth the price of the box set alone to watch his performance!
I gave it 9 instead of 10 stars due to two things; the so called 'special features' are quite laughable, i.e. The opening credits without the theme tune, plus the fade to adverts being considered as worthy of inclusion when they are of a length of a minute if that. The booklet included cannot be read unless you possess the vision of Superman, bifocals or a magnifying glass, plus why show photographs in colour when the series is black and white? Having said that it is well worth buying; maybe it doesn't contain the stark realism of 'Z Cars' or the tough 'up and at 'em' style of 'The Sweeney' but nevertheless it is a series to cherish and while away those long winter's nights with.
*Although I derided the 'special features' on the first disc there is in fact, a very long stills gallery from the series on the second disk showing many of the actors and actresses plus scenes from the series plus a soundtrack of different music heard in the programme. If you love Scotland Yard type police series then this is the one for you; you'll be transported back to a world and London of the mid 60's.
I gave it 9 instead of 10 stars due to two things; the so called 'special features' are quite laughable, i.e. The opening credits without the theme tune, plus the fade to adverts being considered as worthy of inclusion when they are of a length of a minute if that. The booklet included cannot be read unless you possess the vision of Superman, bifocals or a magnifying glass, plus why show photographs in colour when the series is black and white? Having said that it is well worth buying; maybe it doesn't contain the stark realism of 'Z Cars' or the tough 'up and at 'em' style of 'The Sweeney' but nevertheless it is a series to cherish and while away those long winter's nights with.
*Although I derided the 'special features' on the first disc there is in fact, a very long stills gallery from the series on the second disk showing many of the actors and actresses plus scenes from the series plus a soundtrack of different music heard in the programme. If you love Scotland Yard type police series then this is the one for you; you'll be transported back to a world and London of the mid 60's.
a style and individuality all of its own
grunsel25 November 2001
Long forgotten police drama series featuring the cases and adventures of honest family man copper Inspector Gideon.All the hallmarks of its production company are there,such as easily digestible stories that had an international appeal and production values that were head and shoulders above the well remembered police series of that day such as 'Z Cars' and 'Dixon Of Dock Green'. Shot entirely on film it was possibly one of the first British police series to escape the studio and use extensive location filming. TV stations have prejudice against shows made in black and white so consequently this has probably not been on TV since its first or second showing?
Very good police procedural
Thorsten-Krings30 November 2007
John Creasy left a still uncharted ouevre of well over 500 books. Given that number it's not surprising that some of them are of indifferent quality. The Gideon series to me were his strongest books: Creasy is one of the few authors who can write realistic police procedurals from the point of view of a manager rather than the ordinary copper. Gideon is not only in charge of solving crime but also encounters leadership issues and has a lively and large family. This makes the books original reading. Plus in the Gideon books there is interesting comment on the state of the nation- hardly surprising when you know that Creasy was head of a political movement in the 60s. The TV series takes many elements of the books. Needless to say that the 40/45 minutes format does not manage to present a variety of cases at a given moment but rather one case per episode. The interstinmg thing about the series is that within this format there are hardly any flat characters particularly amongst the bad guys. Although there is no sympathy there is a lotof empathy in the complex character sketches: check out the episodes "White Rat" with a great performance by Ray Mcanally as psychotic albino gangster or the episode about a former concentration camp inmate. That's what makes the series so special, this wealth of character. I think only The Sweeney ever managed to get anywhere near that. The stories are well paced, well told and there is an amazing array of really great actors in this series. The other thing is that in view of censorship in the 60s Gideon's Way is quite amazingly open and realistic (particularly compared to US stuff of the time). What really impressed me was the stark contrast of the "new" London of the 1960s and the squalor some people were still living in at the time (Creasy points that out in Gideon's Fire) and the enormous social change going on at the time. My favourite episode is "The thin red line" -not based on a Creasy novel- which is both a fairly touching story but also a scalding satire on the army.
A Tribute to the Bobby on the Beat!!!
kidboots5 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I can remember sitting in the lounge room with mum and dad watching "Gideon's Way" with it's familiar whistling theme and painting a picture of the bobby on the beat - you know, back in the days when parents always said "if you get lost, find a policeman"!! Watching the episodes over 45 years later the shows have not let me down and my husband thinks the series is fantastic. I also wonder whether Ruth Rendell got her idea for the Wexford and Burden books from these shows, her first book, "From Doon With Death" came out around 1964 I think. John Gregson is terrific as Commander Gideon, a down to earth copper who never takes things at face value and Alexander Davion is the younger Det. Chief Insp. Keene, full of ideas but often quick to judge. "The Rhyme and the Reason" was particularly good. It dealt with the new phenomena (for 1964) of the Mods and the Rockers. Keene is very dismissive, even the young murder suspect is convinced he won't be treated fairly due to his "Mod" outlook but Gideon believes in him and along with his sister helping, finds the real culprit.
They weren't just "by the numbers" police shows but attempted to deal with psychological issues ie "The Tin God" was about a child who refused to believe his father, a desperate escapee, was anything but a hero. Another one "Big Fish, Little Fish" attempted to show what life was like for a little kid growing up in a family of hardened criminals - believe me it wasn't warm and cosy.
I know it sounds simplistic but I just love all the episodes - a couple that stand out (apart from the ones I mentioned) are "The Lady Killer" - Keene always seemed to date models and this one took place among the beautiful people of the swinging sixties. "The Nightlifers" was about young people who live for kicks and Keene's girlfriend in this one is Jean Marsh (way before Rose in "Upstairs, Downstairs"). "Subway to Revenge" is about a girl who is very keen on her boss but she can tell he is in danger even if he can't and "The Wall", about a young couple who are very keen to move away from their pokey bedsit and their very creepy neighbour - a really super episode.
As well, there were many parts played by actors just starting out who became huge stars - John Hurt, George Cole, Ray Barratt (in Australia), Donald Sutherland and a luminous Carol White who shot to fame the next year as the star of Ken Loach's "Cathy Come Home".
Highly Recommended.
They weren't just "by the numbers" police shows but attempted to deal with psychological issues ie "The Tin God" was about a child who refused to believe his father, a desperate escapee, was anything but a hero. Another one "Big Fish, Little Fish" attempted to show what life was like for a little kid growing up in a family of hardened criminals - believe me it wasn't warm and cosy.
I know it sounds simplistic but I just love all the episodes - a couple that stand out (apart from the ones I mentioned) are "The Lady Killer" - Keene always seemed to date models and this one took place among the beautiful people of the swinging sixties. "The Nightlifers" was about young people who live for kicks and Keene's girlfriend in this one is Jean Marsh (way before Rose in "Upstairs, Downstairs"). "Subway to Revenge" is about a girl who is very keen on her boss but she can tell he is in danger even if he can't and "The Wall", about a young couple who are very keen to move away from their pokey bedsit and their very creepy neighbour - a really super episode.
As well, there were many parts played by actors just starting out who became huge stars - John Hurt, George Cole, Ray Barratt (in Australia), Donald Sutherland and a luminous Carol White who shot to fame the next year as the star of Ken Loach's "Cathy Come Home".
Highly Recommended.
Nostalgia
screenman1 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This series appeared on television about the time I moved to secondary school. A friend recommended it and I got hooked. I agree with other commentators that John Gregson was perfectly cast for the part, rather in the way that only Patrick McNee could have been John Steed of The Avengers.
I recollect it being a perfect successor to Dixon of Dock Green. Public sensibilities had hardened a little and the series addressed criminal issues with a greater realism, yet without that descent into cynicism of the later and equally excellent Sweeney. It was still basically a feel-good series. We could all continue to rest easy in our beds. No matter what the villains could muster, decent old George could always be relied upon to do the right and honourable thing.
How times have changed. Gimme back them 60's any day. I haven't seen the series since then, yet even now I find myself whistling its jaunty little theme tune, and feeling that guilty pang of not having done my homework, which the program invariably forestalled.
I recollect it being a perfect successor to Dixon of Dock Green. Public sensibilities had hardened a little and the series addressed criminal issues with a greater realism, yet without that descent into cynicism of the later and equally excellent Sweeney. It was still basically a feel-good series. We could all continue to rest easy in our beds. No matter what the villains could muster, decent old George could always be relied upon to do the right and honourable thing.
How times have changed. Gimme back them 60's any day. I haven't seen the series since then, yet even now I find myself whistling its jaunty little theme tune, and feeling that guilty pang of not having done my homework, which the program invariably forestalled.
A great procedural series.
Sleepin_Dragon19 June 2023
No criminal is safe from the sharp, analytical mind of Commander George Gideon and his quick witted colleague Chief Inspector David Keen.
Twenty ix high quality episodes, this show was well ahead of its time, way ahead of many of the comparative Police procedurals popular at the time.
Expect real variety, you'll see Gideon deal with armed robbers, kidnap, turf war killings and even a murderous housekeeper. The variety is quite something, and as a series I'd suggest it develops as it progresses, some of the later episodes are terrific.
You also get a glimpse into Gideon's family life, and there's always a chuckle or two.
Expect mods and rockers, prevailing attitudes and opinions of the time, and of course specific crimes of the age.
It is so consistently good, my favourite episodes include Morna, Boy with gun and The Housekeeper, there are no poor episodes, but there is one wonderfully bizarre one titled 'how to retire without really working, it's more like an Ealing comedy.
So well acted, John Gregson shines throughout, watch out for the likes of John Hurt, Megs Jenkins, Jean Marsh and Anthony Bate.
What a shame it ran for just one, but fortunately very long series, happily it's complete and available on dvd.
9/10.
Twenty ix high quality episodes, this show was well ahead of its time, way ahead of many of the comparative Police procedurals popular at the time.
Expect real variety, you'll see Gideon deal with armed robbers, kidnap, turf war killings and even a murderous housekeeper. The variety is quite something, and as a series I'd suggest it develops as it progresses, some of the later episodes are terrific.
You also get a glimpse into Gideon's family life, and there's always a chuckle or two.
Expect mods and rockers, prevailing attitudes and opinions of the time, and of course specific crimes of the age.
It is so consistently good, my favourite episodes include Morna, Boy with gun and The Housekeeper, there are no poor episodes, but there is one wonderfully bizarre one titled 'how to retire without really working, it's more like an Ealing comedy.
So well acted, John Gregson shines throughout, watch out for the likes of John Hurt, Megs Jenkins, Jean Marsh and Anthony Bate.
What a shame it ran for just one, but fortunately very long series, happily it's complete and available on dvd.
9/10.
Another ITC Classic.
joegarbled-7948213 September 2023
This ITC, Baker/Berman production shares DNA with their other crime drama classics like "The Saint" and very often, you will spot guest stars who appeared in ITC series such as the aforementioned "The Saint" or "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)". The shows even sounded the same, with heavy sounding footsteps on carpeted floors and clunky sounding doors.
The acting, for the most part, was never a problem, but the series has a fairly serious plot hole: the idea that a Commander would still be working at street level with any kind of regularity, rather than being snowed under as an administrator/general, deploying his forces.
I take this from another series about the police in London: "The Sweeney". In that series, even Det Chief Inspector Frank Haskins was pretty much handcuffed to his desk unless it was a serious matter such as a siege. Their Commanders and token Commandeuse were snotty, snide, university graduate career people who had zero ability or usefullness for policing on the streets....strictly time serving pen pushers.
Brits born in the 50s/60s/70s might enjoy this series just for the lovely cars, which unlike today, didn't all look the same!! (of course, it's sad to think of how few of those classic motors survive today). For its day, there was a decent amount of location filming, something that helped bring life to the series.
As previously mentioned, there wasn't a great deal wrong with the acting, John Gregson was a very good choice as lead. I'm baffled as to why Daphne Anderson as his wife is listed as 3rd lead here, she was barely seen. Guests stars like Patrick Allen, Mike Pratt, Angela Douglas, Ann Lynn, David Bauer were well chosen, though George Sewell's Irish accent was a poor stereotype.
Overall, a solid 8/10 and proof of what British tv was capable of, ITC/Baker/Berman shows like "The Saint" & "Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)" got regular re-runs and for very good reason. "Gideon's Way" may have aged less well because of shows like "The Sweeney" and "The Professionals" made realistic violence & policing seem inevitable.
The acting, for the most part, was never a problem, but the series has a fairly serious plot hole: the idea that a Commander would still be working at street level with any kind of regularity, rather than being snowed under as an administrator/general, deploying his forces.
I take this from another series about the police in London: "The Sweeney". In that series, even Det Chief Inspector Frank Haskins was pretty much handcuffed to his desk unless it was a serious matter such as a siege. Their Commanders and token Commandeuse were snotty, snide, university graduate career people who had zero ability or usefullness for policing on the streets....strictly time serving pen pushers.
Brits born in the 50s/60s/70s might enjoy this series just for the lovely cars, which unlike today, didn't all look the same!! (of course, it's sad to think of how few of those classic motors survive today). For its day, there was a decent amount of location filming, something that helped bring life to the series.
As previously mentioned, there wasn't a great deal wrong with the acting, John Gregson was a very good choice as lead. I'm baffled as to why Daphne Anderson as his wife is listed as 3rd lead here, she was barely seen. Guests stars like Patrick Allen, Mike Pratt, Angela Douglas, Ann Lynn, David Bauer were well chosen, though George Sewell's Irish accent was a poor stereotype.
Overall, a solid 8/10 and proof of what British tv was capable of, ITC/Baker/Berman shows like "The Saint" & "Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)" got regular re-runs and for very good reason. "Gideon's Way" may have aged less well because of shows like "The Sweeney" and "The Professionals" made realistic violence & policing seem inevitable.
mostly forgotten quality police drama.
ib011f9545i25 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Like so many series this has become known again due to repeats on tv.
I saw some of the repeats and recently bought the dvd boxed set.
This was made on film (I think) so it looks good and the sound is pretty good.
It is black and white which probably explains why it was not endlessly repeated like the colour ITC series of similar vintage.
I was born in 1960 so never saw this when it was on tv first time round.
It is quite tough and realistic for its time,a time capsule of the then present day captured forever.
The production values are quite high and the cast is usually good in each episode.
The star is John Gregson,he plays inspector Gideon a ww2 veteran with a wife and children,he is totally dedicated to the job.
I saw some of the repeats and recently bought the dvd boxed set.
This was made on film (I think) so it looks good and the sound is pretty good.
It is black and white which probably explains why it was not endlessly repeated like the colour ITC series of similar vintage.
I was born in 1960 so never saw this when it was on tv first time round.
It is quite tough and realistic for its time,a time capsule of the then present day captured forever.
The production values are quite high and the cast is usually good in each episode.
The star is John Gregson,he plays inspector Gideon a ww2 veteran with a wife and children,he is totally dedicated to the job.
Gideon's Way on DVD
cb493 January 2006
You may be interested to know that all 26 episodes of the series have been released on DVD by Granada (UK) (about October 2005). It is superb although' it appears that some of the original films haven't stood up to the passage of time but this does not detract from the viewing. I vaguely remember the original TV showing of these in the mid-60s and the series benefits from getting out of the studio. However, the public standing at the roadside watching the action can be a little distracting. I was given the set as a Christmas (2005) present so I haven't managed to get thru' them all yet but so far it appears that they stick closely to the segments from the original novels on which the episodes are based. In this regard, however, I am disappointed that Gideon's right hand men in the books (Bell & Lematre) do not play the same role in the series. I don't remember 'David Keen' from the books! Given the success of 'Heartbeat' (which dallies from time to time as a police series), I wonder if the series could be re-made today? (John Creasey as) J.J. Marric's novels ran to 26 (including 4 by Vivian Butler) and the series only really used about the first half dozen or thereabouts so there is a lot of scope to take the series on from those days. Of course, the backdrop of London in the mid-60s is no longer there. Who would you cast in the title role? Would it work now in these days of instant ratings success? Anyway, it was a great series, both in its' day and now on DVD.
Strangely the sequence of episodes on the DVDs follow the filming dates and NOT the transmission dates.
Strangely the sequence of episodes on the DVDs follow the filming dates and NOT the transmission dates.
John Gregson is George Gideon
steve-12413 October 2006
With the arrival of the box set of Gideons Way, hopefully more people will get a view of the superb John Gregson. Jack Hawkins played Gideon in a very flaccid film directed by John Ford. As much as I love Jack Hawkins, John Gregson is the definitive George Gideon. The series really does evoke England of the sixties and there is a multitude of famous names cropping up in this series. John Gregson was a superb actor and he is largely forgotten now 30 years after his death in Porlock Weir. With this box set and his appearances in Genevieve and Rooney perhaps now people will realise how good he was. There is a web site showcasing the great man designed by his great nephew http://www.johngregson.org.uk/. John Gregson is George Gideon but George Gideon is the great John Gregson
quality series seeking re release
fsmlsn119 March 2005
if you appreciate well written and crafted police drama with an authentic and quality feel to it's production then Gideon's way is for you. I have spent many a moon searching for any videos of the 1960's TV series and have still only obtained around 6 of them!! John Gregson and Alexander Davion are excellent as the detectives out to solve some tricky crimes and criminals. Shot virtually always on location the series have a real taste of the times and are nicely set with believable and tasty villains. What a shame that the series have rarely been re run on present TV schedules. John Gregson, a sensitive and human actor as always, died suddenly in the early 1970s, his acting and valuable contribution to British films and TV remain a quality legacy for us to enjoy.Please would someone release the series on DVD/video!!
A lost world of crafted stories and honest acting
post-23513 February 2006
Happily 'Gideons Way' was recently released on DVD in the UK in full.
At 32, I obviously missed the series first time round, and some may suppose a B&W police series for 1965 may be somewhat old fashioned for a thirtysomething. However, its blend of well crafted story lines, an often shocking brutality for 1960s television, and the honest and natural acting make it unmissable. It represents now a lost London : of gangs and protection rackets, Soho coffee bars, undeveloped docklands and seedy rooming houses. Superb!
John Gregson was hugely underrated as an actor. A biography on this talented man is highly overdue. Anyone know of one? Or shall I have to write one myself?!
At 32, I obviously missed the series first time round, and some may suppose a B&W police series for 1965 may be somewhat old fashioned for a thirtysomething. However, its blend of well crafted story lines, an often shocking brutality for 1960s television, and the honest and natural acting make it unmissable. It represents now a lost London : of gangs and protection rackets, Soho coffee bars, undeveloped docklands and seedy rooming houses. Superb!
John Gregson was hugely underrated as an actor. A biography on this talented man is highly overdue. Anyone know of one? Or shall I have to write one myself?!
Based on John Creasey novels
cyclonev9 July 2003
The 'Gideon's Way' TV series was based on a series of novels by John Creasey. The series was written/published, under the pseudonym of J J Marrick, between 1955 ('Gideon's Day') and 1976 ('Gideon's Drive'). I picked up another Gideon novel at an op shop (thrift shop) which was written and published after after John Creasey's death but was written by someone else using the pseudonym J J Marrick (it was very poor).
As with the 60s TV series, 'The Baron', John Creasey is again strangely not credited here as at least the creator of the characters.
As with the 60s TV series, 'The Baron', John Creasey is again strangely not credited here as at least the creator of the characters.
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