MovieChat Forums > The Equalizer (1985) Discussion > Who agrees? Watching this again just ma...

Who agrees? Watching this again just makes you grin ear to ear

posted 12 years ago by scott-1127
36 replies | jump to latest

I doubt with the popularity of the board here that I'm on my own, but the more I watch this programme, the more I love it each time. Don't get me wrong, I'm no tv addict or anything and I don't have the time to sit down and watch marathon runs of my favourite programmes (obviously The Equalizer is in the top 3) so the time I do spend has to be quality and enjoyable.

Most of my time watching "my" stuff, and not the soaps with my wife, is when I'm making dinners etc and I have it on in the background on the window sill, but having The Equalizer on is slowing me down more and more as I find it so captivating and addictive the Sunday dinner is taking longer to make as I find myself watching every scene despite this is probably the seventh time I've run through the four series.

It was lucky that the yorkshire puds didn't burn on Sunday as I started the two parter Blood and Wine and I just couldn't stop grinning. Edward Woodward's performance as Robert McCall is just so, well, I don't know what the word is but he makes acting seem effortless. Then Telly Savallas appears as the ex terrorist turned priest and you have two acting giants just swallowing up the screen time.

Last nights episode was Suspicion Of Innocence with the excellent Vincent D'Onofrio as Davy Baylor. What?!?!? This bloke was a gangsters son a few episodes ago and now he's mentally challenged. Everything about this programme is just so spot on. I was actually quite disappointed that it was a quick tea so I didn't get to see all of the episode! I think I might come up with something really creative as Mission McCall is coming up :) Granted there are weaker episodes but all in all, this is what the 80's were about.

For years I've had a 7.5 portable dvd in the kitchen but this run through of The Equalizer commanded more respect, so my new laptop that I hardly use is now on the kitchen window sill. It looks silly hanging over the edge but I think good old Edward deserves a 15.1 inch screen and some plug in speakers. McCall deserves no less.

[–] scott-1127 12 years ago

Nobody eh? <sighs>

[–] AaronCapenBanner 12 years ago

I love this series as well, scott-1127. Edward Woodward was an immensely powerful actor in the sense that you definitely did not want to be on his enemies list.

Favorite scene is him shoving that drug dealer against a wall and yelling at him "You made me lower than you are,and this I will not forgive!" over and over as the camera zooms back. Great stuff!

Wish the rest of the series was on DVD,since here in region one we still only have Season one!

[–] Evostevo 11 years ago

Love this show, Edward's performance is great, I don;t think it would have worked half as well with anyone else in the main role.

Yes it makes me smile watching it again after all these years.

Classic.

[–] drloomis666 12 years ago

I'm watching this show for the first time.I just finished season 2.I never caught it in the 80's.And I agree Woodward is a powerful actor.

I have to say i had my doubts about a 50'ish slightly over weight older man being believable as the lead on a show like this but Woodward,the amazing actor that he is,really makes you believe that he is someone to be feared.

I think that if they had put some generic younger looking actor in the part then this show would have been just another forgettable 80's actioner.Woodwards performance sets this show above that.

[–] scott-1127 11 years ago

I'm really glad we all agree! Just finishing off the Sarah Connor Chronicles and it's back to the Equalizer for another viewing for me!

[–] cdss 11 years ago

I always thought Woodward was a highly underrated actor. HIs performance in The Wicker Man is an absolute tour de force. I'm just rediscovering this excellent series and it's still as good as I remember it.

Great to see Vincent D'Onofrio—another excellent actor—in a great performance. Amazing that this episode was shot the same year as Full Metal Jacket.

=:~)

[–] Iron_Eagle74 11 years ago

I'm sorry that I'm late replying, but you're not alone for sure. "The Equalizer" was one of the best shows I've ever seen, and it was ahead of it's time in the 1980's. Edward Woodward(RIP) was a triumph, and I always enjoyed Keith Szarabajka too.

I'm just upset this entire series isn't available on DVD, here in the USA anyway.

[–] scott-1127 11 years ago

Hey I'm not bothered how long it takes people to reply, it's just nice knowing that we all have fond memories of a great series. I read a lot of comments on IMDB and it annoys me how it turns into nastiness and name calling and to be honest, that's why I don't post much so when I take the gamble to start a thread, it's nice to have some sensible mature replies about (possibly) the greatest TV show of all time :)

What seasons can you get in the good old US of A? I would have thought Amazon could get the lot. Could be wrong though ....

[–] jayhn1111 11 years ago

I just finished watching the series. I think I only watched random episodes at the time. Pretty good series though. I wouldn't say it's one of my favorites, but it was always solid.

[–] druhanp 11 years ago

I only saw the show when it first came out, but I did follow it to the end. It was scheduled for cancellation halfway through season 1 and under that threat it got really interesting. I particularly enjoyed Saul Rubinek joining the cast.

One point of disagreement is that I felt Woodward was right for the part, but what other commentators call powerful acting, I call scenery chewing. I wished on many occasions he would dial it back.

[–] scott-1127 11 years ago

Scenery Chewing!!! How very dare you Sir!!!! This is Robert Mc Call and he can only talk with a script that has been typed in block capitals and has a "full stop" between every word!!!!

[–] druhanp 11 years ago

GREAT SCOTT!! YOU ARE CORRECT!!!!

[–] omen2006 11 years ago

I must admit The Equalizer has been a long time favourite of mine. I remember being really young my mum dad and sister used to watch it on itv around nine at night every friday! And for years i waited for it on dvd now got the whole lot! And was made at the right place at the right time New York in the 80s

[–] mr360 11 years ago

I was about 9/10 when this was on British telly and the only reason I'd watch it was to stay up till 10pm. I used to think it was ok but nothing special.

Fast forward 22 years and receiving the boxset for Christmas, I have now come to realise that 'The Equalizer' was totally class and I'm thoroughly enjoying every episode.

There are 88 episodes in total and I can safely say that I will definitely watch them all again one day in the near future.

[–] svengali64 11 years ago

A great show with a simple idea. So good was Edward Woodward`s portrayal of Robert McCall, you seriously wouldn't mess with this guy.A bit like Callan and utterly ruthless. I don't normally like movie remakes from my favourite shows,but I think with Denzel Washington on board, I hope they do a good job and it doesn't end up like the A-Team,Starsky & Hutch and Miami Vice!

[–] jharmon64 11 years ago

I'm a huge fan of this show.

I loved it, couldn't wait for the next episode/season.

Greatly disappointed when it got canceled.

I've never understood why reruns are not shown in syndication.

I'll be all in for the movie, hoping for a good cast and a great movie with sequels!

[–] milesdigby 11 years ago

Totally agree. I crashed a hang glider and had back surgery in 87,which meant a year and months in bed. This show is one of the things that got me through. It was greatly ahead of its time.

FYI IN HOT FUZZ LEAD ACTOR PLAYS ONE OF THE TOWNS PEOPLE. HE HAS BIG BEARD AND GLASSES. THE INSIDE JOKE (WHICH I MISSED) IS ALL THE TOWNS PEOPLE,ARE FAMOUS FOR PLAYING BADDIES FOR YEARS IN ENGLAND.

[–] wrolfsmeyer 10 years ago

If this show had been made today, they probably would have used some hulking, ripped actor who stands about 6'6" to portray McCall, but they still wouldn't have been able to match the presence that Woodward had onscreen. I missed out on this show when it was first on, but I've got the first season on dvd, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

[–] stuntmanlee 10 years ago

I fully agree. I miss these kind of shows.

you can't outrun it
you can't outdrive it
you cannot stop...The Truck.