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THE AVENGERS.

Three full-length episodes were released on super 8 by Derann Film Services. Steven Scales, a long standing devotee of this classic TV. series reviews those episodes for Super 8 Film Review.

Regular Cast:
Patrick Macnee  as John Steed.
Diana Rigg         as Emma Peel.

The first of our 'Golden Oldies' series. More in future issues. 

RETURN OF THE CYBERNAUTS.

In which Steed pulls some strings, and Emma becomes a puppet ........ 

Cast also includes:- 
Paul Beresford - Peter Cushing 
Dr. Neville Prof. Chadwick Dr. Russell Dr. Garnett Conroy  Cybernaut 
Frederick Jaeger - Benson 
Charles Tingwell 
Fulton Mackay
Roger Hammond 
Anthony Dutton S 
Noel Coleman 
Aimi MacDonald - Rosie Hunt
Redmond Phillips 
Terry Richards 
Written by Philip Levene 
Music by Laurie Johnson 
Directed by Robert Day. 

First shown on September 8th. 1967. Colour/46m 

Devotees of the television series The Avengers will no doubt know the genesis of the deadly Oybernauts. 

They are automatic robots, invented in the 3rd episode of the first series of Emma Peel Avengers by Dr. Clement Armstrong as a means of taking over the government, with the eventual aim of a government by automation - incapable of a wrong decision. 

Emma Peel and John Steed manage to thwart this mechanical megalomaniac, but his work-' in the shape of the cybernaut - marches on, and his brother Paul Beresford, aided by Armstrong's right-hand man Benson, constructs a new cybernaut and uses as a tool in his plan of vengeance against Steed and Mrs. Peel for causing the downfall of his brother. 

The very first episode about Cybernauts (called 'The Cybernauts's' has become an Avengers classic, and this sequel, although containing some excellent moments and good characters, fails to equal the originality and motivation which the first episode possessed. 

Nevertheless, it is a good story, and Laurie Johnson haE written some exciting music for the action sequences. Also - and strictly for the connoisseur - there are some flashbacks to the first episode. The cybernauts were to return again in The New Avengers in an episode called, appropriately, 'Last Of The Cybernauts?' 

This is not quite the complete version as originally transmitted. One small edit has been made in the middle of the episode (undetectable) and the tag scene is missing from the end. These in no way impair the episode.

 

THE LIVING DEAD

In which Steed finds a mine of information, and Emma goes underground ......... 

Cast includes:- 
Geoffry Kermit Hopper  Olliphant Spencer 
Julian Glover - Masgard
Pamela Ann Davy - Mandy
Howard Marion Crawford 
Jack Woolgar 
Jack Watson 
Edward Underdown - Rupert
John Cater
Vernon Dobtcheff 
Tom Alister Williamson
Written by Brian Clemens (based on a story by Anthony Marriot). 
Music by Laurie Johnson 
Directed by John Krish. 

First shown on 24th. February 1967. Colour.

A mining town haunted by a tragic pit accident in which the local dignitary and several others were buried alive in a tunnel collapse. 

The mine is closed down, but the dead apparently refuse to lie down, and the late Sir Rupert.- rises from the gravestones at darkest night to toll the church bell. 

If Steed believes in ghosts we never find out because there is more to the ghoulish goings on than anyone imagines, and Steed has to go deep underground to discover how to lay this ghost. 

This is the version as transmitted. No tag scene.

 

THE POSITIVE - NEGATIVE MAN

In which Steed makes the sparks fly, and Emma gets switched on ......... 

Cast includes :- 
Cresswell Haworth 
Ray McAnnally 
Michael Latimer 
Cynthia Wentworth -
 Howe Caroline 
Blakiston Mankin 
Maurice Jubert Miss Clarke 
Charles Grey Receptionist 
Written By Tony Williamson
Music By Laurie Johnson, 
Directed By Robert Day. 

First shown on 3rd. November 1967. Colour. 

Peter Blythe Sandor EIC-s Joanne Dainton Bill 'Wallis Ann Hamilton 

Fans of this successful series will recognise the formula for this episode: Leading scientists are being killed under mysterious circumstances, The only connection is that they all worked on a top secret project trying to develop broadcast power - transmitted electricity. 

Steed and Mrs. Peel investigate, their only clues are a strange crackling sound, greasy make-up and the secret project. 

The Avengers uncover the villains eventually, but not before Mrs. Peel is captured and wrapped up as bait for Steed. 

The cast are all good and larger than life with a secretary categorised as Top Hush, and the villain walking around in a dirty mac and green skin. 

Carefully directed by Robert Day who paces it nicely. The final sequences are not without suspense and the finale is a crisply choregraphed fight in which Wellington boots is standard footwear. 

The overall flavour is one of tongue in cheek and very entertaining it is too. 

This is not the complete version as originally transmitted. One short scene has been removed and the tag scene is missing. 

These edits do not spoil the episode.

Abridged version

Editors note. These very entertaining episodes unfortunately are no longer available from Derann being among their discontinued titles. Derek Simmonds suggests that anyone wanting the titles should keep an eye on the second hand lists or could give Derann a ring as they sometimes take them in part exchange. It's also just the sort of thing you might look out for on the 'Bring And Buy' stand at the next London convention in April, or you can advertise' for a print through this magazine, good hunting! 
Visit the Dealers

I have all these episodes in my collection, and the quality is good for both sound and picture. They are very enjoyable to watch, and never seem to date. Well worth looking out for secondhand copies. All three episodes were supplied on 3x400ft reels in cardboard boxes. Abridged versions were also available on 1x400ft reel.

I seem to recall another episode 'From Venus With Love' in Derann's hire catalogue at one time.

The entire series featuring Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg can be bought on DVD Visit the shop

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This page was last updated 02 Dec 2002

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