Page 1 of 1
Sandbaggers
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:34 am
by Sassenach
The best damned spy show you've never seen. Picked this up off a reccomendation from Netflix after I watched a few seasons of MI5. If you're a fan of John LeCarrr type novels, this is a show you will enjoy immensely.
The most striking thing is the
lack of any action by today's Hollywood standards.
Acid-tongued. Brilliant. Cunning. Duplicitous.
Neil Burnside's also not quite the man of steel he pretends to be.
The trials of the UK spymaster at the height of the Cold War are detailed in the 20 episodes of The Sandbaggers. Now a period piece, a monument to the harsh politics of the day, the writing and characterizations transcend the 1970s and 80s.
Lush in detail and dialogue. Gripping acting. Nail-biting tension. Laugh out loud cynicism. Stunning plot twists. Train-wreck conclusions.
Re: Sandbaggers
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:02 pm
by Fat Cat
Movie or TV show?
Re: Sandbaggers
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:11 am
by vern
I'm there Jones.
Also by LeCarre and carried by netflix with delightfully little action...
This was a great BBC miniseries from the early 80's. They did two of them, both worth renting.
And LeCarre wrote the book that led to Richard Burton's finest screen performance IMO.
This is like the 'anti-James Bond' movie.
Quote from the film... "She offered me free love. It was all I could afford at the time."
Re: Sandbaggers
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:14 pm
by Sassenach
Sorry Cat, that's what I get for posting at 4am. It's a British TV show that ran from 78-81. The show's writer, Ian MacKintosh, was a former Royal Navy officer that died before the beginning of the 3rd season when his plane went down "over Alaska somewhere." Heh. Producers didn't believe anyone could write the show like MacKintosh -- half the 3rd season was finished, they had a 4-5 more shows written, left it ending on a cliffhanger.
Re: Sandbaggers
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:13 am
by Hank Scorpio
Yo Jezzy, what's the best lesbian strap on porn out there?
Re: Sandbaggers
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:27 pm
by vern
Thanks for recommending this JJ. I'm on the last disc of season three and I'm really bummed that its almost over. Hands down this has to be the best spy show ever on tv.
A good example of how great writing and acting can overcome a low budget.
Re: Sandbaggers
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:58 pm
by Andy77
Watched the 1st 3 discs. 1. Can't stand the faggot Limey talk. 2. Endings leave me cold. 3. Not at all exciting 4. Just plain boring.
Thumbs down
Re: Sandbaggers
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:27 am
by vern
Can't stand the faggot Limey talk.
Shit Andy, you mean you didn't like the one where MoD wanted D-Ops to ask 'c' for permission to use the SBS to ensure that the GRU wasn't spying on HMG via a leak in JIB caused by the DGI being compromised?
Re: Sandbaggers
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:26 am
by Andy77
vern wrote: Can't stand the faggot Limey talk.
Shit Andy, you mean you didn't like the one where MoD wanted D-Ops to ask 'c' for permission to use the SBS to ensure that the GRU wasn't spying on HMG via a leak in JIB caused by the DGI being compromised?
5 minutes in I fell asleep. Like seeahill's books this should work well for folks suffering insomnia.
Re: Sandbaggers
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:33 am
by Eric B
Wow, nice recommendation, I'm digging the hell out of ep. 1 and 2. Can't wait for the rest on Netflix. Thanks, JJ.