Product Details

• Actors: Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, Honor Blackman, Linda Thorson, Ian Hendry
• Writers: Sydney Newman
• Format: Box set, Black & White, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• DVD Release Date: August 31, 1999
• Run Time: 400 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00000JMQR
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,518 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Movies & TV > Action & Adventure > Series & Sequels > The Avengers
  #23 in	Movies & TV > Television > A&E Home Video > Series
  #33 in	Movies & TV > Television > British Television > British Cult Television

• For more information about "Avengers '65 - Set 2, Vols. 3 & 4" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

• This is item 8 in The Avengers Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
According to one Avengers-appreciation Web site, three of the seven episodes contained in this two-volume set--"Too Many Christmas Trees," "A Surfeit of H20," and "Dial a Deadly Number"--rank among the 10 best episodes from the series' Mrs. Emma Peel era (a fourth, "The Hour That Never Was," is ranked in the top 20), making this the perfect chaser to The Avengers '65 Set 1, Vols. 1 and 2. "What nasty situation have you got in store for me this time?" Mrs. Peel asks in "The Man-Eater of Surrey Green," another of the vintage, black-and-white episodes from the series' breakthrough fourth season, which introduced Diana Rigg in her signature role. The answers make for diabolically clever entertainment in classic Avengers tradition: a "herbicial" plant from outer space (in "The Man-Eater"), matrimonial matchmaker assassins (in "The Murder Market"), a rainmaking vintner (in "H20"), and a brainwashing dentist (in "The Hour"). "Christmas Trees" alone is worth the price of the set. In this haunting episode for all seasons, Steed is plagued by deadly nightmares that have begun to come true. Outfitted at one point as Oliver Twist, Mrs. Peel proves herself to be the woman of our dreams. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New partner for Steed, May 5, 2003

By A Customer

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars second sets of DVD with Emma Peel, October 11, 2004

By	Deborah MacGillivray "Author," (US & UK) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Second set of 1965 era has Steed and Peel gelling as partners. Rigg and Macnee have the perfect sizzle of chemistry. Admiration in their eyes, the flash and fire, but all kept quite under control as they function together to stop the evil menace against Britain. I have seen some say this series came about because of the success of the Bond Film, but it was already on the air with the
early episodes, and follow in the trek of Patrick MacGoohan's "Danger Man", which turned into "Secret Agent" (and then into "the Prisoner"). These seven episodes are still in B&W, which I think even added to this mysterious ambiance of the episodes. Being able to film in lower light, permits those deep shadows, giving a sinister touch.

1) "The Murder Market" takes Steed and Emma undercover at a marriage bureau, ending with Steed rescuing Emma from being buried alive as she gets too close to the "black widows" at the center of this evil plot
2) "A Surfeit of H20" A freak rainstorm drowns locals in the fields. Fearing this is the return of the "Great Flood", they villagers have begun building a new Ark. Emma is stylish even in a Mac!
3) "The Hour That Never Was" Steed visits his old RAF airbase in Hamlin.
Hours are missing in people's memories, so Steed and Emma must uncover brainwashing saboteurs, threatening England.
4) "Dial a Deadly Number" have Steed and Emma investigating a device called a "Bleeper". The Bleeper is designed to help millionaires keep in touch, but an evil doer has set it to reach out and kill.
5) "Man-Eater of Surrey Green" When a outer space artichoke, lands and takes root, and begins killing eminent horticulturists, Emma and Steed get out the Roundup. Rocky and Bullwinkle fought a similar plant in the cartoons - wonder who was first...lol?
6) "Two's A Crowd" Russian agents had let loose a doppelganger for Steed, in order to infiltrate a defense conference
7) "Too Many Christmas Trees" is one of my fav episodes. Steed has been having a strange nightmare, so he welcomes the invitation for Hols in the country at friends. He invites Emma to tag along. They dress up in period costumes, and all seem to have a good time, but Emma begins to suspect Steed's dream is not a dream, but someone trying to control Steed's mine through telepathy

Just great fun to have these on DVD.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MY FAVORITE AVENGERS SET OF ALL TIME!, December 4, 2002

A Kid's Review

This is the BEST of all the Avengers sets. Every one is a gem! Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Diana Rigg as Emma Peel are "Superly" Fabulous! This set includes: The Murder Market, A Surfeit of H20, The Hour That Never Was, Dial A Deadly Number, Man-eater of Surrey Green, Two's A Crowd, and EVEN FOR A BONUS, they give you: Too Many Many Christmas Trees! THIS IS THE BEST SET OF THE AVENGERS!