SPECIAL SQUAD

(dt: s/t)

English version

Die titelgebende Spezialtruppe besteht aus drei Cops, den mittelalten Anderson (Alan Cassell) und Smith (Anthony Hawkins) sowie dem jüngeren Davis (John Diedrich). In diesem australischen Produkt wird Action großgeschrieben - alles andere steht dahinter zurück. Dies ist ein Konzept, das oft aufgeht, manchmal aber auch Schwächen offenlegt. Mit Tiefe der Figuren oder Hintergründen hält man sich nicht lange auf, es wird reinmarschiert, gezogen und abgedrückt. Es wird nach dieser Beschreibung wenig verwundern, daß eine der treibenden Kräfte Professionals-Produzent Raymond Menmuir ist. Die Ähnlichkeiten zum britischen Vorbild sind offenkundig: fast die gesamte Handlung findet draußen auf der Straße statt, 16mm-Kameras sorgen für größtmögliche Bewegung, weibliche Figuren kommen, wenn überhaupt, in nachgeordneter Position vor, und die physische Auseinandersetzung wird konsequent mehrfach pro Folge geradezu gesucht.

EPISODES

Sources:
Jovan Evermann: Der Serien-Guide, Berlin 1998
http://www.wwwentworth.co.uk/spsquad/specsqud.htm
http://www.screensound.gov.au/cgi-bin/waxhtml.exe/olc/olcsearch.wxh?sDBCode=PR

Guest Stars include Jim Smilie
Executive Producers: Hector Crawford, Ian Crawford & Terry Stapleton
Producer: Raymond Menmuir
Associate Producer: Ross Jennings
Story Consultant: Gerry O'Hara
Story Editor David Wilks
Director Of Photography: Dan Burstall
Theme Music: Graeme Lyall
Writers include Graham Hartley Colin Free Steve Wright Tony Cavanaugh
Directors include Peter Andrikidis

(1.01) Trojan Horses tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Trojanische Pferde
(1.02) The Expert tx n/a Guest Stars Tim Robertson (Roberts) Sean Myers (Mancnevski) Bill Pearson (O'Halloran) Paul Bertram (Cox) John Larkin (Manager) Valma Pratt (Shauna) Paul Karo (Skinny) Janet Kingsbury (Alice) James Taylor (Prison Governor) Thomas Coltraine (Jackson) Syd Jackson (Coogan) Kevin Colebrook (Fisherman) Howard Eynon (Fellows) Frankie Holden Norman Hancock Chris Waters Jim Ewing Writer John Upton Assistant Director John Wild Art Director Sally Shepherd Stunts Chris Anderson Special Effects Brian Holmes Bruce Bright Editor Lindsay Parker Director Arch Nicholson
GERMAN: Der Killer
(1.03) Code of Silence tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Bomben und Gemüse
(1.04) Easy Street tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Das süße Leben
(1.05) Counterfeit Lady tx n/a Guest Stars Norman Coburn Ian McFadyen Sean Scully Tim Hughes Vincent Ball Robin Cuming Christopher Connelly Conor McDermottrow Robert Giltinan Lesley Baker Howard Stanley Rob Morgan Howard Eynon Paul Makin Dale Stevens Writer Patrick Edgeworth Story Consultant Gerry O'Hara Assistant Director Jamie Leslie Art Director Sally Shepherd Stunts Chris Anderson Special Effects Brian Holmes Bruce Bright Editor Ralph Strasser Director Arch Nicholson
GERMAN: Die Doppelgängerin
(1.06) The Long Secret tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Kriegskameraden
(1.07) The Second Mr Swift tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Der zweite Mr Swift
(1.08) The Würzburg Link tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Die Frau aus Würzburg
(1.09) Same Time Friday tx n/a Writer David Wilks Story Gerry O'Hara Director Chris Langman
GERMAN: Nächste Woche Freitag
(1.10) Duel tx n/a Guest Star Nina Landis Writer Luis Bayonas Director Arch Nicholson
GERMAN: Durchgefallen
(1.11) The Set-Up tx n/a Guest Stars Dina Mann Writer John Upton Director Paul Moloney
GERMAN: Die Falle
(1.12) The Golden Run tx n/a Guest Stars Simon Chilvers Writer Ranald Graham Director Catherine Millar
GERMAN: Der goldene Weg
(1.13) Jacko tx n/a Writer Luis Bayonas Director Arch Nicholson
GERMAN: Jacko
(1.14) Slow Attack tx n/a Guest Stars Roz Gentle (Judith Deans) Peter Dahlsen (James O'Shea) Shane Briant (Ian Cummings) Brian Moll (Charlie Everett) Bartholomew John Victor Kazans Tim McKenzie Gloria Ajenstat Rod Williams Nicholas Brennan Ben Mendlesonn Alain Capel Lyn McLeod Chris Aristidou Peter Howard Geoff Fontaine Oswin Wright Writer Philip Dalkin Line Producer Ross Jennings Story Editor David Wilks Script Editor Tony Cavanaugh Assistant Director Bob Donaldson Photography Dan Burstall Art Director Sally Shepherd Stunts Chris Anderson Special Effects Brian Holmes Bruce Bright Editor Lindsay Parker Director Paul Moloney
GERMAN: Mord im Stadion
(1.15) Country Girl tx n/a Guest Stars n/a Writer Cliff Green Director Arch Nicholson
GERMAN: Die letzte Party
Davis und Smith untersuchen den gewaltsamen Tod einer Country & Western-Sängerin.
Schnörkellose, mit Action vollgepackte und extrem bleihaltige Redneck-Geschichte, inhaltlich auf den Spuren von Bad Day at Black Rock. Erstklassig!
(1.16) War tx n/a Guest Stars n/a Writers Everett De Roche Vince Moran Director Catherine Millar
GERMAN: Der Apotheker
(1.17) Wild Man tx n/a Guest Stars Tony Deary (Darren Craig) Marion Heathfield (Mrs Craig) Nick Waters (Ferris) Peter Tulloch (Walsh) Alberto Vila Steve Bastoni Peter Black Philip Stammers Dino Nicols (Greengrocer) Craig Edwards Chris Hargreaves Johnny Santo Eddy McShortall Chew Waitong Simon Duncan Writer Ranald Graham Line Producer Ross Jennings Script Editor Tony Cavanaugh Assistant Director Sean Nash Art Director Sally Shepherd Stunts Chris Anderson Special Effects Brian Holmes Bruce Bright Editor Ralph Strasser Director Paul Moloney
GERMAN: Der Kraftprotz
(1.18) The Chen Legacy tx n/a Guest Star Bryan Marshall Writer Shane Brennan Director Chris Langman
GERMAN: Das Vermächtnis
Diedrich als Kampfsport-Simpel ist absolut überzeugend!
(1.19) Child of Fortune tx n/a Guest Stars Arthur Dignam (Grayson) Anna Crawford Robert Grubb (Sims) Steven Grimes (Lane) Anne Jenner Dianne Cavanagh Billie Hammerberg Peter Paulsen Yoni Prior Luigi Villani Tony Porter Bruce Carter Danny Nash Lorraine West Bill Johnston Stewart Bates George Crawford Writer Ranald Graham Line Producer Ross Jennings Script Editor Tony Cavanaugh Assistant Director Jamie Leslie Art Director Sally Shepherd Stunts Chris Anderson Special Effects Brian Holmes Bruce Bright Editor Ralph Strasser Director Tim Burstall
GERMAN: Das einzige Kind
(1.20) Business as Usual tx n/a Guest Star Ivor Kants Writers Shane Brennan Kris Steele Director Mark Joffe
GERMAN: Geschäft ist Geschäft
(1.21) A Wild Oat tx n/a Guest Stars Rhys McConnochie (Mathieson) Jay Hacket Jennifer Hagan Judy Ann Stewart Alister Smart Robert Patti Kirk Alexander Keith Robinson Meg Clancy Margaret Atkinson Susanne Hintze Ian Swan Anthony Garrity Robert Bennett Douglas Horton Libby Higgs Glen Robbins Writer Leon Saunders Line Producer Ross Jennings Story Editor David Wilks Script Editor Tony Cavanaugh Assistant Director Jamie Leslie Photography Dan Burstall Art Director Sally Shepherd Stunts Chris Anderson Special Effects Brian Holmes Bruce Bright Editor Ralph Strasser Director Brian Trenchard-Smith
GERMAN: Die Jugendsünde
(1.22) Mates tx n/a Guest Stars Robert Coleby Jackie Woodburne Writer Luis Bayonas Director Rob Stewart
GERMAN: Alte Freunde
(1.23) Big Bad World tx n/a Guest Stars n/a Writer Cliff Green Director Howard Rubie
GERMAN: Hohe Politik
(1.24) Earlybird tx n/a Guest Stars n/a Writer Michael Harvey Director Rob Stewart
GERMAN: Falsche Fährten
(1.25) The Bribe tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Angels Spiel
(1.26) Farewell to a Comrade tx n/a Guest Stars Alex Menglett Judith McGrath Sally McKenzie Chris Milne Syd Conabere Writer Shane Brennan Director Michael Caulfield
GERMAN: Kostikovs Geheimnis
(1.27) In the Cause of Justice tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Was lange währt ...
(1.28) Hot Streets tx n/a Guest Stars Les Dayman Writer Michael Aitkens Director n/a
GERMAN: Albys Rache
(1.29) Killer tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Die Terroristen
(1.30) The Patchwork tx n/a Guest Stars Chris Orchard Peter Stratford Maggie Millar Writer David Phillips Director n/a
GERMAN: Die Spur des Fälschers
(1.31) The Brothers tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Unter Brüdern
(1.32) Until Death tx n/a Guest Stars Bruno Lawrence (Poole) Ilona Rodgers (Helen Anderson) Wyn Roberts (Supt.) Willie Fennell Gennie Nevinson (Kate) Timothy Bowles (Larkin) Betty Bobbitt (Daisy) Writer Vince Moran Director Rod Hardy
GERMAN: Bis der Tod uns scheidet
(1.33) Ghosts tx n/a Guest Stars Dennis Miller Ivar Kants Max Meldrum Allan Faulkner Jenny Seedsman Writer Vince Gil Director n/a
GERMAN: Der silberne Wächter
(1.34) The Haley Inheritance tx n/a Guest Stars Dennis Grosvenor Christine Amor Sean Scully Patrick Dickson John Frawley Howard Priddle Writer n/a Director Colin Budds
GERMAN: Haleys Millionen
(1.35) Suzie's War tx n/a Guest Stars Marina Finlay (Suzie) Mercia Deane-Johns Tony Bonner Lou Brown Michael Long Harold Baigent Tony Rickards Michael Long Kurt Schneider Dennis Lees Marcus Eyre Vernon Wells Sandro Martino Gumpy Phillips Tony Tucci Norman Stirling Greg Severiny Greg Rekers Writer Luis Bayonas Story Editor David Wilks Script Consultant Graham Hartley Script Editor Tony Cavanaugh Assistant Director Barry Hall Photography Dave Connell Stunts Chris Anderson Special Effects Vivienne Rushbrooke Art Director Sally Shepherd Editor Peter Carrodus Director Dan Burstall
GERMAN: Die Rockerbraut
(1.36) Return of the Cat tx n/a Guest Stars Allan David Lee Martin Vaughan Bruce Spence Lucky Grills Dennis Moore Michele Fawdon Writer John Upton Director John Power
GERMAN: Der Kletterspezialist
(1.37) Pigs tx n/a Guest Stars Peter Cummins Taylor Owynns Maxine Klibingaitis Darren Boyd John Godden Rod Zuanic Desiree Smith Joan Brockenshire Kate Jason Don Vaughn Paul Fyfield Esme Melville John Mortimore Tommy Dysart Lawrence Sutton Peter Patay Pat Lawrie Karen James Writer Shane Brennan Story Editor Graham Hartley Script Consultant Tony Cavanaugh Assistant Director Barry Hall Photography Bob Kohler Stunts Chris Anderson Special Effects Vivienne Rushbrooke Art Director Sally Shepherd Editor Peter Carrodus Director Ken Cameron
GERMAN: Straßenkinder
(1.38) Mombasa tx n/a Guest Stars John Ewart Tim Hughes Eva Sitta Gus Mercurio Paul Karo Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Der Söldner
(1.39) The Haunting tx n/a Guest Stars Jane Menelaus John Jarratt Jan Freidl Cliff Ellen Sandro Martino Writer Luis Bayonas Director Tim Burstall
GERMAN: Rückkehr eines Alptraums
(1.40) Rotten Apple tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Videos aus Amsterdam
(1.41) Mad Mountain Mama tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Der Fluch der Hexe
(1.42) Life After Teddy tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Arme Schlucker
(1.43) Gone for the Doctor tx n/a Guest Stars/Writer/Director n/a
GERMAN: Zufluchtsorte

With thanks to Mark Anthony Craig, John Lenton and Mark Riemenschneider for providing the viewing material and additional info.

Links:

http://www.crawfords.com.au/libary/drama/special.shtml (Crawford Productions back catalogue summary)
http://www.wwwentworth.co.uk/spsquad/specsqud.htm
http://www.screensound.gov.au/cgi-bin/waxhtml.exe/olc/olcsearch.wxh?sDBCode=PR

This is an unofficial and non-commercial website. The rights to Special Squad are held by Crawford Productions. The sole purpose of this page is to promote the abovementioned series - no copyright infringement is intended. However, should the copyright holders be unhappy with my use of screenshots the material in question will be removed immediately.

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