The Equalizer - Edward Woodward Highlights

The Equalizer, the 80s TV series that started the franchise, was there long before Denzel Washington and Queen Latifa attempted it. This compilation gives you an idea of what Edward Woodward brought to the role of Robert McCall.
He might have looked like a chartered accountant, but Woodward packed a restrained intensity that very few actors can manage.
In spite of all-too-often weak plots and villains, and some terrible dialogue, Woodward brought believability to his scenes.
It's a shame to see what's been done to this show as of late. Even though Denzel did a mostly passable job, he fell far short of what Woodward brought to the role. Queen Latifa goes down as the worst casting decision possible to play The Equalizer, one I shall never understand.
To redeem things a bit, these clips show Robert McCall when portrayed by an actor with the range and skill of Edward Woodward.
Enjoy!

[@ginnied7346]

i loved watching The Equalizer when i was a kid, 100% Edward was the best Equalizer

[@randomcomputer7248]

the music was cool

[@cherrypickingdiaries]

I tend to his grave whenever I'm visiting my relatives grave. He was a lovely bloke. RIP

[@davidblake1663]

Mr. James, I bow before you.

[@crispybits3765]

That's wonderful and incredibly decent of you. I wasn't lucky enough to have met him, but he was a fine actor. RIP indeed.

[@teresahymas7019]

I visited grave felt it an honour Rip wonderful actor Talented Unique brilliant actor No one can or will ever replace

[@linda4th]

Oh how I miss Edward Woodward. His portrayal of the Equalizer will forever remain unequalled. The strength just in his words, that resonated in his eyes. Denzil was good, enjoyed his version, but it can never equal this menacing, poignant dialogue. And the camera angles just increased the focus ten fold. Edward was a master of his craft, with his very English bearing, just brilliant.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Incredible actor, to be sure. But an even better person. He took the time to converse with me, years ago. This only made me appreciate him that much more as as an actor, because as a regular person, he was just like you and I. That kind of talent is astonishing.

[@sharona1981]

Nothing was scarier than an angry Robert McCall. Edward Woodward was an actor of tremendous power.

[@dionlindsay2]

By this stage he was a tremendously stagey film actor, which meant he could deliver cliches as if we were expected to believe them. That had a little value in Equalizer. But for his power in acting try his Callan series. Mind you there he had the best of tv scriptwriters and directors.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

@@dionlindsay2 I believe it goes to show that delivery is everything. You can give a terrible actor great lines, and it amounts to nothing. Give an actor like Woodward terrible lines, and he turns them into something great.

[@ennesshay5040]

The 1974 film version of ''Callan'' from the book 'A Red File for Callan,' is one of my all time faves. It's here in full, on YT.

[@jaybee1921]

Nobody will ever come near to Edward Woodward's portrayal of The Equalizer, absolute legend.

[@kevinbrown4297]

What a man what an actor he is truly missed

[@mefrommyglass]

Edward is the ONLY equaliser

[@TH33QUALIZ3R]

When I stayed at my grandparents they let me stay up late and watch this. I'd forgotten how good and how violent it actually was until I seen this. Great upload thanks.

[@Bhanz1]

Woodward was the best Equalizer

[@woodrowclose]

Amazing show.. Edward had so much more character than Denzil. Spoke from the heart.

[@TheGrayfrog100]

McCall lets the world see just a little of the Darkness he controls so well. Edward Woodward, such an amazing actor.

[@doctorsocrates4413]

Edward was the only equalizer...rip edward.

[@かんざきりゅう-d8k]

懐かしい。大好きでした。もう一度日本でも放送してほしいです。

[@christopherkeane2295]

E.W was a great actor with a commanding voice and menacing presence. They dont come much better than him.

[@aidansmyth6480]

There's an apocryphal story that when Woodward was a big star in the USA thanks to this series, he was due to make a personal appearance at a theatre in NYC. The theatre was erecting a neon lettered sign of his name on its facade. However, they had forgotten the 'D's. Meaning, that for a short while anyway until rectified, the sign read 'Tonight, Equalizer star 'E WAR WOO WAR'

[@CharlieColquhoun-f1q]

First things first. Callan was the equalizer. This guy made things go good. His then side lick lonely (you stink) got information he needed. The poignant moment for me was when he was putting his knuckles into wet sand. After so many years this had a deep impact on my understanding of protection. The end result was the equalizer. To this day I still get goose bumps watching it.

[@nellyfett2681]

Remember this, but too young at the time but this makes me want to go back and watch!

[@sf9947]

The appeal of Edward Woodward is that he just looks like a middle-aged, slump-shouldered English teacher. Oh boy, do looks deceive here. This man should’ve played Bond at some stage.

[@mikeycraig8970]

I think there was talk of him playing Bond once. The best actor they missed for Bond was Lewis Collins from the UK series, The Professionals. He didn't just look a hard man, he WAS a hard man. He actually completed the SAS selection cause.

[@teresahymas7019]

Never been a better series Classic Loved it in my teens

[@davidblake1663]

End captions reads; " *Arguably* the best Equalizer"? There is no argument.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

No argument there! haha.

[@pilgrum23]

The one and only

[@americarsqueensland1667]

Denzel is ok in a different way but Edward is so smooth with class and charisma.

[@squareggs]

I used to watch this with my Nan all of the time, she had the biggest crush on Edward Woodward 😍😁

[@georgebuller1914]

IMHO - NO arguably the best! RIP, Edward Woodward!...

[@karlnicholls15]

Many thanks, most people dont know about the old school classics that started the inception

[@iand8365]

..."arguablly the best"? Without doubt the original and best.

[@damiancude1623]

Thankyou for posting this! I like the movies, not a huge fan of the new show but this.. this IS The Equalizer

[@wayneellis189]

My nan used to love this series and because it didn't seem like full on action i didn't like it. But now i see why my nan loved the original Oliver McCall

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

You're quite right there. Woodward's McCall used intimidation over outright assault most of the time. I mean, that's kinda the way it had to be since he was an older guy when plan. Woodward had immense power in his voice and face that you believed he was capable of very brutal things, even if he didn't resort to them often. That look of, "kid, I could have you dead in less than a second if I felt like it, so don't mess with me." LOL.

[@stephenpowell5912]

Grew up as a 12 year old in 1985 watching this great TV series ,R I P Edward Woodward as Robert McCall .

[@James-nl6fu]

Only one "Equaliser" could make all the others look like "Mama's" boys.😎♥️

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

Edward used to live in Cornwall and would regularly do his shopping in Tavistock pannier market. Unfortunately he died before he got a chance to sample the delights on offer from Colin the fudge man.

[@hanscombe72]

So many of these scenes make you say “there’s the guy from that thing!”

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Wasn't that the guy I talked to about my car insurance? Or was it that guy when I was doing my taxes?

[@johndoyle2429]

When Edward Woodward R.I.P was doing the Equalizer Denzel Washington was doing St. ELSEWHERE Medical drama in the 80's. When Denzel Washington was doing that show, I bet years latter he wouldn't have thought he doing the Equalizer on the big-screen.

[@ManCave1972]

George got a great back handed bitch slap there. Edward Woodward played this role with the right amount of suppressed anger which would often spill over into rage and violence.

[@randomcomputer7248]

Always liked Woodward as an actor, great tuff

[@jb1892l]

I forgot the power of 80's soundtrack.. It's so dramatic.. 😂

[@felixjones9198]

Stewart Copeland scored this.

[@snakeplissken1964]

There is only one Equalizer Edward! The rest are crap, pathetic copies!

[@syedtareque2140]

Agreed

[@mysterious8152]

So densel was a crap? Gimme a break

[@teamllubtip]

Don't worry about a crazy man, worry about a gentle man.

[@christinehagen5454]

Der wahre Equalizer einfach Klasse

[@Phil_AKA_ThundyUK]

Bad ass.

[@simoneborja]

J’adorais cette série

[@craigcollier-wilson2131]

Edward Woodward the best

[@stephenpowell5912]

The Equalizer series I remember growing up with from 1985 to 1989 ,Prefer the Late Edward Woodward original series Compared to the series that rebooted in 2021 with ex Hip Hop star Queen Latifah for the next Generation with unknown Guest Stars that I do not recognise to crappy storylines for the 21st century series , The original series was the best and the only best during the Cold war years with Great Performances from Hollywood stars like Robert Mitchum,JT Walsh ,Stanley Tucci and Robert Lansing as CIA veteran Control ,Prefer the classic series ❤️ Remember Edward Woodward's words in one memorable episode with his threats to those he is at odds with , I am going to take you apart piece by Nasty little Piece .Great memories growing up.Long live Edward Woodward ❤️R I P 🙏

[@captainkirk4519]

The only and best equaliser. Edwards Robert McCall would have eaten the other McCalls for breakfast.

[@nudisco300]

I like to think that McCall was a character arc from Callum Maybe Callum left UK security and went a bit mental ,changed his identity and went renegade stateside.

[@simonflyer3677]

That last one is a good one.

[@johngalvin3124]

Nobody did it better

[@TheKira699]

Edward Woodward doesn't need fancy fire fights, or crazy car chases or shit that Americans do when imitating British shows. Denzel isn't an Equalizer, he's a copycat.

[@adrianwalker1242]

The original and best.

[@Maria-g7q4w]

I sat with my Dad and watched this

[@Gandim45]

Eighties synths, so evocative

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Most (if not all) of the incidental music in these clips was written by Stewart Copeland of The Police, heavy use of a Synclavier. Used well, if you ask me.

[@paulainsworth9229]

All the music was done by Copeland, they approached him.

[@jakehands]

It’s good to see he survived the wicker man to fight another day .

[@allanvincent4450]

no argument

[@christopherdale7017]

The next generation could learn alot by watching the TV seires before any of the movies no offence to Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah but Edward Woodward Candar kicks ass. He was and is the Equalizer. If they could of done it would loved to seen Edward Woodward work with Denzel Washington in the first movie and done the transfer of character over but it wasn't to be due to Edward Woodward Passing way RIP.

[@johndoyle2429]

Strange thing is While Edward Woodward R.I.P. doing The Equalizer. Denzel Washington was doing a T.V. drama same year as well called St. Elsewhere .

[@radiodarkhorse]

EW was nearly too quick for the camera at 6:51 lol What a performance!

[@georgebuller1914]

NEVER seen a UK 'Bog' handle work like that! LOL

[@daviddyson8851]

ED WOODWARD WAS ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED ACTORS OF ALL TIME

[@lindsaymac01]

He was even better in Callan, back in 1967, he was proper scary.

[@DJWenlowe]

That man was a class act 👍👍

[@rickyj5547]

The best version

[@かんざきりゅう-d8k]

エドワード·ウッドワードさんのマッコールは、ある意味理想の父親像でした。また見たいです。配信でもいいな😊

[@month32]

In the last scene, well... The young lad was right. And McCall knew it, that is why he goes all "Do you know who I am?!".

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

You know how it is. When we're young, we judge our dads. When we get older, we see them with the benefit of experience. I thought it was a great scene.

[@harrypalmer4857]

Ace, wasn't he? Great actor.

[@tomeu9872]

Any fool can pull a trigger.

[@jamesfrench7299]

Back when America didn't follow safe formula and actually tried new things.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Casting Woodward in itself (for an American market) was a risk. It paid off.

[@Paul-uz9zk]

Imagine copping a spray from Edward! Scary

[@iand7784]

The only equalizer

[@sporkfindus4777]

Corrr!! That's acting

[@32ModB]

You can't compare the original 'Equalizer,' with the later movies 🎥 and series because the Woodward version was more about the character then action and killing😊

[@markmadad1]

I think I prefer Denzil’s methods. Edward Woodward just seems to tell everyone off in an pompous English manner!

[@derianjones1730]

If you take all the D's out of his name you get "Ewar Woowar" lol.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

"Ed Woodwoodwood."

[@chrisby30]

At 7:05 he probably would leave him alone with Dr Snell and tell Snell to do his worst

[@darrenleiberman6250]

Ewar Woowar. Absolutely the best!

[@tjtenser7828]

If we were gonna have a female Equalizer, here's my view on who would have made a terrific one - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKHQmX6cfqZ0gNk Woodward was so great in the original role and really gave that show a lot of geunine class and gravitas. That "I do not forgive" scene is a classic.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Not to argue, but I offer up Helen Mirren as someone who could go toe to toe with Woodward, and remain standing.

[@patrickmackey8633]

Tony Shalhoub Always a gentleman

[@ritakolpinitzky218]

Yep

[@paulgrendall5138]

This Is much better than the shit we got now?!?!

[@luciensantana6295]

Dommage les sous-titres toujours aussi pourri, pourquoi vous faites pas des sous-titres fixes ?

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Translating your words: "Too bad the subtitles are still so rotten, why don't you make fixed subtitles?" Here is a suggestion. Take it up with Google, because I don't give a fuck how Google translates English into French. Good day. :) Translating my words: "Parlez-en à Google, parce que je m'en fous de la façon dont Google traduit l'anglais en français. Bonne journée. :)"

[@geoffshaw8053]

Was that monk lol

[@udirt]

Best Equalizer, yes seems like it. Best dad, uhhh uhhh, aw damn.

[@Uns_Maps_8]

Who TF is latifa?

[@gerardomartinez8000]

So Hollywood again chance the character race 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

[@sammorris6285]

2 mins in Borat

[@dionlindsay2]

"Don't you ever call me a liar George!" Laughable nonsense. The scriptwriters should really have taken their heads out of their butts by now 🙂

[@sexshit1107]

latifa is such a woke attempt.Denzels movies were great but his character was too far changed from edward woodwards which had a sense of class.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

latifa is such a woke attempt.

[@sexshit1107]

Latifa is a woke attempt.You re entitled to disagree off course but it's following the latest trend of over powering women.Shall we talk about Robin Hood as well?

[@roycook2908]

😅Ewar Woowar. The man