Rating: 
Summary: The introductions of Emma Peel
Review: Episodes in Volume 1 & 2 - 1965 introduce the dazzling and vivacious Mrs. Emma Peel. Most people know Mrs. Peel, but they little recall Dr. Katherine Gale (1962-64), played by Honor Blackman, she followed Steed's original partner - a male Dr. David Keel (Ian Hendry 1961-62). Blackman had left to be a Bond gal in "Goldfinger". Over the year, Steed (Macnee) proved he could hold "The Avengers" down while a parade of partners waltzed in and out of the series. But none made the impression Mrs. Peel did. She was a thorough, self-contained woman. She was smart, able to fight like a man and was beautiful, what the women of the late 70s would be aiming for, so you might say, she was the first really strong figure on telly for women to use as an idol.
You are introduced to Mrs. Peel in six great episodes in this series.
1) "The Town of No Return" - Mrs. Peel and Steed must travel to Little Bazely-by-the-Sea. (Note of interest is Mr. Smallwood, a character in this episode, goes on to play "Mother" in the Tara King ear). This episode was originally filmed with Elizabeth Sheppard as Steed's partner Mrs. Emma Peel. She was immediately replaced with Diana Rigg and the rest is history! Steel and Mrs. Peel are sent to uncover a conspiracy of a small sea side town, when it's actually a launching spot to take over all of Britain
2) "The Gravediggers" is a very jolly episode - a fault develops in Britain's radar. it ends with Emma tied to a miniature railroad in the manners of the old "Perils of Pauline" and Steed must ride to the rescue
3) "The Cybernauts" is the best episode (in the B&W) and the only one to have sequels - "The Return of the Cybernauts" with Peter Cushing, filmed in color and "The Last of the Cybernauts with Purdey", Steel and Gambit in the
New Avengers. Veteran horror actor Michael Gough plays a man confined to a wheel chair who has perfected the radio controlled Cybernaut. Then tension in this episode is amazing. Rigg really comes into her own in this one.
4) "Death at Bargain Prices" has Emma going undercover in the women's lingerie where they discover the whole store is not as it would seem
5) "Castle De'ath" is a great episode where the past and present collide in a medieval chamber of horrors, forcing the dashing Steele and delectable Emma to fight a modern menace with dirk and claymore.
6) "The Master Minds" has public servant running amok, pity that, Steed and Mrs. Peel go undercover at a school for intellectuals. They must face hypnosis and fight to save the say
They are just a delight to enjoy in the sharp DVD format. With writing and directing from names like Brian Clemens and Roy Baker.
Rating: 
Summary: Not just Nostalgia!
Review: I grew up watching these black and white Emma Peel Avenger episodes in the UK. But when I came to search for them on Amazon.co.uk I could only find entire collections that were both expensive and rare. I was really surprised when I found exactly what I was looking for here on the American version. Obviously it's the American market where the Avengers is popular enough to get the all-star treatment in these relatively cheap and good quality dvd sets spanning the entire Avengers archive. This, off course, was my 1st purchase- the introduction of (cross her at your peril!) Mrs. Emma Peel.
While these 6 Avenger missions can veer into the ridiculous and times have obviously changed since 1965, amazingly these stories are still completely valid, yet surreal investigations into the under-belly of criminal Britain. You couldn't reproduce the magic of the show for a modern audience, as the Avengers movie certainly proved, but thankfully you can still watch the original episodes as if no time had passed and be thoroughly immersed in the strangeness that is the Avengers' world.
My impression of this 1965 set (beginning the Steed-Peel partnership) is that these are not the best of their collaborations (obviously the best is yet to come and I'll definitely be acquiring those very soon). But this isn't because Diana Rigg takes time to adjust to the part (far from it- right from the outset she makes her role as Steed's equal partner in crime-solving her own)- it's more that my personal episode favourites come later on in her tenure. Although that's not to say that these episodes aren't inventive, thrilling and involving, because they are- VERY much so and I would definitely advise you to begin your Avengers DVD collection with this little gem that has weathered the past 40 years incredibly well indeed.
Episode (1) 'The Town of No Return'
A great Cold war-influenced story with a horror-movie feel- 8/10
Episode (2) 'The Gravediggers'
Peppered with quintessentially English set peices, it's funny and inventive!- 8/10
Episode (3) 'The Cybernauts'
A mad inventor, an unstoppable fighter and high-kicking action from Emma!- 9/10
Episode (4) 'Death at Bargain Prices'
A department store conspiracy, but light on originality and tension- 6/10
Episode (5) 'Castle De'Ath'
Atmospheric and intriguing (if somewhat plodding)- the under-cover routine is still proving a winner (plus, the ending is pure Avengers class!)- 7/10
Episode (6) 'The Master Minds'
Emma in a nurse's costume along with hypnosis and anarchy in the aristocracy- interesting/confusing/amusing, but a bit slow- 6/10
Rating:
Summary: Deadly Dame Peel.
Review: I have been a huge fan of this series since first seeing it as a kid. My admiration has not diminished for this groundbreaking series. Leave it to the classy Brits to come up with the first "strong woman" of television. The first time I saw Diana Rigg as "Mrs. Emma Peel", I was hooked. Don't get me wrong, I loved Patrick Macnee as "John Steed", so cool in his fabulous English suits and walking stick. But, it was Mrs. Peel that had me fascinated. Oh, the excitement I'd feel when she donned one of her skin-tight body suits, then you KNEW a battle was soon to follow. One of the best things about this series, and one that was remarkable for that time, was the equality of both their characters. Steed had total respect for Mrs. Peel, and she got him out of many scrapes, usually dispatching her opponent with a few karate chops. To see a woman, indeed an incredibly sexy woman, display strength, power, intelligence, and beauty, all in one portrayal, was absolutely unheard of at that time. What they had is called CHEMISTRY, and, it is rare. Though partners against the evil forces that be, who used their brains as much as their physical prowess, their underlying flirtation with each other via witty repartee never waned, and was a big part of their success. I must admit to sadness when Diana Rigg's Mrs. Peel left the series. I tried to get into the new character, a lovely Brit girl whose name was, I think, Linda Thorson(?). But, no, Mrs. Peel was irreplacable, my heart was broken, and I, like many, abandoned the series from that point on. Though this dvd contains one of my favorite episodes, "The Cybernauts", I still intend on getting the entire "Mrs. Peel" collection, it's on my future "must-have" list. This series also had one of my all-time favorite intros, it excites to this day. Maybe those younger will not totally appreciate the lack of computerized special effects of this time period. But, for me, there was more excitement, beauty, and intelligence in Diana Riggs Mrs. Peel than in any Anjelia Jolie opus. Mrs. Peel remains the personification of Strong Woman, against whom all other strong-woman-glamour-pusses are measured.... yet pale. The one whose beauty, brains, and power were made to be worshipped, and, worship her you shall!
Rating:
Summary: Look Steed 2 Volumes
Review: John and Emma are back and are here to stay via DVD technology. Being on DVD, the aesthetics about the actual episodes are not in question here. More appropriately one may ask how they look. They look good, very good. If you relish a series like "The Avengers" or "Twilight Zone" you no doubt know about the content of what you are getting. You are more likely concerned about the quality of what you are getting. Like Emma might say to John, "Can I borrow your umbrella? Thank You Mother.
Rating:
Summary: The 3 Worlds of John Steed
Review: John Steed must have felt like Gulliver in the three worlds of Kathy Gale, Mrs. Emma Peel and Tara King. 'The Avengers" was a popular 1960's British fantasy-adventure series that focused on the exploits of a male-female duo in the service of the British government. The series underwent several changes of its female lead but its one constant male lead was John Steed always portrayed by the debonair Patrick Macnee (Originally the John Steed had two male partners but that format eventually changed). Kathy Gale portrayed by Honor Blackman became Steed's first female partner. However, when Honor Blackman departed the series and Diana Rigg entered as Mrs. Emma Peel, the show became an international sensation. Rigg brought sophistication, wit, charm and beauty, which hid her lethal and highly visual judo and karate abilities. Macnee and Rigg complemented each other beautifully with their carefree witty and charming exchange of dialogue. The show distinguished itself with bizarre and futuristic villains and fantastic plots. Popular at the height of the James Bond craze, the show was able to distinguish itself with its simply over-the-top visual style. Laurie Johnson's catchy and sophisticated main title theme matched the visuals of the show and still conjures up an image of the series when listened to today. When Diana Rigg left the series, Linda Thorson entered as John Steed's new partner Tara King. The series soon went off the air in the United States. It was a shame because the episodes with Tara King were quite good. The King episodes seemed to be a little more down to earth and contained some very good writing and intricate plotting. In any event series definitely left its mark amongst the finest. These DVD copies are gorgeous and they sound great in Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono.
Rating:
Summary: New partner for Steed
Review: John Steed must have felt like Gulliver in the three worlds of Kathy Gale, Mrs. Emma Peel and Tara King. `The Avengers" was a popular 1960's British fantasy-adventure series that focused on the exploits of a male-female duo in the service of the British government. The series underwent several changes of its female lead but its one constant male lead was John Steed always portrayed by the debonair Patrick Macnee (Originally the John Steed had two male partners but that format eventually changed). Kathy Gale portrayed by Honor Blackman became Steed's first female partner. However, when Honor Blackman departed the series and Diana Rigg entered as Mrs. Emma Peel, the show became an international sensation. Rigg brought sophistication, wit, charm and beauty, which hid her lethal and highly visual judo and karate abilities. Macnee and Rigg complemented each other beautifully with their carefree witty and charming exchange of dialogue. The show distinguished itself with bizarre and futuristic villains and fantastic plots. Popular at the height of the James Bond craze, the show was able to distinguish itself with its simply over-the-top visual style. Laurie Johnson's catchy and sophisticated main title theme matched the visuals of the show and still conjures up an image of the series when listened to today. When Diana Rigg left the series, Linda Thorson entered as John Steed's new partner Tara King. The series soon went off the air in the United States. It was a shame because the episodes with Tara King were quite good. The King episodes seemed to be a little more down to earth and contained some very good writing and intricate plotting. In any event series definitely left its mark amongst the finest. These DVD copies are gorgeous and they sound great in Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono.
Rating:
Summary: Avengers gold in black & white!
Review: The Avengers '65 sets feature perhaps the best thirteen episodes of the Avengers series available on DVD. The digitally remastered B&W films are the best that I have ever seen for these shows. It takes me back to the "fabulous 1960's." The playback by my Sony player is virtually faultless. I just hope Ted Turner doesn't buy the digital masters and "colorize" them. Some good things are best left as they are!
Rating:
Summary: New partner for Steed
Review: These DVD's from A&E represent the best known and certainly the most popular era of the long running British TV fantasy-adventure series "The Avengers." Made between 1965 and 1966, all 26 episodes of the fourth season of the show are available here on eight discs in four sets, or two at a time.When Honor Blackman (Mrs. Cathy Gale) left the series after season 3 to take up the lead role in the Bond movie "Goldfinger," the producers had already made the decision to start filming the series, moving it out of the TV studio and giving it a much glossier and dynamic feel. John Steed (Patrick MacNee), the debonair British government agent stayed on and his new partner was devised by the production team to be another tough, all-action girl with "Man Appeal." M-Appeal (geddit?) Elizabeth Shepherd was cast as Mrs. Emma Peel and two episodes were filmed before it was mutually agreed that she didn't meet the expectations of the production team. A quick replacement was sought and in stepped Diana Rigg. A TV legend was born. The relationship between Steed and Mrs. Gale had always been haughty to say the least. With the introduction of the widowed (or seemingly) Mrs. Peel, the relationship between the two leads became much closer with a great deal of sexual tension. Mrs. Peel was as intelligent, quick thinking and emasculated as her predecessor, and initially at least shared her penchant for leather outfits, but she was also certainly softer and more readily prepared to act as Steed's partner in their adventures. The stories were certainly becoming much more fantasy bound, and the use of diabolical masterminds and organizations with bizarre acronyms became the norm for the stories from this series on. The fantasy and sci-fi elements of the show were highlighted more than before and the fashions and design of the show took on a much more stylish and indeed 'stylized' look. The success of these elements was immediate, and huge ratings in the UK followed, plus overseas transmissions of the show followed for the first time. Such was their success indeed that another 26 episodes were soon commissioned, this time to be made in color. The stories have supposedly been digitally re-mastered for these DVD releases, and indeed the picture quality is pretty impressive, but there is still sparkle and dirt on the prints that may detract from the quality for some viewers. The 26 episodes are presented in the same order of their original UK transmission. Unfortunately, as with all the A&E Avengers releases, there are no extras at all. Not even production notes. However, there are menus included, which are nicely done. This for me is the very best season of the show, with great style and wit accompanying the excellent scripts, direction and production values. I'd certainly recommend this release to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: The Awesome Avengers
Review: This Avengers is a must have DVD!Steves Helarious! Emma Rocks! It's an all round funny show.
Rating:
Summary: Classic season, and it now looks fantastic!!!!!
Review: This season of episodes has recently been shown on TV here in the United Kingdom, and the quality of those that I recorded onto VHS from the TV, look very poor in comparison to this DVD (they even looked muddy when they were on TV). The '65 season was perhaps the finest of the entire Avengers series, and the stunning job that has been done on the remastering has given the series the new lease of life that it deserves. If you enjoy telefantasy, the you'll love this!!
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