User reviews

Martin Shaw plays an out of sync copper. He want answers, he wants justice, he wants someone caught but he will play by the rules. He gets paired with a younger partner, John Bacchcus played by Lee Ingleby, who is more interested in getting results than following the rules but "understands" he might learn something from his unwanted mentor George Gently. OK the characters last names may be a bit too much symbolic but their working relationship is well worth watching and the writing is quit good. Getting through the accents might be a push for some but after a few episodes you get the cadence. A good series. And I like the Bacchus character, who doesn't like a flawed character especially one who is a quick study.

This is a high quality, well written series which contains excellent acting and believable plots (well, more believable than "Midsomer Murders" for example). The episodes can be viewed as standard "whodunnits" but also spectacularly reveal the massive changes in law, attitudes and culture in the UK over the past 45 years or so.

My only gripe is that, despite the great attention that is paid to period detail, the writers always make the mistake (not restricted to this series) of scripting the words "against you" in the caution used by a police officer when making an arrest. The UK police caution in such circumstances before 1995 was: "You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so but anything you do say may be given in evidence." The words "used against you" were only ever used in USA. To have used these words in UK could have prejudiced the case.

/refers to seasons 1-7/ Yes, like most British crime series, Inspector George Gently is not just solving crimes, it gives a broad overview of vices and virtues, ups and downs around the place the events take place. True, the stuff and solutions are not of equal interest and wittiness, but they seem realistic, not artificially constructed. Unlike some other series, as for private moments, the one in question focuses on the ones of George Gently and John Bacchus (performed masterfully by Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby, respectively), providing additional background for their thoughts and deeds, but still not filling the screen-time in vain. The only "minus" from me goes to the fact that the main characters remain rather static, their principle do not "open" even after decisive changes in the society; on the other hand, however, it was pleasant to follow the environment characteristic to that era, yet constant smoking jangled my nerves quite a lot :) Thus, a meaty creation, to be recommended to watch in sequence, but not mandatory - there are enough references to necessary moments happened before. I took my time to watch all seasons, and I am contented, although each episode is around 1.5 hours...

It's an outstanding Police series set in the northeast in the mid 60's when murderers are still sent to the gallows. Martin Shaw plays Detective Chief Inspector George Gently and Ex Metropolitan Police officer and Lee Ingleby plays a cocky young Detective Sergeant Bacchus. Bacchus is occasionally described as a nasty piece of work and he often is. He's George's bulldog and George is not afraid to set him lose. In 60's terms, George would not be classed as corrupt but he's not adverse to giving a bit of a slap when necessary. He's keen to get the right person locked up. Martin Shaw is worlds away from the smug hypocritical Judge Deed and all the better for it. From my own experience I can say that the series is quite realistic and I have no hesitation in recommending it. I look forward to further episodes

There are two massive reasons to like and admire this series.

1. The characters. The solid, thoughtful Inspector Gently is perfectly matched against his hot-headed subordinate Bacchus. I love both these personalities, and the way their peculiar, very 1960s outlooks interlock. Bacchus in particular is a really great creation, because he's likable in spite of his obvious faults.

2. The fact that it's ABOUT something. These are not just mindless whodunit puzzles. Each episode of the show has a strong point to make. In fact, multiple points. About how attitudes have evolved, during and since the 1960s. About human nature. About the law, and policing. This is a show that works as a police procedural, but also works extremely well as drama.

Apart from those two strengths, the show has atmosphere, a unique style, great dialog, and seething emotional confrontations. It's thoughtful, yet never slow. In fact, it's good on every conceivable level, including many that are rarely present in mere TV entertainment.

In short, this is one of the best cop shows ever to come out of the UK. Or anywhere else, for that matter.

As a huge fan of detective series/dramas, I was surprised at how much I loved Inspector George Gently. Three years ago, admittedly, it didn't completely appeal to me, but when I did decide to give the series a chance I am glad I did, and am struggling to give a good enough reason why it didn't appeal to me before. Inspector George Gently is brilliant in every aspect. It is strikingly filmed, with the photography stunning and the scenery and locations very well chosen and evocative. The music is very good too, quite stirring and haunting, and always careful not to overshadow what is going on on screen. Then we are treated to some truly great writing that is intelligent and has the odd bit of subtle humour and complex but very well explained stories. The direction is very fine, and the acting is top notch consistently with the guest actors making the most of their characters and stories and Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby brilliant both individually and together, complete with a very interesting chemistry. To conclude, this is a wonderful series that I can't wait to see more of. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I love British drama and police series are my favorite. This doesn't disappoint! Martin Shaw is fantastic as the slightly out of synch but always compassionate lead along with his side kick, Lee Inglebee as the incorrigible John Bachus. I only started watching this show from the beginning a few days ago but am now up to the 3rd season and will binge whenever I can to watch the entire series. It's filmed so beautifully and although I find the "hip" music of the 60s is, as was always the case back then, silly and out of touch, I simply turn down the sound when they get into car chases or whatever. Music of the 60's for some reason, was never used in movies and TV in the 60's, something I never understood then and now even less. I will continue to watch this to the end and will miss it when it's over. I am pretty housebound with an elderly father right now so finding something really excellent and entertaining like this to watch makes life a bit easier. Really excellent!

I love British crime shows, and I've watched a lot over the years. Compared to american shows they depend not so much on action, but more on characters, with even the small parts played by character actors of which Britain seems to have an abundance.

Of all the shows I remember, two seem to rise above the rest : "Inspector Gently" and "Foyle's War". Both are period pieces, Gently set in the 60s, and Foyle during WW2.

The setting here is perfect 60s style. The cars, the mini skirts, the Ronson lighters and the amount of cigarettes smoked by the characters.

I originally rated Foyle a 10 and Gently a 9, but after recently having watched them both again, it seemed to me that Gently deserved a 10 as well.

Shaw and Ingleby makes a perfect duo, with their incompatible characters, that against all odds seem to find the exactly right mix.

Highly recommended if you can tolerate slow burn and sometimes controversial topics.

This show has to be, without a doubt, one of the best crime/drama shows ever written and portrayed by a cast of fantastic actors. It's set in the 60s. Even the filming gives it the vintage feel as they tackle crime(s) and some of the same social issues we experienced here in the United States during the same era. Even more, it is set in the days before DNA was even a forethought. They had to solve the crimes with intellect and reasoning. The show is set with an older, seasoned cop teamed with a younger, gung ho cop who is not afraid to take shortcuts as he learns the ropes of how crimes are really solved. There are times when you will love the younger cop and times you will want to give him a backhand. As with most British crime shows, their ability to keep you in the dark as to who the killer is is quite amazing. You can't go wrong with this show.

I have watched several of the earlier episodes of this brilliant BBC detective series. It has it all: clever plots that are never quite what they seem to be, a dry "British" (I think it is universal) sense of subtle humor, two interesting leads who work perfectly together in their roles, topical plots (circa 1960's but still interesting) that are a cut above your normal plots and do not pull any punches, a quality sense of drama that packs a huge emotional punch (see Season 2 episode 1 'Gently with the innocents' and tell me you are not moved).

I have watched many BBC series, detective and otherwise, sometimes with mixed results. This series is right up there at the top except for one big flaw. The writers, as many times happens, editorialize in their plots. If they removed the political correctness and stuck to good detective plots I would have added stars.

I only recently discovered this little unsung gem on PBS. I am English and am always attracted by British shows. This is a truly excellent series, the stories are always different and well thought out. The 90 minute time allows for more developments than those of 60 minutes shows which often lack details of characters and plot. It's interesting the way the 60's setting allows prejudices at that time to pop up and impact the stories. As a Gay man one scripting nugget I truly appreciated was when the younger detective voiced his homophobic opinions, Gently mildly pointed out that electroshock treatment could be considered, when the younger guy responded with that "it doesn't work, their still queer" Gently reproved with the witty response "I meant for you.'

I have happily endorsed this show to many people, well worth anybody's time.

The last episode of an otherwise fantastic run was a total miss. Very politicized with, of course, the United States of America somewhere in the back of things pulling strings. A bit of creative writing would have made a much more impacting finale. Alas, this show panders to the trendy and political correctness, as if the audience is not able to recollect what happened throughout the series history.

I foolishly didn't watch George Gently during its transmission as I didn't fancy it. I was terribly wrong.

This is a wonderful series, excellent from beginning to end. The stories are captivating, I always feel there is a sense of realism in some of them.

Some episodes make you feel genuinely uncomfortable, but they don't shy away from sensitive issues. My favourite episode will forever be Gently in The Cathedral, but so many are superb.

Incredible production values, exquisite cars and costumes, each episode is a visual feast.

Shaw and Ingleby are tremendous, always accompanied by great guest actors, so many good ones, I can't highlight one in particular.

What gives this show the edge over so many, is the dynamic between Gently and Bacchus, you get a little conflict in most shows, but nothing like you see here, at times they seem to actually detest one another's values and beliefs, Bacchus often has issue with his boss's moral sense.

We needed more. 9/10.

The characters are believable especially in the era it is set, they don't murder the accent (yes I am from the North East) and it's mixture of humour, grit and humanity are great. The use of the entire area in the setting makes me smile as one second they are in the Toon then in Durham as if It's the same place. It's a great series though and a reprise would be really great.

This show is beyond any genre. I can easily tell you how brilliant the stories are, how brilliant the acting is, and how natural the writing is, but I could not do this masterpiece justice. It is smart, it can be funny, it can be heartbreaking, but most of all, it can make you search inside yourself to make you rethink what being human is. The show does all this while crafting clever and nuanced problems for the cops to solve, and it sometimes doesn't end happily. That's what makes this show different for me: it isn't afraid to go there, and when it does, it blows you away.

Watching the series for the first time, I am captivated by the loving detail recreating the 60s with such accuracy.

Then, there is the exquisite photography. Like Endeavour, the level of artistry is sublime. The Brits have perfected detective genre writing for TV. The scripts are tight and lead you through a maze of intrigue until the case is resolved.] Lastly, I want to mention, the extraordinary acting ability of Martin Shaw that drives the series. He is an actor with magnetic intelligence and focus. I get so much pleasure out of watching a real actor displaying his craft with such acumen. It lifts the series and the level of acting from other from the rest of the ensemble who are well cast.

Do not miss this one. This series will not disappoint.

Well except the last one....nooooooooooooo, it didn't have to be that way. Anyway, loved this show, love Martin Shaw. Often when you get a series this long it fizzles out and the cast are calling in their performances, no so with this series, loved every episode, well except the last one. Ok, I'll stop moaning! Accents were good, nothing grated on the nerves, but then I'm not from the north east, maybe they think differently! Bacchus needed a smack every now and then, but he always came through in the end. Loved the addition of Rachel, she kept bacchus in his place. Storylines weren't too gruesome, realistic. So sad it's over.