Context
Media Studies: Eduqas GCSE, topic 4.6.1
Context
The Sweeney is a 1970s crime drama series. The Sweeney is a sequel to the TV film pilot Regan.
British crime drama
- The Sweeney is considered the grandfather of realistic, British crime dramas.
- The Sweeney is credited as a key source of inspiration for Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.
- These were popular British crime dramas that ran from 2006-2010.
- The Sweeney is credited as one of the first realistic, British crime dramas to gain high levels of success.
Production
- The Sweeney was filmed on a 16mm film reel.
- This provided film grain and desaturated colours.
- This enhanced the sense of realism in the episodes.
- The Sweeney presented police officers as flawed and even corrupt.
- Many other crime dramas presented the police in a completely positive light.
History
- The Sweeney is a cockney colloquial term for the real Metropolitan police unit, Flying Squad.
- The unit's duties included tackling London’s violent crimes and breaking up large criminal activities.
- At the time of The Sweeney’s release, the Flying Squad was under public scrutiny.
- The unit was under investigation for corruption, accepting bribes and working with criminals.
Test yourself on Context
What was the Flying Squad under investigation for when The Sweeney was released?
What size film reel was The Sweeney filmed on?