Phoenix

Phoenix

1992
Phoenix
Phoenix

Phoenix

8.6 | en | Drama

Phoenix is an Australian police drama television series. Phoenix screened as two thirteen-part series on Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1992 and 1993. The first series of Phoenix in 1992 recounted the investigation of the bombing of the Victorian state police headquarters, loosely based on a real case in the mid-1980s, the Russell Street Bombing. It was aided by extensive research into police techniques and was lauded as one of the most realistic depictions of police investigation techniques, including both surveillance and forensics, as well as having an involving storyline. The series was notable for its dark visual tone and for its no-holds-barred attitude to violence and language. It spawned a second thirteen-part series, Phoenix II, in 1993 as well as a spin-off series, Janus, in 1994 devoted to the machinations of court cases. The series was created and produced by Tony McDonald and Alison Nisselle and screened by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The ABC have released Series 1 and 2 on DVD as a 4 DVD box set.

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Seasons & Episodes

2
1
EP13  Hit, Shit, & Scatter
Jun. 03,1993
Hit, Shit, & Scatter

Jock Brennan announces that the Major Crime Squad is to be disbanded. As the bitterly disappointed detectives plan to track down the last crook, Ian uncovers the mystery that has plagued forensic from the first burglary.

EP12  Snow Job
May. 27,1993
Snow Job

To Peter's annoyance, the Federal Police blow the cover of one of his informants.

EP11  Under Siege
May. 20,1993
Under Siege

Peter Faithful is taken hostage by a suspect. A terrified girl jumps from a second-story window when the Majors raid the flat of a prime suspect for the aggravated burglaries.

EP10  Shuffling the Deck
May. 13,1993
Shuffling the Deck

Frustration mounts for the Majors when another aggravated burglary occurs.

EP9  Give A Dog A Bone
May. 06,1993
Give A Dog A Bone

Pressure mounts on the Majors when they are forced to run their own surveillance on Flannagan, a prime suspect. Peter Faithful confirms the importation of drugs via Nipper, his informant on the docks.

EP8  In on the Joke
Apr. 29,1993
In on the Joke

The Majors investigate a con-man linked to the aggravated burglaries by forensic evidence discovered by Carol and Ian. The violent thieves have been melting down the stolen gold jewellery into bricks for easier handling. The Internal Investigations Department focuses on Peter Faithful because of a mysterious $20,000 which passed through his bank account.

EP7  Aladdin's Cave
Apr. 22,1993
Aladdin's Cave

Conflict spreads through police headquarters when the Majors and Drug Squad investigations begin to cross-over.

EP6  Safe as Houses
Apr. 15,1993
Safe as Houses

The Majors and the Bureau of Criminal Intelligence lock horns over an informant.

EP5  Inside Information
Apr. 08,1993
Inside Information

After a tip-off, Murdoch authorises the Majors to raid a warehouse where they score a huge cache of stolen goods. Following the warehouse raid, Howie is the target of complaints of sexual assault by Lindy. Meanwhile Faithful is overheard by internal affairs, making a deal with a criminal and the Majors suffer a staggering blow when crime victim James Arthur is found dead in his home. What appears to be murder is proven by the forensic team to be Arthur's macabre and tragic attempt for revenge.

EP4  The Return
Mar. 25,1993
The Return

Russell Howie, from the Fraud Squad, is recruited by Murdoch to join Major Crime. Shock waves roll through the Major Crime Squad when a second aggravated burglary takes place on the same elderly victims; Betty Arthur is viciously raped and her husband James beaten for six valuable stamps.

EP3  Married to the Job
Mar. 18,1993
Married to the Job

Chris Faithfull (Peter's wife), a drug squad undercover cop, survives the harrowing experience of a hostile gun to her head.

EP2  Deal or Pay
Mar. 11,1993
Deal or Pay

The paths of the Major Crime Squad and the Dealers Squad meet when the Dealers come across a stolen watch linked to the aggravated burglaries. Resources stretched to the limit, the Majors also take over the interrogation of Joanna, a young offender pinched by the Dealers. In Forensic, Ian and Carol begin the difficult task of identifying unusual dirt samples found at the scene of the last aggravated burglary. Inspector Lew Murdoch, an ex toe-cutter, arrives to head up the Majors and appears to be a nine to five man with an 'attitude' problem. Squad morale goes into decline. A raid planned behind Murdoch's back turns into a fiasco. Complaints roll in and the Inspector's wrath descends on the squad and particularly on Snr.Sgt.Moon.

EP1  Victims Forever
Mar. 04,1993
Victims Forever

The Major Crime Squad's investigation of a series of aggravated burglaries leads to an unexpected discovery. The Major Crime Squad is understaffed and leaderless. Sergeant Peter Faithful and his crew struggle to deal with existing investigations when the fourth in a series of aggravated burglaries on 'soft targets', the elderly well-to-do, takes place. The victims of this latest outrage, Betty and James Arthur, have been viciously beaten and terrorised in their own home. The thieves know their targets and take only select valuable items. Tension in the Squad rises as newly appointed Senior Sergeant Adrian Moon follows orders to pull the Majors into line. His manner does nothing to endear him to Faithful and the crew when he turns a key investigation over to the Armed Robbery Squad.

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8.6 | en | Drama , Crime | More Info
Released: 1992-02-13 | Released Producted By: Australian Broadcasting Corporation , Country: Australia Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:
Synopsis

Phoenix is an Australian police drama television series. Phoenix screened as two thirteen-part series on Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1992 and 1993. The first series of Phoenix in 1992 recounted the investigation of the bombing of the Victorian state police headquarters, loosely based on a real case in the mid-1980s, the Russell Street Bombing. It was aided by extensive research into police techniques and was lauded as one of the most realistic depictions of police investigation techniques, including both surveillance and forensics, as well as having an involving storyline. The series was notable for its dark visual tone and for its no-holds-barred attitude to violence and language. It spawned a second thirteen-part series, Phoenix II, in 1993 as well as a spin-off series, Janus, in 1994 devoted to the machinations of court cases. The series was created and produced by Tony McDonald and Alison Nisselle and screened by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The ABC have released Series 1 and 2 on DVD as a 4 DVD box set.

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Cast

Sean Scully , Simon Westaway , Peter Cummins

Director

Producted By

Australian Broadcasting Corporation ,

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Reviews

gsc01337 This series is edgy, gritty and above all real. There are no magic answers. Resolution doesn't happen in 48 short minutes. The plot, the character development, the acting - all are first rate. Perhaps the best comparison is something like "Hill St Blues". Although "Phoenix" is something unique, make no mistake. I saw this as it was first broadcast. The wait for each week's new episode was interminable. Simply outstanding! This is as good as Australian television - heck, television anywhere - gets!. I've not seen anything quite like it since. Save, perhaps, "Cracker". Lookout also for the follow up series "Janus".
windowboi There are few series that I EVER became seriously addicted to, and PHOENIX tops the list! I saw in in the mid-90's when it was broadcast on public television (Knowledge Network) in British Columbia Canada. I stopped watching any American crime dramas that i had been interested in after watching Phoenix. The quality and detail were so far above the type of programming at the time. People now are all caught up in the whole 'CSI' experience and i see that these productions still pale to Phoenix. The concept of one crime and it playing out over a whole season had not been seen by myself before. The idea that you might miss an episode and REALLY miss something was so real! I totally loved the grittiness of the show. The scenes of profanity and violence, and yes nudity too... were a bit shocking compared to US television; but it was all done with context. I have tried watching other Australian series simply on the high regard I have for Phoenix and Phoenix II. I think this is listed elsewhere as 1991 and 1992?I would love to see it again! I saw the ABC price for the series and almost cried.
mahrae Of all the TV series I have watched - which include most western productions (including American and British) - this is by far the best. Brilliant direction, acting, cinematography and editing. The storyline, while based on an actual event where two police officers are killed by a bombing, is just outstanding. It is uncontrived, honest and so real that you can just feel it. In my humble opinion there can be little doubt that this series is, to date, the zenith of television production in Australia - and the equal of anything in the world (and that says a lot coming from a New Zealander!).The only disappointment is that this series has never got the awards and critical acclaim outside of Australia that it deserved. While this series was produced in 1992, it is only being matched in quality by series produced a decade later. Current series that come close to the quality of Phoenix include "Criminal Intent" and "Special Victims Unit".
Mephisto-24 Based on a true story, this Australian mini-series is one of the few police dramas I've ever seen which conveys how complicated, frustrating and slow the process of solving a murder can be... and yet manages to be a gripping drama. As an added bonus, it features one of the best depictions of real (sane!) scientists ever put on television - a husband-and-wife team of forensic experts who manage to retain their integrity as scientists despite the political demands of the job. It also boasts an excellent soundtrack, as well as strong performances from all of the cast. Catch it if you can.