Avengers '67 - Set 2, Vols. 3 & 4

Rating:
Summary: New color era for Steed and Mrs. Peel
Review: Following the huge success of the first filmed series of The Avengers, starring Patrick MacNee as debonair British agent John Steed and his cool, sophisticated partner Mrs. Emma Peel, the producers opted to make the next batch of 26 episodes in color, to be broadcast in 1967. In order to accomplish this, foreign backing was necessary, and the American networks were approached. The US had broadcast the black and white season four as a mid-season replacement, and were interested in moving forward with a color season in prime time, however they only provided enough backing for 16 episodes initially. Another challenge was that Diana Rigg was not particularly keen to film another season of the show, and demanded a huge salary increase in order to secure her participation. She got the money, but it was made clear it would be her second and last season with the show.

Apart from the use of color film, there were other subtle changes to the show for this fifth season. Both Steed and Emma were given new apartments and Mrs. Peel a much more stylized wardrobe. The device of ending each story with the two leads driving off in a variety of vehicles was abandoned and instead a tag scene was used to introduce each story, where Steed informed his partner that they were needed in a variety of humorous ways. Each story title was also given a two-line subtitle. After completion of the first batch of 16, the American backers did provide finance for a further 16 but asked for both the subtitles and tag scenes to be dropped, and also requested that Mrs. Peel's wardrobe became more recognizably en vogue.

After only 8 episodes were completed, producers Brian Clemens and Albert Fennell left the show after a disagreement and the new producers opted not to continue with Mrs. Peel and began their own interpretation of the show. It wasn't long before Clemens and Fennell were back in charge, but the 67 series ended with "Mission highly improbable," although Rigg was brought back in 1968 for the one-off "The forget me knot," to introduce her replacement Tara King. This episode is included in this release as a bonus episode.

In terms of storylines, acting and the wonderful interplay between the two leads, there is little difference between this color season and the preceding black and white stories and the show had really reached its zenith by this point. Certainly in terms of popularity and ratings, it was never as successful again. Interestingly, several of these stories are in fact remakes of earlier episodes from the Mrs. Gale era. "The joker," "The correct way to kill," and "The $50,000 breakfast," are all remakes, whereas "The return of the Cybernauts," is a sequel to an earlier Steed/Mrs. Peel adventure.

Fans of The Avengers will of course be delighted to have these discs, and I'd highly recommend them to any other fans of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, and indeed fans of the 60's spy format. If you've ever seen the dreadful movie featuring Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman, don't let that put you off. These stories are the real McCoy!

Rating:
Summary: the dvd is far superior than the vhs version
Review: i have both the dvd and vhs version of avengers67 cause i am a big avengers fan...can't wait till vols. 3 & 4....(anybody know when that's coming out ???)..then hopefully the 65 & 66 season.. Diana Rigg...(my first love)....the chemistry of both Rigg & Macnee..is unsurpassed

Rating:
Summary: Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
Review: If you fondly remember that great British import that we watched on TV way back in the 60s then you no doubt know about the content of what you are getting. You are more likely concerned about the quality of the product. Like John might say to Emma, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch your back. Just watch the hat please." 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, excellent in fact. Still can't get that great theme out of my head.

Rating:
Summary: 2nd set for 1967
Review: Second set of 1967 - again are the Avengers at their best.

1) "The Living Dead" - "Steed finds a mine of information - and Emma goes underground". Steed and Emma find rumour of ghosts abound around an ancient chapel, leading the pair to underground plot to take over Britain
2) "The Hidden Tiger" - "Steed hunts a big cat - and Emma gets badly scratched". In this episode, Steed and Emma are looking to people being killed and all signs show they are being killed by a tiger stalking the British country side. Look for Gabrielle Drake in this episode (the head purple wigged Moon base gal from UFO!).
3) "The Correct Way to Kill" "Steed changes partners - and Emma joins the Enemy" has more than one Steed dashing about, as John and Emma try to end a ring selling British top secrets.
4) "Never, Never Say Die" "Steed meets a dead man - Emma fights the corpse" A man determined to steal the patent on eternal life has Emma and Steed running in circles and seeing the dead.
5) "EPIC" - "Steed catches a falling star - and Emma makes a movie" has Emma unwittingly starring in a movie called "The Destruction of Emma Peel". A premise John feels is not up to "snuff".
6) "The Superlative Seven" - "Steed flies to nowhere and Emma does her party piece" A really fun episode has the great Donald Sutherland as a mysterious host, ala Ten Little Indian. All the guests are the best at what they do, invited by someone unknown to them. Lured aboard a plane and set down on a tiny island, they must fight to save their lives. Emma is determined to find Steed before it's too late. Also, look for a young Charlotte Rampling in this send up of the Magnificent Seven.

All great episodes of the series at it's peak.


Rating:
Summary: Pretty good but not my favorite
Review: This set starring Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Diana Rigg as Emma Peel is very funny and holds your attention. This is a classic set, but there is a problem. I find two of these episodes completely boring. The Living Dead and Never, Never Say Die are so boring. The Living Dead is an interesting plot, but the way it was made, they didn't do a good job(in my opinion). Never, Never Say Die has an interesting plot also. It's about substituting some certain people for robots in their place. It's neat, but for 20 minutes or something like that you just keep seeing this robot walking around. The Hidden Tiger, The Correct Way to Kill, Epic, and The Superlative Seven are all very well done. This is a pretty good set, but not my favorite!