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The Champions: The Complete Series (Special Edition)
RRP: £59.99
Our Price: £28.75 (subject to change)
brilliant
Review date: 2008-03-26 Rating: 10 out of 10
apparently in australia they missed out episode one (showing it last) and showed the rest of the series promising a reveal all episode at the end. Magic, you gotta love Burt Quok in episode one and play spot the set as they reuse them throughout the series! made me fall in love with the champions all over again, poor tremayne!
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Reviews
May be old, but hasn't lost its zing
Review date: 2007-12-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
The Champions was my favourite TV show back when I was a kid - around 10 or so. Recently, one of our cable channels has been showing reruns and I approached them with some trepidation, sure that the magic would be gone and that the show would be so dated now. But not a bit of it! I have thoroughly enjoyed the episodes I've seen and am really looking forward to catching up on all of them through this box set. There's an element of nostalgia, sure. But as other reviewers have said, there's also the solid plots, the engaging leads and the fantasy element is as original and intriguing as it was first time around.
A true classic series that makes you remember what was surely the golden age of TV, when shows like this and others from the same stable brought glamour, fun, fantasy and adventure to our week.
STIRLING MEMORIES
Review date: 2007-09-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
There's something quite 'magic' about THE CHAMPIONS. And it isn't just to do with their superhuman powers. Perhaps it's something to do with the age at which I first saw this superb telefantasy show. Seven, in my case, tapping firmly into my imagination and lingering happily in the memory like no other ITC series before or since.
This box set, unlike the previous Carlton edition, has been remastered and contains extra features, including commentaries and documentaries - AND a chance to see the ridiculous splicing together of two episodes (THE BEGINNING and THE INTERROGATION) to form a US network TV movie. For rarity value's sake alone, it's a must-see mistake. Also included is the 'historic' filmed reunion of STUART DAMON, WILLIAM GAUNT and ALEXANDRA BASTEDO. And while their jolly (albeit brief) reminiscences are undoubtedly fascinating, it does raise the question: why did they leave it nearly forty years before seeing each other again? Special Edition DVD box set aside, it's never adequately explained, although they seem happy enough in each other's company.
With a total of thirty episodes to choose from quality is bound to vary and, due to some indifferent direction and padding, several of the stories have the co-efficient drag factor of a brick. But the best stand out with no effort required: THE BEGINNING, THE EXPERIMENT, TO TRAP A RAT, THE GHOST PLANE, THE FANATICS, THE SEARCH, THE INTERROGATION, THE SILENT ENEMY, PROJECT ZERO and AUTOKILL. My pick of the bunch and most of them containing above-average amounts of location filming. Well, OUTDOOR filming, at least.
The more you watch THE CHAMPIONS the more it becomes apparent that certain episodes highlight the Nemesis Agents' superpowers while others treat it as an afterthought. Probably typical of the times - budget constraints being what they were usually meant that scripts had to be written quickly and the iron grip of an excecutive producer was nothing like it is today. Superpowers, however, are very much to the fore in the most notable and exciting set-piece of the entire series, and occurs not when our gifted heroes are battling Cold War enemies, mad scientists or defecting despots...but when they're momentarily turned against each other. AUTOKILL has RICHARD BARRETT kidnapped and programmed to kill CRAIG STIRLING in an effort to undermine the global operations of Nemesis. Even boss TREMAYNE is rendered helpless and in need of an antidote which, if not administered quickly, sends the affected person mad, resulting in death. The climactic scene where the two superagents slug it out (with SHARRON MACREADY taking care of the large-framed villain) is a masterpiece of brilliantly choreographed 60's tv brutality. I still get an adrenaline rush when I watch it now (go on, say it: "big kid"), but it all ends well with the central characters saved from the brink of destruction by the special bond that runs between them, aah. THE CHAMPIONS' final (and finest) episode.
An excellent and unique slice of British telefantasy - with a great title sequence, theme tune and incidental music. By no means without its flaws, you'll still find yourself wallowing in the nostalgia with a big smile on your face.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The Definitive Copy Of A Rare Gem
Review date: 2007-03-25 Rating: 10 out of 10
Alright before you ask what a nice American boy is doing "in England" writing a review, the answer is simple. We only got 10 episodes of this series. With the ability to buy disc players in my country that play discs from yours, it pays to buy this series. Stu Damon, Alexandra Bastedo and William Gaunt star as 3 intelligence agents from a think tank in Switzerland who after completing a mission in China to acquire bacteria samples, get shot down over Tibet. Left for dead they are rescued by a mysterious Himalayan old man who along with associates not only save our heroes lives, but bestow upon them power extraordinary powers of strength, telepathy and agility. They "take care" of the enemy agents and return home to tackle more missions with their new found powers while keeping them a secret from their boss played by Anthony Nicholls. As I said here in America, we only got to see 1/3 of the series and then in 1983 we got to see a special feature length version of 2 episodes combined called "Legend of The Champions". To make matters worse, A&E Video released only the first 15 episodes on DVD for us. This set includes the entire series, and unlike a similar set released in 2004 (for you guys in Britain that is) includes the fore mentioned "Legend of The Champions" and a 40th anniversary reunion with the stars. Definitely worthwhile for fans worldwide. So for those of you with me in America, or in other countries, get a region free player, and buy this set to play in it. Those of you here in England, get this set sooner than the previous release, you get more for your money.
Hilariously bad acting
Review date: 2007-02-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
Other reviewers have summed it up quite well (although I didn't experience and sound glitches).
I remember watching these series as a big fan when I was at Primary School. I think they would probably still please that age group most but it has been a fun trip down memory lane watching them again.
Having said that if you don't know what to expect here is my take ...
Imagine Thunderbirds meets Mission Impossible with a large chunk of the paranormal thrown in for good measure. The acting, costumes, sets and music all remind me greatly of that famous puppet show (with pretty wooden acting all round and scripts that are frankly comic book in style).
Now think of Geneva as Tracey Island (with Tremaine as a cross between the father figure Jeff Tracey and Brains) and the three leads as Scott and Virgil with Lady Penelope. They all act a little like they have strings attached and wear costumes that the Tracey's would be proud of. The fashions are ridiculous and most people wouldn't have been seen dead in 60s dressed like that.
There are few special effects (and those that are there are typical of the 60s - lots of flashing lights and big computer tapes) and the sets tell a tale of changing times (esp. exterior shots in cities like London) but some of the sets, such as the Tibetan mountains in the first episode, are hilariously bad.
All in all it sounds as though I don't think much of the series but if you take it at face value it can be very entertaining and really rather funny.
Product Details/Specifications
Artist(s):
The Champions
Recording label: Network
Manufacturer: Network
EAN: 5027626240844
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 9
Format: Box set, PAL, Special Edition,
Release date: 2006-07-31
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 1545 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)