One of the leading members of the British government, Charles Baker, is about to secure a huge deal with OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), stabilising the world oil market and boosting Britain's position within it.

Baker is a rising star in the government, regarded as a future prime minister, and he is closely controlled by his urbane, manipulative American press secretary, Elliot McQueen.

That night, Regan is forced to drink alcohol, and completely intoxicated drives his car into a crowded market.

Wickes also says Nat Cohen of EMI was so enthusiastic about a Sweeney movie that he agreed to cover the whole budget[6] Filming was relatively quick and inexpensive, using cast and crew from the series.

[6] The movie was released in 1977, following the conclusion of the show's third season on television, as a money-making big-screen outing for what had become an extremely popular series.

The film includes some nudity, and a great deal of graphic violence, which had been impossible to do for a television audience, hence the picture was released in the United Kingdom with an X-certificate rating (over-18s only).

Announcing the sequel, Barry Spikings of EMI said the first film "was successful, so we're helping fill the demand by making another one".

I’ve still got a little hand written note somewhere from EMI that says ‘Pin this on the wall.’ It was the first week’s take from the ABC, Shaftesbury Avenue, where Sweeney!