Review of Persuaders!, The: Volume 2

Introduction

Bronx. The other Lord Brett Sinclair (Roger Moore), an English aristocrat who, is wealthy but bored and like Danny craves adventure and excitement. Opposites brought together by “the judge” they move throughout the capitals of Europe working together to seek justice in an unjust world.

Episodes include:

Episode 3: Five Miles to Midnight
An assassin cuts a deal with authorities for a reduced sentence by exposing a crime syndicate after killing an Italian underworld boss. Danny and Brett must get him out of the country alive.

Episode 4: The Gold Napoleon
Someone takes a shot at Danny or was it the woman next to him?
The woman is a talented artist who creates moulds to make replica Napoleon coins for her crime syndicate father. She is a danger to the operation and must be silenced. Will Danny and Brett be able to save her?

Episode 5: Take Seven
Danny and Brett find it dangerously explosive when trying to help an attractive heiress whose long-missing ‘brother’ turns up and tries to claim to the estate she has inherited.

Episode 6: Greensleeves
Greensleeves, the derelict Sinclair family mansion is supposed to be unoccupied but Brett discovers by chance that someone is living in it and is required to impersonate himself to get to the heart of the mystery.


The boys return in their second escapade on DVD and this time thankfully it’s a lengthier affair. Yes! I hear you cry. ‘Four episodes on one disc is much more like it’ and promptly slap on your extra tight shirt with flowery cravat.
Watch those flying buttons though, as they can be quite tight if they catch you in the eyeball.

Opening with the usual stylish ITC opening sequence, the Persuaders return with more exciting adventures around the glamorous locations of Europe. They wine and dine the ladies, drive the obligatory sports cars, (for those who care, a Ferrari Dino 246GT for Danny and a Bahama yellow Aston Martin DBS for Brett) and when they can get around to it, do a little detective work for the Judge.

All the episodes are entertaining and amusing with the usual smattering of Curtis/Moore humour and quips. Its all rather camped up and appropriately frivolous, which gives the series a somewhat broader appeal and makes for an altogether lighter affair. For an added bonus you can usually match up the clothes the characters wear with how amusing a certain scene will be. For example if big Tony is in a strained shirt and dangerously tight pants, then you know your going to get a comic scene. However if a wide collar and cravat is shown then the ensuing scene will be more serious. I’m sure theres a drinking game in there somewhere. ;)

Video

Like the first disc the picture varies from really quite dirty and grainy, (usually the titles sequence and process shots) to a picture that is fairly clean with a medium detail level. As with all these made for television programmes you have to take into consideration the age and the limitations of the source material. Given that this series is 30 years old it’s actually looking quite good.
The picture is a little soft, reducing detail and the colours are somewhat washed out (what I call 70’s subdued). There is also a little grain throughout but altogether nothing unwatchable. Compression problems seem to held at bay though with the minimum of digital artefacts.

So although not a perfect picture by any means there is nothing here a fan of the series couldn’t overlook.

Audio

Audio is presented in mono which you would expect and while not exactly the most exciting soundtrack you’ll ever hear it does its job well. Dialogue is clear with no distortion and although maybe sounding a little compressed its perfectly fitting for the program.

Features

In the extras department we have a couple of rare trailers made for the feature length films of ‘The Persuaders’ and were cut together from existing episodes.
Also included is the original artwork (zoomable text), and a stills gallery.
Menus are themed with suitable pictures from the series and a small amount of animation with the theme tune playing in the background.
Each episode has 8 chapters and are subtitled.
Included is a small booklet which has details of casting, production, title sequences and the cars that were used in the making of the series.

Conclusion

The two extra episodes kindly given to us by Carlton makes this DVD a very good buy for anyone wishing to experience the delights of The Persuaders. Topped off with a few extras, this disc is even more value for money and an essential buy for the collectors out there.