Out
Frank Ross (Tom Bell) has just been released from an eight
year sentence at her majesty’s pleasure for attempted bank robbery. After a
train journey back to his old manor he doesn’t waste much time in visiting old
acquaintances, but rather than mere social calls Ross is on a mission, a
mission to find out who grassed him and his boys up to the police all those
years ago.
Out was released in July 1978, a fact that you can tell from
the clothes and cars as well as the massively subdued colour palette used. It was
nestled in-between the third and fourth outings of the Sweeney which was
another hard hitting crime show, but where as of course the Sweeney followed
Regan and Carter as part of the flying squad, Out is set on the other side of
the law.
I must admit that initially I was not looking forward to
reviewing this release, I had watched old TV programs like this before and they
aren’t that good these days. I had never seen, or even heard of this production
before but Trevor Preston the writer had also written episodes for Minder and
the aforementioned Sweeney and I remember enjoying those as a kid. So with a
degree of trepidation I put the disk in the player.
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The release
comes on two disks, three episodes per disk which are roughly 45 minutes long
each, I managed to watch all six episodes in two sittings with the second set
being the better of the two as this is where Frank makes some real progress,
and we move from location to location as he catches up with the guilty party.
There are a few subplots. Eve (Pamela Fairbrother), Franks
wife is in a mental institution after having a nervous breakdown, nothing
really much happens with this sub plot and I think is there more as an
emotional anchor for Frank and something to break up the story into more
manageable chunks. Another Sub Plot involves Franks son Paul (Andrew Paul) who
was PC Dave Quinnan from the Bill, again the story does really explore this
relationship either with much depth, and lastly we touch upon Frank’s mate
Chris and his failing business. As with Eve’s unfulfilled subplot these other
two are never really dwelt upon.
Tom Bell gives a sterling performance as Frank, for the most
part he is calm and collected but with that ruthless streak in him that you
imagine all gangsters to have, he is determined and knows what he wants and who
to go to in time of need, he is a survivor. The rest of the main cast around
him give good performances too. Brian Croucher (Chris) is a long time friend of
Franks and even though is business is going down hill fast, he still looks
after his friend and Pamela (Eve) is scarily convincing as a woman going
insane, it is a shame her branch of the story didn’t really go anyway, as she
give a noteworthy performance.
But even with these non fulfilled sub plots the story is
involving and interesting throughout all of the six episodes and it’s a pity
that the sequel that was planned didn’t happen as Tom Bell didn’t want to do
it.
Picture and Sound
The picture can be quite grainy in places and the colour
palette is very stark, although I believe this to be the case for most programs
released around this time, the occasional spot of stock damage appears too
although it is few and far between and is generally shown for a split second
and then disappears. The audio is quite bad in terms of volume, is it extremely
quiet in some places and found myself raising and lowering the volume on more
than one occasion.
Extras
There are a few extras to be found, mainly attached to a
particular episode rather than a pooled section, the extras are:
Disk One “It must be the suit” – This has a commentary with
Trevor Preston, Jim Goddard and Barry Hanson
Disk Two Disk One “I wouldn’t take your hand if I was
drowning” – This has a commentary with Trevor Preston, Jim Goddard and Barry
Hanson
Overall
If you can look past the dated clothes and the few problems
with the picture and sound the actual story is well laid out and very well
executed, it is well acted although sometimes the timing of the lines are such
that you can almost feel one actor waiting for the other to stop before
delivering their own lines. I would be concerned about re-watch-ability value,
after all a film is anything between 1.5 and 2 hours for a regular film whereas
this involves a but more time investment, But for those that enjoy the Sweeney
and Minder and other programs of that ilk, I thoroughly recommend this.