The Professionals
Tags: violence

Plot synopsis:
During the Mexican Revolution, Rancher J.W. Grant hires four men, who are all experts in their respective fields, to rescue his kidnapped wife, Maria from Jesus Raza, a former revolutionary leader-turned-bandit.
Henry "Rico" Fardan is a weapons specialist, Bill Dolworth is an explosives expert, the horse wrangler is Hans Ehrengard, and Jake Sharp is a traditional Apache scout, skilled with a bow and arrow. Fardan and Dolworth, having both fought under the command of Pancho Villa, have a high regard for Raza as a soldier. But as cynical professionals, they have no qualms about killing him now.
After crossing the Mexican border, the team tracks the bandits to their hideout. They witness soldiers on a government train being massacred by Raza's small army. The professionals follow the captured train to the end of the line and retake it from the bandits. Some move on to the bandit camp and observe Raza and his followers—including a female soldier, Chiquita. At nightfall, Fardan infiltrates Raza's private quarters but he is stopped from killing him by Maria, the kidnapped wife. Dolworth concludes, "we've been had."
Fardan escapes with Grant's wife. Back at the train, they find that it has been retaken by the bandits. After a shootout, they retreat into the mountains, pursued by Raza and his men. The professionals evade capture by using explosives to bring down the walls of a gully, thus blocking the bandits' path and delaying their pursuit. It is then revealed that they had not rescued Grant's kidnapped wife but Raza's willing mistress. Grant "bought" Maria for an arranged marriage only for her to escape and return to her "true love" in Mexico.
As Raza and his bandits pursue the retreating professionals, Dolworth fights a rearguard action to allow the other professionals to escape with Maria. In the battle, Raza is wounded. As he and Chiquita attempt to escape, she is shot by Dolworth. Weakened, Raza is captured by Dolworth.
The professionals, with Maria and Raza, reach the U.S. border to be met by Grant and his own men. Grant tells Fardan that their contract has been satisfactorily concluded, even before Maria is safely handed over to him. As Maria tends the wounded Raza, Grant says to one of his men, "Kill him." Before the man can fire, the gun is shot out of his hand by Dolworth. The professionals step in to protect Maria and Raza. They collect the wounded Raza, put him on a carriage and, with Maria at the reins, send both back to Mexico.
Grant calls Fardan a bastard, to which Fardan retorts: "Yes, sir, in my case an accident of birth. But you, sir, you are a self-made man." The professionals follow the departing carriage to Mexico.

Review: err, women, in a show almost universally panned by the critics...Yet the Professionals not only succeeded in its day but continues to do so in repeat runs almost 25 years on.Bodie and Doyle's characteristics arguably had near-plagiaristic similarities to that of Starsky & Hutch.
What sets it apart from the other shows is the firework chemistry between the two leads (as much down to the good fortune of casting Shaw and Collins together - two completely different actors) and the jibing, black humour they share and harangue each other with.Gordon Jackson's searing performance as Cowley, meanwhile, proved to be a formidable boss for the two reprobates.The humour also extended to the situations and the show was not afraid to make fun of itself occasionally.In the early years the exciting, varied plots were a bonus, too (Contrary to other remarks, they were often quite complex).
Doyle, in particular, emerged as a surprisingly rounded, unpredictable and constantly surprising character - due mainly to Shaw's splendid acting skills.Unlike other British action shows, the Professionals gained an immense female following - indeed its fandom is probably split 50:50 between the sexes.In the meantime London Weekend Television exported the show massively to eager overseas broadcasters (and continues to do so to this day).However the programme was not without faults.
By the fourth season (1980) the writing team were struggling to find new ideas and the boys of CI5 often found themselves lumbered with jobs that more traditional law forces would normally take on.By 1981 the show was clearly running out of steam and with Shaw and Collins keen to move on to other things, LWT decided to  call it a day after a grand total of 57 episodes.Today it's easy to say the whole reason it's such a success again is because of its refreshingly un-PC image.
I was only born a year after this series started production, so I only know it by re-runs, thanks largely to my mother who loves the series.There are a great many TV series with the premise that you've got good guys running around trying to catch bad guys, and there are guns, cars and explosives thrown in for good measure.
The Professionals is a cut above the rest, not because of any trick or gimmick but simply because of superb writing, casting, directing and acting.Shaw (Doyle), Collins (Bodie) and Jackson (Cowley) excel in their roles and are really the glue of the whole series.
The constant jibing between Doyle and Bodie is an absolute delight to watch, as is Bodie's unashamed love for fast-driving and shooting stuff.The action is very satisfying, with many shoot-outs, explosions and car chases.
The characters, too, are deeper than most people seem to remember.My favourite episodes are: "Discovered in a Graveyard" - Doyle is shot and seriously wounded by an unknown assasin.
This is one of the most action-packed episodes, featuring multiple shootouts and car-chases."Mixed Doubles" - Bodie and Doyle are assigned to organise protection for a very high-level foreign diplomat who is almost certain to be an assasination target.
It was an example of how we could have it all - and its longevity was not down to luck alone.It is even credited for the long production life of the Ford Capri sports car, driven by the two main agents in the series, Bodie (Lewis Collins) and Doyle (Martin Shaw).
Thanks to their specialist skills and attitude, they cope well in any situation.The Professionals is still a demonstration of British television at its best..
Even Martin Shaw, one of its three main stars, was so embarrassed by the show that for years his veto prevented it from being repeated in the UK (or perhaps it was simply because he was ashamed of the perm which he sported throughout the show's six-year run and which led to co-star Lewis Collins giving him the nickname "the Bionic Gollywog").
In the UK during the late 70s and early 80s, it was positively hazardous to venture forth on a Friday night during a "Professionals" run, for fear of being knocked over and hospitalised by some young Johnny screeching round the corner in his Ford Capri, pretending to be Bodie & Doyle.
Sure, "The Professionals" (like most shows of the genre) had its moronic moments, but who can forget classics like the episode in which two anti-social misfits holed up on a high rooftop and started taking pot-shots at a nearby hospital?
Analysing my feelings for it I found that what I like most about it now is the interaction between the main characters, and on my second watching of the complete series I find myself often ff-ing through the story to the parts with the lads (MS and LC).
No wonder that it still has a major following among females and inspires reams of fanfiction!Nearly thirty years since it was first seen on TV and still highly enjoyable despite the outdated fashion, hairstyles, motors and technique (have a look at those computers!) - this is a true classic that has proved its erstwhile critics wrong.
For five years this expensive LWT series had a prime time slot just after the watershed and entertained us with its mix of violence, cars, guns, and sexist banter.Lewis Collins (Bodie) and Martin Shaw (Doyle) became household names in their portrayals of the laconic, cynical, and fearless agents who saved the day from grenade-carriers, gunmen, and gangsters.
Sexist and silly the series may have been, but it has perhaps stood up better than other crime programmes made in the late 1970s.Curtailed too soon because of the mood of the time, 'The Professionals' still looks good when viewed today, and enjoys re-runs on one of the many digital TV channels..
The Professionals is an extremely high quality cult t.v series that well and truly deserves its tag of "t.v legend".This is due to its excellent writing courtesy of Brian Clemens and co.
and the outstanding theme and incidental scores of the incomparable Laurie Johnson.The series itself has a truly filmic quality due to the varied locations used - from beautiful shots of the English countryside with the immortal Ford Capris speeding by to the sweeping panning camera shots of the city of London.Everything about this series is memorable , from the exhilarating opening theme complete with wahwah guitar and "Shaft" style hihats to the abrasive , yet humorous relationship between the two leads.Even though most people seem to remember this series as so-called standard crime/adventure viewing , in reality , it is more than that.Particular episodes , such as "Wild Justice" , is about the character Bodie (Lewis Collins) in particular and asks whether he is able to continue working effectively under the stress placed on him by the demands of a job in an organisation such as Ci5.This sounds a reasonably formal premise for a plot , but on viewing the episode itself we see that unusual elements (such as Bodie going to an oriental martial arts/medical expert for help and advice) have been thoughtfully added by the writer to give an extra edge.To enhance this interesting angle further , the oriental character then proceeds to give Cowley - Bodies boss (Gordon Jackson) a lecture about where the soul might be placed in the body , definetly an unusual and welcome aspect to proceedings and it is precisely these element that make the Professionals linger in the mind long after an episode is over.Unfortunately , at the time the show was mauled by critics , being cited as "moronic" and overly violent.It is undoubtedly fair to say that the show most certainly was the latter of these two things , being primarily a contemporary crime/drama series.It is also fair to say that whenever there was violence present on the screen it was handled with a certain flair and portrayed realistically.However , the reason the vitriolic attack from the critics didnt sour the publics appetite for the show was this - excellent acting from the trio of Gordon jackson (Cowley) , Lewis Collins (Bodie) and Martin Shaw (Doyle) in the lead roles , first class writing and production , the special atmosphere that permeated every episode , the memorable chemistry between Bodie and Doyle and the music , which spawned a theme which is now a signature within the genre itself and incidental music which managed magnificently to capture many differing moods and emotions , some normally found outside the often narrowly viewed crime/drama division section of television entertainment.The Professionals was and still is different and set new standards in many areas that television today is still catching up to.BUGS , anyone ?.
The sexist banter between the heroes Bodie and Doyle is typical of the period, but stills remains funny to watch.
One episode called 'Klansman', about a British right wing group to which Bodie becomes sympathetic, has to this day never been screened in the U.K. for fear of inflaming racial tensions, which were at their height during the Professionals' five year run.
It was created by Brian Clemens, was a follow-up to a cop show called The Sweeney and starred Gordon Jackson as George Cowley, Lewis Collins as Bodie and Martin Shaw (who hated the show and his character) as Ray Doyle, working for a spy agency called CI5.Violent, sexist and very politically incorrect, The Professionals was just good fun and it knew how daft it was.
Bodie and Doyle would be given the case by Cowley, and then there would be 45 minutes of fights and car chases (in their Ford Capris) which ended with the bad guy dying in an explosion.The plots were interesting and there were a lot of good ideas from the writers.
Although The Professionals is not often seen on TV nowadays it's a cult classic, and way better than any of the stuff they put on nowadays..
Martin Shaw is fantastic as Ray Doyle as is Lewis Collins as Bodie.
"Klansmen" was an amazing episode and one that epitomizes the talent of Martin Shaw.I certainly wish there had been more than 57 episodes as there was still so much that could have been developed between the partnership of Bodie and Doyle.I do wish they had cut back the George Cowley part so that we could have seen 4.5 and 3.7 more.
I loved it then and it's still good now.Don't get me wrong, this isn't classic British television like "Upstairs Downstairs" or "Forsythe Saga".
Great, most of all for those like me, who grew up so far away.I remember the series being broadcast in my country, madly in love with both, I adore Doyle's curly hair, I think it was perfect for him.
At present I am halfway through series 3 and enjoying it greatly.Its far far better than the Bill and the only current TV series that comes close is life on mars, which obviously is at least part homage to the Professionals as well as Sweeney.Good series, good plots and great acting..
People take the pi*s out of 'The Professionals', but it's by and large very good, especially the first series.Someone above said Martin Shaw was so embarrassed by it all, he wouldn't allow repeats; not true.
This has got to be one of the most popular hardman TV shows ever - it ran from 1977-83 on UK TV.Lewis Collins And Martin Shaw were superb in this - great action scenes and car chases in Ford cars - the show was known for the Capri - The theme music became a hit - by Laurie Johnson and the titles are one of the most memorable in history with the Granada smashing through the glass.
The professionals was excellent in all its ways,I mean it changed the way police series were made in Britain.It showed the crime as it was and that's why for certain people was a bit violent.
Today we can enjoy of series such 'Vincent^,'New Tricks^'Prime suspect^and even the great Ìnspector Morse^,thanks to The professionals.
In Argentina was a genuine success since the first moment it appeared on television, and it was repeated in a channel called Retro , which shows old series with a great success as in his golden years.
Martin Shaw was and still is my favourite one, Gordon Jackson was a superb boss for both detectives Bodie and Doyle..
It has dated badly-especially Doyle's (Martin Shaw) bad perm and the clothes and cars-lots of bad MK.
The Professionals cars were cool in their day, but most people realize that Ford Capri's were total heaps of junk!
The Professionals is one of the best television series ever made..
Watching The Professionals now it comes across as a bit dated but I still find it fun.Collins and Shaw as Bodie and Doyle are great although sometimes their scenes together can appear a bit camp, especially the comic ones.
They respect and trust each other as partners but there is sometimes an edge to their friendship as apparently there was in real life too.Jackson is good too as their tough boss who realises that he can rely totally on Bodie and Doyle although he sometimes has a hard time keeping them in line.I love the cars which get thrashed a lot.
The way they thrashed them must have meant they needed a lot of maintenance !.Overall a very enjoyable series, which although it looks dated now, still has enough action and excitement to be worth seeing..
Its commander George Cowley (played by Gordon Jackson) and its two chief operatives Doyle (played by Martin Shaw) and Bodie (played by Lewis Collins) comprise the staple team that undertakes a range of special police assignments under a broad mandate and with sometimes less than scrupulous observance of the niceties of British Due Process but always focused on defeating the criminals others can't touch and achieving justice.
'The Professionals' Was The Real McCoy. Alongside 'The Sweeney', 'The Professionals' is probably the best-remembered British action series of the 1970's.
Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins had appeared together in an episode ( 'Obsession' ).I was not immediately won over by 'The Professionals'.
I had the impression that Clemens had taken some left-over 'New Avengers' scripts, scrubbed out the names 'Steed', 'Gambit' and 'Purdey', and substituted 'Bodie', 'Doyle', and 'Cowley'.
His top agents are Bodie ( Lewis Collins ) and Doyle ( Martin Shaw ).
That was really all there was to it.The show boasted lots of exciting action ( violent even by today's standards ), guest-stars such as a pre-'Not The Nine O'Clock News' Pamela Stephenson, one of the best theme tunes ever, a pair of personable leads, and some pretty good scripts.
One episode - 'Klansman' - dealt with racism and was deemed too controversial to broadcast.Shaw and Collins made a good team, and Jackson gave solid support in what was basically a thankless role.
And, of course, 'The Comic Strip Presents' gave us 'The Bullshitters'!Though repeats were blocked for many years by Martin Shaw, 'The Professionals' is now to be found on 'I.T.V.-4' ( with heavily edited editions going out in afternoon slots ) and before that, 'Granada Plus'.
It's still pretty cool...Anyhoo, the second car I ever bought was a Ford Escort RS2000, and it was because I had seen it in The Professionals!
Not the best of the series, but it did star Martin Shaw as the baddie!
But the best of all was, towards the end of the episode, when the baddies have set their dastardly plan in place, Larry Doomer (Shaw) says to Kilner (Collins) "Thanks for all your help, I couldn't have done it without you." To which Kilner replies "We make a good team - maybe we should work together again..." Brilliant!!In case you're wondering why it was so brilliant - Obsession aired on 7 October 1977.
CI5 operatives Bodie and Doyle spend their time fighting criminals, shooting at criminals, chasing criminals in their glorious array of classic 70's cars (the Ford Capri being my personal favourite), and generally acting as we would all like to act given half the chance.Bodie is a womanising hard man, whilst Doyle seems to have a more tender side, as emphasised in episodes such as the excellent 'Involvement.Their boss, Cowley, played by Gordon Jackson is a tough man called upon to make tough decisions, frequently issuing orders that could end in the death of one of his staff.
Here we have the fictional "CI5" organisation run by tough no nonsense Cowely played by veteran actor Gordon Jackson.The show focuses on CI5'S two "best" agents,bubble perm played by Martin Shaw and shorty played by Lewis Collins.
I think people look back at this with rose tinted spectacles,sure its got some great action scenes and Gordon Jackson was the best thing in it but what else was there?This show copied some of the elements used in "The Sweeney" which started first, and then flogged them to death.
Some of the stories were thread bare and unlike gritty "The Sweeney" more often than not there was a happy ending as bubble perm and shorty turn up, roll over the bonnet of their Capri v6, take command of the whole situation and shoot someone.Good old Martin Shaw...here you have a man so selfish with an ego as big as a solar system.
Jackson/Shaw/Collins oh my good lord, I have lived!!!
Great acting all round from the excellent trio of Lewis Collins, Martin Shaw and Gordon Jackson.
By all means have other characters in the storyline use those terms in context, but not a "professional" like Bodie!As for sexism.
But all the episodes are watchable thanks to Collins, Shaw and Jackson.Now I wanna get a Capri!.
The music is good the story lines are full of action, fast iconic cars and are believable with themes of intrigue and vice that are themed deeply to the politics or social environment of that time making the series interesting as well as enjoyable.