"A Touch of Frost" (1992) TV series 1992-????

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Release Date:

6 December 1992 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot Keywords:

Cult Favorite | Police Officer | Investigation | Death | Police

Awards:

9 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

David Jason	...	D.I. Frost / ... (42 episodes, 1992-2009)
Bruce Alexander	...	Supt. Mullett / ... (42 episodes, 1992-2009)
John Lyons	...	D.S. Toolan / ... (39 episodes, 1992-2009)
Arthur White	...	Ernie Trigg / ... (27 episodes, 1994-2009)
James McKenna	...	Sgt. Brady / ... (24 episodes, 1995-2008)
David McKail	...	Dr. McKenzie / ... (20 episodes, 1992-2008)
David Gooderson	...	Pathologist / ... (18 episodes, 1992-2006)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | Iceland:12 | New Zealand:M (season 1) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | Australia:M (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

Excelsior

Trivia:

Novellist R.D. Wingfield, whose "Frost" book were the inspiration for the series, was very critical of the TV adaptation and said that it had ruined the character of Jack Frost that he had created in his novels. The main change between the books and the TV series is that Frost's prurient and earthy interest in pubescent teenage girls and young women is much less evident in the TV series.

Quotes:

Frost: Were any of the others here on Sunday? Children? And a simple yes or no will do, Annie. I don't want a bloody lecture!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "ShakespeaRe-Told: A Midsummer Night's Dream (#1.4)" (2005)

A sublime series

I agree with other reviewers the Touch of Frost series are outstanding. In particular, the interplay between Jack Frost (David Jason) and his boss "Horn-rimmed Harry" are brilliantly observed and often very funny. There is usually an interesting relationship with his sidekick, who changes with each episode. One of the best things about the programme is the way it doesn't patronise the viewer: the characters, especially Frost, are shown as very imperfect. It's also not afraid to end on a melancholy note; Frost, after all, is something of a tragic figure.

I've seen 2nd and 3rd repeats of these, and they're still enjoyable, which is saying something for TV films. Jason is a superb actor, best known for a comedy in the UK (Only Fools and Horses) rather than serious drama, and his comedy touch is superb.

For anybody who delights in engrossing stories and exquisite human characterisation rather than standard police show cliches, Touch of Frost is exceptional. I can't recommend it highly enough.