Sweeney! (1977)

Director:

David Wickes

Writers:

Ranald Graham (screenplay)
Ian Kennedy Martin (based on "The Sweeney" created by)

Release Date:

January 1977 (UK)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The roughest, toughest men from London's greatest crime squad smash their way onto the big screen!

Plot:

Cinematic spin-off from the popular TV series. Hard-bitten Flying Squad officer Jack Regan gets embroiled...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Based On TV Series | England | London England | Sergeant

Awards:

1 win

Cast

John Thaw	...	D.I. Jack Regan
Dennis Waterman	...	D.S. George Carter
Barry Foster	...	Elliott McQueen
Ian Bannen	...	Charles Baker
Colin Welland	...	Frank Chadwick
Diane Keen	...	Bianca Hamilton
Michael Coles	...	Johnson
Joe Melia	...	Ronnie Brent
Brian Glover	...	Mac
Lynda Bellingham	...	Janice Wyatt
Morris Perry	...	Flying Squad Cdr. Maynon
Paul Angelis	...	Secret Serviceman
Nick Brimble	...	D.S. Burtonshaw
John Alkin	...	D.S. Tom Daniels
Bernard Kay	...	Matthews
Antony Scott	...	Johnson's Henchman
Anthony Brown	...	Murder Inquiry Supt.
John Oxley	...	Chadwick's Deputy Editor
Peggy Aitchison	...	Carter's Neighbour
Hal Jeayes	...	Manservant
Sally Osborne	...	Sally
John Kane	...	Special Branch Sgt.
Chris Dillinger	...	Johnson's Henchman
Peter Childs	...	Murder Inquiry Insp.
Alan Mitchell	...	Detective Insp.
Leonard Kavanagh	...	Pathologist
Anthony Woodruff	...	Coroner
Michael Latimer	...	P.P.S.
Matthew Long	...	Traffic Police Sgt.
Joyce Grant	...	McQueen's Secretary
Johnny Shannon	...	Scotland Yard Duty Sgt.
David Corti	...	Young Boy
Susan Skipper	...	Chadwick's Secretary
Nadim Sawalha	...	Chairman of the Oil Producers' Conference
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tony Allen	...	Bill the Driver (uncredited)
Del Baker	...	Johnson's henchman (uncredited)
Harry Fielder	...	Wages Security Guard (uncredited)

Directed by
David Wickes

Writing credits
Ranald Graham		(screenplay)
Ian Kennedy Martin		(based on "The Sweeney" created by)

Produced by
Ted Childs	....	producer
Lloyd Shirley	....	executive producer
George Taylor	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Denis King

Cinematography by
Dusty Miller		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Chris Burt

Casting by
Marilyn Johnson

Art Direction by
William Alexander		(as Bill Alexander)

Makeup Department
Michael Morris	....	makeup artist
Mary Sturgess	....	hairdresser

Production Management
Laurie Greenwood	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michael Murray	....	second assistant director
Bill Westley	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Roger Bowles	....	assistant art director
Bert Gardner	....	production buyer

Sound Department
Tony Dawe	....	sound mixer
Mike Silverlock	....	boom operator
Clive Smith	....	sound editor
Hugh Strain	....	dubbing mixer

Special Effects by
Arthur Beavis	....	special effects

Stunts
Peter Brayham	....	stunt arranger

Camera and Electrical Department
Norman G. Langley	....	second unit cameraman (as Norman Langley)
John Maskall	....	camera operator
John O'Donoghue	....	chief electrician
Mike Proudfoot	....	follow focus
Douglas Webb	....	stillsman (as Doug Webb)
Paul Borg	....	electrician (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
David Murphy	....	wardrobe supervisor

Music Department
Denis King	....	conductor (uncredited)

Other crew
Joy Bayley	....	production assistant
Peter Harvey	....	production accountant
Catherine O'Brien	....	unit publicist
Stephen Pushkin	....	location manager
Phyllis Townshend	....	continuity

Production Companies

• Euston Films

Distributors

• EMI Distribution (1977) (UK) (theatrical)
• Thorn EMI Video Australia
• Warner Home Video (1991) (UK) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (UK) (DVD)
• Weintraub Entertainment (1987) (UK) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Lee Lighting  lighting

Also Known As:

Runtime:

89 min | 97 min (DVD)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Norway:16 | Norway:18 (video rating) | UK:18 (video rating) (1987) (1991) (2003) (2007) | UK:X (original rating) | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

New Scotland Yard, Broadway, Westminster, London, England, UK

Company:

Euston Films

Trivia:

Regan is suspended on April 27th.

Quotes:

[Carter pulls out a packet of cigarettes and puts one in his mouth]
Det. Sgt. George Carter:Sorry, Guv, I've only got one left.
[Regan takes the cigarette out of Carter's mouth and puts it in his own]
Det. Insp. Jack Regan:I only *want* one.
[Regan fumbles for his lighter]
Det. Insp. Jack Regan:You got a light?
Det. Sgt. George Carter:Nope.
Det. Insp. Jack Regan:Bastard.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Unforgettable John Thaw (2012) (TV)

Soundtrack:

That's What Friends Are For

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

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