you cannot remake the Sweeney in the 21st century, it was made and belongs in the 1970s. Why can't the lazy idiots who pass themselves off as writers understand that? Not one single classic show that has been redone in a modern version has worked, NOT ONE, that should tell you that it doesn't work, leave the classics alone
sharespot on
the sweeney as a unit of the uk police dont even exist anymore
why not remake the professionals that was just crap
I think the Sweeney is now referred to as SCD7 and were responsible for foiling the Heathrow heist a few years ago. Armed robbery is on the rise again in Britain and there is 21st century story to be told.
Whether Nick Love is the man to do it is doubtful and is likely to turn out a poor man's Life on Mars, an insuting pastiche of the original show.
There was an attempt to update the Sweeney in the 90s in a show called the Thief Takers. Although not bad it lack the energy and great writing of the Sweeney, despite a very good pilot episode.
Note that Ian Kennedy Smith is listed as a writer for this film. He was the creator of the Sweeney in the first place, so maybe all is not lost. I do however share your reservations. Life on Mars was really really poor in my opinion - just totally unbelievable. I hope IKS steers well clear of any gimmicks and sticks with good solid writing to buoy the film up.
Neil.
yeah, but look who the director is ...
shareits sco19, the modern name for the flying squad, but i dont think they really relate to the sweeney from the 70s that much other then the fact that they investigate similar sorts of crimes, the methods are completely different
shareThe professionalswas not bloody crap.
Doyle:Come on in darling the doors open
Bodie:Anything you say sweetheart:)
A remake of The Professionals would be good too but I must say I did like this flick.
OK, looking at the size of Carter, it was a bit of an Ask - but overall he did a fair job.
It wasn't that bad.
(I watched the 1977 Sweeney movie yesterday and I've been watching the series 4 at night since last week so I was prepared & was surprised they did such a good job)
Some guys here could lighten up a bit IMO :)
Does anyone actually 'know for certain' that this version is a modern take??? The Business was set in the 80s and for me was a trip down memory lane! Not saying I'm a gangster of course....just that the soundtrack and clobber were the nuts!!! I am an actor and have been trying to tout myself for a part in this movie. As for the slagging off of Nick love.....totally unjustified. I am a big fan of movies and 'Goodbye Charlie Bright' makes my 'Top 10' along with classics like 'Lawrence of Arabia, Carlitos Way, Alfie (Caine not Law!!)Apocalypto and Shawshank. Not saying it's a classic in the same way as those, but for me it's acuracy in portraying an era and area I grew up in was 'Spot On'. One of the key things in making this movie will be the choice of film, I say grainy myself. Have some imagination and think outside the box !!!!
I trust Love to get it right. Mick Elkin
I agree with kiwisausage and WhoHeep but it won't make any difference. The film will get its money back in its first weekend based purely on its famous title, which will ensure blanket press and media coverage in the UK. Then Ray Winstone will boost takings further and provided the audience don't walk out en masse laughing after the first half hour, I think Sweeney II is almost inevitable, if it isn't a formality already.
You wouldn't catch me dead watching this and the same thing applied to that Wicker Man re-make, but it is the accountants who dream these things up and they know that the sums nearly always add up.
"After all, what is time? A mere tyranny"share
The problem is that today, we are all fed up with the corrupt, skull cracking, evidence mongering, Murdoch chumming, phone hacking criminals that call themselves 'The Police'.
The world don't need another police drama telling us that there are terrorists under the bed. The terrorists wear the uniforms.
Its tedious... just saying x
The big question is why? This series ended over 30 years ago and had two films made at the time the TV series was being made. One decent and one dreadful, so why the sudden interest in it? Wouldn't it have made more sense to remake the TV series with these leads and if after a few years of high and consistent ratings then make some movies.
shareThe big question is why?Because the series is, was and remains hugely popular with both young and old. I have serious reservations about the film (who on earth is that playing George Carter? He looks like he's barely old enough to shave) but a property like The Sweeney was a sure bet for a movie remake sooner or later.
One problem is, the stars here look like the villains, they don't seem to be charismatic, while the originals were, plus you got a sense that the John Thaw bloke had a head on his shoulders, he was a touch Northern right, so not your usual London geezer.
shareBeeing from Denmark, I haven´t seen Sweeney in the 70ish, but saying that there hasn´t been any series that has made the transistion to modern times and been good is´nt accurate:
What about "Sherlock" - it´s a great series and is on pair with the old Holmes series.
/Pie
I do not agree with most comments. It is true that the original shows are usually better but it's not all redone shows that didn't work. Plus this film seems to be English and not Hollywood. Because if it was Hollywood you could toss this film to the garbage for sure. I always say never criticize before hand. Watch it first then you can have your opinion. But whatever happens there will be the die hard fans who will always be complaining.
shareRay Winstone is far too old for the lead. Many cops retire at 50. Was Danny Dyer not available? By the way Kennedy Martin is only mentioned as creator,not contributor to this version.
sharecourse danny dyer was available, what else does he do.......ever since that guy in nuts magazine said his tv shows suck more then his movies he said he wasnt going to host any more tv shows, and i dont see any direct to dvd movies with his name on these days....the guys probably in the queue at the job centre right now as i type this, but seriously, would you want him in your movie?
sharehe's not in the dole queue he now has a leading role in Eastenders. what have you got?
shareIt's true that prejudice isn't a great thing to allow yourself to think... but then again a film like this is making money off the back of people's prejudice (in this case positive-discrimination due to the original's kudos), so it's fair game.
It's about what makes money easily, so Hollywood or not, it's a relevant point to make to say that this follows the same path as other remakes - money over art.
Ben Drew was convincing in Harry Brown, though, I was actually chilled at his performance (and the uncle character, the Irish one, for sure). Anyone who might say that he's in it because he's an East London lad and a famous face might be right, but hey, it's hardly Rhianna in Battleship, is it?
Saw this today - the naysayers were right to be afraid when they saw Love's name attached, very afraid.
It's atrocious.
All the more reason he should stick to those kind of parts, at least until he starts shaving. In the words of Clint Eastwood "a man's got to know his limitations".
shareHey, guess what?
It was actually pretty good and worked well. Why can't these lazy idiots try anything new?