"Sapphire & Steel" (1979) TV series 1979-1982

Creator:

Peter Hammond

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

10 July 1979 (UK)

Genre:

Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

Complex, involved science-fiction series about a special force of interdimensional operatives whose...

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Time Loop | Photograph | Special Agent | Paranormal Phenomena

Cast

Joanna Lumley	...	Sapphire (34 episodes, 1979-1982)
David McCallum	...	Steel (34 episodes, 1979-1982)

Runtime:

UK:25 min (34 episodes) | USA:30 min (34 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

BBC Elstree Centre/ATV Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Associated Television (ATV)

Quotes:

[Rob, sitting at the table, realizes the house has been returned to normal. He races upstairs to find the bedroom empty, his parents and Helen still missing. Disappointed, he turns to see Steel, Sapphire, and Lead standing on the steps]
Lead: We forgot something.
Robert Jardine: What?
Steel: This.
[tosses Helen's teddy bear up to Rob]
Steel: [immediately upon catching the bear, they disappear and the sound of Rob's parents and sister singing can be heard coming from the bedroom]
Mother: [singing] The king has sent his daughter, to fetch a pail of water, A tissue! A tissue! We all fall down! The bird upon the...
[sees Rob standing in the doorway]
Mother: Yes what is it? You're supposed to be doing your homework!
Robert Jardine: Yes, Mum.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Screenwipe: (#3.4)" (2007)

Sapphire and Steel have been assigned...

A star-scape, trumpeting music, a booming voice announcing the entrance of those mysterious elemental agents...

So began each installment of the fantastic, and very underrated, "Sapphire and Steel" starring David "Man from UNCLE" McCallum and Joanna "Purdey" Lumley.

Produced by ATV in the late 70s and early 80s, this show certainly left the audiences divided. You either loved it or hated it.

Some, baffled by its weighty plots, weird characters and bizarre set pieces found it an instant turn off. Other, perhaps more patient people, who stuck with the series were rewarded with some of the best TV science-fiction this country has ever produced.

Innovative out of necessity rather than choice given its miniscule budget, "Sapphire and Steel" was a triumph of experimentation. Weird music, disturbing imagery, film noir-esque lighting and solid performances from almost every actor to feature in it, everything about the show is a joy to behold.

Now deleted on video, but with a rumoured DVD release in the offing, it is well worth catching this enthralling show. Only 6 stories were ever produced and its short run makes this gem all the more worthy of cherishing. So if you're sick of time travelling Doctors, battles in space and little green men on Mars, then give this intelligent and brooding fantasy treat a try!