Department S Intro

ITV1 (60 min.)
Premiered: September 9, 1969
Last Aired: March 18, 1970
Show Category: Action/Adventure
When a case proves too challenging for the collective minds of Interpol, they turn to the talents of Department S.
Department S is an elite branch of the international police agency Interpol. Routine cases are not for them. Only the most baffling, unique, bizzare cases get handed to Department S.
The Department has three agents:
Stewart Sullivan (Joel Fabiani) is the field leader of the group, the man who makes the decisions for the team and answers to the head of the Department.
Jason King (Peter Wyngarde) is a best-selling author of a series of crime novels featuring hero Mark Caine. When Jason can tear himself away from women, he approaches the cases the way his fictional sleuth would, which is frequently infuriating to his co-workers.
Annabelle Hurst (Rosemary Nicols), a computer expert, sees things much the way her computer, named "Auntie", would: black and white, 1's and 0's, yes and no. Jason's wild theories annoy her, but Stewart is not always so quick to toss the author's ideas out the window because, as he said, "he has a nasty habit of scoring near misses" with the outlandish notions.
Sir Curtis Seretse (Dennis Alaba Peters) is the African diplomat who is ultimately responsible for the cases the Department takes. Although he is usually involved in his diplomatic chores, Sir Curtis occasionally finds himself working with the Department to solve the case.
International cases presented with drama, suspense, and humor is on the agenda at Department S!

[@allanscot1]

God, this takes me back 40 years. One of the great tv themes.

[@robertbiggins3693]

so cool this theme tune a real classic

[@almodovare1]

Some of you, will probably find that I exaggerate but according to me "Department S" is the BEST theme music in the film history.

[@williambabyak1094]

Considering that DEPARTMENT S was composed by the same gentleman who gave us THE SAINT, no argument from this quarter. What the devil ever happened to memorable TV series theme music?!? Over here in the U.S., it's damned nearly extinct! (The possible exceptions being the NCIS franchise on CBS)

[@U2QuoZepplin]

Brilliant!!!! Why don't they make cool 😎 shows like this anymore! This must've been the coolest thing ever at the time? And I'm sort of sporting the Peter Wingsrde look 👀 myself right now. 😝 😂 lolz

[@scrmepal]

I remember Peter Wyngarde became a big star in the early 70's as his portrayal of Jason King. Though he was much better in Dept S, than in the follow on Jason King series.

[@philipjarrett3487]

RIP Peter Wyngarde 1927-2018

[@leemendham4788]

Very unusual to have the episode title, writer and director credits BEFORE the title sequence. Also, kudos to the producers for giving a major role to a black actor, even if he only appeared for a few minutes in most episodes. Pity about the quality of this print, though!

[@scrmepal]

I've been watching these shows over at DailyMotion, and Dept S has some pretty good stories. This was a popular show in its day, and i remember it as a kid at the time. Shame its taken so long for the series to reappear on DVD ....anyway its here now, so i'am sure many people will enjoy watching Dept S.

[@robharding1957]

sure was a great piece of tv music, but there was so many wonderful tunes from this priod, great tv ,.;[probably tv;s greatest era of all ]

[@brunster64]

Fantastic - puts crap produced today to shame. Thanks for posting.

[@whyno545d9]

Top Gear - "The Interceptors" used this theme if I recall correctly...

[@kevinggoodchild6296]

I thought Peter Wyngard excellent actor regardless especially the muskateer type roles where he excelled he still made many a fair maidens heart flutter fair play to him

[@GeniusInTheLamp]

You're not exaggerating; it is the best TV theme.

[@dramaticguy]

Rosemary Nichols,reminds me of a slighly older Tara King form The Avengers.

[@ronaldgriffiths1524]

Peter Wyngardes acting career ended when he came out. Very different times.

[@jimstrachan2773]

The intro and theme tune classic , takes me right back

[@annaritaranalli1791]

Beautiful memories

[@badmovebaker]

Boy, as methods of murder go, that's pretty cold.

[@PositionLight]

Wasn't this also used in The Interceptors?

[@MultiCappie]

i. wake up on runway ii. see jet over 6km away. iii. Attempt to run away (from a jet) in a straight line down the runway iv. Do not be seen by pilots (while wearing bright blue housecoat (on a runway.)) v. be hit by jet 1 minute and 30 seconds later. ... with writing like this, its a wonder it didn't become as famous as The Saint, Avengers, Prisoner etc.

[@19GirlBad]

@athlonner I remember watching Top Gear that Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond all dressed up in the 1970s clothes and riding the 70os cars using the 70s soundtrack but I don't it was this theme. But I could be wrong.

[@MrGoblin60]

Why would someone run lengthwise along the runway and not across it when there's a thumping great 707 about to land on his head?

[@michaelt977]

joel fabiani also played paul stoddard on dark shadows.

[@VonWenk]

I remember him as the assassin, Nightingale, on Wonder Woman.

[@fickfroeschlein]

great!

[@almodovare1]

I didn't know the themes you're mentioning. OK, I'll listen them ... But you know, each person has their preferences but that's fine for me!

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

Note to self, when waking up on runway, run against the grain and off the runway not with it.

[@robertbiggins3693]

+verbusen correct why did he not run to the grass verge at the side.

[@U2QuoZepplin]

They never do , do they? That would be too sensible.

[@robertbiggins3693]

60,s tv got to love it 1960/70,s best tv tunes.

[@U2QuoZepplin]

Defo! I think theme tunes and intro's are a bit of an afterthought with mst shows now.

[@U2QuoZepplin]

It's probably not true at all but these shows give you the feeling that people had more style back in the 60's 70's and 80's... Maybe they all thought someone was going to drop the bomb any moment so they didnt care if someone else didn't like their hairstyle or their style of clothes? I wish it was like that now.

[@Cool2BCeltic]

Why on earth didn't he run acrossways over the runway instead of trying to outpace a 707. That way he'd have been safe. I remember seeing this when it was first broadcast in the 1970s and I still remember my mother echoing the thoughts going through my 5 year old mins when she said "Get off the runway, you stupid fool".

[@robharding4028]

Wonderful music, and the show was a bit cool too !

[@torgman]

I suppose running ACROSS the landing strip rather than running DOWN it was out of the question for some reason... :D

[@longshanks50]

Cripes, the weather in London in early December really that warm?

[@steveJ1957]

Brilliant !! Thanks for Uploading .....

[@AEM060357]

Whatever happened to Joel Fabiani & Dennis Alba Peters

[@paulhooper5655]

rosemary nichols yes please

[@cholanavy]

esto es lo maximo!! quisiera los videos de todos los capitulos? han salido a la venta?

[@AviAvikesh]

Top gear.. i meant the interceptors :D

[@ArifNurRahmann]

thumb up if Top Gear's Interceptor sequence bring you here :)

[@attiliobandiera]

Cary Grant in Hitchcock's North by North West doesn't mean anything to anybody?

[@paulhunter123]

its clever tho u know u never see the man and the plane in the same shot. i like how small budgets seem to push the creative

[@Cool2BCeltic]

True!

[@oxmys]

So if I read this intro right, when a case is too baffling for the police, the FBI, the Surete or CID, it gets passed to Department S led by our hero...who then fobs the file off on some guy in a suit, who passes the buck to his secretary, who leaves it to some black guy to do the nation's dirty work. Typical.

[@TheDalien]

It has...something strange in it...maybe therefore i like it.

[@planetofthegapes]

What?

[@TheDalien]

@@planetofthegapes Music and Gfx

[@tonymontana1974]

Think ill have 40 winks on this airport landing strip here.

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

This music was in UFO also. Or something 95% the same.

[@mutinyonthekitkat]

It's the Hammond organ keyboard sound that was around a lot at that time.

[@stephencunliffe9675]

Even department s is more believable than the paranormal police series bullshit they shovel out now.

[@williambabyak1094]

And so much better written, even on it's worst day!

[@w.hartnell-lives-on-while-6073]

Always loved this programme, wish it could have continued for longer. If you do not mind, I will "Add To" my page, for others to enjoy. :) For those who have not seen it, the poor man had been drugged, so was still confused.

[@999LDS]

Wyndarge was an iron hoof

[@williambabyak1094]

Would you please explain that metaphor for a poor American fan?

[@Biggeordie]

@MrGoblin60 Even as a 9yr old that what I used to think! LOL

[@martinXY]

No way. The theme for Matlock Police is the best. Or Kimba the White Lion. Maybe Gigantor.

[@astrophonix]

Stupid bloke trying to outrun a jet, why didn't he run to the side of the runway?

[@davidlovemike]

It so is

[@Happy-rm9qp]

Very cool acid fotage for 60s

[@BackToTheBlues]

George Michael has nicked the riff for his new single.

[@herringfly]

Are you mad?! What would they have done with the following 59 minutes?

[@1701spacecadet]

Er..why didn't he just run to the side???

[@mutinyonthekitkat]

If only he'd run across the runway instead of along it he'd probably be ok.

[@paulhunter123]

this dude is better off running to the side! its closer !!

[@Roodosutaa]

why would you try to outrun a plane ALONG the runway and not to the side?

[@paulhooper5655]

loved the girl shes was hot

[@kevinggoodchild6296]

Keving Goodchild

[@almodovare1]

I listened the 2 themes you've mentioned. Are you kidding? Matlock Police and Kimba themes are boring as hell !!!

[@graybermann]

Hawii Five-0 is the best...

[@mic187x2]

how was this beast peter wingarde considered a sex symbol.