Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Such a frustrating disappointment

Fresh and Exciting

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Man in a Suitcase is a gem of a series. One series is all you get. Only thirty episodes. You will be wishing that somehow it had lasted longer. There can never be enough praise for the actor or the character he created. He gave it all he could, all he had, shackled by the constraints of an unprepared and inflexible British studio that did not know what they were dealing with. One feature is that McGill himself is so watchable in all his small actions and so few words. He is the guy who can make boredom look interesting. The recent DVD box set has an interview with Richard Bradford that is illuminating, especially to the fight scenes. I also recommend the GZR track, Man In A Suitcase, the Man in a Suitcase isn't like me and you. You can also hear plenty of that strange jazz music that often passed for the Swinging 60s in TV shows of the time.

Richard Bradford plays this role absolutely on the nail. It sets a standard that can only have been copied in the Prisoner, Callan, the Professionals, The Avengers ..... The list would go on, right through to Bond and Vin Diesel. An understated and genuine creation that has set the scene for years after. Any actor who now wants to play the disenfranchised but preeminent secret agent has to watch this or fail dismally.The production is carried by Bradford's acting and presence, but it has to be acknowledged, he has the medium of inspired writers who are clearly "under the cosh" to deliver tight, cogent and robust scripts. Mcgill, and I suspect Bradford as well, would have hated the internet and the modern film industry as a communications medium, given its requirement for many words where one short meaningful statement would do - Ernest Hemingway - you're not forgotten. One statement to sum it up? - Great intelligent, high integrity production.

Richard Bradford in the 60s was the Steve McQueen of TV, laced with a healthy dose of Marlon Brando. It's a real pity we only got to see him in one series of this excellent series before he disappeared into limbo land for nearly 20yrs, re-emerging to appear in films like 'The Untouchables' and the under-rated 'Mean Season'. Bradford's performance as McGill carries this series from start to finish and is the reason it is the least dated of the ITC stable. McGill is a real person ... vulnerable, prone to mistakes but never giving less than 100 per cent for the right cause. No super heroic 'Champion' - like exploits for him. The stories vary in quality but Bradford is the core to all of them and his on screen persona carries them off with credibility intact. It is good to see that an excellent 8 disc DVD set (inc extras) is available worldwide with a UK edition coming in August 2005. Dip deep into your pockets (the distribution companies know the value of this series and have raised the price considerably) and enjoy the best PI series ever made.

I first saw "Man in a suitcase" in 1967-I loved it then and still do.This is one of the A.T.V."action" series of the 60's,but it differs from the likes of "The Saint" or "The Baron",in the cynical edge to the plots and the vulnerability of the hero.Richard Bradford as "McGill"(no first name!),was simply the coolest TV detective ever.He looked great(in fab "pre hippy era 60's" suits,with narrow lapels and thin ties),was as tough as nails,moody and unpredictable,and acted like Brando playing Peter Gunn-oh,and made smoking a cigarette into an art form.One amazing thing is he didn't always win either,and when he did he might well come out of things half beaten to death,many of the endings of episodes were pretty downbeat.The producers did make one ghastly mistake though-a guy like McGill should never have driven a car as totally uncool as a Hillman Imp!Best episode for me-"Brainwash".This show is a strong candidate for the best ever theme tune and titles.