S4.E2

Hard Men

Episode aired Sep 14, 1978
TV-14
51m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

James Cosmo and John Thaw in Hard Men (1978)

Dour Scots sergeant Davy Freeth arrives from Glasgow in pursuit of three villains who, he claims, have come to kidnap somebody, but he will say no more, even when one of them is found dead. ... Read allDour Scots sergeant Davy Freeth arrives from Glasgow in pursuit of three villains who, he claims, have come to kidnap somebody, but he will say no more, even when one of them is found dead. Regan is patronising towards him, calling him Jock, but when a kidnap attempt on a little ... Read allDour Scots sergeant Davy Freeth arrives from Glasgow in pursuit of three villains who, he claims, have come to kidnap somebody, but he will say no more, even when one of them is found dead. Regan is patronising towards him, calling him Jock, but when a kidnap attempt on a little girl is bungled and the girl escapes, Freeth annoys Regan by admitting he has known all al... Read all

Director
- Graham Baker
Writers
- Troy Kennedy Martin
- Ian Kennedy Martin
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

135

YOUR RATING

Director
- Graham Baker
Writers
- Troy Kennedy Martin
- Ian Kennedy Martin
Stars

6User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
James Warrior, who plays the bearded and overweight, and slightly clumsy detective Jellyneck, visibly picks his nose, and at one point, even eats it. Warrior provides the commentary introduction on the DVD, and was told to come up with quirks like this for the character. Even in the theatrical Sweeney 2, he continues to pick his nose.

Goofs
When Freeth barges into the door to enable entry to the flat, it already appears to have started to dislodge itself from the frame a second or two before impact. Further, no splintering sound can be heard, nor are either the door or the hinge mortises on the frame damaged.

Quotes
[DS Freeth gives DS Carter some warrants to arrest violent criminals]
Det. Sgt. George Carter: Assault with a deadly weapon, GBH, attempted murder. What are they? Rangers supporters?

Connections
Featured in Call the Cops: The Sweeney (2008)

Soundtracks
Flying Fists
Written by Brian Bennett
From the album "Drama Montage 1"
Courtesy of Bruxton Nusic

User reviews6

Review

Featured review

8/10

Hard Men

You know an episode is good. I watched this episode when it was first broadcast in 1978 and still remember parts of it.

One big element was James Cosmo playing tough Scots cop Davy Freeth who broke down doors with his face.

Freeth has come down from Glasgow to bring in three violent gangsters. One of them is found dead, it might had been over an argument about football or religion.

The remaining two are planning to kidnap a schoolgirl. The daughter of another Glasgow gangster. Only for the thugs to enter the wrong house and attempt to abduct the wrong girl.

Before that, Regan and Carter rope in Freeth to recover a painting stolen from Windsor Castle. Once again Freeth's face is left plastered but it's the wrong flat they got into.

There is a lot of comedy including Regan and Carter indulging in Scots stereotypes. Freeth is above it all, he is a professional copper, even insisting he would not break down a door unless there is a warrant.

There is also a shocking act of violence with a man killed by a flare gun which sets his body ablaze.

Cosmo just steals the episode, he makes Regan and Carter look like amateurs. I was surprised that he did not get his own spin off.