The comedy-tinged BAFTA-nominated crime drama Minder was a much-loved staple of British television from 1979 to 1994, but remains somewhat unknown in the U.S. At the center of this character-driven series are shady used-car salesman Arthur, a low-level but indefatigable figure in London's criminal world, and Terry, the ex-con boxer he hires to be his “minder” (bodyguard). Since Arthur's business schemes inevitably lead to trouble, Terry constantly finds himself trying to rectify calamities. The show relies heavily on the chemistry between George Cole's oleaginous Arthur and Dennis Waterman's good-natured Terry, and these wonderful actors do their best to pump much needed vibrancy into fairly quotidian stories. Unlike many British TV imports, Minder offers a rare glimpse into the shadier side of London society, with the miscreants being presented as heroes and the police investigators as intrusive idiots. Some American viewers, however, may have problems following the heavy local slang, or find their patience tested by the low-energy pacing of many of the action sequences. But for those willing to give it a try, this first-season lineup of 11 episodes from 1979–1980 provides offbeat entertainment and is sure to appeal to Anglophiles. Recommended. [Note: also newly available is Minder—The Original Series: Season 2.] (P. Hall)
Minder—The Original Series: Season 1
BFS, 3 discs, 540 min., not rated, DVD: $49.98 August 16, 2010
Minder—The Original Series: Season 1
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