How would the modern face of policing cope in the land of The Sweeney? That???s the question posed by Life on Mars, as DI Sam Tyler (John Simm) a modern cop transported back to 1973 after a nasty car accident. There, he finds himself dealing with the significantly rougher attitudes and behaviours of "old-school" British policing, as exemplified by his new boss, DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister). It???s a fish-out-of-water story, as Tyler attempts to teach his new colleagues some very modern methods, while attempting to get used to sheepskin jackets, wide lapels and man-made fibres.

This first series of the hugely successful BBC programme sets the scene and introduces the characters that make up Tyler???s new world, but stumbles a bit by trying too hard to explain exactly how he got there (the "coma" subplot just gets in the way). Life on Mars is at its best when Glenister is on screen--he???s bigoted, chauvinistic and aggressive, and goes through each episode alternately bellowing or scowling. But he???s a product of his times, and in his heart, all he wants is to catch the bad guys. For Tyler, it???s all about the means, while for Hunt it???s all about the ends. They may not like each other much, but their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and just one of the things that make this excellent series so watchable. --Ted Kord

I love Life on Mars, John Simm is fantastic in it. A DVD you just have to own.

Great cars and music too...

Well, the BBC did it with the updated Dr. Who and now they've gone and done it again. This is a terrific show and a wonderful update on the old 'cops on the box' action drama.
The basic premise is intriguing - is the hero in a coma, back in time, crazy - but it's the 1970s feel that gives it the biggest kick, and that's especially down to the big shoes filled by Gene Hunt. What a wonderful creation. A man so desperately wrong, in so many ways, yet a man who's basic instincts are often so right -- to get the scum off the streets at any cost. (Hunt - a nice play on words, too!)
This is an intelligently scripted show, that leaves you guessing as to what really is going on with regards to Sam Tyler, the hero, and the 2000s vs 1970s comparisons are often cringingly, but humorously, spot on. It's one of those shows you hope will never end.
Hunt and Tyler are the main characters, both wonderfully fleshed out. The supporting roles are adequately filled, but nothing special, but then they don't have to be as the show stands up so strongly on the interplay of the two main characters alone. Of course, there are the nods to 70s classics like The Sweeney, right down to the colour of car they drive and even some of the camera angles at particular moments (though that could be pure fluke).

A hugely entertaining series.

I could go on about how good it is , explaining every detail of the show and its characters but i wont .... this is a must have , simple as !

I missed this on TV the first time round, so bought Series 1 to watch on holiday. With great effort we managed to limit ourselves to one episode a day. Aside from the nostalgia (I'd just started college in 1973) it was a sharp reminder of just how much things have changed (technologically and in attitudes) over the past 35 years. (I do agree with the reviewer who said there should have been more muck around).

Although Philip Glenister steals the the show as DCI Gene Hunt, John Simm is also excellent and very subtle as Sam Tyler. The portrayal of the developing relationship between the two is a joy to watch as their initial hostility to each other and their policing methods begins to turn into a (kind of) very grudging respect.
One other thing - in a "time-travelling" (?) scenario its great to have writers who don't get bogged down in the philosophical problems of the main character meeting themselves and changing the course of "history".
Can't wait to see how series 2 turns out...

The title says it all.Anyone who,at the end of the series,does not want it to go on and on does not appreciate brilliant drama.If only the rest of the world could get within miles of the Poms when it comes to television drama.I forgive you for borrowing the Ashes in 2005 and putting up such a pathetic fight for them in 2006-2007.But then again,may you forever keep on giving us such brilliant dramatic films,and awful cricket teams.