The Rockford Files - Where to Watch, Reviews, Trailers, Cast - Watchmode

The Rockford Files

For fans of gritty detective tales and character-driven drama, this series offers unconventional cases and a charmingly flawed protagonist.

Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Action

Cast

  • Cast member 1
  • Cast member 2
  • Cast member 3
  • Cast member 4
  • Cast member 5
  • Cast member 6
  • Cast member 7
  • Cast member 8
  • Cast member 9
  • Cast member 10

Your Status

The Rockford Files

TV-PG
TV Show1974-19801h 0mEnglishNBCCrime, Drama, Mystery, Action
6 Seasons122 EpisodesEpisode Guide
8.0
User Score
IMDb

Where to Watch

subscription

Overview

Cranky but likable L.A. PI Jim Rockford pulls no punches (but takes plenty of them). An ex-con sent to the slammer for a crime he didn't commit, Rockford takes on cases others don't want, aided by his tough old man, his lawyer girlfriend and some shady associates from his past.

My Friends' Ratings

None of your friends have rated this yet.

Your Progress

0 of 122 episodes watched0%

You haven't started watching this show yet. Click "Update" Progress to track your progress.

Featured Comments/Tips

I like this show too it's interesting jim rockford is a good character.

Why sooo much harmonica in a show based in LA?

Featured User Reviews

FinFan
FinFan
9/10

After beeing fairly dissapointed with a lot of post 2010 shows I dug into my collection and re discoverd The Rockford Files. I do like a lot of the 70s shows, the look and feel of the times. And I had fond memories of this one but never watched it completely. So it was time to change that. Of course not all 70s shows were great but The Rockford Files is a true classic and one of TVs landmarks. Here was a P.I. like no one before. For starters he is a paroled ex-con. That alone would have been worth a first look into the show. He is afraid of guns althought he uses one occasionally. Always seemed a bit reluctant to take on clients. Shies away from violence and is not afraid to admit to chicken. Always seems to be doing things for money and not because they are the right thing to do. This kind of character traits usualy went along with the guys on the other side of the law in TV land. Yet Rockfords moral compass is very strong and he has a very keen sense of wrong or right. Which made him a unique and, due to Garners great portrayal, very likeable guy. Althought at first glance you get the usual detective stories the wrinting was phantastic, there are hardly any bad episodes. And back then a lot of the story ideas were rather new and had not been used too much. The dialogues were crisp and had a smart humor and witt. The main and recuring characters were, with one exception, likeable. The exception beeing low life Angel. He never contributed anything for a story, he was mostly a nuisance. He was like stuff on your shoe you try to get of but sticks to you no matter what. The scripts would have worked fine without him or any other doing his part. With Angel you always knew what would come which was why I always let out a groan when reading the name in the opening credits and that never changed throughout the whole run. But that´s my personal opionion. I´m not blaming Margolin as I am sure he played him like he was written. I would have rather seen more out of Beth then the usual getting Rockford out of prison. Both, the actors and the characters, had good chemistry. I really liked Gretchen Corbett who totally disapeared later on. When I think about it that cop Lt. Chapman who always tried to pin every crime in the vicinity on Rockford: that wore out fast, too. Those thing never work if used often. Towards the end of its run there were some scripts that lacked quality but that wasn´t the reason for the show to end. It was Garners health, the toll the show took on him, and I remember something about a lawsuit against NBC, that ended the show midway through the sixth season. They came back in the mid 90s with some TV movies but for me they lacked somewhat in quality. It was the typical made-for-TV movie of the time that stretched the content of a one hour script into a two hour format. Now, I am not saying they should be avoided but unless you are one of the guys who wants to see everything there is really no need to do so. Finally one nother thing that never occured to me while watching this way back is how many later shows had similarities to The Rockford Files. Think about the A-Team, another Cannell show, when Rockford was doing a con. And Magnum p.i. seemed to be another take on Rockford altogether.

VideosYouTube

Leave a Comment/Tip

140 characters remaining

Write a Review

10000 characters remaining

Set Alert

We'll notify you when The Rockford Files becomes available on:

Report an Issue

What's wrong with this page?

Create New List

0/125 characters (minimum 5)

Examples:

  • Sci-Fi Classics
  • Date Night Movies
  • Shows to Watch with Kids
  • Award Winners

The Rockford Files Poster

100%
The Rockford Files Poster

Available in 0 Countries

Loading

...