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

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:

Sapphire: The first nursery rhyme derives from the time of the plague; and the second one which Rob was made to say also has historical reference. It refers back to the Parliamentary Wars.
Steel: Parliamentary Wars?
Robert Jardine: When Cromwell's troops searched houses looking for people who wouldn't pray.
Steel: Wouldn't pray?
Sapphire: [smiling] Unbelievers.
Steel: [affirmatively] Ah.
Robert Jardine: Don't you know your history?
Steel: I know *mine*, yes.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "QI: Future (#6.9)" (2009)

Wonderfully quirky stuff

For a five year old, "Sapphire & Steel" was delightfully terrifying fare. I found it easy - then and now - to ignore the low-budget effects and concentrate on the fantastic scenarios and the eerie twists and turns of the plot. The entire series seemed almost claustrophobic at times, as most of the action took place in isolated or deserted places.

"Sapphire & Steel" was very much a product of its time, perhaps the last of a great line of 1970's British sci-fi such as "Blake's 7" and "Dr Who", with their eccentric characters, surreal scripts and ramshackle sets. As such, for someone of my generation it provides a great sense of nostalgia, and gives me something to look back upon...and smile about.