BLOGS
Martina Cole's The Take
- Posted at 5:00pm
- 19 June 2009
- by DavidButcher-RT
- 15 comments
Every now and then a performance comes along that jumps up, grabs you by the throat and won't let go. Tom Hardy's 1980s gangster Freddie Jackson in the opening episode of Martina Cole's The Take was like that.
You couldn't take your eyes off him. It was like watching an angry bull-mastiff let loose in a petting zoo: whatever he did next, you knew it wouldn't be pretty. In every scene, Freddie gave off waves of brutal charisma: you try doing that in a spangly suit and grey loafers.
Early on, after being released from prison, he called on the accomplice from his last robbery, who had made off with the money and never visited Freddie inside. Big mistake.
After a tense preamble when Freddie pretended to be all smiles, he grabbed the accomplice, roughed him up and then rammed his head through the screen of a TV set. By the end of the episode we had some idea how the poor chap felt.
It was relentless stuff, although for light relief it also included what must be the only scene of an armed robbery ever accompanied by a Bananarama song (Robert De Niro's Waiting, of course). Strangely, it worked.
The catch was, whenever Hardy wasn't on screen we were drumming our fingers. And the female characters were wasted. They had nothing to do except cry, smoke and beat their fists against the men's chests.
But the real shame was that The Take clashed with the second part of BBC1's superb Iraq war saga Occupation. Two powerful dramas in the same week, in the middle of summer - whatever next?
Comments
- Posted on 20 November 2009
- at 6:20pm
- by LauraPledger-RT
FAO suzanne - We're told that unfortunately Sky has no plans to repeat Martina Cole's The Take in the near future. It is available to buy on DVD, though.
- Posted on 20 November 2009
- at 2:10pm
- by suzanne
when will the Take be on tv again? My mother and i thought it was so real London life. She comes from Walworth.
- Posted on 18 October 2009
- at 3:35pm
- by abs
I had read the book before watching and couldn't see anyone doing the character of Freddie justice. Then got hit smack bang in the face with Tom Hardy!! i had never heard of him before and have since tried to get my hands on everything he's ever been in! An obsession was truly born! What an actor!! The whole thing was brilliantly done. Best book to tv/film adaptation i have seen.
Upset.... I hate to burst your bubble but children do die and get killed in the real world! its a horrible and tragic thing and it was very distressing to watch during The Take but it all contributed to the finale. Martina Cole's books are notoriously dark so if you are of the faint heart, id recommend some research before you watch things in future.
- Posted on 12 August 2009
- at 11:59am
- by Sense
Very unpleasant, violent TV about nasty people and their messed up lives. Didn't give it screen time.
- Posted on 13 July 2009
- at 1:41pm
- by matt meddins
i feel freddie was misunderstood and he should never had died
- Posted on 12 July 2009
- at 2:59pm
- by gavin mann
freddy jackson is a legend
- Posted on 02 July 2009
- at 5:17pm
- by MazY
I felt a little let-down by the final part. I just don't think it was strong enough to stand by itself as a single episode. I think it might have benefited from being shown back-to-back with part three last week.
That aside, it really has been the best thing on television for quite some time. Tom Hardy was stunningly brilliant.
I guess we're back to the usual banal programming now...
- Posted on 02 July 2009
- at 2:24pm
- by Nikki
I am completely and utterly facinated by the character of Freddie Jackson. Tom Hardy made him charismatic ...despite the character being a raping, murderous thug... I can't get him out of my mind. I missed episodes 1 & 2 as this sort of TV isn't usually my kind of thing, but Tom Hardy made it worth watching!
- Posted on 29 June 2009
- at 12:44pm
- by HelenHackworthy-RT
No, we believe he's a fictional character, Tezo.
Helen
RadioTimes.com
- Posted on 29 June 2009
- at 10:20am
- by Tezo
Was Freddie Jackson actually a real Gangster and was this drama about his life?
- Posted on 26 June 2009
- at 1:34pm
- by MazY
@ 'upset': Why was it necessary? It's a drama for goodness sake. You're really not watching something or buying any books because the plot took a twist you don't happen to like? That is just bizarre But anyway...
What a gripping third instalment that was. I think Debb has it in her comment below. Watching Tom play his role is like camping on a volcano edge; you relax at your peril, because you know that every minute which passes brings you a minute closer to that eruption. His character simmers constantly and it makes for truly dripping television. I may even try one of Martina's books. Aside form expecting it to be a good read, I can also negate upset's petty protest vote at the same time. :)
Some day, all television will be this good. Okay, probably not, but oh if it were...
- Posted on 25 June 2009
- at 10:11pm
- by upset
SPOILER ALERT
Why was it necessary to kill lil Jimmy?!?!? I'm not watching the next one or reading any of Martina's other books...
- Posted on 25 June 2009
- at 1:49pm
- by Debb
Tom Hardy is amazing, an absolute scene-stealer. Whenever he is on the screen I was bracing myself, anticipating something awful happening. When he wasn't, as good as the other cast members are, I was just waiting for him to come back again. He is something to behold, you can't take your eyes off him. Every little mannerism, every look.....just inspired.
- Posted on 24 June 2009
- at 11:04pm
- by Claire
I thought The Take was fantastic. I am gutted there is only four parts to it. I am completely hooked. I have done nothing but talk about Tom Hardy as he was brilliant as Freddie. Will definately be buying the dvd when it comes out
- Posted on 19 June 2009
- at 10:48pm
- by MazY
It has been quite some time since I have woken up, still thinking of a programme I watched the night before. I even came to the RT blogs to read about it, but no, David, you had failed me. I had to resort to texting friends in order to talk about it!
It was stunningly brilliant television. Tom Hardy was, as he always is, magnetic and engaging. His character was superb, his acting impeccable, and the script spot-on. "That's how you make a baby" shall ring around my ears for some days to come, I fear.
Fantastic television! I was starting to doubt that I'd be able to say those two words again. I can't wait for parts three and four.
Post a comment
More
CHOOSE BLOG
LATEST POSTS
-
- Gordon Ramsay's F Word
- Fri 20 November 2009, 4:05pm
-
- Camilla quits I'm a Celebrity…
- Wed 18 November 2009, 12:54pm
-
- The X Factor: week thirteen
- Mon 16 November 2009, 1:30pm
-
- Strictly Come Dancing: week nine
- Mon 16 November 2009, 12:32pm
-
- Bruce to miss Strictly because of illness
- Fri 13 November 2009, 11:40am
LATEST COMMENTS
-
- Martina Cole's The Take
- "FAO suzanne - We're told that…"
- Fri 20 November 2009, 6:20pm
-
- The week in soapland
- "Has the wholly bizarre grandmother…"
- Fri 20 November 2009, 6:06pm
-
- Why I Hate...Spooks
- "Come on, Danger Man, Avengers, Man…"
- Fri 20 November 2009, 5:44pm
BLOGS ARCHIVE
ADVERTISER LINKS