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Post by dabizzo on Apr 27, 2022 17:46:52 GMT
This was the last episode of Series One that aired, one of the last filmed but I believe this might be one of the earliest conceived. The novel apparently suggested a more serious tone, with Arthur being in a higher class of villainy. Notice that Dave is not present at the Winchester. Does anyone have proof of this being one of the first to be scripted?
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Post by ltd on Apr 28, 2022 8:41:39 GMT
And anothe rthing just struck me - was calling he George Baker character "Altman" Leon Griffith's sly nod to the film director ? It does all seem too much of a coincidence to be just random. And "Bobby (i.e. Robert) Altman" at that.
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geoffc
Car Lot Browser
Posts: 29
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Post by geoffc on Mar 15, 2023 12:06:18 GMT
Great observation from mdc to point out the plot similarities between this and the film "The Long Goodbye" . I was a big fan of the Chandler Marlowe novels but mainly via the wonderfully atmospheric radio plays the BBC broadcast back in the day - which I now have on CD. The film script differs markedly from the novel and as I recall was widely criticised by Chandler fans for that reason . They were also unhappy with shifting the action from the immediate post war years to 70's Hollywood and Elliott Gould's portrayal of Marlowe as a laid back slacker rather than a sharp witted wise cracking PI . However with the passing of time the film is now seen as culturally significant and not the flop it was at the time of release. George Baker gives a show stealing performance as a deranged psychotic villain . Like any good drama there are more light hearted comic moments - like Arthur and Terry on the street after his release by the Police - Arthur wanting to contact the Ingrave's , Terry not so sure until Arthur mentions unpaid wages and they both shout "Taxi" together . The Roy Kinnear interlude also works well - " Pottery and weaving ? "They did you for that and all" . Kinnear plays the overly friendly small time crook and likely police informant to perfection. Love an inebriated Arthur offering to explain the situation to Terry's conquest in the bedroom next door . I may have missed it but were Billy Gilpin's injuries ever explained - was it a scrap with Lord Ingrave ? Neither Gilpin nor Lady Ingrave seemed particularly nice people so it was hard to feel much sympathy for their plight . Great to see Altman take a punch at the end - truly deserved for a nasty piece of work and a fitting end to the episode. Interesting that a harder , grittier , darker episode works just a well as a more comic drama - perhaps with hindsight having viewed the whole 10 series - fans of Minder accept how the feel can vary over a series.
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Post by barrythebook on Mar 15, 2023 20:50:58 GMT
I may have missed it but were Billy Gilpin's injuries ever explained - was it a scrap with Lord Ingrave ? Really good review and observations again geoff. Re - Billys injuries, yes I've always assume they were a result of a fight with Lord Ingrave of which Billy had the upper hand resulting in lord Ingrave being in critical condition in hospital. But as you say, i don't think it's ever explained.
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Post by McCann on Jun 7, 2023 12:12:56 GMT
This ITN report from July 1979 made me think of this episode.
I'd wonder if it influenced the production of this episode around that time.
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