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THE
BROTHERS SERIES 7 DVD REVIEW by
Rob Cope |

Its
been a long and winding road
especially in a Scania
but all good things come
to an end. By the autumn of 1976,
the writing was on the wall for The
Brothers as the final series
took to the airwaves. Having
amassed a total of 92 episodes
over just five years, and with
ratings still very healthy, The
Brothers intended going out
in style.
We
begin with a wedding. That of
Paul Merroney and Lord
Winters socialite daughter
April. Colin Baker had proved the
real engine room of the previous
two series and it was a position
he was determined to hold until
the last, but wisely the
producers had given him a more
than able sparring partner in
Liza Goddard, often playing the
posh bird but this time, she has
a certain amount of bite to her.
Naturally it is all kisses and
Ill be home for
dinner, darling but it
wont last. You might
remember that Paul
unceremoniously ditched his
doting secretary Clare Miller for
the well connected April at the
end of the last series, and with
Sir Neville fading fast the race
is on for his successor to be
named. Paul and Aprils
brother, Simon Winter are both in
the frame. But has Paul trodden
on too many toes to land the big
prize?

Kate
O'Mara & Hilary Tindall:
Handbags at dawn for the love of
Brian.
As if
in celebration of all that has
gone before, we get two returning
cast members. None more welcome
than Hilary Tindall as sultry Ann
Hammond. She has returned to the
UK from her base in France and is
restless. Life away from her dead
end marriage to Brian is not as
rosy as she hoped it would be.
Then there is their daughter
Carol. She returns as a gawky
teenager not sure how that
fits in with the established time
line wise beyond her years
and fast becoming a hippy-esque
figure who insists on calling her
grandmother Mary. Nobody seems to
pick her up on it. She and her
mother Ann are two cats fighting
for domination, and things are
not helped when Carol takes a
shine to husband Brians new
amour Jane Maxwell. A woman not
noted for her backward manner. As
viewers we wait patiently for
these two mighty feminine forces
to cross paths, and sure enough
they do. But who emerges the
victor?

We
need to talk about Carol!
Paul
is casting his net further and
further. Now he has a scheme to
develop Hammond business in the
Far East, operating a truck
repair service out of Tehran. It
is perhaps a step too far for
some members of the Hammond
Board, but a deputation is sent
out to investigate the
feasibility. It seems though that
Van Kepe from the Dutch holding
firm is taking a keener eye on
April than Paul would like.

April
flirts Paul Van Kepe. The minx.
Jane
Maxwell has her own problems, not
least the local opposition to the
expansion of the runways. That
pales though when the news comes
through that one of the C41
aircraft she has purchased has
disappeared somewhere over the
Atlantic
Brian and David
are both fighting for Janes
affections, which she is happy to
play along with. Mary though is
having none of it, when she finds
out that Jane is playing one son
off against the other, a showdown
is on the cards.

Jennifer
Wilson and Patrick O'Connell use
up their one smile per series.
Having
been on a management training
course, Ted is a bit more mellow
than in previous series. He is
taking advantage of the
opportunities being thrown at
Hammonds. Jenny meanwhile is not
having the best of things having
knocked over a man on a bike
whilst driving to Paul and
Aprils wedding. With the
court case looming, it starts to
put (another) strain on her
marriage. The return of the
prodigal daughter brings some
joy, Barbara (Julia Goodman) is
back from Canada seemingly on a
holiday. But the full story is
not quite the version she is
telling.

Paul
Merroney and Miss Vickey - not a
match made in heaven.
Gwen
Riley suffers more than most as The
Brothers spies the winning
post. She has something of a mid
life crisis. Having been gazumped
for the house she has set her
heart on, she wonders what her
role is in life now that the kids
have left home. Just as she is
coming to terms with a brighter
future, there is a knock on the
door. Son Ronnie has been
involved in an accident, but Bill
is away on an undercover mission
in Holland trying to get to the
bottom of the smuggling of
illegal immigrants via the
international truck routes. She
is left to face the aftermath
alone.

Gwen
watches her son suffering. From
being called Ronnie Riley mostly.
Once
again the cast of The
Brothers excel in this final
lap of honour. Although the likes
of Colin Baker and Kate
OMara get the juicier
scenes, stalwarts from the
beginning such as Patrick
OConnell, Jennifer Wilson
and Robin Chadwick continue to
provide the bedrock of the
series. As always hovering in the
background Jean Anderson plays
the matriarch to the hilt.
Together they are a winning
combination. The inclusion of
Liza Goddard brings a welcome
blast of fresh air to the
formula. Let us not forget Derek
Benfield and Margaret Ashcroft
who continue to shine, providing
the working class
ethic to the a series awash with
middle class aspirations. Mention
too must go to Christine Absalom
as Judy Vickery, the bumbling
replacement secretary for
Merroney. Christine and Colin
Baker have some fine comic scenes
together, and had an eighth
series been forthcoming Miss
Vickery was a stand out for a
return visit.

Barbara
returns for a slice of Mary's
cake.
But
sadly there was to be no eighth
series. Despite strong ratings,
the BBC simply gave up on The
Brothers. But in hindsight,
perhaps it is better to leave the
audience wanting more than to
outstay your welcome. It is a
tribute to the writers and cast
that The Brothers goes
out on a high. This final volume
shows no sign of a dip in
quality, in fact it just reminds
us of what a powerful force the
BBC Drama department was in the
1970s. Wallow in one last big
slice of a classic television
series at its peak.

The
last hurrah. A boozy Christmas
party has the Hammonds wondering
what lies ahead.
THE
COMPLETE SERIES 7 DVD CAN BE
ORDERED FROM SIMPLY HOME
ENTERTAINMENT
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THE
BROTHERS SERIES 6 DVD REVIEW by
Rob Cope |
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Simply
Media have now reached the
penultimate sixth series in their
rolling out of The Brothers
on DVD. It has been a rough road
so far for the Hammonds and
you know it is not going to get
any easier with thirteen episodes
to fill. But luckily new producer
Bill Sellars has a crack team of
writers at the ready to make sure
we are kept enthralled by the
latest developments.

Just
wild about Harry? Dr. Who's Ian
Marter discusses babies with
Patrick O'Connell
By
now, it is pretty much The Paul
Merroney Show. He is at the heart
of most storylines as he
continues to out manoeuvre both
competitors and fellow members of
the Hammond Transport board. For
those who only know Colin
Bakers work through his
brash grandeur as the Sixth
Doctor in Doctor Who, they
might well be surprised at the
subtlety and finesse he
approaches the characterisation
of Paul. He plays Merroney as a
wily fox, keeping his emotions in
check hardly ever betraying this
true feelings and thoughts lest
that puts him at a disadvantage.
Only rarely do we see the tiger
behind the smart pin striped
suit. But when he does emerge you
know that someone is going to
suffer.

Ted,
Bill & Paul think they are
one step ahead of Kirkmans.
The
Brothers repertory company
all return: Patrick
OConnell is impressively
curt and aggressive as Ted,
Jennifer Wilson offers quiet
pragmatism as Jenny, Richard
Easton is back on form post
breakdown as Brian and Robin
Chadwick is now making David a
bit more worldly wise than he
started out, having gone through
so much personally and
professionally.

Flying
high but not flying dry. Trouble
for Don Stacey.
Naturally
Jean Anderson is the driving
force behind all her sons. The
matriarch who has to be placated
and answered to, but she equally
makes Mary a skilful reader of
people, even if her methods of
bending them to her will are none
too subtle. Mary Hammond finds a
suitor of sorts in Sir Neville
Henniswode, played marvellously
by Carleton Hobbs. Sir Neville
comes over as a benign old duffer
but his mind and nose for a
killing for his merchant bank are
sharper than ever as the
Hammonds are about to find
out.

Pass
me a bucket (pronounced
Bouquet!)! Jennifer entertains a
dodgy visitor.
The
subject of fostering baby William
is carried over from Series 5.
You have to feel sorry for
Jennifer Wilson being given this
somewhat lame storyline, it plods
along and you know the outcome
wont be a happy one.
Thankfully by mid series the
Jennifer Hammond (nee Kingsley)
of old is back. Offering some
firm reality to the squabbling of
the boys. In fact she seems to be
a couple of steps ahead of them
on occasion, which reminds people
that despite the series title
being very male dominated, it is
the women who are keeping the men
where they want them for the most
part. This certainly applies to
poor Gwen Riley. Margaret
Ashcrofts eternally sunny
northern housewife takes a knock
when the house she has so
desperately wanted is subject to
the whims and fancies of
Hammonds future. Her
character is the one we can
sympathise with the most, the
home maker who cares nothing for
the cut and thrust of big
business but is forever dealing
with its consequences.

Mary
and Sir Neville take a stroll on
his vast estate. What a banker!
Kate
OMara is always television
gold, and here she has lost none
of Jane Maxwells outspoken
fire. However, there is real
concern when alcoholic pilot and
ex-husband Don Stacey is called
for a company medical. Mike
Pratts jokey demeanour
takes a knock and his future is
called into question. These are
the last television episodes Mike
Pratt made before his untimely
death in July 1976. It is a
touching swansong.

Mind
your language David, Francoise
Pascal is on the loose!
David
falls foul of Therese
dAlambert - played with
seductive aplomb by Francoise
Pascal. Whilst on a trip to
France to investigate possible
routes for the European market,
he inadvertently loses £11,000
in the casino. A tab picked up by
Therese. It is a debt which could
have much wider ranging
ramifications for Hammonds.
Then
there is the tender for a large
government haulage contract which
has come on the market thanks to
the liquidation of its former
operator. It falls to a two horse
race between Kirkmans Transport
and Hammonds. But it seems
Kirkmans are getting insider
information. There is apparently
a mole in the camp. The board
members go into overdrive as they
try to work out who among their
number is doing the dirty.

Headscarves
for the horsey set. Liza Goddard
is here!
A few
familiar television faces pop up
during the course of this series.
Ian Marter, best known as Tom
Bakers companion Harry
Sullivan in Doctor Who,
plays the step father of young
baby William. Hilary Minster of Allo
Allo fame gives the
second of his roles in the show
and Richard Bucket himself Clive
Swift is very much keeping up
appearances as he plays everyone
off against each other. Finally
though we get to meet Paul
Merroneys finance, April
Winter, bright natured posh totty
played by Liza Goddard. Although
only a brief appearance, it sets
the scene for a much greater role
in events during the seventh
series. It does though rattle
faithful secretary Clare Miller
(Carole Mowlam) who has firm
designs on Paul, which it now
becomes obvious are not being
returned.

The
last goodbye. Mike Pratt's final
scene.
Just
when you think every angle has
been covered with regard to
Hammonds operations,along comes
situations and new conflict for
the board. This sixth series
remains just as entertaining and
enticing as the previous five.
The cast are all at their peak,
having thoroughly bedded in their
characters. The drive to merge
Hammond Transport with Van Der
Merwes Dutch operation is
an ideal catalyst for the
boardroom bitching and power play
that symbolises the show. The
conflict across the table is
almost tangible on occasion and
that is down to the superb
performances and direction. A
feature of this show from the
off. Fans of these DVD gems will
find much to keep them glued to
the screen in this penultimate
outing.
YOU
CAN ORDER THE COMPLETE SERIES 6
FROM SIMPLY HOME ENTERTAINMENT HERE
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THE
BROTHERS SERIES 5 DVD
REVIEW by Rob Cope |
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Farewell
old Boardroom - you've seen some
action!
The
end of series 4 saw a major coup
in the Boardroom of Hammond
Transport, for the first time
Edward Hammond is toppled as
Chairman and Managing Director.
He is replaced by city finance
guru Martin Farrell. However as
we start series 5, Farrell is
nowhere to be seen. In fact the
Board have received his
resignation. Oh what a pickle.
The Directors know they need
someone with influence in the
financial heartland of City
trading to head the board, and
one man is waiting in the wings.
Enter Paul Merroney. After a
supporting role in the last
series, Colin Bakers smarmy
whiz kid is back and this time he
means (big) business. He operates
with the cold calculating
efficiency of a robot, and is one
step ahead of his fellow board
members in almost every
situation. He knows how to
manipulate people when necessary
and this is evident in his
dealing with Brian Hammond. We
open the series in the divorce
court with Brian giving a summary
of the end of his marriage to
Ann. He is now promoted to
Managing Director of the firm,
but it is clear this affable
fellow is struggling to cope. Not
just with his work load, but to
life in the wake of Ann leaving
with the children. Once again
Richard Easton shows what an
exemplary actor he is, handling
the breakdown we can see coming
with great sensitivity. He is put
into a psychiatric hospital
facility to be monitored and
recuperate, and immediately
distances himself from the
family. Brian only allows an
outwardly supportive and
sympathetic Merroney to visit
him. And Merroney wouldnt
use the situation to his own
advantage, would he?

Brian
has just seen how long he has to
wait until the Series 6 DVD!
Elsewhere
David has his own troubles, and
the series is filled with another
vacuum. Following the departures
of Ann and Jill, we are thrown
into the courtship of Edward and
Jennifer. Naturally Mary is none
too pleased, she thought she had
put that fire out way back. We
get scenes of playful skiing in
Switzerland as a business trip
turns into the realisation that
they just cannot live without
each other. This time the
rollercoaster is way past
stopping and the registry office
calls. Back in 1975, this was the
reward for millions of viewers
who had written to the BBC and
cast by the sack full to let
Edward and Jennifer marry. They
finally get their wish, although
its low key by television
standards.

Edward
and Jennifer on the piste...
The
theme of series 5 is very much
change. Both in the scope of
operations for Hammond Transport
and the on screen ensemble.
Hammonds ditches its functional,
slightly shabby office block and
in comes a new designer chic set,
more fitting for a company
floated on the stock exchange.
The polygon shaped boardroom
table now seating seven
comfortably. Which is a good
thing, because Kate OMara
is on her way.

The
little woman with big hair - the
shrew has landed.
The
legendary OMara in
the first of her many strong,
controlling power roles
arrives as feisty Jane Maxwell,
owner of Flair Freight. This
freight airline company is in
financial trouble and Merroney
sees a way of stepping in and
getting it for a song. Also in
tow comes hard drinking pilot Don
Stacey, the last role before the
untimely death of Randall
& Hopkirk Deceased star
Mike Pratt. OMaras
star quality is evident from the
minute she sets foot on the set
and locks horns with the new
Chairman. Merroney has the
measure of the Hammond brothers,
but this new addition is an
altogether different challenge.

Easy
jet? Flair Freight's alcoholic
pilot Don Stacey
Another
new arrival is Claire Miller
(played by Carole Mowlam),
Merroneys personal
secretary. He manipulates and
uses her just as we would any of
his fellow directors or business
clients. She, for her part, is
unswervingly loyal, and a
fledgling friendship with David
is seen by Paul as a way to
further influence the youngest
Hammond.

Cosy
lift chat. Going down?
The
Brothers starts to stray a
little into soap from its drama
base camp, but whatever the tone
of the storylines they are played
with admirable conviction by a
strong cast. Its now a
different show from that which it
started out, but its still great
telly. The additions to the cast
bring an altogether new dynamic
and it gives added impetus to the
ongoing saga of the Hammonds.
Just when you think The
Brothers is going to get
cozy, there are new characters,
new battles and new mountains to
climb for the haulage firm.
Series 5 finds the show on fine
form once again. Check it out.

Oooh
swanky new Boardroom, nearly as
plush as the Simply Media
offices!
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THE BROTHERS
SERIES 4 DVD REVIEW by Rob Cope
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Just a
matter of weeks since the
climatic events of The
Brothers third series were
felt, along comes the very
welcome complete fourth series of
the hugely popular 1970s drama
courtesy of Simply Media once
more. You may remember that
Edward and Jennifer had gone on
an impromptu holiday and decided
on the spot to marry. Rushing
home in order to deliver the
potentially devastating news to
Jennifers nemesis Mary,
they find her face down in the
conservatory amid the flower pots
and geraniums apparently having
suffered a heart attack. Cue end
titles.
Series
4 picks up immediately from that
moment as the ambulance is called
and they cart off Mary to the
nearest hospital to be plonked in
intensive care. As viewers we are
not too worried, we know Marry
doesnt leave the series at
this point, but it leaves her
cherished sons Edward,
Brian and David suffering
large pangs of guilt that none of
them were around when the attack
happened. And so begins another
run of thirteen episodes, the
first originally airing in
September 1974.
Naturally
there is lots of fussing around
the hospital and Mary, obviously
considering she has not
interfered in the affairs of
others enough, rallies and makes
plans to return to life outside
of the hospital confines. And
here we welcome a new series
regular in the shape of the much
talked about but not yet seen
Mrs. Bill Riley, Gwen. Superbly
played by Margaret Ashcroft as
the sweet natured lady with some
Yorkshire grit, she might well
have stepped straight out of
Renee Bradshaws shop over
on the other channel during Coronation
Street. It turns out that
Gwens children have both
left home and she is at a loose
end. Wouldnt you know it,
suddenly there is a vacancy for a
part time house keeper to look
after Mary, and Gwen is in the
firing line. Her husband
doesnt have time to dwell
on this development, he is being
head hunted to join the Board
again.

Gwen
Riley bows to the inevitable and
waits on Mary
Since The
Brothers started the
narrative has been on the growth
and expansion of Hammond
Transport in the new free
European market that has opened
up. This time Brian is forging
ahead with plans for Hammond
Transport to be floated on the
stock exchange and become a
public company. Naturally Patrick
OConnells blustery,
sharp tongued Edward is sailing
into uncomfortable waters. He
struggled to accept having to
answer to a Board of fellow
Directors. The thought of
answering to shareholders
literally sends him apoplectic.
But the others are supportive of
the idea so they go for help to
city banker Martin Farrell
(played by Murray Hayne). Farrell
finds himself sitting on the
Board in an attempt to steer
Hammonds through the
complex waters of the stock
exchange flotation. He is a
widower and with Jennifer now
feeling that Edward will never
leave his sickly mother, a
friendship develops between the
pair. Again Edward gets snappy
with his rival suitor. Jennifer
Wilson does more of her
looking wistfully in the
distance acting whenever
problems arise.With another man
sniffing around her, Jennifer has
to decide where her loyalties
lie.

Ted
struggles to come to terms with
Martin and Brian's proposals
Meanwhile
Brian Hammond (Richard Easton in
typically fine form) finally
twigs of Anns affair with
Nicholas Fox. Throughout the
series, the battles between
Easton and Hilary Tindall have
delivered some of The Brothers
finest moments. Ann has always
been a handful, but this time she
is adamant. She wants to be with
Nicholas. Finally Brian snaps and
he leaves her. But is this
freedom what she expected it to
be? Ann is an unpredictable
creature, her moods and needs
ever changing and modifying to
her situation. Tindall continues
to prove what a fine actress she
is through the major upheavals in
Anns life.

Nicholas
and Ann: cosy now but for how
long?
Youngest
brother David (Robin Chadwick) is
growing tired of lorries and
trucking. As Sales Director he
has been at the sharp end of
attracting new business to
Hammond Transport Services,
however the idyllic home life
with Jill (Gabrielle Drake) makes
him re-appraise his lot. After a
typical David tantrum over Jill
buying him a new luxury Penthouse
to live in with her personal
fortune (oh the horror!), David
sets his eyes on having a stab at
being a racing driver. Naturally
this is carte blanche for some
nice location filming at a race
track. A welcome respite from the
studio bound battles that define
the series.

Jill
and Edward toast David's prowess
on the track
As the
flotation of HTS weaves it way
through the city big wigs, we
find the almost low key arrival
of sci-fi legend Colin Baker as
Paul Merroney. A young ambitious
hot shot who already has much
influence in the corridors of
financial power. His confident
and slightly smarmy demeanour
were quickly to be noticed by
producer Ken Riddington. Baker
and Merroney would be invited
back the following series as a
full time cast member and a
sensational one at that. Destined
to rock the foundations of
Hammond Transport. Can the
current Directors spot this
crocodile in their midst?

Merroney:
one to watch!
As the
company is floated on the stock
market, the results are
completely unexpected.This ends
in one of the best episodes of
the entire series.The
Crucial Vote has one of the
Directors on the ropes, and the
conclusion means that
Hammonds will never be the
same again. Its gripping
stuff. Full credit goes to the
entire cast for once again
weaving 13 episodes of utterly
believable clashes and
recriminations which draw in the
viewer. Modern television actors
could well learn lots from this
ensemble in diction and ability
to convey truth in a performance.
It is hard to think that Series 4
is the last bow for two players
in the 1974 company. How will the
series survive? It does, but
youll wonder what the
future holds. And inevitably
youll yearn for the next
volume in the series.

The
final boardroom battle
One of
the great qualities of The
Brothers is that it is the
gift that just keeps on giving.
After four series, you would
think the series showed signs of
strain. A little wilting in
evidence. But in fact it goes
from strength to strength. A
fusion between quality writing
and assured performances marks
this as standout television. In
short, Series 4 is unmissable.

Jennifer
gazing wistfully wondering how
long she has to wait for the
Series 5 DVD
ORDER
THE COMPLETE SERIES 4 DVD HERE
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THE BROTHERS
SERIES 3 DVD REVIEW by Rob Cope
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When
we left the Hammonds at the end
of the second series, it
was on a happy note. David
had finally married Jill.
Everybody loves a wedding but
this is television drama land,
and you know that happiness does
not ratings make.
By
now Patrick OConnell is
well bedded in as eldest brother
Edward, and all memories of Glyn
Owen have been banished. He
is the quiet strength of the
show, his old school way of
running the company often at odds
with his younger brothers Brian
(Richard Easton) and David (Robin
Chadwick). David is
particularly concerned that the
company is in hock to his wealthy
wife Jill who has acted as
guarantor for Hammond Transport
following financial
troubles. He is even more
concerned that he personally
feels trapped by the arrangement,
particularly with Julie Lane
still hovering to entice him away
from his wife. She is now
working as a photographer for an
advertising agency, who
also employ former art tutor
Nicholas Fox (Jonathan
Newth). Hammonds are
persuaded to give the agency a
stab at increasing the profile of
the company, with a view to them
expanding in Europe. So
whilst Julie continues her
stalking of David, Nicholas
befriends Brians bored wife
Ann, played so deliciously by
Hilary Tindall. It is a
liaison that has unexpected
consequences for them both.

Elsewhere
Barbara Kingsley turns up with a
man in tow and some unexpected
news for her mother Jennifer
she is married.
Whats more her husband, Johnny
Trent, knows that Barbara is an
heiress. Both Jennifer and
Edward smell a rat. But
Edward has little time to dwell
on such matters as Bill
Rileys lorry is hijacked
during a trip back from the
Continent. Pretty soon the
finger of suspicion falls on Bill
(Derek Benfield) himself.
The
house style is firmly in place
now for The Brothers, as
we flit between the depot and the
home lives of the various Company
Directors. The middle class
lifestyle of the eponymous
Brothers juxtaposed with the very
working class nature of the
haulage business. Despite
the personal dramas, the show is
always at its best during the
battles in the Boardroom.
And this is particularly
exemplified in Series 3 with both
Brian and David eyeing the
Chairmans position
currently occupied by their elder
brother.

This
third series is the strongest
yet, tensions are running
high as expansion plans make
taking risks with the business a
neccessity. The regular cast are
all on top form, lead by
Jean Anderson who surveys
everything from the comfort of
her living room, giving her
snooty disapproval to anybody who
might not be suitable company for
her three boys. Look out
though for guest appearances by
future Howards Way
alumni Stephen Yardley and Jan
Howard. And also for Jennifer
Wilsons real life husband
Brian Peck in the role of a none
too accommodating Bank
Manager.
For
those who are already following
the saga on DVD this latest
release will bring more twists
and turns, but this is a
good jumping on point too for
those less familiar with the set
up. Despite its obviously
dated look, the show remains
as addictive now as it was back
in 1974 when Series 3 first went
to air. A timely reminder of why
millions at home, and many more
in Europe, sat glued to their
screens for five years. Pour
yourself a whiskey, light a
sophisticated cigarette and
wallow in this slice of
yesteryear.
YOU
CAN ORDER THIS DVD HERE
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