There’s many dramas like this with limited sets and budgets from the same era that stand head and shoulders above those made today even with better special effects.
Ok so Gerald James was 62 when he played Mr Tully and I'm happy to say he lived to the excellent age of 88 (1917-2006). I remember reading somewhere that he was very proud of the part he played in S&S. Given its longevity, hopefully he will never be forgotten. RIP Tully and Gerald 😌
This brilliantly demonstrates how much you can do with a tiny budget. A tiny cast, a few simple sets, and some very cheap special effects And it's utterly wonderful thanks to the scripting and performances by the actors.
Most low budget films these days use CGI and are all the worse for it when the focus is effects and not plot. A good interesting script is more important.
Case in point there is a vid on UA-cam where the cast are talking about that very subject where David macallum is credited with the "tunnel" effect in this very episode. Its actually just a white bit of shaped paper hanging on a black cloth by sellotape. Cheap but damn effective :)
Theatrical style staging, moody lighting, great music and implication rather than showing stuff...makes for a low budget masterpiece that leaves a lot of expensive productions wanting.
A strikingly beautiful lady with a soothingly creamy voice. Still beautiful at 72. It was a wonderful series in its day and the plot is still fresh despite the low budget and intervening forty years.
The moral ambiguity of the protagonists makes this show very rich and distinctive. Writing of this sophistication is encountered rarely, especially in contemporary work, sadly.
POTENTIAL SPOILER. Steel's actions in this story are a bit contradicted by his decision in a later story. Both turn out to be decisive in sealing the fates of characters. I don't know if this inconsistency was required to manipulate the later story's conclusion, or if Sapphire's empathy finally rubbed off on him.
Trance State assignment 1 - the scene in the basement where steel freezes the ghost and lead crushes them was too much for my mom back in the day and only this past weekend I was able to rewatch it thanks to this channel :-)
@@MauriceLeviejr Yeah that was very cool and hardcore. No messing. This one was the most grim-dark of the ones I can remember, even more terrifying. Good guys don't always win.... Very gnostic in a sense.
fully agreed. I absolutely love this show. I showed assignment one to my best friend at this moment in my life and his limited imagination didn't allowed him to appreciate anything in it. I wanted him to first see the first assignment so he could appreciate the magnificence of the performance and the amazing achievement in storytelling through minimalism this assignment is. He actually mocked me and made fun of the episode during the first 15 minutes. I got so angry at this attitude I stopped it and asked him to leave. true story. I just have no place in my life for this type of negativity and lack of wonder and imagination.
There is something very odd about this series, only six ever made but very interesting... The atmosphere is quite sureal and drags you in... I can relate to this in its unusuality.... Exellent stuff
I first watched this as a 6 year old with my parents back when it was first aired in the 70s, this is the first time i have seen it since then. I remember the song and creepy whistle of pack up your troubles and the train platform. good actors and taboo plots equals a great show, did not need violence or swearing, guns etc. I remember thinking both S & S where Alien due to the ESP thing :) Such a great show and lovely to reminisce over a great child hood of fantastic artistic programmes, unlike on TV today. Tales of the unexpected was excellent as was Arthur C Clarkes programmes. Would go back to them times in a heartbeat.
Yes she is and I’m 100% gay ! She is super stunning even now that voice ! Wow what a woman I love her and sapphire and steel just a super program and sci fo horror isn’t my thing at all !
Personally, I think this had to be the scariest of all of the episodes. The scene where the darkness coming along the hallway scared the hell out of me when I was a kid, still does, if I'm honest.
yes for me was when sapphire opened her eyes which were black ,there are a few stations like that at the coast on tyneside metro line when i go to friends creepy
@Phil Ledwith. Re-watched this assignment this week (having seen it 1st time around too many years ago as a kid). The part where Steel sacrifices the Paranormal investigator (who was obviously terrified by this stage) was a real shocker - I had forgotten that bit. I think the way that Sapphire sort of half turns away from Steel after it happens is enough of a gesture to show what she thought of it. Things like that make the stakes in a show seem real.
This was a great show. Those opening titles put the Star Wars crawling story texts to shame. This truly was a time when Britain proudly led the world in cinematography, special effects and thinking man's crumpet!
A study on the question of sacrifice, both voluntary (Tully, who realizes at the end what is being required of him) and resented as a waste (the soldier). And the burden upon those who make the decisions about who will pay the price (Steel, and to a lesser degree, Sapphire). In the end a tragedy for all.
The scene where the darkness spreads through the rooms, seemingly swallowing it whole, is so well done. This one scene truly scared me as a child. I loved it, still do actually. Thank you for posting
This assignment was brilliant in all respects. Thank you so very much for uploading all episodes here in their entirety. Jez T, you are legendary. Thank you for your great work, much appreciated.!!!!!
Field Marshal Douglas Haig, got the honours and the medals. loads of young men, were cannon fodder. my uncle was 19 when he was killed, and he looked just like the soldier in this episode. so yes, it had meaning for me. what a bloody waste. will they never learn ? nobody wins. why do they keep repeating the mistake over and over ? if it was them doing the fightin and the dying, they wouldn't be so bloody willing to start it
Not to be silly or trite, perhaps there is more to the portrayed theme than entertainment. Humanity hasn't learned anything. War is always present. There are obviously forces beyond logic and common sense at work. Short memories and greed, yes but maybe more. Almost as if there is benifit to someone just by the taking of lives.
You elevate deceit and betrayal of a companion into damnation as boss-like qualities? Steel is hardly a Boss. At best he's a psychopathic time cop who ruthlessly offered up the life of an innocent person who trusted Steel. And Tally's damnation was no sacrifice, it was murder in it's most obvious form. Sacrifice would have been Steel (or for that matter Tally himself) offering himself up.
If not the best this is certainly one of the best of the series. The First assignment was good, but started off a little slow, this one grabs your interest from the get go.
A reboot?? Leave it be in its time and place a fine example of a wonderful piece of Small screen story telling performed by wonderful Actors and staged by a skilled production company. Steele would admonish you to let it be and to not mix old and new times.
Please not a reboot...the talent is not there in the twentyworst century. They are all media and no art. This is perfect and let's remember it that way.👍🏻
Some things are best left as they were... personally wouldn't want this remade nor Blake's 7 either! Thankfully even though both have been discussed it seems they are staying in their original glory... for now...
Yes and up against something so powerful they have to do a deal that is bordering on horrific but is unfortunately necessary. An episode that easily stands out today without the need for graphic violence or blood shed.. Bravo
Thank-you for putting them together like this, I really enjoyed it. I loved that era, "The New Avengers" and like. To this day I have a crush on Joanna Lumley. We've gotten old together. Sapphire and Steel were a very bold concept for their time. I wish we had original writing like that today.
The best episode in my opinion - I always play it late if I have trouble sleeping. It seems to soothe most thoughts and take you with it. Usually can't manage more than 30 mins
It has the exact same effect for me. I find it like a nostalgic comfort blanket, despite its eerie atmosphere I put it on and I’m gone before the first episode has finished lol
The only thing that would've (could've) made this better would have been if the original advert breaks had been left in- I think I might have actually had a critical nostalgia meltdown in that case! (it was pretty close anyway) thanks so much for putting these on
This is such a sad story. What writing, what acting, special effects are practically non existant and it matters not a jot. The song Pack up your troubles was written by two brothers who wanted to win £100 first prize in a talent contest. They came from St. Asaph in North Wales. They won, but had a sad life, one brother was horrified that this song was used to help men march to war. Rather approprate it was used. The song though has a life of it's own now.
Geez. It remains such a powerful tv series. Just watched the Assignment 1 again, and it still gives me the same shivers as 45 years ago. Guess my imagination is just a little too wild on me again.
I've always felt that if someone told me that the supernatural was actually real and based on a tv show, my first guess would be Sapphire and Steel. It seems both weirdly familiar and distressingly alien.
Found this because Matthew Waterhouse (the Fifth Doctor's companion Adric in Doctor Who) said in his book "Blue Box Boy" that he loved this series and that it was "better written" than Doctor Who though "moved less snappily." I quite like the creepiness, acting and less snappy pace!
First time I watched these was on a 6” portable tv in our kitchen my dad hated the programme so it was the only way we were able to watch them. Still addicted and seeing the colours makes it almost new :)
Thanks so much for taking the time to post seasons of this great show. I just found Sapphire and Steel, it's wonderful!.... lol will never look at nursery rhymes the same after assignment 1 ;)
brilliant. this scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. that was almost thirty, forty years ago.... holy sh#t. I would love to see this remade. I mean with actors just as talented as Joanna and David. better special effects, who knows, could be just as good.
there simply HAS to be a remake done of this. in my opinion the reason why such series like the X-Files did so much better than this series is that nothing ever got resolved in the X-Files, and the paranoia was amplified. oh yes, BRILLIANT upload!
No! No remakes! Continue,yes. From where it left off. The time trap in the cafe. Get them out and let them continue, same actors and quick, before they snuff it!
Thanks for adding these! I learned about this series not that long ago (surprised I didn't know about it back in the 80s). I started watching it on Tubi TV, but the platform is missing a few options I would like. I look forward to watching it here.
This assignment aired exactly 40 years ago this summer, back in 1979. However the massive ITV strike which saw the closing down of all but one ITV region from August until October 1979 saw the ITV network deciding to re-run the first three episodes of this assignment which aired before the strike, with the whole story aired properly from late October 1979 when ITV returned.
I was a big fan of this series and appreciate you posting it. This assignment was a big favourite with me. I had no idea that they made more episodes after this - I certainly do not remember watching any so I am really happy to see them all. Assignment three coming up!
Does anyone else wish they had made a version with Steel played as Ducky from NCIS and Sapphire played by Patsy from AbFab? I’m mainly just imagining Patsy crashing through the scenery. Love this show.
I think you are seeing this in the wrong light, Sapphire and Steel ARE in the side of Good. Good meaning order. Their tasks are to control the integrity of time and the consistency of the fabric holding our dimension. Time is, in fact, an antagonist entity so vast and hungry and threatening that it requires all the elements acting constantly against it in all dimensions. we, humans are just another life form in the mix of it all but, due to our intelligence (but lack of understanding) we keep "helping" time and the invading entities beyond it to filter themselves into our reality. In the first assignment they state they had to sink a ship with all of it's passengers and crew to avoid a dimensional catastrophe. they do what they have to to avoid as many casualties as they can, they respect Organic Life (their type of existence is different and they don't consider it "life" as we would would do) as you can see Steel worried about who would take care of Tully's one eyed cat and then feeling relieved someone would care for it after Tully's passing, but they would certainly weight in the mathematics of sacrificing a few to save many if they have to. In the grand scheme of things one life or a few weight nothing against the risk of dimensional collapse or the invasion of entities so vast and negative that could destroy our entire universe. That's the cosmic horror aspect of Sapphire and Steel. They deal in absolutes that are beyond our comprehension. We are but grains of dust floating in between. The Fact they care about us in some way speaks volumes about the good "hearted" nature of the Elemental Agents.
Thank you so much for the uploads. I absolutely enjoyed watching it again. Such sweet memories from my childhood days when I first watched this series. Assignment 2 is of course my favorite.
@@jezt42 This assignment aired exactly 40 years ago this summer, back in 1979. However the massive ITV strike which saw the closing down of all but one ITV region from August until October 1979 saw the ITV network deciding to re-run the first three episodes of this assignment which aired before the strike, with the whole story aired properly from late October 1979 when ITV returned.
Tully NEVER had another 5 Years left... He lived another 27 YEARS after this was filmed in 1979 ... He passed away in real life in 2006 As for the Solider in this, His acting career sadly "Dried up" He was last seen playing a "Bit part" in The Bill in 1992 .. Great upload Jez T .. Keep up the good work.
Sapphire and Steel was produced at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire in England. It was recorded in the large Studio D, which today is owned and operated by the BBC.
With David McCallum's recent passing I saw no Stateside obit that even mentioned this series. By a razor-thin margin this remains my favorite Assignment and the one I'd introduce to the unacquainted. When anything you could possibly say about a story would be a spoiler...well, sometimes that's all the more reason for the introduction.
70s TV could be a disturbing experience for kids, what with _Dr Who,_ _Sapphire and Steel,_ etc. Still, at least we had _Jim'll Fix It_ and _The Rolf Harris Show._
Loved this program as a kid, gave me the hebe gebeies i belive it helped me open my mind not so much my spelling tho haha have always remembered this episode, would love to know what year it broadcast in New Zealand anyone?? Sapphire?
Interesting little fact - Gerald James (Tully) appeared a few years before this in an episode of The Ghosts Of Motley Hall, playing... a ghost hunter (albeit with a Welsh accent). I wonder if the S&S producers saw that?
Many times I have written and railed about the here and now, the physical versus the spiritual, and how important it is that our efforts be focused on improving life in the present. There are however, things which cannot be known by science. Which cannot be tallied by maths, cannot be figured by mere logic. Truths which only come to the open mind, and the pure heart. The real advances, not the superficial and incremental, but the fundamental and far-reaching gains of knowledge and wisdom only come with insight and inspiration. True universal leaps come not once in a lifetime, but once in a millennia.
still to this day 2019.... such a fantastic show... so well written and creepy... mccallum and lumley were fantastic.... lumley was stunningly beautiful in this series.... at 1:29:07....fantastic writing and acting from mccallum.
Warning: comments may reveal spoilers! Don’t read unless you want to know the plot points in advance or if you’ve already watched the episodes. 🙂
tHAT SPOILED ME
A big production company with lots of money and CGI FX would probably butcher this story. It's a masterpiece of minimalism.
MYNEXTPHASE Completely agree. 👍
Agree a masterpiece...something todays producers, actors I do not believe are up to making I'm afraid.
Whole agree!
Absolutely. Old scifi and fantasy are best because they had to rely on story, storytelling, mood and music. Not just fancy graphics.
There’s many dramas like this with limited sets and budgets from the same era that stand head and shoulders above those made today even with better special effects.
Ok so Gerald James was 62 when he played Mr Tully and I'm happy to say he lived to the excellent age of 88 (1917-2006). I remember reading somewhere that he was very proud of the part he played in S&S. Given its longevity, hopefully he will never be forgotten. RIP Tully and Gerald 😌
Remember him in a cameo roll in a James Bond.
This brilliantly demonstrates how much you can do with a tiny budget. A tiny cast, a few simple sets, and some very cheap special effects
And it's utterly wonderful thanks to the scripting and performances by the actors.
NOT CHEAP AT THE TIME IT WAS MADE!
Most low budget films these days use CGI and are all the worse for it when the focus is effects and not plot. A good interesting script is more important.
Nothing like a set you can't always make out what you are seeing. I really enjoyed this story when I first saw it. More of the thick suspense please.
@@lordeden1475 It was intentionally low budget even for those days with a large portion going to Joanna Lumley and David McCallum.
Case in point there is a vid on UA-cam where the cast are talking about that very subject where David macallum is credited with the "tunnel" effect in this very episode. Its actually just a white bit of shaped paper hanging on a black cloth by sellotape. Cheap but damn effective :)
Theatrical style staging, moody lighting, great music and implication rather than showing stuff...makes for a low budget masterpiece that leaves a lot of expensive productions wanting.
A strikingly beautiful lady with a soothingly creamy voice. Still beautiful at 72. It was a wonderful series in its day and the plot is still fresh despite the low budget and intervening forty years.
Our imagination takes the gaps and runs with it. Not explaining what it is that is trying to cross over into our world works a charm.
The moral ambiguity of the protagonists makes this show very rich and distinctive. Writing of this sophistication is encountered rarely, especially in contemporary work, sadly.
POTENTIAL SPOILER. Steel's actions in this story are a bit contradicted by his decision in a later story. Both turn out to be decisive in sealing the fates of characters. I don't know if this inconsistency was required to manipulate the later story's conclusion, or if Sapphire's empathy finally rubbed off on him.
Atmosphere is stunning. This episode creeped me out as a child. I think Blakes Seven was on the same time. Great years.
Trance State assignment 1 - the scene in the basement where steel freezes the ghost and lead crushes them was too much for my mom back in the day and only this past weekend I was able to rewatch it thanks to this channel :-)
@@MauriceLeviejr Yeah that was very cool and hardcore. No messing.
This one was the most grim-dark of the ones I can remember, even more terrifying. Good guys don't always win....
Very gnostic in a sense.
you and me both my friend actually it still creeps me out
Blake's Seven was shot a year earlier in fact, but indeed, that one had a same kind of suspense that got me hooked.
This show is an acquired taste, and assignment 2 is waaaaaasy ahead of its time, by like 40 years.
fully agreed. I absolutely love this show. I showed assignment one to my best friend at this moment in my life and his limited imagination didn't allowed him to appreciate anything in it. I wanted him to first see the first assignment so he could appreciate the magnificence of the performance and the amazing achievement in storytelling through minimalism this assignment is. He actually mocked me and made fun of the episode during the first 15 minutes. I got so angry at this attitude I stopped it and asked him to leave. true story.
I just have no place in my life for this type of negativity and lack of wonder and imagination.
This show isn't for everyone.
I used to watch this as a kid but I'd forgotten how dark it was. Still holds up brilliantly today.
There is something very odd about this series, only six ever made but very interesting... The atmosphere is quite sureal and drags you in... I can relate to this in its unusuality.... Exellent stuff
I first watched this as a 6 year old with my parents back when it was first aired in the 70s, this is the first time i have seen it since then. I remember the song and creepy whistle of pack up your troubles and the train platform. good actors and taboo plots equals a great show, did not need violence or swearing, guns etc. I remember thinking both S & S where Alien due to the ESP thing :) Such a great show and lovely to reminisce over a great child hood of fantastic artistic programmes, unlike on TV today. Tales of the unexpected was excellent as was Arthur C Clarkes programmes. Would go back to them times in a heartbeat.
Hold that time machine ... I want to go back with you.
Oh my Lord, this assignment still packs a punch all these years later! Thanks for the upload!
This one is a classic. And a good one to watch in 2018. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
=33
This and assignment 5 were my favourites, god Lumley is perfection.
Yes she is and I’m 100% gay ! She is super stunning even now that voice ! Wow what a woman I love her and sapphire and steel just a super program and sci fo horror isn’t my thing at all !
Am a gay male too but she's just iconic...and flawlessly beautiful.
Remember this vaguely from childhood, watching now gives me the heebie jeebies!! Brilliant.
Personally, I think this had to be the scariest of all of the episodes. The scene where the darkness coming along the hallway scared the hell out of me when I was a kid, still does, if I'm honest.
yes for me was when sapphire opened her eyes which were black ,there are a few stations like that at the coast on tyneside metro line when i go to friends creepy
Sacrificing a living human for uncertain gains is pretty dark.
@@philledwith8307 Very much, even Steel wasn't happy about it but they were outmatched and didn't really have a choice AFAIK.
@Phil Ledwith. Re-watched this assignment this week (having seen it 1st time around too many years ago as a kid). The part where Steel sacrifices the Paranormal investigator (who was obviously terrified by this stage) was a real shocker - I had forgotten that bit. I think the way that Sapphire sort of half turns away from Steel after it happens is enough of a gesture to show what she thought of it. Things like that make the stakes in a show seem real.
This was a great show. Those opening titles put the Star Wars crawling story texts to shame. This truly was a time when Britain proudly led the world in cinematography, special effects and thinking man's crumpet!
I can remember watching this as a child, loved watching it again. Joanna Lumley and David McCallum have always been favourites.
Scared the life out of me as a child. My brother would wait in the dark and whistle “ pack up your troubles”
A study on the question of sacrifice, both voluntary (Tully, who realizes at the end what is being required of him) and resented as a waste (the soldier). And the burden upon those who make the decisions about who will pay the price (Steel, and to a lesser degree, Sapphire). In the end a tragedy for all.
Best episode, that song stayed with me from childhood
a real treat to find theses episodes nearly 40 years on and still scary. joanna lovely
Glad you're enjoying S&S, Mr Polite Polite! 🙂
And definitely best in this serious role, not messing around with bottle in her hand in AbFab.
I call her Joanna lovely too cos she is such a beautiful stylish lady fun or serious she’s the one
This was genuinely creepy back in the day.
A marvelous episode.
It's creeping me out now...
The scene where the darkness spreads through the rooms, seemingly swallowing it whole, is so well done. This one scene truly scared me as a child. I loved it, still do actually.
Thank you for posting
My pleasure! :)
This is one of my favourite Sapphire and Steel episodes the other is Assignment 4 aka The Man With No Face.
I like them all except the one set in the apartment with the people from the future. That one kinda annoys me for some reason.
@@xr6lad Yeah, I didn't like the story either, there was something weird and off-putting about it so I've only watched it once.
Am loving watching all the series again. Remember them from childhood. Loved them then what a treat to find them again. Thank you for sharing.
This assignment was brilliant in all respects. Thank you so very much for uploading all episodes here in their entirety. Jez T, you are legendary. Thank you for your great work, much appreciated.!!!!!
My absolute pleasure, Martin. 🙂
Field Marshal Douglas Haig, got the honours and the medals. loads of young men, were cannon fodder. my uncle was 19 when he was killed, and he looked just like the soldier in this episode. so yes, it had meaning for me. what a bloody waste. will they never learn ? nobody wins. why do they keep repeating the mistake over and over ? if it was them doing the fightin and the dying, they wouldn't be so bloody willing to start it
36:31 "Is that your idea of evil?"
It was the politicians of the coutnries involved that should have been shot for desertion as they started it and it was THEIR war.
Not to be silly or trite, perhaps there is more to the portrayed theme than entertainment. Humanity hasn't learned anything.
War is always present.
There are obviously forces beyond logic and common sense at work. Short memories and greed, yes but maybe more.
Almost as if there is benifit to someone just by the taking of lives.
Brilliant, genuinely unsettling series aimed at children. Brilliantly acted. British fantasy drama at its best. Steel is a Boss.
You elevate deceit and betrayal of a companion into damnation as boss-like qualities? Steel is hardly a Boss. At best he's a psychopathic time cop who ruthlessly offered up the life of an innocent person who trusted Steel. And Tally's damnation was no sacrifice, it was murder in it's most obvious form. Sacrifice would have been Steel (or for that matter Tally himself) offering himself up.
If not the best this is certainly one of the best of the series. The First assignment was good, but started off a little slow, this one grabs your interest from the get go.
this was one of those series which really hit the mark, scary and watchable the time has come for a reboot
A reboot?? Leave it be in its time and place a fine example of a wonderful piece of Small screen story telling performed by wonderful Actors and staged by a skilled production company. Steele would admonish you to let it be and to not mix old and new times.
@Stephen Connell. Ha ha - I'm just imagining TV executives with no faces walking about inside of Still Images of the original show .........
Please not a reboot...the talent is not there in the twentyworst century.
They are all media and no art.
This is perfect and let's remember it that way.👍🏻
Some things are best left as they were... personally wouldn't want this remade nor Blake's 7 either! Thankfully even though both have been discussed it seems they are staying in their original glory... for now...
@@stephenconnell Agreed! It would be a Woke pile of rubbish if it were to be remade today.
Love all of these, but this one's my fav. As excellent as Sapphire and Steel are, Mr Tully (Gerald James) really makes it.
Yes and up against something so powerful they have to do a deal that is bordering on horrific but is unfortunately necessary. An episode that easily stands out today without the need for graphic violence or blood shed.. Bravo
Thank-you for putting them together like this, I really enjoyed it. I loved that era, "The New Avengers" and like. To this day I have a crush on Joanna Lumley. We've gotten old together. Sapphire and Steel were a very bold concept for their time. I wish we had original writing like that today.
The best episode in my opinion - I always play it late if I have trouble sleeping. It seems to soothe most thoughts and take you with it. Usually can't manage more than 30 mins
It has the exact same effect for me. I find it like a nostalgic comfort blanket, despite its eerie atmosphere I put it on and I’m gone before the first episode has finished lol
brilliant story. I remember this back in the day
The only thing that would've (could've) made this better would have been if the original advert breaks had been left in- I think I might have actually had a critical nostalgia meltdown in that case! (it was pretty close anyway) thanks so much for putting these on
During this time there were great plays for tv which I watched late at night it was delicious like this I never will regret these memories
This episode, Assignment 2, still causes the chills. One of the best episodes. Thanks for the upload x
This is such a sad story. What writing, what acting, special effects are practically non existant and it matters not a jot. The song Pack up your troubles was written by two brothers who wanted to win £100 first prize in a talent contest. They came from St. Asaph in North Wales. They won, but had a sad life, one brother was horrified that this song was used to help men march to war. Rather approprate it was used. The song though has a life of it's own now.
Mary H thanks for the information. Makes it all the more touching
And the point of your post is what exactly?
Hi, Dave. I wondered that too and have removed the post. Pointless!
Agreed!
Jez T
Thanks for the uploads, Jez--and may the Fairies sprinkle stardust on your Bippies! 🇬🇧😁
Geez. It remains such a powerful tv series. Just watched the Assignment 1 again, and it still gives me the same shivers as 45 years ago. Guess my imagination is just a little too wild on me again.
I've always felt that if someone told me that the supernatural was actually real and based on a tv show, my first guess would be Sapphire and Steel. It seems both weirdly familiar and distressingly alien.
I can't wait I think I'm going to order the big finish audio productions of these shows , classic Joanna Lumley is a treasure
Possibly the best episode ever .
David McCallum's best work. A legend
Found this because Matthew Waterhouse (the Fifth Doctor's companion Adric in Doctor Who) said in his book "Blue Box Boy" that he loved this series and that it was "better written" than Doctor Who though "moved less snappily." I quite like the creepiness, acting and less snappy pace!
First time I watched these was on a 6” portable tv in our kitchen my dad hated the programme so it was the only way we were able to watch them. Still addicted and seeing the colours makes it almost new :)
Why didn't your dad like it? Mine loved it, he even got the boxed set.
Some real underrated actors here. The Soldier and Pilot... great convincing acting
Thanks so much for taking the time to post seasons of this great show. I just found Sapphire and Steel, it's wonderful!.... lol will never look at nursery rhymes the same after assignment 1 ;)
Its nearly like listening to Shakespeare. Well done. Good excellent performance.
This show is one of the paramounts in all TV HISTORY.
brilliant. this scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. that was almost thirty, forty years ago.... holy sh#t. I would love to see this remade. I mean with actors just as talented as Joanna and David. better special effects, who knows, could be just as good.
But was has been made cannot be un-made or even made again.......
Yes, more would be nice, though I suspect that the executives will make a mess of it.
RIP David Keith McCallum jr (09/19/1933-09/25/2023)😢😢😢💔💔💔 See you in an other dimension, handsome golden Steel!❤️❤️❤️
Hey, thanks for uploading these. I watched them as a child, but watching them again now is like they're new.
Reminds me of Sapphire & Steel Assignment 2, the one in the railway station. Brilliant episode with atmosphere and story
This is assignment 2! 😂
there simply HAS to be a remake done of this. in my opinion the reason why such series like the X-Files did so much better than this series is that nothing ever got resolved in the X-Files, and the paranoia was amplified. oh yes, BRILLIANT upload!
The X files turned into convoluted nonsense chasing grand conspiracy theories up a blind story telling alley.
No! No remakes! Continue,yes. From where it left off. The time trap in the cafe. Get them out and let them continue, same actors and quick, before they snuff it!
Still remember the series after all these years
This show is quite addictive
Yes, strangely compelling, isn't it
This story was interrupted by the ITV technician"s strike and was restarted after the strike ended.
Thank you,Mister Jez T.
Thanks for adding these! I learned about this series not that long ago (surprised I didn't know about it back in the 80s). I started watching it on Tubi TV, but the platform is missing a few options I would like. I look forward to watching it here.
I have these all on my dvd and my daughter is on her game!!
This assignment aired exactly 40 years ago this summer, back in 1979. However the massive ITV strike which saw the closing down of all but one ITV region from August until October 1979 saw the ITV network deciding to re-run the first three episodes of this assignment which aired before the strike, with the whole story aired properly from late October 1979 when ITV returned.
I was a big fan of this series and appreciate you posting it. This assignment was a big favourite with me. I had no idea that they made more episodes after this - I certainly do not remember watching any so I am really happy to see them all. Assignment three coming up!
michelle rhodes Assignment 2 was my absolute favourite, but they’re all enjoyable. Have fun watching the rest (4 and 6 are v good IMO)! 😊👍
Thanks for the upload , it's a treasure memory of my childhood days that I cherished because I was able to find it here in your channel
My pleasure! :)
Oh yes, this takes me right back. making camps behind the sofa lol. Great stuff Jez :)
Glad it brought back fond memories, Tina! :)
I didn't have the experience of seeing this as a young child. I was often found behind the sofa if Doctor Who was on.
Does anyone else wish they had made a version with Steel played as Ducky from NCIS and Sapphire played by Patsy from AbFab? I’m mainly just imagining Patsy crashing through the scenery. Love this show.
Sapphire and Steel's actions in this episode with regard's to Mr Tully is repaid back in the last assignment, in my opinion.
And all the passengers and crew who died in the sinking of the passengership only talked about in Assignment 1.
Poor Tully. I worry for his cat 😢
Threw him under the bus!
I think you are seeing this in the wrong light, Sapphire and Steel ARE in the side of Good. Good meaning order. Their tasks are to control the integrity of time and the consistency of the fabric holding our dimension. Time is, in fact, an antagonist entity so vast and hungry and threatening that it requires all the elements acting constantly against it in all dimensions. we, humans are just another life form in the mix of it all but, due to our intelligence (but lack of understanding) we keep "helping" time and the invading entities beyond it to filter themselves into our reality.
In the first assignment they state they had to sink a ship with all of it's passengers and crew to avoid a dimensional catastrophe. they do what they have to to avoid as many casualties as they can, they respect Organic Life (their type of existence is different and they don't consider it "life" as we would would do) as you can see Steel worried about who would take care of Tully's one eyed cat and then feeling relieved someone would care for it after Tully's passing, but they would certainly weight in the mathematics of sacrificing a few to save many if they have to. In the grand scheme of things one life or a few weight nothing against the risk of dimensional collapse or the invasion of entities so vast and negative that could destroy our entire universe.
That's the cosmic horror aspect of Sapphire and Steel. They deal in absolutes that are beyond our comprehension. We are but grains of dust floating in between. The Fact they care about us in some way speaks volumes about the good "hearted" nature of the Elemental Agents.
Thanks for adding these, I've thoroughly enjoyed them - a real blast from the past. This one particularly, still as creepy as I remembered! 😁
Thank you for posting these. It's like someone put a missing piece of the puzzle of my past back in place. Thank you so much.
Glad to oblige! Enjoy! :)
Thank you so much for the uploads. I absolutely enjoyed watching it again. Such sweet memories from my childhood days when I first watched this series. Assignment 2 is of course my favorite.
Very glad you enjoyed the S&S uploads, Wilson! Assignment 2 is my favourite too. 🙂
Thank you for uploading these gems!
Superb followup to the first assignment !
Greig Clement My personal favourite! They’re all good though, even Assignment 3! ;)
@@jezt42 This assignment aired exactly 40 years ago this summer, back in 1979. However the massive ITV strike which saw the closing down of all but one ITV region from August until October 1979 saw the ITV network deciding to re-run the first three episodes of this assignment which aired before the strike, with the whole story aired properly from late October 1979 when ITV returned.
Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly are the artists that today for me do the kind work that epitomises the spirit S & S evokes
Tully NEVER had another 5 Years left... He lived another 27 YEARS after this was filmed in 1979 ... He passed away in real life in 2006
As for the Solider in this, His acting career sadly "Dried up" He was last seen playing a "Bit part" in The Bill in 1992 ..
Great upload Jez T .. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for posting these. Watching a handful of episodes every evening at the moment.
TY for having this all on one *watch*
Sapphire and Steel was produced at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire in England. It was recorded in the large Studio D, which today is owned and operated by the BBC.
The BBC..... Yuck!!
Wonderful, cheers Jez T.
With David McCallum's recent passing I saw no Stateside obit that even mentioned this series. By a razor-thin margin this remains my favorite Assignment and the one I'd introduce to the unacquainted. When anything you could possibly say about a story would be a spoiler...well, sometimes that's all the more reason for the introduction.
Just found this episode again
Fantastic stuff
Never saw them as they did not get to northern Ontario. Catching up on the TV shows I missed when we left UK.
Hope you’re enjoying them, Geoffrey! :)
70s TV could be a disturbing experience for kids, what with _Dr Who,_ _Sapphire and Steel,_ etc.
Still, at least we had _Jim'll Fix It_ and _The Rolf Harris Show._
And what's even more disturbing was saville's royal family connection.
By God! I didn't see that ending coming 😮😮 and on a different note, Sapphire is a tasty one
I love that scene where Steel and Tully sing 'Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag'.
Wow that was really dark at the end
Mr mcallum, that was brutal!
If only this had been shot on film......
Now you're talking!
Loved this program as a kid, gave me the hebe gebeies i belive it helped me open my mind not so much my spelling tho haha have always remembered this episode, would love to know what year it broadcast in New Zealand anyone?? Sapphire?
I saw it here in NZ too as a kid, can't remember exactly when. It scared the crap out of me!
I hope your doctor was able to prescribe some medication for that! 😆
Thank you for uploading this.
Childhood memories. I had a crush on Joanna Lumley all through this tv series.
Interesting little fact - Gerald James (Tully) appeared a few years before this in an episode of The Ghosts Of Motley Hall, playing... a ghost hunter (albeit with a Welsh accent). I wonder if the S&S producers saw that?
Those Time 'in colour' David thank you.
Superb stuff
After year seeing this.thank you
Upstairs,downstairs not forget
there should be more episodes of Sapphire & Steel.
I wish there were!
I think there are audio story full-cast audio dramas on CD done by Big Finish.
Poor old Tully :-(
Many times I have written and railed about the here and now, the physical versus the spiritual, and how important it is that our efforts be focused on improving life in the present. There are however, things which cannot be known by science. Which cannot be tallied by maths, cannot be figured by mere logic.
Truths which only come to the open mind, and the pure heart.
The real advances, not the superficial and incremental, but the fundamental and far-reaching gains of knowledge and wisdom only come with insight and inspiration.
True universal leaps come not once in a lifetime, but once in a millennia.
Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one.
still to this day 2019.... such a fantastic show... so well written and creepy... mccallum and lumley were fantastic.... lumley was stunningly beautiful in this series.... at 1:29:07....fantastic writing and acting from mccallum.
Still just as creepy and atmospheric as the first time I saw it when I was 11 on the TV...