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Danger Man - Vol. 1 - Episodes 1,2,3 And 4 [1960]
![Danger Man - Vol. 1 - Episodes 1,2,3 And 4 [1960]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41C511Y7Y8L._SL160_.jpg)
Volume One includes the following episodes: "View from the Villa" (with Barbara Shelley); "Time to Kill" (with Derren Nesbitt); "Josetta"; and "The Blue Veil" (with Ferdy Mayne). --Kim Newman
RRP: £9.99
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
In 1960, television-executive Lew Grade's ITC company inaugurated a tradition of escapist adventure/mystery shows with Danger Man, a pocket-sized take on the spy stuff strutted in fiction by Ian Fleming's as-yet-unfilmed James Bond books. The versatile Patrick McGoohan took the lead role of John Drake, a daring spy for the NATO powers. This first, half-hour incarnation of the show (that would be known in the US as Secret Agent) concentrated on tight little plots executed at a rapid pace. McGoohan proved as adept in the numerous fight scenes and he was at spitting out the hardboiled dialogue which counterpointed Edwin Astley's memorable music. Although Drake is a deliberately colourless leading man, the format of the show allowed McGoohan to go undercover each week as a different, often strange character. Later, the series came back as an hour-long programme that segued wildly into McGoohan's masterpiece, The Prisoner.
Editorial
Special Features
4:3 Full Frame
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Mono English
Mono
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Character Biographies
None
Editorial
Synopsis
Patrick McGoohan (THE PRISONER) stars in this, the first DANGER MAN series, which originally aired in 1960 (the series went on hiatus until 1964 when it returned with 60 minute episodes). McGoohan stars as John Drake, a NATO agent who travels the world, thwarting any threat to world peace. Always set in a different exotic location, DANGER MAN is very much like a more realistic version of James Bond, who, in fact, was almost played by Mr. McGoohan instead of Sean Connery based on the strength of his performance as Drake. Contains episodes 1-4: View From The Villa, Time to Kill, Josetta, and The Blue Veil.
One enduring pleasure!!
Review date: 2007-03-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
I had the rare pleasure of few birthday presents last week-plenty of money instead. This was one of my little indulgences and am I glad I indulged!!
First broadcast in Autumn 1960, this is the start of a consumate TV program that has lasted staggeringly well. The original 39 episodes begin with this set and share several winning ways:-
a) Half-Hour long:-no fannying about, thank you! The story has to be concluded in that time, so things move fast. Your bladder can stand the necessary cuppa beforehand, as you can't leave it midway, without missing something! Despite only having 30 mins, plot and character devbelopment are not inconsequental. Ok, it isn't Dostoeyevsky, but it ain't Micky Spillane, either!!
b) The Original theme music:-far more brassy and portentious than the later version for the one-hour shows-it just fits the whole concept so much better-dododo,dododo,dodododo do -dodododo etc. You'll soon remember it if you're old enough & if not, you'll soon enjoy it!!
c) Solid supporting cast-last night(episode 7), we had Lois Maxwell(original Bond Miss MoneyPenny) & Donald Pleasance with Patrick McGoohan-welcome guests, too, with the dessert and coffee. None of those dreadful old series habits here, either, ie extras standing around like lost sheep rhubarbing in the background or people fluffing their lines and the director being too idle to reshoot!!
d) The Opening and Closing Titles-grainy black and white, start and end, of McGoohan getting into his car at the start in front of a London(?) Skyscraper purporting to be NATO HQ and finishing with atmospheric even granier shots of the same office block at night with all the lights on-see, it even inspired Andy Warhol to make Empire State!!
e) Patrick McGoohan:-before he became self-indulgent, he was a gloriously good actor-combining here an elegant charm with a fist of steel, a brooding matinee idol you suspected MIGHT just develop a huge twitch to an eyebrow or punch your lights out if you didn't play the game correctly!!
Well, there's 5 good reasons for indulging in a TRUE entertainments package-apart from it being one of the most influential TV series ever AND putting everything else that imitated or learnt from it in the shade! Time YOU indulged yourself, don't you think??
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Reviews
ENJOYABLE AND REMARKABLE FOR THE PERIOD
Review date: 2001-10-19 Rating: 8 out of 10
THE FIRST EPISODE WAS SET IN PORTMEIRION WHERE PATRICK WAS TO FILM THE PRISINOR LATTER.
THE STORIES ARE FAST MOVEING AND REMIND ONE OF THE 007 STORIES BUT FAR MORE CONSERVATIVE. MANY OF THE OUTDOOR SHOTS WERE DONE IN WALES BUT SKILLFULL CAMERAWORK GIVES THE FEEL THAT YOU ARE IN A MYSTERIOUS EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRY
lOOKING FOWARD TO SEEING THE OTHER DVDs
Limited by its own limitations
Review date: 2001-03-06 Rating: 8 out of 10
Danger Man is typical of the better British drama shows of the period. It's only drawback is that, being limited to 25 minutes an episode, there is no chance for character or plot development. You get your story line and John Drake gets in and does the business.
I was delighted however, to see Drake (Patrick McGoohan) in Portmerion in one episode, where he set The Prisoner series a few years later. By today's standards, Danger Man's production may seem somewhat simplistic but watched in the context of an early 1960s show, you can't help but love it.
A must , for all " The Prisoner "fans of Patrick Mc Goohan
Review date: 2000-11-17 Rating: 6 out of 10
Danger man brings back good memories of the sixties when I was in school. TV was in black & white then, but it was just as exciting as it is today. McGoohan as secret agent John Drake had all his arsenal of gadgets which never ceased to amaze me. This DVD shows them all....miniture camera in his shoe, tape recorders, hidden weapons etc . There is always this sense of suspense that he was up to something and no one knew what was happening till he had completed his mission. This is a definite prelude to McGoohan's ultimate "The Prisoner" collection of 5 DVDs. Only one thing puzzles me..the opening theme song seems to be different from what I remembered it to be. Anyway the superb video quality of the DVD more then makes up this...."Chin up Potter"
Product Details/Specifications
Director(s):
Recording label: ITV DVD
Manufacturer: ITV DVD
EAN: 5037115007438
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2000-07-10
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1961-04-05
Language: English (Original Language)