Review for Dixon of Dock Green - Collection Three

‘Dixon of Dock Green Collection 3’ is one that I never thought we’d see. After all it contains episodes not included in the definitive list of ‘survivors’ from the mass-tape wiping that happened at the BBC in the early 1980’s which I highlighted in this review of the first collection from Acorn.



It focuses entirely on the slightly tired looking, final series which aired in 1976 which consigned the then 80 year old Jack Warner pretty much to a non-uniformed desk-job (as a ‘Collator’). It was, however, a series that was already reflecting the public appetite for a less cosy look at policing (which would come to full fruition with ‘The Sweeney’ and ‘The Professionals’) whilst somehow trying to maintain the dignity of the original. As a result, it’s an absolutely fascinating series of episodes to watch.


Warner was by now far too old for the role and looks it – something which cast and audiences alike seemed able and willing to overlook at the time. He was, according to the interviews and commentaries on these discs, suffering terribly from arthritis and in near-constant pain so the fact that he still managed the trademark twinkle in his eye in his pieces to camera at the front and back of each episodes remains a tribute to the man’s stamina and determination.


Each of the eight episodes , running 45 minutes a piece by now, provide an incredible time capsule of both pre-computer policing and pre-Canary Wharf dockland. All the police work is charmingly achieved through a combination of memory, leg-work and lots of leafing through old files. It’s a wonder anyone ever got arrested.


The stories are expertly crafted, occasionally soap-like but always compelling with a wild variety of unpredictable plots and sub-plots, frequently with inventive twists and always contained within a single episode.


Although Warner is now consigned to a lesser role (a touchingly father-like presence, pretty much in the back-room) he’s ably abetted some fine character actors, including Richard Heffer, Ben Howard, Nicholas Donnelly, Gregory De Polnay, and Stephen Marsh, all of whom appear in interviews as part of the set’s extra features.


Episodes include an inventive art-theft with n intriguing ‘nosey land-lady’ sub-plot; a spoiled rich young lady taking advantage of a blunt dock worker who is suspected of her murder; a vagrant who is the subject of an intentional hit and run but who turns out to be an ex-doctor; a violinist with a talent for more than just music and lots more – all inventive, different and great to watch.


Here’s the episode list and original air dates, all from the final season.

1. Domino - Series 22, Episode 1 (First Broadcast 13th March 1976)
2. The Job - Series 22, Episode 2 (First Broadcast 20th March 1976)
3. Vagrant - Series 22, Episode 3 (First Broadcast 27th March 1976)
4. Everybody's Business - Series 22, Episode 4 (First Broadcast 3rd April 1976)
5. Alice - Series 22, Episode 5 (First Broadcast 10th April 1976)
6. Jackpot - Series 22, Episode 6 (First Broadcast 17th April 1976)
7. Legacy - Series 22, Episode 7 (First Broadcast 24th April 1976)
8. Reunion - Series 22, Episode 8 (First Broadcast 1st May 1976)


Extra features include a number of interviews and ‘features’ all cut from the same basic set of contemporary interviews which are a really thoughtful and worthwhile addition. These are made up of a feature called: ‘Good Evening All: A tribute to Jack Warner, with Nicholas Donnelly, Richard Heffer, Stephen Marsh, Gregory de Polnay and Vivenne Cozens which shows the great affection the whole team seemed to have for Warner. Also ‘Personnel Files’ which are essentially extended interviews with Nicholas Donnelly, Richard Heffer and Gregory de Polnay.


There are also some fun audio commentaries, full of nostalgic recollections, on the two of the episodes; "Domino" with actor Stephen Marsh [P.C. Harry Dunne] and "Alice" with director Michael E. Briant.
Image quality is fine given the show’s vintage and the fact that these were video-taped recordings (with exteriors on grainy 16mm) and audio is excellent. The extra features are all ably shot on pristine HD so provide a fairly big contrast.


‘Dixon of Dock Green – Collection Three’ is a very welcome addition to the vastly growing DVD archive of really fantastic retro British television. I hope that its release proves popular and that Acorn will feel encouraged to continue ever onwards releasing such material. Excellent stuff.