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Callan - Fourth Series
RRP: £22.66
Our Price: £38.99 (subject to change)
Excellent and under-rated series
Review date: 2008-04-25 Rating: 10 out of 10
I have all the Callan series 1 to 4 plus the film. It is very low key 1970s 'spy' drama about a SIS assassin that is both gripping and well acted. There is no back up music to cover the lack of story or acting ability just raw talent. If you are used to odd noises to cue in any change in scene or changing camera shots to show how clever the producers are then this is not for you; in fact you might suffer from withdrawal from the lack of piercing and stress inducing noises to hold your attention. However, if your entertainment comes from raw drama and interesting characters then you should love it. I highly recommend it for the discerning viewer. Ironically, the basic nature of production makes it much more believable than the childish modern productions.
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Reviews
The hunter becomes Hunter...
Review date: 2008-04-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
Is it odd that one of the best TV spy shows (probably bettered only by the Sandbaggers) made in the UK is not available on Region 2 DVD?
Callan is one of the shows that should be mentioned in all those Best lists. The tale of an ex-soldier who works (begrudgingly) for the Secret Intelligence Services as a killer, Callan is suitably downbeat and plausible, drawing strong character portraits. There's David Callan, a true hard man but with a soft centre, who wants nothing better than to leave the job. There's his petty criminal sidekick, Lonely, who is overlooked and bullied by everyone. There's Cross and Meres, Callan's fellow killers who are upper class and enjoy murder a little too much. And there's Hunter, the slightly camp, highly sinister head of department.
In this series there's a progression of the character, with Callan, returning from imprisonment in Moscow, taking over the role of Hunter. A number of episodes also feature Callan's opposite number in the Russian forces, Richmond, played by the fantastic T P McKenna, and the interplay between the two - feeling respect and a kind of friendship for the only other person in the world who can understand what they go through - makes for some wonderful drama.
Also added here is Callan - the movie, which is basically a big screen take on the Armchair Theatre episode that first introduced David Callan to the world. Oddly, the TV movie Wet Job which finished Callan's story is not presented here. Maybe, if someone recognises that Callan should be available here, that will be rectified in a Region Two boxset?
The picture and audio, though a little wavy at times, is on the whole very good for videotape transfers. I can definitely recommend this set.
Big Al oxford
Review date: 2008-04-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
At last after 7 years of waiting,a new DVD of Callan,the best by a mile of the great days of British TV series.Sadly its not the first or second series which were ignored in favour of the first colour series but its better than nothing The stories and acting are as wonderful as i remember and as an added bonus you get Anthony Valentine back as the sadistic Toby Meres.All we need now is for whoever owns the rights for series 1 and 2 to get their act together and put them out as well.For a true fan the fact that they were in black and white does not matter.Lets have all of Callan available NOW.
Callan - Series 4 & Movie
Review date: 2008-04-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
Fantastic DVD's of the 4th & last Callan series - a must for fans! The quality and sound are both excellent give the series was aired in 1972. Also included is the movie from 1974. This was an age when actors were real actors and this series set the bar for all future spy series with it's gritty, hard, low level settings. A typical British series where acting is the real star instead of gratuitous violence and fairy tale endings.
Highly recommended.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Lisa Langdon
Russell Hunter
Edward Woodward
Creators:
Edward Woodward (Primary Contributor)
Russell Hunter (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: Umbrella Entertainment
Manufacturer: Umbrella Entertainment
EAN: 3000000062883
Binding: Audio CD
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-08-06
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2