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IMDbPro

Z Cars

  • TV Series
  • 1962–19781962–1978
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
324
YOUR RATING
Z Cars (1962)
  • Crime
  • Drama
A gritty drama which follows the work of the police force in the fictional town of Newtown in the North of England.A gritty drama which follows the work of the police force in the fictional town of Newtown in the North of England.A gritty drama which follows the work of the police force in the fictional town of Newtown in the North of England.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
324
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • James Ellis
    • John Slater
    • Douglas Fielding
Top credits
  • Stars
    • James Ellis
    • John Slater
    • Douglas Fielding
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins

    Episodes799

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos80

    James Ellis, Stratford Johns, and Frank Windsor in Z Cars (1962)
    Z Cars (1962)
    Z Cars (1962)
    Geoffrey Hayes in Z Cars (1962)
    James Ellis and John Slater in Z Cars (1962)
    Geoffrey Hayes and John Slater in Z Cars (1962)
    Sandra Payne in Z Cars (1962)
    Dan Jackson in Z Cars (1962)
    Anthony Sagar in Z Cars (1962)
    Linda Castle in Z Cars (1962)
    Michael Brennan and Anthony Sagar in Z Cars (1962)
    Stratford Johns and Arthur Lowe in Z Cars (1962)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Ellis
    • Sgt. Lynchas Sgt. Lynch…
    627 episodes627 eps • 1962–1978
    John Slater
    John Slater
    • Det. Sgt. Stoneas Det. Sgt. Stone
    421 episodes421 eps • 1967–1974
    Douglas Fielding
    Douglas Fielding
    • PC Quilleyas PC Quilley…
    340 episodes340 eps • 1969–1978
    Bernard Holley
    Bernard Holley
    • PC Newcombeas PC Newcombe…
    277 episodes277 eps • 1967–1971
    Ian Cullen
    Ian Cullen
    • PC Skinneras PC Skinner…
    220 episodes220 eps • 1969–1975
    Derek Waring
    • Det. Insp. Gossas Det. Insp. Goss…
    216 episodes216 eps • 1969–1973
    Joseph Brady
    Joseph Brady
    • PC Weiras PC Weir…
    178 episodes178 eps • 1962–1978
    Jennie Goossens
    • BD Girlas BD Girl
    146 episodes146 eps • 1967–1971
    Brian Blessed
    Brian Blessed
    • PC Smithas PC Smith…
    131 episodes131 eps • 1962–1978
    Paul Angelis
    • PC Bannermanas PC Bannerman…
    130 episodes130 eps • 1967–1969
    Frank Windsor
    Frank Windsor
    • Det. Sgt. Wattas Det. Sgt. Watt…
    129 episodes129 eps • 1962–1978
    Stratford Johns
    Stratford Johns
    • Det. Chief Insp. Barlowas Det. Chief Insp. Barlow…
    126 episodes126 eps • 1962–1965
    Bob Keegan
    • Sgt. Blackittas Sgt. Blackitt…
    109 episodes109 eps • 1962–1965
    Colin Welland
    Colin Welland
    • PC Grahamas PC Graham…
    88 episodes88 eps • 1962–1978
    David Daker
    David Daker
    • PC Culshawas PC Culshaw…
    84 episodes84 eps • 1967–1977
    Terence Edmond
    Terence Edmond
    • PC Sweetas PC Sweet…
    78 episodes78 eps • 1962–1964
    Stephen Yardley
    Stephen Yardley
    • PC Mayas PC May…
    68 episodes68 eps • 1965–1978
    John Woodvine
    John Woodvine
    • Det. Insp. Wittyas Det. Insp. Witty…
    64 episodes64 eps • 1963–1969
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The series suffered from the BBC's lack of a proper archiving policy until 1978. It was BBC policy before 1978 to wipe master tapes and reuse them for other programs, hence saving money and storage space. From a full tally of seven hundred ninety-nine episodes, four hundred sixty-six (broadcast between 1962 and 1974) are thought to no longer exist. Additionally, some color videotaped episodes only survive as monochrome film copies. The final four seasons, broadcast between September 1974 and September 1978, exist in their entirety.
    • Goofs
      While taping 'moving vehicle' shots in studio, as technology was nowhere near as advanced as it is currently, it was so much simpler to use a 'stripped' version of the vehicles involved. Many such were missing their entire front ends and windscreens to facilitate both filming and sound recording. Continuous film was played on the screen behind, to give the impression that the vehicle was actually on the move during recording. Immediately after one such shot, actor Brian Blessed (PC 'Fancy' Smith) stepped out of the Z-car, and, having left his cap on the dashboard, reached in through the vacant windscreen space to retrieve it. Blessed himself spoke of this during a talk show some years later, but apparently neither the film crew nor the director noticed.
    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Edited into Total Cops (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Z Cars Theme
      Composed by Bridget Fry

    User reviews8

    Review
    Top review
    Z-Cars in perspective.
    Jeremy Kemp has to be one of the most striking actors there has ever been. In looks and voice!

    It was because of him that I ever came to watch an episode of 'Z-Cars'. Completely by chance, I saw the episode of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' in which he played alongside Patrick Stewart. I was so struck by Jeremy Kemp that I tried to find out more about him and read in a book that he had been in 'Z-Cars'. And so began my interest in the series...

    I was not born when it began in 1962 and my only memories of it before it ended in 1978 were as listings in the 'Radio Times'. The only episodes I have watched are the three on the video from the first series. Nevertheless, I should still like to comment on what I have seen of it.

    From what I have read, the programme was made with the aid of the police force in Lancashire and was realistic in its portrayal of the police, their lives and work. This being the case, I should have been quite happy to be taken care of by the likes of Barlow, Steele and co. and would have felt reassured by their presence. They seemed to see their responsibilities simply as keeping law and order, protecting the innocent and bringing criminals to justice. No political correctness or community policing nonsense for them!

    I can see why it probably raised a few eyebrows when it was first broadcast. The four young Police Constables, Steele, Lynch, Smith and Weir, were very different from George Dixon of Dock Green. However, no human is perfect and, I daresay, there were/are policemen who gambled on horse races, smoked like chimneys and chatted up young girls. It is more interesting to have rounded characters than stereotypes. Also, it showed that many people in the early 1960s still lived in poverty and tremendous hardship, which might not have been comfortable viewing for certain watchers.

    The male-orientation of the early series (only one policewoman appears) would also have been typical of the period. This does not bother me in the slightest; writing as a young lady forty years later, I find it protective and reassuring. Also, complaints about the quality of the production seem unjustified when made by someone today; with the advances in technology, how can one possibly compare?

    A word about P.C. Steele hitting his wife. Watching and reading about the occurrence several times, I would support his comment that it was an accident. It is never actually shown on screen; we see his wife, Janey, with a black eye and she openly explains to P.C. Lynch how it happened. Steele came in late for his dinner after promising he would be early. In her anger, his wife threw a hotpot of stew at him which missed narrowly and he, presumably fuelled by drink, struck out at her. To be classed as a wife-beater, in my opinion, Bob Steele would have to be physically assaulting his wife on a regular basis. It is clear that this does not happen so the label is unjustified. Indeed, Steele displays much tenderness and understanding towards Janey, particularly in a later episode when she starts receiving hate mail, as well as to members of the public, including a widowed mother whose children have been killed in a motorcycle accident.

    I do wish that I had seen more of 'Z-Cars'. From watching the early episodes, I can say that I think I would have been attracted by its characters and stories, and would probably have become a regular viewer. I have managed to purchase some books of the series and have enjoyed reading those.

    Incidentally, Jeremy Kemp left after the first series, which was a pity. It would have done the series much good to continue have such a striking actor in the programme - and such a striking policeman in the Lancashire force! He is now a character actor, mainly in films.
    helpful•23
    1
    • juho69
    • Dec 18, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 2, 1962 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Task Force Police
    • Filming locations
      • Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      50 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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