The Sweeney: Faces (ITV 8 Sep 1975, with Colin Welland)

In Faces a gang of villains pull off a wages snatch at an engineering firm. Armed with “shooters” they badly injure one of the guards and despite being chased by The Sweeney get clean away.

It’s heavily thought some of the faces involved are a violent army deserter, a subversive called The German and a thug known as Evil Willie. Given The German’s involvement it looks like the raid, one of a series the gang have pulled off in quick succession, may have been pulled to fund terrorist activity.

Once the secret service get involved it’s clear that is the case. Tober is working for the terrorist cell under duress, they claim they will kill his daughter if he doesn’t help. The squad have to tread very carefully, a secret service agent is also undercover with the gang.

Another excellent Colin Welland performance as the violent Tober, it’s an all round classic episode actually. Top guest stars, violent robbery, an epic car chase and a major punch up.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Monday 8 September 1975 at 9.00pm

Writer: Murray Smith / Director: William Brayne

Series: The Sweeney Season 2 Episode 2

cast
John Thaw as Regan
Dennis Waterman as Carter
Garfield Morgan as Haskins
Colin Welland as Tober
Barry Stanton as The German
Jeffry Wickham as The Major
Keith Buckley as Jake
John Cording as Evil Willie
Martin Read as Thorpe
Grahame Mallard as Ingram
John Vyvyan as Albert
John Bardon as Doc