87° squadra

And why on earth is there only one review here for it?!?! Well, let me write a second one.

This series was released on DVD in 2012 (so the previous reviewer eventually got their wish), and I purchased it out of curiosity but left it unwatched until now, December of 2018. Let's not go into lengthy explanations of why, I just have a habit of doing such things - call it a busy life.

From the first episode this show struck me as very unusual, very well written, well acted, and of good length (48 min per episode). Some other good shows (such as M-Squad with Lee Marvin) suffer from a 25 min run time, which doesn't allow the script writer time to sink their teeth into the story.

Things that have been most notable about this series are that as it has gone on there have been many face to face confrontations that have been so well written and acted that you find yourself completely absorbed by the scene. Someone could smash into your parked car and you would shrug off being told, saying "not now, go away!" Peter Falk's performance was a particular highlight, with Robert Lansing carrying off his half equally well.

If I had to criticise anything it would be the opening credits: the music is fine, but the action-less station-room character intros just don't match. Something much more dramatic was needed here, although I doubt this was the reason for the show's early axing.

Oh, one last thing - check out Ron Harper who plays one of the four main characters...it wasn't apparent immediately but after a while all I could see or hear was Mickey Rourke! See if you agree.