Dixon of Dock Green. Full Episode. "Firearms Were Issued" 1973 HD

Dixon of Dock Green. Full Episode called “Firearms Were Issued” (Made in 1973) and starring Jack Warner as George Dixon.
More from Dixon of Dock Green on my playlist • Dixon of Dock Green
This episode…
Written by …N. J. Crisp
Created by… Ted Willis
Music by… Jeff Darnell
Produced by… Joe Walters
Directed by…Vere Lorrimer
Full cast members in this complete episode were…
Jack Warner as George Dixon
Peter Byrne as Det. Insp. Andy Crawford
Peter Tilbury as DC Cox
Nicholas Donnelly as Sgt. Wills
David Masterman as PC Dewar
Harry Meacher as Price
Sidney Kean as Wade
Gregory de Polnay as Det. Sgt. Mike Brewer
Richard grant as Ch. Supt. Smith
Percy Herbert as Det. Ch. Supt. Donovan
Arthur Marsh as Sgt. Hedges
Melanie Jane as Mrs Dewar
Cyril Shaps as Green
Part 6/6 History of Dixon of Dock Green
By the final years of the series in the 1970s, Warner was getting elderly and looking increasingly implausible in uniform. He had increasing difficulty moving about, which was helped slightly by a treatment involving bee stings. When it became known that the 1976 series of eight episodes would be the last, some changes saw familiar faces including long-standing and popular cast member Peter Byrne leave, bringing in some new blood. The final series was shown in 1976 when Warner was 80 and the producers saw the opportunity to make some changes to the format. George Dixon was shown as retired from the police and being re-employed as a civilian as the collator, a temporary appointment which allowed him to train up whoever would be the next permanent collator. The introductory monologue and winding-up speech continued to be delivered by George Dixon, now out of uniform and behind his collator's desk. There was an increase in action whilst retaining detailed storytelling with Dixon's values at the core.
The last series of eight episodes ended on Saturday 1 May 1976 with "Reunion", with Dixon retiring completely from Dock Green. Lord Willis said, "I knew it had to come to an end sometime and I thought something was in the wind. They usually renew my Dock Green contract in February and it hasn't been renewed this time". There were thoughts about continuing with the current cast using the revamped format, though any continuation would have been under a different title. Any ideas and plans were never seriously followed up and after 21 years of Dixon of Dock Green, with its lead character out of the picture, the series came to a natural end.
Criticism
Over the two-decades-plus that Dixon was broadcast, it came in for increasing criticism, especially in its later years. The Guinness Book of Classic Television described the programme as "...an anachronism by the time it ended and a dangerous one at that". Ted Willis summarised the changing critical reception for Dixon in an article published in the TV Times in 1983. "In the first years, the critics were almost unanimous in their acclaim for Dock Green, hailing it as a breakthrough, praising its realism. But slowly, the view began to change. We were accused of being too cosy and the good word was reserved for series like No Hiding Place, Z Cars and Softly, Softly. These, in turn, were superseded by the violent, all-action type of police drama like The Sweeney, ... Strangers and Killer." He also stated that: "Eighty per cent of police work is ordinary and unsensational".
Ted Willis made some observations. He found that, in fact and fiction, characters akin to Jack Regan ("The Sweeney") were to be underplayed by the police who sought to restore their place in modern communities. The surviving episodes (with an emphasis on the latter years of the programme) which saw DVD releases allowed Dixon to be seen less deserving of its reputation as a "cosy" stereotype, and more as a programme that tells the stories honestly and entertainingly. Willis noted that it would be harder for the police to build relationships with the public if they were continually to go around beating up every suspect.
Indeed, Alan Plater, who wrote police drama as well as in any other avenue of drama he contributed to, made this argument in 1976 (published in the police publication 'Context'); "It is just as irresponsible to portray the police as always chasing murderers and big-time criminals as it is to show them as boy scouts like George Dixon. The Sweeney is ridiculous. It's James Cagney and the Sundance Kid rolled into one and given a British background." With a more enlightened view over a longer period of time possible from the 21st century than it was from the 1990s even, the chance to review some of those existing episodes has allowed some refinement of views on the series.
More on Dixon of Dock Green shoot locations at my playlist information here... • Dixon of Dock Green

[@claresines9128]

I’m Jack Warner’s great niece x

[@jonhohensee3258]

Me too!

[@fluxington]

I'm his great Uncle.

[@AsboJunior]

I'm his Dad!

[@smithy3520]

Im spartacus

[@kenh3344]

So what was he like. ? How well did you know him?

[@johndean958]

Excellent. Enjoyed this very much. Thanks,John (Australia)

[@juliemunro1]

I had never seen a single episode of Dixon until now. It might be a bit dated but I'm enjoying what I'm watching

[@melaniemeehan5201]

I used to watch this in my teens. Still as good now as then. Very good series. Thank you for posting

[@RB-yk3tx]

Thank you for posting, great police drama- no need for bells and whistles like the shows of today!

[@carolinebarnes6832]

first time i've watched one of these since nineteen seventy one. holds up very well, still worth watching and preferable to a lot of the modern stuff.

[@Keithbarber]

This is 1973

[@ThePierre58]

Me too. I was 14 in 1973.

[@cuddlybear4108]

Many thanks for this episode of Dixon Of Dock Green. ❤❤❤❤

[@deniselamb-zc7gx]

I am 68 and Remer this show makes me homesick from manchester jack was a great actor so typical of a Bobby

[@stewartsanders1228]

This show is amazing I'm watching them all 👌

[@jonhohensee3258]

No you're not.

[@woodhouse122]

Good episode, and nice to hear Simon Bates on the radio announcing the shooting

[@howardsimpson489]

Nothing like British scripts and performances.

[@ThePierre58]

Thank you for posting this.

[@kevinfitz8516]

he was 76 when he made this episode

[@scottjspence70]

superb

[@abaha9898]

Jack Warner reveals the true police officer

[@jontaylor4511]

Never seen this in Aus, maybe ABC showed it. I've been falling asleep to them but they seem good enough to watch

[@rays242]

Passing out bullets and 38 revolvers. Wish we had a society like that now.

[@Keithbarber]

Nowadays pava spray and tasers would be alternatives, and baton guns would be used before firearms deployed as a last resort - pistols/rifles/sub machine guns

[@amethyst9998]

@ RAY S: I'm very glad that we DON'T have a society like that.

[@trevorbailey1486]

@RAY S: What you say befits a man who deplores violence and values civil society. I was a policeman in South Australia in the 1970s. We carried pistols (as the SA Police had always done since their formation in 1838) but they were concealed from public view beneath a uniform almost identical to the English one. We were approachable by members of the public, partly because we did not look intimidating.The 1980s saw a change to the American model of bearing S & W .357 magnum revolvers in break-front holsters. We had swapped authority for power. I left the police force to do other things, gladly trading power for authority once again.

[@richardrichard5409]

​@@trevorbailey1486brilliant post sir😎👍

[@blissy1]

He was still playing this part in 1973 age 78

[@richardrichard5409]

He was still playing it in 76, at 81.

[@infoemail7429]

He cant be far short of 80 in this one - amazing

[@jonhohensee3258]

Why amazing?

[@infoemail7429]

That would be a bit old for a station sergeant!

[@jonhohensee3258]

@@infoemail7429 - YOU'RE a bit old for a station sergeant!

[@richardrichard5409]

​@@jonhohensee3258😂😂😂 the irony is strong in this one.

[@av9109]

Firearms Were Issued Episode aired Apr 20, 1974

[@richardrichard5409]

Astounding perception there

[@sarahstrong7174]

If I was that gang, I would have someone upstairs peeking out from under the curtain, just keeping an eye on the street.

[@SS08947]

"Never go forward to the known location of an armed criminal"...that was rule number 1 for us. Always interesting to see these episodes, but compared to modern practices so much seriously wrong with the way they work. This was 3 years before I joined.

[@9256steven]

That sentence doesn't make sense,

[@cybersmith_videos]

I'm curious, what is the protocol if you know of an armed criminal's location? Do you call in AFOs to resolve it?

[@51WCDodge]

@@cybersmith_videos It was the Hungerford Massacre by Ryan in 1987, caused the real shake up in responses. Due to the comms set up at the time there was little co-ordination and officers were sent into Ryans paths with no back up. With a central control room for each force air support (Where available) and armed units on regular patrol, The drill now is isolate were possible

[@cybersmith_videos]

@@51WCDodge Thanks!

[@richardrichard5409]

​@@9256stevenit really does, ask an adult 😂

[@51WCDodge]

Ah the good old Disco Blues. The drug of choice Nicotine.

[@kynismos]

Addictive

[@ernstarado7578]

Dixon of Dock Green meets The Sweeney!

[@actualbennett2245]

But before The Sweeney! Maybe the pre-Sweeney? :)

[@noelmcauliffe]

"G'devening all..."

[@davidcarlson2152]

_-there'll be questions in parliament._

[@chrisjohn4605]

That chin-strap is giving me anxiety...

[@vaudevillefuntimes9753]

😅😅😅

[@Desslar]

A lot of highlights here: The thrilling gun paperwork scene, complete with hot signature action! The breathtaking calling the wives to let them know their husbands will be home late scene! The endless handwringing over a criminal getting shot!

[@phillipridgway8317]

In other words... realistic!

[@Desslar]

@@phillipridgway8317 It's just a shame they had to cut out the tense shoe polishing scene.

[@richardrichard5409]

Crikey, you find that exciting 😂

[@kenpickles7705]

Simon bates was he in 1960. Whistle down wind

[@anjkovo2138]

👍👍

[@abaha9898]

What a difference to the time of 2019 from the 50s and 60's. Britain had been through tough times and the resolvement of the British people pulled together and strived to succeed, then they were dissolutioned by the European union

[@Keithbarber]

This is early 1970s (1973), not 1950s or 60s mr ab aha

[@amethyst9998]

@@Keithbarber True, but the origins of Dixon of Dock Green began in the 50s.

[@markofsaltburn]

You’re rewriting history to suit your own narrative. Things just weren’t like that.

[@excelents]

27:26 The voice of Simon Bates.

[@viviennehateley1843]

Simon was obviously on the night shift!

[@kellygable1668]

so they shot unarmed men and covered it up . the guy with the scratch on his forehead wanted to get out and plant a weapon , dixon would not let him go .

[@bigdrew565]

Were we watching the same show? 😆 that totally wasn't the case.

[@sanford943]

any one know which episode he says at the end if on your bike wear white?

[@Kirkee7]

A known bandit/murderer is shot and they make a fuss over who shot him.

[@fluxington]

Thanks for the storyline.

[@richardrichard5409]

Even more fuss nowadays, with the poor pickle villains being the victims

[@davids8449]

A time when police had respect from the public......Not just a bunch of idiots with speed cameras

[@johnstewart3244]

Try West Yorkshire woke police on GBN and the arrest of autistic 16 year old girl !

[@richardrichard5409]

The irony of this post is hilarious 😂😂😂

[@juliemunro1]

Maybe Jack Warner was too old to be playing Dixon but being that was what the programme was called then one has to make allowances

[@jakebailey6285]

I don't understand. If Andy is Sergeant Dixon's superior officer, how can Dixon talk to Andy the way he does? Isn't he being insubordinate?

[@charliechristmas5147]

Andy is married to Dixon’s daughter. Also, throughout the series, Andy went from a DC to a DS and then a DI. Dixon started as a PC and then was promoted to Sergeant, which is where he preferred to remain. Note the crown above the stripes In the job, anyone sergeant and above, are mostly on first name terms…..and longevity in the job grants you a level of insubordination

[@jakebailey6285]

Thank you for the reply. Now it all makes sense to me.@@charliechristmas5147

[@richardrichard5409]

​@@charliechristmas5147interesting, what does the crown denote?

[@bigdrew565]

​@@charliechristmas5147well, if you partnered with someone for a substantial amount of time, that relationship can also transcend rank.

[@thunder3ish]

Christine Keeler is very good

[@fredneecher1746]

A bit expensive though.

[@larrywhited3070]

Fingers on the triggers right from the start and muzzles pointed every which way. Hopefully this reflected only poor movie making, and not common practice at the time. And what happened when the man fell? Bang. Fingers tense up when you take a tumble.

[@ApurtureSci]

Trigger discipline is a fairly modern practice, an officer handed a gun in the 70s would have almost certainly handled it in a manner completely unacceptable today. It's probably only thanks to the long, heavy double-action trigger pulls that there weren't more negligent discharges.

[@larrywhited3070]

Fairly modern practice??? Well, yes, to the point that such discipline is as heavily stressed as it is nowadays. However, my training as a young boy in the 1950's did in fact include strict warnings to keep your finger off the trigger until you were ready to fire...and this wasn't exactly a brand new concept even then.

[@51WCDodge]

Double action pull on the old Webley 6 requires a cart horse. They were standard issue, ex military. Deliberatley built with a heavy trigger pull. There is also a drop sear. Unless the trigger is fully pulled through the hammer will catch on it before the firing pin contacts the primer.

[@joline2730]

toooo quiet !! 👎

[@vaudevillefuntimes9753]

Turn your bloody sound up then😂

[@errolmichaelphillips7763]

@@vaudevillefuntimes9753 Very rude reply.

[@dangerman8625]

This a joke, Jack Warner Real age 78,when this was filmed, way past his retirement age, which is, 55 for the metropolitan police.

[@markgrygielewicz8047]

It's not a documentary.

[@dangerman8625]

@@markgrygielewicz8047 You Don't have a person that age in a play etc, in reality the person in question should be the correct age for the part, you don't have a 10 year old part, played by a 40 year old, and it's nothing to do with documentarys, period.!

[@markgrygielewicz8047]

@@dangerman8625 Again, it's not a documentary, many actors play beyond the age of the character (and in Tom Cruise's case height when Jack Reacher is taken into account), he was an established character, played by an established actor, and yes he was too old, but as I said, it's not a documentary. I'll also let in on a secret, he also wasn't a police officer.

[@dangerman8625]

@@markgrygielewicz8047 Take note the so-called actors you talk about are Not actors, period. Look at the actors from the 40s, 50s, 60s, thay were people that had to work, you do see what's in the character Dixon in real life it would not happen, you're in fantasy world, period.!

[@markgrygielewicz8047]

@@dangerman8625 Well that was gibberish, thank you.

[@abaha9898]

British people just gave up the fight

[@Warrenite123]

Harry Meacher amongst the finest theatre actors this island has produced since Henry Irving

[@chriswaring5565]

46: 47 ITS DAWN,WHATS DAWN DOING THERE?