"Heartbeat" (1992) TV series 1992-????

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Directors:

Martin Curry
Philippa Langdale

Writers:

Patrick Harbinson (writer)
Stephen Leather (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18

Release Date:

10 April 1992 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Crime

Plot:

A British police constable and his doctor wife, weary of the turmoil in contemporary London, decide to move and work in a quiet village where life is livelier than they anticipated.

Plot Keywords:

Village | Doctor | Police | Countryside | 1960s

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

William Simons	...	PC Alf Ventress / ... (349 episodes, 1992-2009)
Derek Fowlds	...	Oscar Blaketon / ... (335 episodes, 1992-2009)
Tricia Penrose	...	Gina Ward / ... (329 episodes, 1993-2009)
Mark Jordon	...	PC Phil Bellamy / ... (324 episodes, 1992-2007)
David Lonsdale	...	David Stockwell / ... (250 episodes, 1993-2009)
Peter Benson	...	Bernard 'Bernie' Scripps / ... (225 episodes, 1995-2009)
Bill Maynard	...	Claude Jeremiah Greengrass (155 episodes, 1992-2000)

Also Known As:

"Classic Heartbeat" (UK) (rerun title)

Runtime:

50 min (274 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Askwith, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Trivia:

The reason none of Nicholas Rhea's original stories were adapted for this series was because some of the real Greengrass's activities were rather bizarre, and because one of his reminiscences was a near duplication of a James Herriot story (the one about the dog who was put to sleep because he was thought to have been attacking sheep, only to be proven innocent after the fact when the real culprit was shot to death somewhat later, after he had died).

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Cult of...: Hamish Macbeth (#2.8)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Heartbeat

A familiar, lovable favourite

"Heartbeat" is often criticized for its highly formulaic presentation and the fact that the makers no longer work to the realistic 1960s time-line. I can understand those concerns with the show, rolling my eyes at the fact that the show was first set in 1964 and has now been going about 14 years.

However, I think the type of program "Heartbeat" is should be taken into account before giving this show the thumbs down and negative reviews. Basically, it is meant to be that warm, enjoyable, pleasant, family-friendly, predictable and lovable show that it has become over the last 13 years. With a mixed bag of some reality, some comedy, some drama and nothing is taken too seriously.

I personally am glad they carry on making the show and did not stop after 6 years. And I look forward to when 15 and 16 are shown in Australia! :-) Ohhh and I must say - I'm not much into cars, but I quite like seeing the '60s cars on screen, hearing the '60s music and the scenery that have all been significant aspects of the show's success.