Sweeney!

David Wickes, 1977

If the TV series didn't exist, this movie would be thought of as a pacy, grimy British crime flick alongside Get Carter. But somehow the anti flares-era snobbery prevails and anything to do with the Sweeney is seen as kitsch.

This (unlike the negligible limp sequel Sweeney 2) is a brilliant film of urban crime, power politics, the way the ruling eilte will always act above anything the law can affect or the front pages will tell. And the chemistry and banter between Thaw and Waterman is just magnificent; real, human and witty yet never undermining the gravity of their jobs.

Hard on the heels of Whisky Galore! and Shaft's Big Score!, this is the third film I've watched in recent weeks with more exclamation marks in the title than cows on screen.

No cows.