"Sapphire & Steel" (1979) TV series 1979-1982

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Creator:

Peter Hammond

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

10 July 1979 (UK)

Genre:

Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

Complex, involved science-fiction series about a special force of interdimensional operatives whose...

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Time Loop | Photograph | Special Agent | Paranormal Phenomena

Cast

Joanna Lumley	...	Sapphire (34 episodes, 1979-1982)
David McCallum	...	Steel (34 episodes, 1979-1982)

Runtime:

UK:25 min (34 episodes) | USA:30 min (34 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

BBC Elstree Centre/ATV Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Associated Television (ATV)

Quotes:

[someone knocks on the door]
Robert Jardine: Who is it?
Steel: Robert Steven Jardine?
Robert Jardine: Yes?
Steel: You asked for help.
Robert Jardine: I did, yes!
Steel: Then unlock the door.
Robert Jardine: [unchaining the locks] That was quick. I'd only just phoned.
[Sapphire and Steel enter]
Robert Jardine: I don't know you! Only... the policeman at the Point!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Counting Out Time (2007) (V)

Another British sci-fi gem

My taste in science fiction and fantasy entertainment is a strange thing. I hated "Lord of the Rings," but I love a good Godzilla movie. "Doctor Who" is fantastic, "Star Wars" leaves me cold. I think it's fair to say that I like interesting concepts more than expensive special effects, and I'm particularly fond of fantasy entertainment from other countries since it often has entirely different sensibilities from the action-oriented stuff that Americans produce.

So, it's no surprise that I loved watching "Sapphire and Steel" over my Christmas break! Talk about interesting concepts...the whole show is a mass of enigmas, time paradoxes, all kinds of weird and wonderful ideas. And it's not just cold, cerebral stuff; the strangely warm rapport between Sapphire, Steel, and the people they help holds it all together. And you know what? I really like the slow pacing and the stifled feeling created by the use of confining sets. For such a low-budget production, "Sapphire and Steel" is oddly terrifying sometimes, and I've got to give credit to its production team for stretching the TV medium so effectively.

It's more humane than "Twilight Zone," more fascinating than "X-Files," and, like so many other great British shows, it had the dignity to end before it got tiresome! Get out and buy the DVD boxed set now...it's worth it.