Rent The Chinese Detective: Complete Series (1981)
2.8 of 5 from 6 ratings
11h 29min
- General info
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- Synopsis:
This enthralling police series ran for just two series - but in creating the first strong and sympathetic Anglo-Chinese character, it made a huge impact. John Ho is a Detective Sergeant in London's East End. He's an unlikely cop: he's quiet, he's a loner, and, though a Cockney, his blood is pure Chinese. But don't be deceived. This detective is tough and remorseless. John Ho might have escaped the Chinese community he was born into, but there are all too many -inside and outside the police force - who are still pretty quick to remind him of his roots. Unfortunately, his unorthodox methods seem to play into the hands of a prejudiced chief who sees him as a disobedient misfit and is eager get him off his patch. John, however, is fired by an obsession that requires him to be a great detective. He is determined to avenge his father's disgrace at the hands of a corrupt policeman. Working his cases alongside his private revenge, John edges ever closer to bringing his quarry to justice... - Actors:
- Alan Ford, Larrington Walker, Richard Rees, John Bott, Peter Dean, John Judd, Michael Melia, Vincent Wong, Paul Antrim, Ron Emslie, Troy Foster, Alexander John
- Directors:
- Ian Toynton, Tom Clegg, Terry Green, David Green, Leonard Lewis, Brian Lighthill
- Studio:
- BBC
- Genres:
- British TV, TV Crimes, TV Dramas
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Reviews (1) of The Chinese Detective: Complete Series
Fascinating, Enjoyable, Ground-breaking, Well-written/acted 1981 TV Drama - The Chinese Detective: Complete Series review by PV
I remember watching this as a boy, and so thought I'd rent it out again - and I now realise I probably missed a lot of episodes.
There are 2 series set in 1981 and 1982, in East London and Docklands, just before it was developed (The Long Good Friday also set in the same pre-Canary-Wharf days).
The writing is strong and authentic here; the characters believable. Some may be offended by the racial language - however, it was authentic to the time and the characters and arguably better and refreshing compared to the woke po-faced puritanism and censorship of now.
David Yip stars as John Ho, the first ethnic Chinese character in a TV drama (and not many now either!). I warmed to his character's humour, though was a bit confused at the claim his parents are from mainland China when the language is Cantonese from Hong Kong., Oh well... There are also many episodes which features black characters and Jamaican clubs etc, as well as Britain villains from Liverpool. Scotland etc. I liked that diversity.
As is usual with such series, actors who later became famous show up in these episodes - Anna Wing and Bill Treacher here, and more., I always like that.
Series 1 (first 8 episodes) and 2 (second 8) are different in character - the later episodes have some really cracking script-writing,. Both have really memorable episodes. Others are weaker - but they are in all TV drama series.
You can smell the Chinese food with the cigarette smoke from the estate pubs and the sweet stench of corruption from the police here - and I loved it. Good music too. A shame David Yip has been so absent from the screen since then really.
4.5 stars. So glad I rented it again. Though probably youngsters will not get it or like it as I do, and may well gasp at some of the racial language! They need to calm down, and appreciate the context and authenticity of character here.
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