The Footage Detectives (2021– ) User Reviews

Can't Help But Enjoy.

[edavidathome · 8/10 · 20 July 2023]

I suppose when you think about it, there's no other program on TV like this. Very enjoyable nostalgia, some of the clips are facinating and most of the show gets you thinking about your childhood wether it be TV programs, comics or music. It's always interesting to see the reels of Britain from (say) the 40's or 50's.

The banter between Mike and Niel is nice to see. I can't agree with an earlier review about Mike Read, I think he comes across as professional and sometimes is like a naughty schoolboy. Let's face it, Niel is terrible at reading the que card, but this is the man who started TPTV and is so knowledgeable about the filmmaking process that he is still an asset.

Long may this program continue.

Dartmouth - the only railway station in Britain with no tracks

[johnnbroadley · 8/10 · 6 June 2022]

NONSENSE !!!

Hull Corporation Pier had this distinction many years ago before the Humber Bridge was opened in June 1981.

Corporation Pier station was the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway's booking office for their ferry service between Corporation Pier, Hull and New Holland Pier in Lincolnshire. It was not rail connected, but served as a ticket office and waiting room for the Humber Ferry.

After a visit by Queen Victoria in 1854 the station and pier were renamed Victoria Pier station in her honour. The name may have stuck to the pier, but it never did to the station. The building itself, and references to it on maps and tickets referred to "Corporation Pier" until closure 117 years later. The station closed in 1985 with the end of the Humber ferry service.

Great programme.... but...

[chrisjhodder · 8/10 · 20 October 2023]

It's a great programme and extremely informative especially to an amateur historian like me.

The pairing of Mike and Noel works well but there's an exception. They should stop their commentaries on how children were brought up back then. My parents were overly strict and caused untold damage to me and my siblings mental health. I know you can't account for the impact on everyone that watches but their (presenters) views of that nature should not be part of the series. It just becomes uninformed drivel because it's based on their parents. They need to stick to memories of their own relevant to the clips and emails.

If they were to adhere to my suggestion then I will revise this site and give a 10 rating without hesitation.

Extremely interesting.

[plan99 · 10/10 · 1 March 2022]

Currently one of the best programmes on TV, not that there's a lot of competition of course with all the rubbish around. It is very addictive waiting to see if any unknown location can be identified by the viewer, I did once and emailed TPTV with the info, I might get a mention in a future episode. Not to be missed by curious people who can also learn something from each episode. If a TV programme or film can be judged by how long it seems to last, for bad ones time drags by very slowly and for good ones it flies by, then this is the best TV programme ever as the hour goes past in what seems like just five minutes. I spend more time watching programmes on TPTV than I do every other channel added together but this might be age and nostalgia related.

Very enjoyable nostalgia.

[bob_bevan · 10/10 · 13 January 2022]

What a splendid programme showing an eclectic mix of old TV programmes, film clips and wonderful footage of Britain as it was before successive governments began to ruin it. I disagree with another reviewer who finds Mike Read irritating and find the unscripted banter between Mike and Noel an enjoyable part of the programme. They are obviously genuinely interested in the old footage. I like the fact they ask viewers to help with confirming locations and identifying vehicles, aeroplanes and people etc., that appear in the old clips. Altogether a fascinating series and long may it continue.

Mike and Noel's nostalgia show

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 9 May 2024]

'Terry & June' is to be repeated on Britbox with warnings about its potentially offensive content. Back in the day ( 1980's ), it was criticised for being bland and inoffensive. What has changed? How is the sight of Terry Scott falling off a ladder suddenly unacceptable to 21st audiences? Is someone having a laugh here?

Onto 'The Footage Detectives' in which Mike Read and Noel Cronin show old commercials and home movies and viewers' letters ( some of them quite witty ) are read out. Its a sort of 'Ask Aspel' for adults. I'd hate to see the same programme with a couple of young people in charge. They'd probably insult everything on view. Mike and Noel are pretty good together. The great thing about the programme is that you don't need to be old in order to enjoy it ( although it helps ). Like a lot of Talking Pictures' TV's content, it is coming under fire from rabid haters of archive television, who think the junking of old programmes was a great idea.

Not all of us are interested in who gets voted out of the 'Big Brother' house, and 'Footage Detectives' is ideal Sunday afternoon viewing. I hope one day someone will unearth a clip of the late Victor Spinetti as 'The Mad Jaffa Cake Eater'.

Would be fascinating but....

[chrischapman-47545 · 5/10 · 22 September 2021]

This series shows how Talking Pictures TV finds and restores old films, TV shows, etc. This is important and interesting work but for me it is spoilt by Mike Read and his inane, rambling, repetitive and occasionally illinformed comments - I find myself watching it with the sound turned down! New presenter/interviewer or a script that he diligently sticks to please! TPTV is an absolute gem of a channel for film and social history buffs.

Great idea, atrocious execution

[bjacob · 3/10 · 2 September 2023]

I love found footage, investigations and mysteries, so this seemed the perfect program to watch. Unfortunately, it's terrible. First, the hosts act like they had taken valium; very little beforehand research is done on the clips they show: they leave it to the viewer, which entails inane, tedious follow-ups with captions like :"I used to go on holiday there in 1932. Jim from Catford". There is nothing investigative about this: whilst the clips are occasionally marginally interesting, the result is just one step above from the internet groups devoted to the "good old times". I guess the target audience is the old and a tad reactionnary who thinks that the world of their teenage years was just perfect, and nothing ever since compares to that.