The Chinese Detective – Series 1 & 2
Reviewer: Tom Leins
Issue 104 June 2008
(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 10)
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Review: This four-disc box set gathers together both series of the obscure 1981 BBC cop show, The Chinese Detective. Ian Kennedy Martin, the man behind ‘The Sweeney’, wrote this series as a contemporary re-imagining of the old Charlie Chan movies of the 1930s and 1940s, and provided David Yip with the first lead role for a Chinese actor on British television. Maverick detective dramas are ten-a-penny, but The Chinese Detective warrants extra scrutiny for the manner in which it confronts institutional racism within the police force. The East End setting provides early work for all manner of future ‘Eastenders’ stars, including Peter Dean, Bill Treacher, Pam St Clement and, most notably, Derek ‘Charlie Slater’ Martin, who plays Ho’s intolerant chief. All in all, a surprisingly compelling slice of early 80s Brit-grit.
FILM: 7 EXTRAS: 1
DVD Info:
Certificate: 12
Starring: David Yip, Derek Martin
Directed By: Various, 1981-1982
Distributor: 2entertain
Audio: Mono
Visuals: 4:3 Fullscreen
Running Time: 700mins
Price: £39.99
