callanBy Robert Fairclough & Mike Kenwood

Quoit, out now

The Definitive Guide to one of the best of the small screen spies…

For a generation, Edward Woodward was Callan – the reluctant executioner working for a part of the British Secret Service that was the diametric opposite of the high glamour seen in the Bond films. Like Le Carre’s Alec Leamas or Len Deighton’s unnamed agent (known as Harry Palmer in the films), he was someone who did what had to be done, at times hating the world in which he lived. Woodward and Russell Hunter, who played his odiferous comrade known as Lonely, brought the characters to life across seven years from 1967 to 1974 (as well as a brief revival a few years later). Series creator James Mitchell penned four novels about the pair around that time – with a truly appalling fifth story two decades later – which was how I first encountered them. Now thanks to Network you can rewatch most of the episodes (some are sadly lost) – and thanks to this book, learn all that you want about the creation and making of the show.

The book is built around two central pillars: multiple interviews with those either side of the camera, and a deep and abiding love for the series. The former provides plenty of anecdotal nuggets that haven’t been heard before, unless you’re deeply into the minutiae of television history; the latter makes the account constantly readable. It’s not a book to try to read in one go but one that rewards careful attention – and to go back to once you’ve rewatched an episode.

After introducing the key personnel in meticulous biographies, the authors go through the series in chronological order of first UK broadcast (whichever ITV region first showed it), discussing plotlines, guest stars and revelations about the characters, and not hesitating to give their own opinions where relevant. That’s followed by clear information about the various print renditions of Callan, before the discussion of the feature film, and the inevitable Bond joke about Wet Job (the TV movie).

Callan’s legacy – or at least the way spies have been treated on screen – is analysed (I do wonder how much the Skyfall writers were even aware of Callan, despite the many similarities in the script), and the book concludes with the many different releases and repeats (as well as the radio rendition of the first novel). Appendices provide assorted pieces of data, as well as insight into The Edward Woodward Hour which saw Callan and Lonely on a very different assignment…

Verdict: With a small colour photo section that’s put to good use, this book will be an invaluable resource for Callan fans – and all those who love screen spies. 9/10

Paul Simpson

Click here to order The Callan File from Amazon.co.uk