IMDb > "Heartbeat" (1992)

"Heartbeat" (1992) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1992-????


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   512 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for Heartbeat on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 full episode list
Release Date:
10 April 1992 (UK) more
Genre:
Plot:
A British police constable and his doctor wife, weary of the turmoil in contemporary London, decide to move and work in a quiet village where life is livelier than they anticipated. full summary
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
[DVD News] - "Surviving Evil", in cinema October 2nd DVD October 5th
 (From OhMyGore. 20 September 2009, 5:31 AM, PDT)

Hugo Speer: 'ITV must keep Taggart'
 (From digitalspy. 11 July 2009, 4:31 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Used to be good but lost its way more (18 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 7 of 564)
William Simons ... PC Alf Ventress / ... (355 episodes, 1992-2009)
Derek Fowlds ... Oscar Blaketon / ... (342 episodes, 1992-2009)
Tricia Penrose ... Gina Ward / ... (338 episodes, 1993-2009)

Mark Jordon ... PC Phil Bellamy / ... (324 episodes, 1992-2007)
David Lonsdale ... David Stockwell / ... (259 episodes, 1993-2009)
Peter Benson ... Bernard 'Bernie' Scripps / ... (234 episodes, 1995-2009)
Bill Maynard ... Claude Jeremiah Greengrass (155 episodes, 1992-2000)
more

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Classic Heartbeat (UK) (rerun title)
more
Runtime:
50 min (274 episodes)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The reason none of Nicholas Rhea's original stories were adapted for this series was because some of the real Greengrass's activities were rather bizarre, and because one of his reminiscences was a near duplication of a James Herriot story (the one about the dog who was put to sleep because he was thought to have been attacking sheep, only to be proven innocent after the fact when the real culprit was shot to death somewhat later, after he had died). more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Heartbeat more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
11 out of 22 people found the following comment useful.
Used to be good but lost its way, 27 July 2004
Author: matthew-58 from England

Heartbeat began with former EastEnders star (and wooden as my front door) Nick Berry as a London police constable who relocated to the North Yorkshire Moors in the 1960s. Based on Nicholas Rhea's real experiences of police life during that era, it was a worthy and authentic series that set out to address some of the pertinent issues of the time. Nick Berry's severe limitations when it came to expressing anything were compensated by the fantastic character performances of Derek Fowlds as tyrannical Sergeant Blaketon, William Simons as lazy, ageing Constable Ventress and Bill Maynard as local rogue Greengrass.

Unfortunately, the show progressively suffered from a series of departures. The excellent Niamh Cusack, who played Berry's wife, left to be succeeded by a less capable actress as his love interest. After about five years in the series, Nick Berry left. Berry's replacement, Jason Durr, was a better actor, but the writing was deteriorating and the series appeared to have run out of ideas. Two of the best characters were also replaced with very over the top and irritating substitutes; Bill Maynard left, to be replaced by Geoffrey Hughes and Derek Fowlds was replaced as Sergeant by Philip Franks. Four long years later, Franks was gone. Somehow, Ventress remained a serving officer, when he clearly looked too old by this time. Jason Durr left in 2003, to be replaced by young actor James Carlton, who has only lasted in the show for a year. These frequent changes in the cast have not helped the series. And Ventress is still there! How old does he have to get before they pension him off?

Heartbeat was once a fine and relevant drama, but it is now just decorative fluff. I am told it still gets good viewing figures, but I can only assume that is due to the attractive countryside, smart police uniforms and classic cars. It can't be the scripts.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (18 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Heartbeat" (1992)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Fav Sgt? iwant-thatone
The theme song RosieT20
SAVE HEARTBEAT RosieT20
Has Clare Wille changed her name? jdpascoe-1
Song Help! iwant-thatone
Filming of Heartbeat cheryl_lane
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Marple: The Moving Finger Billy Liar Saving Grace The Miracle of Morgan's Creek A Canterbury Tale
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Episode guide Full cast and crew Company credits
News articles IMDb TV section IMDb Drama section
IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.

You may add a new episode for this TV series by clicking the 'add episode' button