Customer Reviews

The Avengers '67, Vol. 7

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This is a wonderful old British TV series but buy the TWO volume set for a better deal:

The Avengers '67 - Set 4, Vols. 7 & 8

You can check out my full review of each episode there as well as my other more general comments about the series. Be aware that this volume includes FOUR episodes instead of the usual three which includes Mrs. Peel's "farewell" and the introduction of Tara King, (played by Linda Thorson), as Steed's new partner!

Also, be aware that when you buy the TWO volume set, it comes with an additional cardboard (very nice) packaging case to hold together the two Plastic DVD cases in one unit. This cardboard packaging has all the details of both DVDs on the outside.

This is a wonderful old British TV series but buy the TWO volume set for a better deal:

The Avengers '67 - Set 4, Vols. 7 & 8

You can check out my full review of each episode there as well as my other more general comments about the series.

Also, be aware that when you buy the TWO volume set, it comes with an additional cardboard (very nice) packaging case to hold together the two Plastic DVD cases in one unit. This cardboard packaging has all the details of both DVDs on the outside.

One of the best on DVD. `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 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.

Shocking! Positively shocking! No, I am not referring to the comment that Sean Connery made after he electrocuted an undesirable in his bathtub at the beginning of "Goldfinger." No, I am referring to "THE AVENGERS" episode, "The Positive-Negative Man" in this set. I am also referring to the episode, "The Forget-Me-Knot" where Mrs. Emma Peel portrayed by the exquisite Diana Rigg departs from the series and is replaced by Tara King in the person of the lovely Linda Thorson. Shocking! That episode has something to do about introducing memory loss on some unsuspecting chap or something. I seem to have forgotten. Now where was I? Oh yes, poor Patrick Macnee! I don't think that debonair John Steed will ever recover from all these different female partners or should I say work associates! I mean going up and down stairs, forgetting one's umbrella and all that! Really! Good show all around!

Set 4, Volume 8 contains 4 episodes of the series. "Mission Highly Improbable" is highly inferior to the other 3. Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg are both espionage veterans via this British TV series as well as appearing subsequently in "A View To A Kill" and "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" respectively. As we see Mrs. Peel make her exit, enter Tara King played by the highly overlooked Linda Thorson in "The Forget-Me-Knot". Electrifying "The Positive-Negative Man" is reminiscent of an animated "Batman" episode. Zap! "Murdersville" is very good and offbeat and leaves the viewer curiously paranoiac. Good luck, Mrs. Peel! I hope see more of Tara soon.

Set 4, Volume 7 contains what I consider the best episodes of the series. Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg are both espionage veterans via "The Avengers" British TV series as well as appearing latter in the "James Bond" series of films. Mrs. Peel and John Steed do make a handsome couple monogynously speaking.

"The £50,000 Breakfast," brings to mind Ian Fleming's "Goldfinger" and that villain's attempt to smuggle gold from country to country. By the way, that's a nice tie John.

"Dead Man's Treasure" is an interesting and memorable episode. Years ahead of its time, Mrs. Peel is compelled (that's putting it nicely) to operate a racing car at the controls of a simulator. If she doesn't keep the car on the road she is subject to electrical shock. This was a similar device used years latter in "Never Say Never Again" as James Bond and Largo "suffer the pains of their armies" on a virtual hologram game for global conquest. I do hope your navigator has a good map. Good hunting!

"You Have Just Been Murdered" is just so bizarre an episode proving that no one can ever be completely safe from would be assassins and death can come from even the most innocent looking childlike device.