There seems to be some disagreement as to when this TV serial was first screened; IMDb have it as 1974, other sources claim '75 or '76. I don't remember myself now, but beyond doubt is the fact that it was truly top flight television of a quality which is all too rare. I watched every episode as a young teenager and, although it would probably be less gripping seen now through adult eyes, I'm sure it would easily stand up against most of today's offerings. The story's main protagonists are two teenage schoolboys. Richard Willis plays Istvan Szolda (Soldier), a geeky foreign outsider in a tough inner city comprehensive school, and Gerry Sundquist is Jim Woolcott, the bigger, tougher, streetwise rough diamond who sticks up for Soldier against the local bullies and then can't shake him off afterwards. The plot is commendably straightforward. Soldier believes he has witnessed a murder, and does his best to convince the sceptical Woolcott. But then events take over, leaving Jim in no doubt, and the pair of them with no choice but to run for their lives from some very ruthless villains... Gripping and warm hearted, convincingly scripted and very well acted, quite why this brilliant serial has never been repeated or released on DVD is impossible to guess. If you ever get the chance to watch it then do so, you won't be disappointed.
Review of Soldier and Me
