5 /10 1 Votes5
First episode date 8 January 1996 Number of episodes 7 | 5.1/10 IMDb Created by J. C. Wilsher Final episode date 19 February 1996 Number of seasons 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Written by Peter JukesMichael JennerBrian McGillAlan Whiting Directed by Peter Barber-FlemingChristopher KingIan Knox Starring Michael CarterSeamus GubbinsAllie ByrneAdam LevyClaire BenedictMaria McAteerKen DruryVincent ReganKelle SpryMorgan JonesCharlie Caine Cast Vincent Regan, Michael Carter, Mark Pegg Similar Invasion: Earth, From There to Here, Murder Investigation Team, Killing Hitler, Screen One | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Call Red is a British television action drama series created by J. C. Wilsher that premiered on January 8, 1996 on ITV. The series follows the adventures of an Air Ambulance squad, captained by Phillip Tulloch (Michael Carter). The series draws upon a documentary-style feel, including hand-held camera work for helicopter-based scenes, and detailed outlines of the procedures carried out by the medics themselves. Just a single series of seven episodes was produced. The complete series has been earmarked for release on DVD by Network Distributing, although no set date has been given for the release.
Contents
Early reception of the series was critical. Thomas Sutcliffe of The Independent said that the series is composed of "wooden acting" and "cardboard dialogue", and that "the wiser viewer will realise it shows no vital signs at all". Jim White of The Independent stated that "all the characters were ludicrously gung-ho, self-important and convinced they were the only people capable of administering medical assistance; typical doctors then, but not much fun to spend sixty minutes with".
Cast
Criticism
The series came under fire when aircraft equipment used in the filming of an episode which saw the team helping victims of a plane crash was returned to the owners severely damaged. It was claimed that the damage amounted to more than £48,000, and was caused when the production company, Thames Television, chose to light fires around fuselage and landing gear, which resulted in burning and corrosion of said equipment, and further damage was caused when the producers tried to extinguish the fires. The case was brought to court on January 10, 1996, just two days after the first episode premiered on ITV.