"Callan" (1967) TV series 1967-1972

Director:

Tony Robertson

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

8 July 1967 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

David Callan is the top agent/assassin for the S.I.S. (British counterintelligence), but he is an embittered...

Plot Keywords:

Spy | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Edward Woodward	...	David Callan (43 episodes, 1967-1972)
Russell Hunter	...	Lonely (41 episodes, 1967-1972)
Anthony Valentine	...	Toby Meres (30 episodes, 1967-1972)
Lisa Langdon	...	Liz March (30 episodes, 1967-1972)
William Squire	...	Hunter #4 (19 episodes, 1970-1972)

Series Directed by
Peter Duguid		(11 episodes, 1967-1972)
Jim Goddard		(6 episodes, 1969-1972)
Mike Vardy		(6 episodes, 1969-1972)
Bill Bain		(4 episodes, 1967-1972)
Reginald Collin		(4 episodes, 1969-1972)
Piers Haggard		(3 episodes, 1967-1970)
Robert Tronson		(3 episodes, 1967-1969)
Voytek		(3 episodes, 1970-1972)
Tony Robertson		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
James Mitchell		(18 episodes, 1967-1972)
Ray Jenkins		(5 episodes, 1969-1972)
Bill Craig		(5 episodes, 1970-1972)
Robert Banks Stewart		(3 episodes, 1967-1969)
Trevor Preston		(3 episodes, 1969-1972)
John Kershaw		(2 episodes, 1969-1972)
William Emms		(2 episodes, 1969-1970)
Michael Winder		(2 episodes, 1969-1970)

Series Produced by
Reginald Collin	....	producer (35 episodes, 1969-1972)
John Kershaw	....	associate producer (15 episodes, 1969)
Lloyd Shirley	....	executive producer (8 episodes, 1967-1969)
Terence Feely	....	associate producer (6 episodes, 1967)

Series Original Music by
Jack Trombey		(unknown episodes, 1970-1972)

Series Cinematography by
Michael Elphick		(1 episode, 1969)

Series Production Design by
David Marshall		(5 episodes, 1970-1972)
Mike Hall		(4 episodes, 1969-1972)
Neville Green		(3 episodes, 1969-1972)
Stan Woodward		(3 episodes, 1969-1972)
Darrell Lass		(2 episodes, 1967)
Roger Allan		(unknown episodes)
Tony Borer		(unknown episodes)
David Chandler		(unknown episodes)
John Kershaw		(unknown episodes)
Frederick Pusey		(unknown episodes)
Vic Symonds		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Andy Armstrong	....	props (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Tony Dawe	....	sound designer (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Alan Chuntz	....	fight arranger (1 episode, 1972)

Series Other crew
George Markstein	....	story editor (22 episodes, 1970-1972)

Production Companies

• ABC Weekend Television (before July 1968)
• Thames Television (after July 1968)

Distributors

• Independent Television (ITV)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2002) (Australia) (DVD)

Runtime:

60 min (44 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1967-1969) | Color (1970-1972)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M

Company:

ABC Weekend Television

Trivia:

James Mitchell created the gritty series as a reaction against the increasingly fanciful espionage images seen in "The Avengers" (1961) (for which he had written in its' earlier, more realistic days), "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964) and the Bond films.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Nearest and Dearest: Compliments of the Season (#5.2)" (1970)

Superior TV Series

I remember watching this as a teenager and thought it was really very good. In retrospect, it still is! Edward Woodward in the series long before The Equaliser (a watered down type of US show) gives a credible performance of Callan. It is reminiscent of The Ipcress File style and all the characters are well crafted. Russel Hunter as Linely the slightly freaky, weird unwilling accomplice with his Taxi as a cover is just superb. went on for four years and spawn a good movie. Spying in those days was a dirty game but one seemed to know who the enemy was most of the time. Today, one has no idea. Would like to see some reruns.