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Reviews & Ratings for
 "Due South" Pilot (1994)


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8 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
Very tongue in cheek!, 8 February 2004
Author: khearne from Canadian living in England

I think that some people who criticize this show have missed the point. Yes, the concept of it is totally silly - because Mounties are rarely actually seen in red uniforms, let alone while cavorting around Chicago solving crimes...

BUT, the show is fantastic for playing upon the world (and American!) perceptions of Canadians. It's got it all - the red suited Mountie, the husky-wolf-dog, the overly polite Canadian who's politeness always end up saving the day, and lots of scenes in a cabin in the snowy wilds of Canada (I mean, isn't Canada covered in snow 90% of the year, and don't we all drive dog sleds?).

I am Canadian, but have been living in England for the past 5 years, so my perspective on Canadian television has changed. I now look at it with the eyes of an ex-pat who can see all the terribly amusing little Canadian things in the shows.

As a result - watching this show again in re-runs has made me realize just how good it is. The writing and the acting are brilliant - with Benton (displaced polite Mountie) and Ray (gruff, jaded, hard Chicago cop) are perfect television partners. They play off each other's eccentricities, while making fun of both American and Canadian stereo-types. There is comedy, drama, and even action!

Try not to take this show too seriously - the writers know that a red suited Mountie in Chicago is ridiculous - that's what makes this show so brilliant! The show was filmed in Toronto (which any self-respecting Torontonian would be able to tell you), so if for no other reason, watch the show to see how many times the producers/editors put in a shot of the EL (the famed Chicago Elevated Train), just to try and pretend that they really WERE in Chicago!

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8 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
A Pilot Movie That's As Fresh And Original As The Series..., 5 May 2003
10/10
Author: Mark C. Robinson from Takoma Park, MD

Many pilot movies of hit television series are essentially rough drafts, where the kinks will be worked out in the course of producing the series over the first season. Or the second season. This pilot for the television series, "Due South" is one of those rare jewels that gets it right coming out of the gate. The movie effectively combined humor and drama to create a wonderful premise.

Driven to solve the murder of his father who was a legend in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Constable Benton Fraser teams up with Chicago cop Ray Vecchio to find those responsible. Set against the backdrops of the Canadian wilderness and the urban landscape of Chicago, these two major locations serve to highlight the differences between the two main characters.

The character of Constable Benton Fraser could have been easily played only for laughs as the stereotypical Canadian Mountie; stalwart and unyielding in his pursuit of those who break the law. But I was drawn in by Paul Gross' subtle performance of a man who strives to do what is right, even at the cost of all he holds dear. At home in the stark wilderness of the Canadian frontier, Fraser is a fish out of water in the harsh urban landscape of Chicago. Though at first he seems naïve and inflexible, Fraser's powers of observation, his perception of human nature and his sense of justice generally see him through to the end.

With Ray Vecchio, the writing and acting once again effectively transform what could have been another one-dimensional television cop into something more. David Marciano's performance as wily Chicago Police Detective Ray Vecchio serves as an effective counterbalance to Constable Fraser's upright nature. Like Fraser, Ray Vecchio is not what he seems at first glance. A slick dresser with a glib manner, Ray is a cop who is not above bending the law to see justice done. While put off at times by Fraser's manner and methods, Ray shares with the Mountie the same sense of duty and responsibility, and comes to respect Fraser both as a fellow cop and as a friend.

The secondary characters are as engaging and interesting as the main characters, from the gruff fellow RCMP officer Gerard, to Vecchio's raucous family, to the enigmatic Inuit hunter who knows more than he's telling. Even Benton Fraser's father Robert Fraser, whose actual screen time may be all of two minutes is compelling. Though his murder is what starts the ball rolling, we have not seen the last of this character.

The writing is fresh and witty, poking fun at American and Canadian sensibilities, while scratching the surface of the national stereotypes to reveal the humanity underneath. The music, particularly Jay Semko's haunting score, gives the movie a distinctive sound which marks it as a cut above the rest.

This was a movie and series that could not be easily categorized, which may have led to CBS giving it such short shrift. But it obviously resonated with many viewers, as it was their campaigning that forced CBS to bring the show back for a second season, and later a third season in syndication. While I lament that "Due South" is no more, I celebrate the fact that it was made in the first place, and that we had it for as long as we did.

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5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Just have to say..., 26 August 2001
10/10
Author: embeth21 from Tennessee

I just have to say that due South is one of the smartest, sharpest, funniest shows that has ever been made and not recognized properly. I will never understand why the networks fought so hard to take it off the air. Some of the lines in this show stay with you like a line from Seinfeld does. I'll find myself chuckling sometimes when I think of certain instances, even though it hasn't been on for years now. The networks really dropped the ball when they let due South go.

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3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
this rocks, 26 February 2003
10/10
Author: anna from Umea, Sweden

I love this tv-series, it is such a great concept, i just love the caractors especially the wolf, i like how they do things and i like the arguments between Fraser and Vecchio. i like the serie because it's unusual, and there are not many series like this one.

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4 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Best show yet, 12 September 2003
10/10
Author: The_Mad_Russian from Ontario, Canada



Despite what some other user wrote, Due South had some amazing episodes. Sometimes dramatic, sometimes touching, always whimsical, Due South took some of the usual Canada/US stereotypes and managed to make quite a number of excellent episodes. Some episodes had more twists and turns than a year of soap operas, but the writing was always amazing.

In a sea of American TV garbage with laugh tracks and FOX network mentality, Due South served to show that you could be both serious and funny and still have a good viewing experience.

It was a shame to see the series is not being produced anymore. Personally, I don't see how the staff could have kept up the high level of quality the show demanded for much longer.

10 out of 10 in my books.

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4 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Fantasy, but of what *should* be! Excellent role model., 20 September 2003
Author: Billy Sargent (Guerauxguex) from Lincoln, Texas

Frank wrote:

"Get outta here! What a crappy concept for a series. This show is almost as ridiculous as "Raven" is a crappy spin-off. Yeah right, this guy can run around in his Mountie-uniform and nobody is going to mind that he really has no authority whatever to tell anybody anything! I'd rather watch "Fantasy Island"...ahh!"

You're absolutely right Frank; Constable Fraser would have no more authority than I do when I tell local rotten kids to stop throwing things at peoples cars. No more moral obligation than I to stand up to bullies, no more responsibility than you for making the world a decent, safe place. You seem to think that authority comes from a position, a job, a badge. Authority is inherent in responsibility & accountability.

I would far rather live in Benton Fraser, RCMP's world than in *my* world where children in school can't be told that what they've done is wrong, & that they are bad for doing something wrong. I'm still astounded that kids even come to school that way! What are their parents doing? Even primary school age kids are exempt from dicipline. Supposedly they can't understand right & wrong; I put it to you that without being taught, they *never* will! eg todays deteriorating society. We can't und whats been done, but we can stop it from going any further & see that it doesn't happen again.

I am not as good a man as Fraser; but he gives me a target; the character Paul Gross fleshed out is an outstanding role model for everyone. I'm not at all surprised that the show failed with American audiences, whose mass media general public mind is slowly eroding into something resembling tapioca, & who can't bear to be reminded of their shortcomings, or how far they've slipped from the high water mark of their greatest generation.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Brilliant Show- wish it was still On Air!!!!, 27 April 2006
10/10
Author: shroffmalc from United Kingdom

Well what can I say? The acting is generally good throughout inspite of some woodern background characterisations. Paul Cross and David Marciano played well of each other both acting their respective roles with an emotional depth and a twist of humour when required.

The series' two key strengths are in the chalk and cheese style interaction between Fraser and Vecchio coupled with Benton Fraser's straight laced somewhat bizarre boy scout like approach to life in Chicago.

The interesting thing I noticed is that the Mountie outfit, although tying in well to Fraser's character, is something of super hero costume as he adopts something of an aura of invincibility when he dons the red uniform!!! Also the use of Diefenbaker the deaf wolf also gives the show a slightly surreal slant which goes a step further in the final series when Fraser starts to see the ghost of his father.

Overall an enjoyable and amusing TV series with good acting a fresh concept and some well thought out story lines. Definitely worth checking out!!!

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
I loved the writing, and the surprises, 28 November 2000
9/10
Author: oldmoo from Madison, WI

Just when all crime/police action series seemed to be falling into a pattern, this one came along and shattered those cliches. You just never know where the story is going. Oh, you can count on Fraser being impossibly upright, clean, and innocent, all of which throws him into high contrast with the grubbiness and cheap vice that surround him in "Chicago". The plots and characters are wonderfully wacky without ever losing credibility. It's reminiscent of the wonderful "Barney Miller", but the Dudley-Doright mountie is a fresh new character. Why don't they issue this series on videotape?

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2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR, 19 December 2002
10/10
Author: LAV25USMC from Memphis, USA

This series was a wonderful change of pace, a TRUE breath of fresh air in a medium that strives for mediocrity. It is so boring getting constantly bombarded in show after show by Hollywood's bogus philosophy that "Nice Guys Finish Last". The good guys usually win but not without acting like the bad guys. So here is a novel idea, and more importantly a reminder that there are ideals and values that we would like to see lived out. The Nice Guy Does Finish First for a change. Who wouldn't want this guy to be your neighbor or friend. It is truly a shame that the networks did little to support the show and practically everything they could to let it die. This reminds of the show Christy which had a HUGE audience and often won its time slot (proven by the Nielsens) but was dropped because it did not do as well in a couple of markets that are the network favorites (I.E. New York, and L.A.). Nice to know that 2 cities control everything that Americans get to watch.

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2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Due South rocks!, 27 August 1999
9/10
Author: Reid Baldwin (thesaxguy@aol.com) from Oregon

This was the pilot episode for one of the greatest series ever made. Although a more serious episode, it is well-made and the characters are already quite good. I can't think of a single person that could not appreciate this program.

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