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The New Avengers (8 Disc Collector's Edition Box Set) [1976]


RRP: £59.99
Our Price: £25.17 (subject to change)

unfairly panned
Review date: 2008-06-01 Rating: 8 out of 10

I'll try and be brief with this review,when the new avengers came out it was UNFAIRLY PANNED by the "critics"i can only assume they were still pining for the georgous mrs.peel and all things which were 60's.To be fair series one is superb (as good as anything from the original avengers)series 2 is weak(er)but this was down to fall outs with the production crew and tv studios and the filming having to be moved to canada.This set is worth buying for series 1 alone,the chemistry is there especially between gambit (the late gareth hunt) and purdey (joanna lumley....LEGEND AND NATIONAL INSTITUTION)my own favorite episodes are target (it's the one per cent that kills you) and sleeper(watch for joanna in the shop window).There you go,nice and brief,if you buy this box set you will not be disappointed guys.

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Reviews


Be warned about the packaging
Review date: 2008-03-06 Rating: 6 out of 10

I bought this set from Amazon, and noticed that a number of the discs had circular scratches around the edges on the playing side, which looked serious enough to cause problems with playback. I thought this was an artifact from the pressing plant, but on closer examination it is actually caused by the packaging.

Each tray that holds a DVD has nine tiny bumps around the edge - no idea what for - but they are clearly what is causing the damage as the discs move in the box and rub against them. I spent an hour last night cutting these out of the trays to prevent further damage - other purchasers may wish to do the same.

Good series, technically poor
Review date: 2008-02-28 Rating: 2 out of 10

The series itlsef is good. I'm not extatic about it but the dialogues are brilliant, the chemistzry between the characters is fine and there is Joanna Lumley of course. I'm a bit ashamed to find her sexy as she is my mother's age. Anyway, some of the stories just don't work but all in all it's good fun. However, I would stay clear of this edition as (and some other people have mentioned that too) I'm experiencing major problems with some of the discs. So wait for the next edition or try getting the other one.

Great series - poor quality.
Review date: 2007-11-04 Rating: 2 out of 10

Well as Brian Clemens pointed out in the commentary - Leyland cars didn't know how to capitalise on the series potential. And sadly to say, Studio Canal has done much the same with this DVD release. Anyone who previously brought The Contender box set, then don't bother shelling out again for this! It contains the same old speckly ropey prints. Or worse still, the video tape transfers which look like you're viewing the show through a fuzzy plate glass window!
Come on - in this HD age, such a classic series should've been digitally remastered with pristine prints and dolby stereo long ago by now. And that includes the previous Avengers series too. Even colourising the first b/w Diana Rigg series I say...
So if Studio Canal's not up to the job, then why not just sell the rights to the likes of Network video instead? A 'with it' Company who really know how to treat the fans of such classic shows! Otherwise Studio Canal might very well just go the way of Leyland cars and the dodo. Simply because they also failed to recognise the full promotional and commercial potential of The Avengers canon. So 5 stars for the great series, but only 1 Star I'm afraid for yet another shoddy release - with only the included commentary to commend it as being anything new and worthwhile!

Almost Pur-fect
Review date: 2007-05-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

Ace crime fighter and protector of the realm, John Steed, returns with two new all-action assistants - Mike Gambit and Purdey, and an awesome new car - a beefed-up Broadspeed Jaguar V12 coupé, in British racing green of course.

The New Avengers are an impressive trio - original Avenger Patrick Macnee reprises his role as the dapper and dashing John Steed with his trademark brolly and bowler, Gareth Hunt (who sadly died in March 2007) is the pistol-packing, wise-cracking action man, Mike Gambit and (my personal favourite) Joanna Lovely (sorry, I mean Lumley) is the sexy, karate-kicking super woman, Purdey - she knows how to make a fine herb omelette and field strip an automatic pistol in a matter of seconds (these are the two main qualities I've always looked for in a woman)!

All the three leads are extremely good in their roles but, for me, Joanna really stands out. Not only is she incredibly gorgeous, and looks good from every camera angle, she is also a very fine actress with a remarkable CV. Prior to starring in The New Avengers she was a Bond girl (in On Her Majesty's Secret Service), a Hammer Horror heroine (she played Jessica Van Helsing in The Satanic Rites Of Dracula a.k.a. Count Dracula And His Vampire Bride) and appeared in Coronation Street and the classic sit-com Steptoe & Son. She has also starred in another cult 1970s TV series - Sapphire & Steel, has made numerous films and is unforgettable as the champagne-drinking party girl Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous.

The Avengers and The New Avengers creator Brian Clemens was also associated with Hammer Horror through the films Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter and Dr Jekyll And Sister Hyde and it is good to see some Hammer Horror actors and actresses making guest appearances in this show - look out for Peter Cushing, John Carson, John Forbes-Robertson, Jon Finch, Melissa Stribling and Caroline Munro to name a few.

Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) briefly appears in `K Is For Kill, Part One - The Tiger Awakes' and Only Fools And Horses fans will be able to spot `Boycie' (in the `Dirtier By The Dozen' episode) and `Marlene' (in the `Medium Rare' episode). Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw, the two stars of The Professionals (also created by Brian Clemens), appear in the `Obsession' episode but this time they are on the wrong side of the law. By the way, in the `Medium Rare' episode, there is a character called George Cowley- this was also the name of Bodie & Doyle's boss in The Professionals!

This is a very entertaining DVD set. I remember watching all of these episodes when they were first shown on television and it is marvellous to own them on DVD and be able to watch them again. My favourite episode is probably `Sleeper' - I love the scene where Purdey has to pretend to be a fashion dummy in a shop window to avoid being caught by two pursuers and her pyjama bottoms keep falling down!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Patrick Macnee
Joanna Lumley

Creators:
Patrick Macnee (Primary Contributor)
Joanna Lumley (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060034576952
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 8
Format: Box set, Collector's Edition, PAL,
Release date: 2006-10-30
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 1320 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1976
Language: English (Original Language)

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