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7.9/10
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The secrets Sapphire, Steel and their colleagues find include people trapped in photos, ghosts lost in time and a retro dinner party.The secrets Sapphire, Steel and their colleagues find include people trapped in photos, ghosts lost in time and a retro dinner party.The secrets Sapphire, Steel and their colleagues find include people trapped in photos, ghosts lost in time and a retro dinner party.
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Did you know
- TriviaAccording to the documentary accompanying the Network DVD release, the concept for this show originally envisioned it as a programme aimed at youngsters in the mold of other children orientated sci-fi such as The Tomorrow People or Doctor Who. However the documentary goes on to state that this idea soon dissipated when the two stars (McCallum and Lumley) were signed, the production costs subsequently spiralled and made it impractical to keep this as part of childrens TV programming. The programme was then written for an older (i.e. teenage) audience in mind and moved up the schedules from a childrens tv slot to an early evening slot (most ITV networks screened it around 7pm). Despite the big name casting and sci-fi elements the show was not a massive hit not because of perceived lack of quality but because the haphazard way it was produced with the stars availability together for filming being restricted due to other commitments. This meant that the show could never really get a strong foothold in tv programming due to the irregular way the stories were becoming available for transmission. Without a regular production schedule the shows ended up showing at different times and dates all across the ITV network and as such production eventually fizzled out with some ITV networks not showing the final stories until 2 years after they had been filmed.
- GoofsThe introduction talks about elements and their atomic weights, but sapphire is a gemstone composed of the mineral corundum, an aluminum oxide, and steel is an alloy of iron, carbon and other elements. Jet and diamond are also mentioned - while diamond is a form of carbon (and is, therefore, an element) jet is not.
- Quotes
[narration in opening credits]
Voice-over in titles: All irregularities will be handled by the forces controlling each dimension. Transuranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life. Medium atomic weights are available: Gold, Lead, Copper, Jet, Diamond, Radium, Sapphire, Silver and Steel. Sapphire and Steel have been assigned.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Screenwipe: Episode #1.3 (2006)
Featured review
A Time capsule of a UK Sci-Fi Experiment
I ran across this series when I just ran Google search of past Sci-Fi shows. And being American, I never saw it. So I got it from Netflix DVD.
Caveats-- 1-- the series was made in '79 - '81, and was a drama more or less based in that present time-- so it will seem a little 'dated'
2-- It has the general hallmark of UK drama, so don't expect Hollywood style budgets, sets and FX. What's more, the shows are staged almost with a Theatre sensibility. Everything happens IN the opening set and the adjacent rooms. No running about. No Car chases. No Daleks.
3-- It's British. So it's all about the DIALOGUE.
4-- It's British. It moves more 'Patiently' than us impatient Americans usually allow for in a Sci-Fi show.
5-- It's visually low-budget. But Once you get over that, then try and get into the STORY. But if Sci-Fi means Spaceships and Lasers and Robots and pyrotechnics...this show is not for you.
6-- Some reviewers have called this a show that would be more interesting for Kids....Well, I would say that if YOUR child can watch this kind of show, he or she is a LOT more intellectually Mature than even you as the adoring parent realize. Start saving for Harvard!!!
Kind of a flavor of Dark Twilight Zone running at the sedate pace of Masterpiece Theatre, Sapphire and Steel are Extra-dimensional Time Agents are come to Earth to 'Fix' obscure problems or violations of Time.
We know they're NOT Human, But we never find out WHAT they are.
We Don't Know WHO or WHAT they work for. The Voice in the beginning that 'Assigns Sapphire & Steel' remains Unknown.
They will attempt to fix the problems they are assigned with the goal of safeguarding the Earth and Humanity....but they are prepared to Sacrifice innocents if needed. And that's where the Drama of the show gets a Star from me.
Assuming you're ready to accept the 'Science Fantasy' of a Dimensional Time Agent, you can enjoy the show as an exercise in trying to figure out WHERE they are GOING with trying to solve their problem.
Warning-- the Series is NOT complete. They never finished it. The Last Set of Chapters: "The Trap", brings Sapphire & Steel up against ANOTHER set of Extra-dimensional Agents call 'Transient Beings'...and the viewer suddenly starts hearing hints of information as to WHO & WHAT Sapphire and Steel are, WHO they Answer To, Something called a 'Higher Authority'...
But then comes an ending that all but screams 'Cliff-Hanger'....in an understated British way, mind.
That's it. Nothing more. Complete Stop.
It won't knock your socks off. I dare say that 'Dr Who' fans will not find anything enticing either. But if you're sitting up on a late night and don't have anything else to watch and you are patient...give it a try.
You might like it...or you might not.
Caveats-- 1-- the series was made in '79 - '81, and was a drama more or less based in that present time-- so it will seem a little 'dated'
2-- It has the general hallmark of UK drama, so don't expect Hollywood style budgets, sets and FX. What's more, the shows are staged almost with a Theatre sensibility. Everything happens IN the opening set and the adjacent rooms. No running about. No Car chases. No Daleks.
3-- It's British. So it's all about the DIALOGUE.
4-- It's British. It moves more 'Patiently' than us impatient Americans usually allow for in a Sci-Fi show.
5-- It's visually low-budget. But Once you get over that, then try and get into the STORY. But if Sci-Fi means Spaceships and Lasers and Robots and pyrotechnics...this show is not for you.
6-- Some reviewers have called this a show that would be more interesting for Kids....Well, I would say that if YOUR child can watch this kind of show, he or she is a LOT more intellectually Mature than even you as the adoring parent realize. Start saving for Harvard!!!
Kind of a flavor of Dark Twilight Zone running at the sedate pace of Masterpiece Theatre, Sapphire and Steel are Extra-dimensional Time Agents are come to Earth to 'Fix' obscure problems or violations of Time.
We know they're NOT Human, But we never find out WHAT they are.
We Don't Know WHO or WHAT they work for. The Voice in the beginning that 'Assigns Sapphire & Steel' remains Unknown.
They will attempt to fix the problems they are assigned with the goal of safeguarding the Earth and Humanity....but they are prepared to Sacrifice innocents if needed. And that's where the Drama of the show gets a Star from me.
Assuming you're ready to accept the 'Science Fantasy' of a Dimensional Time Agent, you can enjoy the show as an exercise in trying to figure out WHERE they are GOING with trying to solve their problem.
Warning-- the Series is NOT complete. They never finished it. The Last Set of Chapters: "The Trap", brings Sapphire & Steel up against ANOTHER set of Extra-dimensional Agents call 'Transient Beings'...and the viewer suddenly starts hearing hints of information as to WHO & WHAT Sapphire and Steel are, WHO they Answer To, Something called a 'Higher Authority'...
But then comes an ending that all but screams 'Cliff-Hanger'....in an understated British way, mind.
That's it. Nothing more. Complete Stop.
It won't knock your socks off. I dare say that 'Dr Who' fans will not find anything enticing either. But if you're sitting up on a late night and don't have anything else to watch and you are patient...give it a try.
You might like it...or you might not.
helpful•171
- Rabh17
- Mar 6, 2013
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- Also known as
- Сапфир и Сталь
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