The Avengers '64, Set 2
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Movie Reviews of The Avengers '64, Set 2
Movie Review: An oldie but a goodie
Summary: 4 Stars
I read a the other reviews and pondered my own position for about 3 seconds. This is how much time it took me to decide to write my own review. The recent movie was a blast and technically fabulous.The colour episodes were brilliant but the black and white can only be described a "must see". I for one found it refreshing not to be knocked on the head with plot. If effects and whiz-bangery are your thing then don't bother here. These actors had to rely on talent.
The bugs on the data-capture were a bother but hey this is a trip into the past! I found the style and substance made up for the short comings in the fliming!!!
Movie Review: Requires a mind..
Summary: 5 Stars
First the technical bits: Yes, the DVD is in black and white and is taken from originals made with early technology. The picture is not as "pretty" as even the first year of the Peel Avengers. But sometimes substance outweighs flash, and in this case, the substance well outweights the lack of "flash". Now the real review. The "problems" of the early adventures of the Avengers are well illustrated by the adventures captured on this DVD. They require the audience pay attention and use their mind. This requirement was always present in the Avenger's series, but perhaps even more so in the early episodes. If you are unwilling or unable to pay attention to what is on the screen and unwilling to think, don't buy this DVD. But if you are willing to put in the effort, you will find these Episodes to be highly rewarding.
These episodes are also, in many ways, more realistic. Cathy Gale's Martial Art moves are far less flashy than Emma Peel's, (or for that matter many action stars) but they are real and more accurately reflect how such moves are used. Respectfully, Cathy Gale would take Emma Peel apart in real combat. Further, the relationship between Gale and Steed is far "flintier" and the Steed is far colder and more calculating. Again, this provides an interesting contrast to the future Avengers (and a VERY interesting contrast to the Finness/? Pseudo-Avengers)
To me, one of the great things about the Avenger's is the ability to surprise, so I will not talk about the "details" of each Episode, for that would spoil some of the fun.
And yes, Honor Blackman was "only" James Bond's Girlfriend, while he married Dianna Rigg... but maybe that's because Bond didn't want to be upstaged...
Movie Review: For completists only!
Summary: 2 Stars
The picture quality is very dark and the sound is bad. This bears such little resemblance to the series that was to follow in almost every way. But even judging it by its own merits the primitive production values let down the material. Honor Blackman is very good as Steed's partner. A filmed series with Macnee and Blackman really would have been something, but this is unfortunately for completists only.Movie Review: AND YOU THOUGHT THE MOVIE WAS BAD!
Summary: 2 Stars
if you think this is anything like the emma peel avengers then think again, as the reviewer says rarely seen in usa,thats because nobody wants to see them.true,the plots are there but mostly talk with little action.the picture quality is really dark on the dvd.it gave me a headache.the british talk is pretty heavy also.i know it was made for brittish tv,but sometimes its hard to understand the slang - cheario old chap.one of the biggest problems was these are shot on video instead of film. like some of the twilight zone episodes,more of a staged play.honor blackman is more of a stiff,tough looking,no nonsense person who wears a lot of leather.she reminds me of lauren bacall.dont get me wrong she is a good looking woman.but she was a fling for james bond and diana rigg was the woman james bond married.well i bought the dvd with high expectations and to tell you the truth it put me to sleep.Movie Review: Historic and most entertaining
Summary: 4 Stars
It is so very good to be able to see the "old" First the negatives. These are "live," studio-bound productions in which lines are flubbed, jailers have all sorts of trouble opening the doors to cells, gun shots do not convince, and fights are obviously tame to prevent injury in these days before films, stunt-doubles, and retakes. Now and then the sound gets fainter as characters move away from the mikes, now and then the film jumps just a bit, and in at least two sequences a pesky fly seems to have been caught by whatever process was being used to reproduce the original image onto tape/DVD.
Neither positive nor negative but merely interesting is that Steed has not picked up his ultra-refined characteristics by way of wardrobe, umbrella (until the last episodes), and steel-coated bowler hat. His relationship with Cathy varies from amused tolerance on her part to such manifestations of her annoyance as throwing things at him. She takes things a lot more seriously than Emma will. In fact, there is little of that Avengers banter we so enjoy in the later episodes and consequently not so much of that chemistry between the two.
In one surprising moment that Emma would never tolerate, Cathy asks Steed what he wants from the army stores, and he replies, "Nothing you would be willing to issue." Here she gives him a "you bet your life" smile. (Emma would have killed him, I think.)
There are three episodes on each DVD and twelve in all in this '64 series. Set II starts off well with a sci-fi "Build a Better Mousetrap," pre-echoing many plots to follow. "The Outside-in Man" has a good twist ending and a "Man from UNCLE" place to meet the Top Man. "The Charmers" is the best so far, humorous, having a good plot and the wonderful Warren Mitchell who would twice play the same bumbling Russian agent in the Rigg episodes; and in fact it was remade as "The Correct Way to Kill" with several interesting changes. "Concerto" has the soon-to-be overdone plot of someone trying to ruin East-West relations. "Esprit de Corps" also has a predictable plot but given some broad humor by funny man Roy Kinnear, who plays his scenes with Steed quite well. "Lobster Quadrille" ends the series on a not very glorious note; but it does finish with Cathy going off on vacation, refusing to take on an assignment there, and Steed phoning a female replacement. I believe they knew by that time that Blackman was leaving the series.
Please watch these without the foresight of what is to come and try to keep a 1964 frame of mind when this was the hottest stuff on the telly and a female character never had it so good before Cathy Gale blew into town.
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