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Post by gazpete on Apr 26, 2008 22:19:50 GMT
I don't know what it is about that scene in 'The Bounty Hunter' when Terry chases Des but there's something funny about it. Des seems almost to be a younger Arthur character the way he says sentences that all seem to begin with 'I swear on my life'...
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Post by jno on Feb 20, 2015 15:15:58 GMT
So what do we know about this one?
It was the very first episode to be filmed, despite being the fifth episode broadcast. Likely filming dates were between Monday 23 April 1979 and Friday 4th May 1979. It stars Christopher Biggins. Arthur's accent is notably posher in this episode.
Arthur has four individual company titles on a sign: Arthur Daley & Co. / Daley International / Daley (London) Ltd. / Daley Holdings Ltd. all based in LOWNDES SQUARE, SW1X
Here is a behind the scenes shot from the first Minder Annual.
Terry is very much playing what the title suggests. It is full of dodgy characters, most notable Des and Freddie Fenton who is outsmarted by our hero at the end. Link to episode on minder.org: www.minder.org/episodeguide/S01E05_TheBountyHunter.htm
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Post by Terry on Feb 20, 2015 20:50:51 GMT
And he has that dodgy haircut he also shows in the opening titles...and which luckily disappeared soon
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Post by barrythebook on Feb 20, 2015 21:35:24 GMT
Yes, Arthurs accent is certainly more upmarket in this one. I noticed it in 'Bury My Half At Waltham Green' too. Was Arthur meant to be a little posher or did he turn it on depending on the company he was in?
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Post by jno on Mar 11, 2015 5:05:26 GMT
Not sure on the accent barry, but it must have had something to do with it being 'early days'. This one also stars Derek Jacobi, June Ritchie, Christopher Biggens, former Eastender Peter Dean of course Rikki Howard as Fenton's girlfriend Val who would go on to star in Hi-de-hi, who was as fit as fit can be back in the day! There is a humorous YT video starring her: here. This is a great story where Terry rights a wrong, using all his resources to get back at Fenton but of course ending up badly off. Des is on top form in this opener!
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stan
Car Lot Browser
Posts: 2
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Post by stan on May 5, 2015 15:51:14 GMT
Why doesn't Terry correct the Hursts' when they call him Mr Terry thinking that's his surname? Seems a bit odd...
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Post by barrythebook on May 5, 2015 19:05:15 GMT
Perhaps he didn't want to give his real name or more likely he found it amusing and just let it go. Come to think of it, Terry gives a little smile at this iirc.
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Post by Arch Stanton on Jun 28, 2015 22:13:53 GMT
Okay, so this is going to be the first review of hopefully many to come, as I endeavour to watch the complete Minder and review each episode in production order. Although I'm not exactly new to Minder, lots of the episodes I have not seen since their original broadcasts and many I will be seeing for the first time.
A feat which would not have even been possible had it not been for certain people involved with minder.org (you know who you are).. Anyway, so first up....
The Bounty Hunter. When Arthur, a businessman and entrepreneur, has a chance meeting with a woman he knows, she tells him the sob story of how her late husbands insurance money has been conned from her by unscrupulous property developers. Naturally, seeing potential pound signs, Arthur is quick to take up her cause, fighting her corner for 'justice', and appeals to his friend Terry's sense of virtue and fair play. Terry although having had a somewhat brief career as a professional boxer, has made a few mistakes since and now works as Arthur's minder and right hand man.
With Terry manipulated into helping, he is left to untangle a web of crooked dealings and strong-arm tactics placed in the way of his detective skills, if he is to stand any chance of getting back the widows swindled money. Which he may just be able to pull off with the help of his dodgy mechanic mate Des...
Filmed in April/May of 1979 this is solid and entertaining opening episode (in production ~ it was transmitted 5th). Arthur appears to be far more reputable than I ever remembered, with possibly Derek Jacobi stealing the show as the dastardly Freddie Fenton. Other faces of note being Biggins (who plays a slightly less camp, but still camp tailor), tireless British TV regular Tony Steedman, and of course George Layton in the role of Terry's mate, 'Des'. Layton reminding me a little of Stan Laurel with some of his comedy timing and gestures in this, albeit I'm not exactly sure why. Peter Sasdy a very safe pair of hands at the helm of this very much 'Terry' led episode.
The biggest let downs probably being the rather unconvincing punch ups (Sasdy let's the audience down a little here). With the 'blacked out' windows of the Range Rover providing a small chuckle. And a shop window full of board games, which had me pausing the disc three times!
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Post by jno on Jun 29, 2015 3:14:57 GMT
Arthur appears to be far more reputable than I ever remembered, with possibly Derek Jacobi stealing the show as the dastardly Freddie Fenton. Other faces of note being Biggins (who plays a slightly less camp, but still camp tailor), ... The biggest let downs probably being the rather unconvincing punch ups (Sasdy let's the audience down a little here). With the 'blacked out' windows of the Range Rover providing a small chuckle. And a shop window full of board games, which had me pausing the disc three times! It is great that you are going through these in production rather than transmission order, something that I keep telling myself I must do at some point! Having watched this lots of times I can honestly say I've never spotted the board games but will keep an eye out. I think the inclusion of Biggins in the very first episode of the show is quite funny, but as you say he is far less here of what he became renowned for years after Minder. Biggins was also in the BBC "Look & Read" production "Dark Towers" in 1981 - here again he is far less (for want of a better word) 'Biggens-esque' in that than what he went on to become and he is (or was) clearly a talented actor. Des's repair company also called JE Motive Engineers - it has to be from the French 'Je motive' (I motivate) I suppose?! If not, it's a strange name. I always think it is pretty funny watching Derek Martin in the role of an extra piling out of the back of the "Sheer Rover" Range Rover in this one. He'd had a pretty major role in 'Law & Order' about a year or so before Minder started filming so what is he doing playing an uncredited heavy with all of 1 second of screen time in this? Clearly just on a drink or bread and butter payment this week. Derek Jacobi does indeed give a top performance in this one and he is the first slimy villainous type to pop up in production order. I agree that the punch up could have been a bit stronger than it turned out. With the exception of 'the jump' at the end, I also like the incidental library music in this one, particularly when Terry & Des follow Fenton. More on 'Sheer Rover' Range Rovers here: www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials/wood-pickett-ltd---uk
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Post by Arch Stanton on Jun 29, 2015 8:01:47 GMT
Des's repair company also called JE Motive Engineers - it has to be from the French 'Je motive' (I motivate) I suppose?! If not, it's a strange name. With the exception of 'the jump' at the end, I also like the incidental library music in this one, particularly when Terry & Des follow Fenton. Never even thought about the name of the Des' business. . . I think Biggins just became a caricature/victim of his own persona (a bit like Brian Blessed and countless others). I forgot to mention the incidental music! Doh..... Yes the music was great.
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Post by jno on Oct 2, 2015 7:26:12 GMT
I just spotted another minor blooper in this one. Just after 40 minutes in as Des and Terry steal Fenton's roller from the underground car park. If you look behind the cleaner you see a green mini, all parked up. Registration KER 101P.
Des & Terry drive off on their own, not another car nor driver in sight ... but as they reach the barrier, who's this pulling up right behind them?
I am not entirely sure but it might also be the same mini driving behind Fenton's blue Cortina as they pull in, the number plate is unclear but looks very similar to this one, which has a slight dent in the front wing.
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Post by pr1 on Feb 16, 2016 18:26:01 GMT
I like the way Terry lures Fenton out of his office. Quite clever on his part. The Mr. Booze store sign made me laugh.
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Post by nixonuk on Aug 17, 2016 1:15:35 GMT
Is this the only episode where Arthur lets Terry keep the loot?
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Post by VAT on Aug 20, 2016 15:10:40 GMT
He got to keep the car in T64 Interesting question though - he made a bundle in Shamy....albeit Arthur didn't really have a claim after turning down the film deal...and he got a nice cashmere jumper from Ruby in Second Time Around
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JackLast
On Wages
"I bet you think you're jack the lad walking in here" Freddy Fenton to Terry
Posts: 53
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Post by JackLast on Oct 2, 2016 20:38:58 GMT
Freddy Fenton - what a character and some brilliant acting by the talented Derek Jacobi "The Bounty Hunter" has to be one of my favourites www.imdb.com/title/tt0648707/Not only is Terry having usual issues from Arthur, he is also being stitched up by Des by assisting him to nick motors for the chop-shop without knowing! But one of the greatest Minder scenes has to be when Des, Arthur and Terry go into the Rolls Royce showroom to understand the waiting period for a new rollers: Car salesman: "Good afternoon Mr......?" Arthur: "Daley" Car salesman: "Mr Daley, how can I help you?" Arthur: "If i we're to come in here, plonk down the cash now, full purchase price mind, how long would it take me to get a new silver shadow?" Car salesman "Rather longer than the gestation period of an elephant Sir" Arthur: "Yes, well, we're all not zoological experts, how long is that?" Car salesman: "About 3 years Im afraid Sir" Classic scene as then when the salesman asks if he wants to buy one Arthur replies: "Nah, I think I'll stick with the maxi"
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Post by ltd on Oct 3, 2016 6:42:42 GMT
One of the best of the early episodes and definitely more in keeping with what the show was all about than armed sieges at the laundrette or dodgy middle eastern types waving Uzis around. The Mr Terry line always makes me smile, not sure why.
Piece of meaningless trivia - Tony Steedman and Rikki Howard both had supporting roles in Rutger Hauer flooded future London shocker Split Second.
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Post by barrythebook on Oct 3, 2016 20:23:19 GMT
One of the best of the early episodes and definitely more in keeping with what the show was all about than armed sieges at the laundrette or dodgy middle eastern types waving Uzis around. I agree. This one, Dessert Song, Smaller They Are etc. were far more suitable and believable. I suppose the laundrette siege could have been a possibility but as you say, dealing with terrorists whilst Arthur tries to stitch-up a businessman of international standing in TG is a step too far.
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Post by ltd on Oct 5, 2016 18:26:51 GMT
One of the best of the early episodes and definitely more in keeping with what the show was all about than armed sieges at the laundrette or dodgy middle eastern types waving Uzis around. I agree. This one, Dessert Song, Smaller They Are etc. were far more suitable and believable. I suppose the laundrette siege could have been a possibility but as you say, dealing with terrorists whilst Arthur tries to stitch-up a businessman of international standing in TG is a step too far. I don't mind a Tethered Goat, it's entertaining with some great guest star performances, but I think it belongs to the period when the show was still finding its feet and could be uneven in tone at times. Gunfight... I find quite boring and strikes me as an inauspicious beginning for what would become such a (deservedly) popular show.
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Post by gra966 on Nov 18, 2016 6:28:36 GMT
Its a great episode & as you say probably one of the best from the 1st season - although the scrap in the allotment appears a bit tacky compared with ones in other episodes - The Jack Barclay salesman telling Arthur he would have to wait 3 years for a Silver Shadow & him replying I think I will stick with the Maxi was brilliant - especially as by then the Silver Shadow would be out of production ! - I think if this had been a later episode we would have seen Chisholm hot on the trail of the stolen car caper -Fenton has a variety of motors - the lovely burgundy Silver Shadow - a blue MK2 Cortina which he claims is a 1970 model but is F registered making it 1967/68 ! & that pimped up Range Rover - Jos Austin Maxi JLB524K is the same one used by the gunmen in The Professionals episode The Ojuka Situation - I think it also appeared in an episode of Shoestring as a minicab - The lime green Mini does tend to jump about a bit in the car park scenes - probably an early uncredited cameo for Mr Bean !!!
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Post by glazbury on Nov 26, 2016 2:20:34 GMT
Definitely one of my favourite Minder episodes.
Derek Jacobi is very good as Freddie Fenton.
Both Arthur & Terry sound a bit posh/well-spoken at times in this episode - I guess they were still settling into their characters with it being the first episode to be filmed.
I think the man we see driving out of the car park in the brown BMW notices the camera then waves and smiles!
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Post by daz on Nov 26, 2016 21:00:05 GMT
I never realised this was the first episode filmed, explains a few things, but still an excellent episode. Derek Jacobi is a quality actor who could turn his hand to anything, but on first viewing I never realised it was him.
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Post by jno on Dec 7, 2016 17:57:31 GMT
It seems this prop from the very first episode still exists having sold online recently.
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Post by chopper on Apr 26, 2017 16:39:27 GMT
Just watched this on ITV4 - for the 101st time! All good stuff though. A great episode & you can see why the early examples had the intended higher emphasis on Terry being the main character ahead of Arthur. Some great locations & cars used. Loved that early Scirocco outside the office of Fenton's. High quality cast & decent & as said - more believable storyline. Also spotted a Fiat Mirafiori,Citroen CX & another fave - an Alfasud Ti!
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Post by gustav on Apr 26, 2017 19:00:37 GMT
Saw this on ITV4 today. Although I have seen the end many times I have never seen it all the way through before so I found it especially enjoyable.
Lots of interesting points as mentioned by many above. Arthur's accent is notably different, you notice that right away. It is indeed salutary to be reminded that Christopher Biggins was once an entirely credible actor. The fight scenes are not the best, especially the final scene before Terry runs off.
A couple of other points. Is this the only episode to feature a Lada? Also the section of road where the Rolls is returned is astonishingly empty. How did they achieve that, did they stop the traffic? Not an easy thing on what looks like a busy intersection.
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Post by pr1 on Jun 19, 2017 2:49:05 GMT
It was interesting watching this again knowing it was the first episode made. It's a very good episode with some signs of being early days in production. The Mr Booze sign still makes me laugh. Fenton is a real piece of slime. Des using Terry is amusing. Terry himself is in fine form throughout the episode. George Cole is already working his magic as Arthur from the beginning. As good as this episode is I can see why it wasn't used to open the series despite being the first made.
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Post by spacecadet on Jul 27, 2017 13:02:18 GMT
Started watching Minder again as it looks like Network aren't going to release a remastered version. Since this was the first episode filmed I've watched this first. Overall a good episode with many of the elements that made Minder enjoyable present.
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Post by westldner on Oct 2, 2017 22:58:43 GMT
So many nice cars in this episode but the first episode to be film mention makes me wonder why there's so many nice cars.
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Post by barrythebook on Dec 29, 2017 21:25:36 GMT
I'm a member of a group on Facebook called 'Rope and Sheeted Lorries past and present' (anorakish I know but it's my job and my hobby). Earlier today a member uploaded the clip from this episode where Terry jumps from the flyover onto the 'rope and sheeted lorry' that Des has parked in just the right place.
The poster commented that he saw the episode this morning on ITV4 and a few more have commented that they also watched it.
Good to hear I thought.
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Post by billymedhurst on Dec 31, 2017 17:40:47 GMT
Fantastic ep. Watching as a kid, I always liked Des; shame he didn't feature in more eps. He was even more dodgy than Arthur ! And I love the old Bedford TK that Terry jumps onto. Fabulous.
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Post by barrythebook on Jan 1, 2018 12:34:18 GMT
Fantastic ep. Watching as a kid, I always liked Des; shame he didn't feature in more eps. He was even more dodgy than Arthur ! And I love the old Bedford TK that Terry jumps onto. Fabulous. When you watch the scene of Terry jumping off the flyover, there's not actually that much room for error. The stuntman lands pretty close to the edge of the load, I would imagine the stunt had been arranged for him to land more toward the centre.
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