The Sandbaggers

"The Sandbaggers" is the best spy drama ever made for TV, and is certainly the most realistic. Focusing on a group of special agents of the British SIS, it shows spies as they probably really are: overworked, underpaid, under-appreciated and expendable.

The acting in the series is top notch by all of the cast, particularly Roy Marsden as the workaholic Burnside and Ray Lonnen as the amiable Caine. There's also particularly good work by Alan MacNaughton as the wily Wellingham. The plots rely less on action and more on intrigue, with battles won and lost in "drab dusty corridors in Whitehall", as Burnside puts it. There isn't any real gunplay until the sixth episode, in fact.

The first season of the series, with all episodes written by series creator Ian MacIntosh, is the best. It follows a rough story arc involving the introduction of troubled agent Laura Dickens (well-played by Diane Keen). It leads up to the powerful season finale "Special Relationship", which is a stunner.

The second season isn't as good. Other writers besides MacIntosh are involved and there are some ill-advised plot developments. Also, there are less-than-successful changes in some characterizations. But, still, it remains a superior and thoughtful drama.

I highly recommend this series. It's well-worth tracking down on video or on PBS. Just remember what Burnside says in the first episode: "If you want James Bond, go to a library."

Brilliant series : well-written and well-performed. Sophisticated plots that didn't strain credulity and rarely ended up neatly resolved. The best spy/international intrigue series ever produced, in my book.

This is probably the best TV series I have ever seen.

I also accidently stumbled upon the series while watching PBS. It caught my attention and I could not quit watching. My favorite episodes are "Decision by Committee" and "Who Needs Enemies". I particularly liked Burnside's dedication to his principles and also, the dedication of his fellow Sandbaggers to him. Anyone who admires the theme of "competence versus political influence" will enjoy this series. Glad to see that all of the series is now available on DVD.

This is one of those series, you think you know and when you get to the end you realize, you missed something important.

This is a series which has many layers, in most cases something is missed and you feel you need to watch it again see how it was missed.

This is not a James Bond style series. It is centred around the head of the special ops of the British secret service. On the surface it appears to be about the politics of running a department. Even though it was filmed in the 70's, it holds up well. This is not to say it does not show. This could be a distraction for anybody wanting the slick production of present day.

It is well written, the acting does not get in the way of the stories, the characters are believable.

I watched the series again recently and it left me wanting more TV of this quality. I highly recommend this series.

Finally on DVD in Canada. Saw this on PBS in the 80's a wonderful complex description of how intelligence operations work, political interference, budget worries, a conscious rejection of the " James bond" hi-tech image. If you are look for big explosions and supermodels then this is not for you, what violence that is seen is short range knives and bullets in dark alleys. Well done and intelligent,Marsden and the rest of the cast is excellent.0 have only watched the first couple of episodes but it holds up well although the situations could often be very different in today's internet/cell phone world. The only down side is that it has been broken into 3 or 4 $30 boxes. This whole series should be in one set but just seeing it again is great.