Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #183254 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-24
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Binding: Audio CD

Customer Reviews

Time is breaking out... again!
I've been awaiting the first title in the new range of Sapphire & Steel audio dramas from Big Finish for some time. And I'm pleased to say it was certainly worth the wait.

From the 1st few minutes when the theme tune starts to play (they use the original theme from the TV series) and the words "Sapphire and Steel have been assigned" are uttered, I knew I was in for a treat. The two main cast members do a great job, with David Warner taking over David McCallum's role of Steel, and particularly stunning was Susannah Harker as Sapphire, pretty much taking Joanna Lumley's portrayal of the role and seamlessly carrying her on in these further adventures. The rest of the supporting cast do a fine job too, with Mark Gatiss (of League Of Gentlemen fame) popping up to play the technician Gold.

The plot is the typical stuff you would expect from the TV series. Time being the enemy and deviously using the plot of a certain Agatha Christie novel (although never named there's no mistaking which one!) to try and break out. My only criticism, and it's a small one, is although the whole feel of the drama is certainly atmospheric, it's maybe not quite as dark as the viewers of the TV series may expect.

That said I'm certainly keen to hear the next drama in the series - Daisychain...

Sapphire and Steel are back! Kind of.
This surprisingly OK audio adventure, by Big Finish, will not disappoint Sapphire & Steel fans, although the story is rather derivative of the existing television adventures, and doesn't offer much in the way of new mythology. As the start to a 5 part series, it's fine, but I hope the remaining episodes find their own feet, and provide some original adventures.

On television, Sapphire and Steel surprised viewers with its minimal cast and simple sets. In The Passenger, we have 15+ characters, none of whom are rounded, realistic or likeable. Being limited to audio would normally require a slimming of potential cast members, not the opposite.

Harker is pleasant as Sapphire, if no vocal darling, but Warner is stuffy rather than steely, and sounds as if he should be discussing leeks down at the allotment, rather than time distortions, and existentialism.

Bottom line: An entertaining intro, but lacking in originality and verve.