"Bergerac" (1981) TV series 1981-1991

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Creator:

Robert Banks Stewart

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Release Date:

18 October 1981 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Police | Alcohol | Murder | Jersey | Detective

Awards:

1 win

Cast

John Nettles	...	Det. Sgt. Jim Bergerac / ... (87 episodes, 1981-1991)
Terence Alexander	...	Charlie Hungerford (85 episodes, 1981-1991)
Sean Arnold	...	Chief Insp. Barney Crozier / ... (73 episodes, 1981-1990)
Mela White	...	Diamante Lil (35 episodes, 1981-1987)
David Kershaw	...	DC Ben Lomas / ... (35 episodes, 1988-1991)

Runtime:

50 min (87 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-11 (DVD) (2007)

Filming Locations:

Beach, St Brelade's Bay, Jersey, Channel Islands

Company:

7 Network

Trivia:

The car that Jim Bergerac drove was a 1947 Triumph Roadster. It was very temperamental and caused immense problems during filming when it refused to start - or to stop if the brakes failed! The engine sounded so rough that the sound of a Jaguar was dubbed over the top. John Nettles loathed it because he kept scraping his knuckles or banging his knees on the dashboard. After filming on Bergerac had finished, by which time the car was in very poor condition due to its extensive usage, it was auctioned for £34,000 as part of the Children in Need appeal; the new owner later wrote an angry letter to John Nettles complaining about the state of the car.

Quotes:

Det. Insp. Barney Crozier: He can't spell commitment.
Charlotte: That's my fault.I thought he'd got it wrong.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Screenwipe: (#2.3)" (2006)

The series that brought the BBC into the modern era.

Before (and in some cases after) Bergerac BBC dramas were pathetically low budget and often set in over-lit and wobbly studio-sets that were a throwback to a theatre tradition that television needed to take a step, a cinematic step indeed, away from.

Bergerac was instrumental in changing that. What makes it take this leap is that every scene is outside broadcast. If the scene is in an office in a police station, then it is filmed in an office. It may seem a small thing, but compare it to other BBC dramas of the time, like Juliet Bravo, and you will see how Bergerac stands the test of time and they fail.

John Nettles is superb in the lead role, but as ever, for a series like this to work, it is the supporting actors that make the difference and these are in two categories. Firstly, the regulars who are good and fun, especially Charlie Hungerford, a more subtle and plausible Arthur Daley character, and Barney Crozier, one of the world's most grumpy men, but one who you still are able to have a little time for. Secondly, the guest actors, and these read like a checklist of British dramatic talent, either classic stars making guest appearances (Beryl Reid, Sir Norman Wisdom, Richard Griffiths) or a host of younger actors who were on the cusp of being household names (Ray Winston, Resse Dinsdale, Louise Jameson, Lisa Goddard).

A decade is a long time, but the quality of Bergerac never failed throughout its ten years (which almost mirrored Mrs Thatcher's term as PM; it makes the series interesting social history for that golden decade as well as drama). Outstanding.