SummaryAfter a near-fatal car accident, smart, savvy, sharp-suited detective Sam is mysteriously transported back to 1973. Confused by his new surroundings, Sam tries to return to the present, but the police force of long ago needs his help.
SummaryAfter a near-fatal car accident, smart, savvy, sharp-suited detective Sam is mysteriously transported back to 1973. Confused by his new surroundings, Sam tries to return to the present, but the police force of long ago needs his help.
John Simm. Need I say more?
It could just be 6 episodes of John Simm and leave it at that and it would still be at least an 8, but this is so much more. I'm sad I can't give this 11/10.
There are few shows that completely take you by surprise and not only deliver on your expectations but completely blow them out of the water. For me, Life on Mars was one of these rare masterpieces of modern television. I mean, the premise is so out there that it makes you wonder how someone could come up with such an idea and makes you mad you didn't think of it first. I simply loved this show and consider it and it's follow up series, Ashes to Ashes, amongst the greatest TV shows ever conceived. If you haven't seen them, do yourself a favor and check them out. You won't regret it.
Don’t mistake the slick-but-not-stupid Life on Mars for brain-bending sci-fi or Austin Powers-style farce. Aside from the psychological stress of its star... this is actually at heart an old-school cops-and-robbers show, with that dash of Twilight Zone to give it 21st-century cachet.
"Life on Mars" has the makings of an intoxicating treat, proving how far a little atmosphere can go in breathing life into a format that occasionally appears close to flatlining.
Sam Tyler: "I need you to connect me to a Virgin number -"
Operator: "Don't you start that sexy business with me, young man. I can trace this call".
A lot of people may not know what the TV show "Life on mars" is about and to be honest I didn't too. I over hear people talking about it but I never got a chance to watch it and has years past I forgot all about it, until I FINALLY got a chance to watch it and I'm a bit disappointed with myself for not watching it sooner because this show is freaking excellent.
Life on Mars gives me that classic nostalgic good cop and bad cop feeling, also taking place in the 70's, this is perfect for a series and how could people over look this brilliant and well made show.
John Simm plays are main character (Sam Tyler) and John Simm has said the script for this show was "Bonkers", and he was right but my god dose it worked so well in this show. John Simm and the rest of the supporting crew was just terrific and they wasn't that one person who did a terrible job, no they all did terrific. They cast the right people in the right roles and that's just good to see.
Philip Glenister has (Gene Hunt) was simply brilliant has this mean, bad cop who wants the case done badly, which makes him a lot of fun to watch. Sam and Gene back and forward was just TV gold.
The 70's soundtrack used in the show was also terrific and I listened to those tracks about loads of times now. The story was great and interesting, the cast has I said before was great and the writing as well was fantastically well written.
Now this isn't going to get the perfect rating of 10/10 because it isn't up to that level, but it still get's a strong rating of 9/10.
P.S. If you haven't see this show then... well, watch it please.
I love the UK version way better than the US. A brilliant idea and a great cast. I loved the plot but and it keeps you wondering about what happens in the end. One of the most interesting cop shows I've ever seen. It's a Uk show so it's only 2 seasons, so it goes by fast. I'd say watch it, it's brilliant.
A response the now endless formulaic cops shows Life on Mars saw Chief Inspector Sam Tyler (John Simm) transported back to 1973 having fallen into a coma following a car accident.
Once back in 1973 Tyler finds himself working with the politically incorrect police force, including the brilliant Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister), whose methods vary greatly from what he is used to. First and foremost Life on Mars is a thrilling police series that flies along at a cracking pace and the mystery of just why Tyler finds himself in the 70's adds a further layer to the show. It also does a great job of highlighting just how much Britain has changed in the last 35 years both socially and morally.
One of the best British shows of the last twenty years.