Jack Holborn

It's easy to forget just how old this series is. I remember watching this on TV in 1984, being the same age then as the principal character. Back then I concentrated on Patrick Bach's extraordinary performance as Jack, to this day it's impossible to see anyone else achieving what he did.

Viewing the DVD 30 years later on a wide screen TV there is so much more there that I missed first time round. Anyone who thinks being an actor is glamorous should watch the shipboard scenes. You can literally smell the dirt, grime and salt water. Contrast with the Hornblower films where everything is implausibly clean. Glorious performances by the adults, Monte Markam as Solomon Trumpet being the best of a great cast. Plus of course a superb music score by Christian Bruhn.

Even back as a 13 year old I appreciated the intelligent way the film makers treated the audience. For example, they didn't shrink from showing us close-ups of Judge Sheringham's injuries. Patrick Bach looks as if he really did want to be sick in that scene, rather than it being just an act. Not surprising - back in the day I felt queasy watching it.

At its heart Jack Holborn is a morality tale, the message being keep your humanity whatever the situation. Jack has his life threatened at every turn yet never speaks roughly to anyone else, or acts in a morally questionable way. Unrealistic you might think, but intentional. The stress of doing this while surrounded by pirates finally snaps in a very powerful scene where out of earshot Jack screams "I'm not a criminal !!" while smashing everything he can find.

All the episodes are great but the final one packs a series of emotional punches so powerful it is still hard work to watch.