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Posted: |
Sep 19, 2022 - 12:20 PM
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By: |
johnjohnson
(Member)
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Release date 30th November
Extraordinary crimes against the people and the state have to be avenged by agents extraordinary. Two such people are John Steed, top professional, and his partner, Emma Peel, talented amateur. Otherwise known as The Avengers. With lethal bowler hat and umbrella, killer fashion and kung fu, the secret agents investigate bizarre and colourful adventures with nonchalant efficiency, sophistication and charm.
Whilst every era of the long-running, enduringly popular and trend-setting British series has its own unique style, charm and wit, it is the Emma Peel years that have become the programme’s most iconic and recognisable, with Diana Rigg’s portrayal of Mrs. Emma Peel ushering in a new era of excitement, fashion and iconology, coupled with Patrick Macnee’s continuing depiction of the urbane and sublime John Steed.
Now, this 16-disc Blu Ray set brings together every episode from the Emma Peel era in stunning high-definition encompassing the complete Series 4 and 5, plus a copious collection of vintage and new Special Features celebrating this peak era of The Avengers.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
1080p high-definition presentation from the original 35mm elements
Collectable double-sided Hardbox packaging LIMITED to 1500 copies
120-page booklet featuring essay by Dick Fiddy of the British Film Institute and Story Information for every episode taken from the original studio files
Original ‘as broadcast’ mono audio tracks (LPCM)
Original ‘as broadcast’ “The Avengers in Color” opening slate on Series 5 episodes
Audio Commentary on “The Town of No Return” by producer / writer Brian Clemens and director Roy Ward Baker
Audio Commentary on “The Master Minds” by writer Robert Banks Stewart
Audio Commentary on “Dial A Deadly Number” by writer Roger Marshall
Audio Commentary on “The Hour That Never Was” by director Gerry O’Hara
Audio Commentary on “The House That Jack Built” by director Don Leaver
Audio Commentary on “The Winged Avenger” by writer Richard Harris
Audio Commentary on “Epic” by guest actor Peter Wyngarde
NEW Audio Commentary on “The Joker” by filmmakers Sam Clemens and George Clemens (sons of writer/producer Brian Clemens) (2022)
Audio Commentary on “Return of The Cybernauts” by Diana Rigg’s stunt-double Cyd Child
Audio Commentary on “Murdersville” by producer / writer Brian Clemens
Filmed introductions to eight Series 5 episodes by producer / writer Brian Clemens
Filmed introduction to “The £50,000 Breakfast” by guest actress Anneke Wills
Brief audio recollection from guest actor Francis Matthews on filming “The Thirteenth Hole”
“THE AVENGERS AT 50” – Footage captured from the 50th anniversary celebration of the series, held at Chichester University in 2011. Includes: video message from Patrick Macnee, interviews with producer / writer Brian Clemens, director Don Leaver (never before released), director Gerry O’Hara (never before released), stunt co-ordinator Raymond Austin, guest actress Carol Cleveland, guest actress Anneke Wills, writer Roger Marshall, and Patrick Macnee’s biographer Marie Cameron
“Dame Diana Rigg at the BFI” – 2015 on-stage interview and Q&A held at the British Film Institute in London to celebrate 50 years of Emma Peel
“The Series Of No Return” – audio interview with actress Elizabeth Shepherd, who was originally cast as Emma Peel
Granada Plus Points featuring actor Patrick Macnee, composer Laurie Johnson, writer Roger Marshall and stunt-double Cyd Child
Bonus Series 6 episode “The Forget-Me-Knot” – Emma Peel’s final story and the introduction of Tara King
“K Is For Kill” – excerpt from The New Avengers episode featuring appearances by Emma Peel
ARCHIVAL MATERIAL
Armchair Theatre episode “The Hothouse” starring Diana Rigg (the performance that led to Rigg’s casting as Emma Peel in The Avengers
Chessboard Opening Title sequence used on US broadcasts for Series 4
German and French title sequences
Series 4 UK Commercial Break Bumper slates
Alternative titles / credits / end tag of select Series 4 episodes
Series 4 Commercial Break Bumpers
Production trims from select Series 5 episodes
“The Strange Case Of The Missing Corpse” – Series 5 teaser film
German television interview with Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg by Joachim Fuchsberger
Colourisation test footage for “Death At Bargain Prices” and “A Touch Of Brimstone”
Reconstructed John Stamp Series 4 trailer
“They’re Back” Trailers, Series 5 Trailer and Series 5 German Cinema Trailer
Extensive Photo Galleries from the studio archives
1973 Interview with Diana Rigg discussing her US sitcom Diana, and leaving The Avengers
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1, b&w / colour
Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
English subtitles for the Hard of Hearing (Series 4 & 5 episodes only)
BONUS DISC 1: ADDITIONAL SPECIAL FEATURES
More interviews from “THE AVENGERS AT 50” including composer Laurie Johnson, writer and guest actor Jeremy Burnham, stunt-double Cyd Child, and a screenwriters’ panel discussion featuring Brian Clemens, Richard Harris, Richard Bates and Terrance Dicks
“Brian Clemens In Conversation” – on-stage interview at the British Film Institute in London discussing his early writing career
Diana Rigg German Super8 films: “Das Diadem”, “Minikillers”, “Der Goldene Schlüssell”
Extensive Photo Gallery from The Avengers Fashion Show
Diana Rigg Photo Gallery
BONUS DISC 2: THE ORIGINAL EPISODES FILE
Featuring the 4 original episodes from the Cathy Gale era of the series which were remade in Series 5: “Death Of A Great Dane”, “Don’t Look Behind You”, “Dressed To Kill” and “The Charmers” (Standard Definition)
Audio Commentary by writer Roger Marshall on “Death Of A Great Dane”
Audio Commentary by actress Honor Blackman and UK presenter Paul O’Grady on “Don’t Look Behind You”
Filmed introduction by Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman to “Don’t Look Behind You”
“Tunnel Of Fear” – a full-length, previously lost episode from Series 1, recovered in 2016
“THE AVENGERS AT 50” – interview with Honor Blackman by Paul O’Grady
https://viavision.com.au/shop/the-avengers-the-emma-peel-collection-1965-1967-imprint-television-3/
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Imprint does skew towards more expensive, but they do assemble the various special features from across multiple releases into very sturdy and attractive hard cases. And being region free is a plus. I bought their Space:1999 set and there was zero buyer remorse. It's a fantastic set and I don't have to switch regions on my Blu Ray player (which doesn't do it automatically).
I'm tempted to get this but it'll have to wait a bit.
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I'm tempted to get this but it'll have to wait a bit.
Same. I bought the Studio Canal 16 disc set at my local FYE about eight years ago when it was on sale and it has all the Peel episodes but ZERO special features or bonus material. It's a fairly cheaply put together set too. I haven't watched it in a minute but I remember the menu on some of the discs was particularly wonky.
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Space:1999 had a Region 1 release so unless it's OOP, no need for the Imprint.
I wouldn't say "no need". It depends on how much of a fan you are. Shout Factory did a good job on it, but the stereo audio track is badly mixed and they omit some very interesting bonus features which were on the Network set. If a fan already has the Shout release and doesn't mind it defaulting to the mono mix and also doesn't care about the bonus stuff, the region 1 set is great. Basically the majority of fans would be happy with the Shout.
But if you don't have it yet, love the series and want 90% of the previous releases bonus features, a better stereo sound mix as well as the edited movie versions (and you REALLY have to be a super fan for those) then the Imprint is the way to go.
I've had every release of this series, even the laserdics at one time. The Imprint is the best release of the series I've seen and will no double be the last time I buy it (although I did get the Super Space Theater movie set from Network).
UFO absolutely needs a Region 1 release and it probably will get one in time. The Network blu rays look great (although there's some incorrect color changes in one episode).
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Posted: |
Sep 22, 2022 - 6:39 AM
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By: |
Last Child
(Member)
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Space:1999 had a Region 1 release so unless it's OOP, no need for the Imprint.
I wouldn't say "no need". It depends on how much of a fan you are. Shout Factory did a good job on it, but the stereo audio track is badly mixed and they omit some very interesting bonus features which were on the Network set....
I was referring to the earlier A&E releases. I dunno if the Shout was a big improvement, and the A&E had plenty of extras. I don't upgrade just for more extras, although I made an exception for "Funeral in Berlin" in the HARRY PALMER TRILOGY release....from IMPRINT. 
I thought Shout Factory were going to release UFO? I have the Network release myself, and really can't fault it. An added bonus having the set Region Free.
It sounds like you're saying the Network UFO blu-ray was region free, but it's listed as Region 2.
Blu-ray.com have it listed as Region A, B.
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/UFO-The-Complete-Series-Blu-ray/186638/#RegionCoding
Yes, I saw that, probably a typo. Maybe the release has bonus material on a region-free disc. Everywhere else including reviews indicates it's region 2 locked.
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Posted: |
Sep 22, 2022 - 6:59 AM
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By: |
johnjohnson
(Member)
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Space:1999 had a Region 1 release so unless it's OOP, no need for the Imprint.
I wouldn't say "no need". It depends on how much of a fan you are. Shout Factory did a good job on it, but the stereo audio track is badly mixed and they omit some very interesting bonus features which were on the Network set....
I was referring to the earlier A&E releases. I dunno if the Shout was a big improvement, and the A&E had plenty of extras. I don't upgrade just for more extras, although I made an exception for "Funeral in Berlin" in the HARRY PALMER TRILOGY release....from IMPRINT.
I thought Shout Factory were going to release UFO? I have the Network release myself, and really can't fault it. An added bonus having the set Region Free.
It sounds like you're saying the Network UFO blu-ray was region free, but it's listed as Region 2.
Blu-ray.com have it listed as Region A, B.
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/UFO-The-Complete-Series-Blu-ray/186638/#RegionCoding
Network, online stores, and the sleeve art say it's Region 2, as well as disappointed USA buyers on Amazon. It's been been discussed in the past and is an established fact. If somehow it wasn't true, I think we would have heard about it. Maybe there's a bonus disc in the set that's region free.
Maybe. Some of their titles do vary in region codings. For instance other ITC titles are Region ABC. Most people I know have region free players these days anyway. I'm sure there are some on this board who are the same.
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Network is very clear on their website what regions will play. UFO is region B. Department S is A/B/C (I have both - this is accurate). Why two ITC shows from the same label are encoded differently is beyond me.
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I'm not lighting you this time, JJ.
