The Sweeney: Series Four Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Sweeney: Series Four Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 18, 2026

"The Sweeney: Series Four" (1978) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Old Gold Media. The supplemental features on the release include multiple archival video introductions; multiple archival audio commentaries; vintage trailer; and a lot more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Stay on the ground, lad.

Between 1977 and 1978, The Sweeney and The Professionals were legitimate competitors, and nothing makes this more obvious than the recurring introduction in Season Four of the former. Indeed, this is a new, completely different introduction that copies plenty from the recurring classic introduction in The Professionals, where The Cow, Bodie, and Doyle are seen in action. Both introductions are equally dynamic and effective, but it is obvious that The Sweeney is playing catch-up.

This is not the only adjustment in Season Four of The Sweeney. When compared to its three predecessors, Season Four produces several episodes with a more relaxed atmosphere, where light humor also frequently and very effectively counters the tense drama and action. For example, in Hard Men, a veteran Scottish detective (James Cosmo) arrives in London and immediately teams up with Regan (John Thaw) and Carter (Dennis Waterman) on a kidnapping case that requires a great deal of improvisational work, most of which is routinely targeted by wonderful one-liners and adult jokes. Furthermore, several episodes, like Bait and Latin Lady, document significantly more of Regan and Carter’s romantic adventures with emotionally available ladies.

The classic material that made The Sweeney a sensation in the United Kingdom remains the same. In Season Four, there are still plenty of killers, robbers, 'blaggers', and various other shady characters who create serious troubles. However, it is the nature of these troubles that draws the most obvious line separating The Sweeney and The Professionals. In the former, Regan and Carter are routinely tracking down homegrown troublemakers with only a few imported assistants. For this reason, the scope of their investigations is fairly limited. In the latter, The Cow, Bodie, and Doyle are routinely facing international players, and the dynamics of the Cold War are frequently used to expand their playground further and create additional excitement. Unsurprisingly, while The Sweeney and The Professionals appear to be sharing a lot of similar and even identical fireworks, they produce different suspense and drama.

In Season Four, there is one other important detail that must be highlighted -- a crucial tradition ends. In its three predecessors, despite his unorthodox and frequently controversial working methods, Regan is routinely recognized as a good cop who gets results. In Season Four’s final episode, Jack or Knave, Regan is accused of corruption by a superior cop and, with Carter unable to clear his reputation immediately, is placed behind bars. It is a very British wrap-up, casually messaging that old-timers like Regan have run out of time. However, this is the one bit in the entire show where the drama also effectively loses its Britishness. Regan’s fate is Serpico’s fate.

*This four-disc box set brings exclusive new restorations of all fourteen episodes "from the original 16mm A/B negatives, with shot-by-shot grading work, digital processes such as image stabilization, de-flicker, scratch concealment and a combination of automatic and manual clean-up of visual defects." All episodes are presented in 1080/50i on Region-Free discs.

The Sweeney: Series Four Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080/50i transfer, The Sweeney: Series Four arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Old Gold Media.

If you have seen any of the previous three seasons of The Sweeney -- reviewed here, here, and here -- you already know what to expect from this four-disc box set. All fourteen episodes in it have been beautifully restored and now look terrific in high-definition. On my system, on each episode, delineation, clarity, and depth were always very good. Some minor fluctuations can be observed, but they are introduced by lensing preferences, not digital anomalies introduced during the restoration process. All episodes are wonderfully graded as well. As a result, they have proper, very convincing, enormously attractive period appearances. Image stability is excellent. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. However, to view its content in North America, where 1080/50i is not supported, you will need a Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray player that converts 1080/50i to 1080/60i or 1080/60p. Check your manual to see if your player does this conversion).

The Sweeney: Series Four Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English LPCM Mono 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Each episode features an LPCM 2.0 isolated track as well. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Both audio options are great. Obviously, purists would prefer the Mono tracks, but I viewed a couple of episodes with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, and in areas where there is action and more music, the dynamic variety is clearly better. I did not encounter any distracting age-related anomalies to report in our review. All exchanges are very clear. However, occasionally, some of the accents can be quite thick. (A great example is the episode with the Scottish detective).

The Sweeney: Series Four Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

• Commentary - this audio commentary for "Messenger of the Gods" was recorded by Jonathan Wood and Grant Taylor, and features Dawn Perllman.

• Introduction - this video introduction to "Hard Men" was filmed by James Warrior. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Commentary - this audio commentary for "Drag Act" was recorded by Ted Childs and Tom Clegg.

• The Electric Theatre Show - in this archival program, John Thaw and Dennis Waterman discuss their involvement with The Sweeney and comment on why the show became a massive hit. Additional footage with Ted Childs is included as well. The content was filmed in 1978. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Blu-ray Trailers - presented here are a couple of trailers promoting the recent restorations of The Sweeney and their transition to Blu-ray. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Isolated Music Score - presented as LPCM 2.0.

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

• Money, Money, Money - Widescreen Version - presented here is a fully restored, widescreen version of "Money, Money, Money". Presented with LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks, as well as optional English SDH subtitles. (51 min).

• The Sweeney: Widening the Titles - in this new program, series restorer Grant Taylor explains how the original titles of The Sweeney were adjusted for the widescreen presentation. In English, with optional English subtitles. (9 min).

• This is Your Life - in this archival program, Dennis Waterman comments on the character he plays in The Sweeney and his relationship with Jack Regan. The program was produced in 1978. In English, with optional English subtitles. (6 min).

• This is Your Life - in this archival program, John Thaw quickly comments on his involvement with The Sweeney. The program was produced in 1978. In English, with optional English subtitles. (7 min).

• Isolated Music Score - presented as LPCM 2.0.

BLU-RAY DISC THREE

• Introduction - this video introduction to "Bait" was filmed by George Sewell. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Introduction - this video introduction to "The Bigger They Are" was filmed by Jenny Runacre. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Introduction - this video introduction to "One of Your Own" was filmed by Nick Stringer. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Commentary - this audio commentary for "One of Your Own" was recorded by Tony Hoare.

• Outtakes - presented here are several outtakes. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• Isolated Music Score - presented as LPCM 2.0.

BLU-RAY DISC FOUR

• Introduction - this video introduction to "Hearts and Minds" was filmed by Gary Morecambe. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).

• Commentary - this audio commentary for "Hearts and Minds" was recorded by Robert Fairclough and Mike Kenwood.

• Introduction - this video introduction to "Victims" was filmed by Peter Wight. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Commentary - this audio commentary for "Jackor Knave" was recorded by Robert Fairclough and Mike Kenwood.

• Sweeney 2 Trailer - presented here is an original trailer for Sweeney 2 with an introduction by Ken Hutchinson and James Warrior. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Image Gallery - a very large collection of original promotional materials for The Sweeney. (22 min).

• Completing The Sweeney in High-Definition - this program takes a closer look at the restoration work that was required to bring all four seasons of The Sweeney to Blu-ray. Presented by restorer Jonathan Wood. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Isolated Music Score - presented as LPCM 2.0.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Booklet - 12-page illustrated booklet with writings on The Sweeney and technical information about the new 2025 restoration of the show.

The Sweeney: Series Four Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Great cops do not last long. The system they represent either corrupts or breaks them, so it makes perfect sense that Season Four of The Sweeney ends as it does. Old Gold Media and producer Grant Taylor deserve a lot of credit for properly restoring all four seasons of The Sweeney and presenting them in four gorgeous Blu-ray sets, which are also Region-Free. It was an incredible treat to revisit them, so hopefully there will be many more similar projects and Blu-ray releases in the near future. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.