Review of Persuaders!, The: Volume 6

Introduction

Just reading the description above is enough to make you groan, just a little bit. This yet another ITC television series from the 70s that those folk at Carlton have decided to heap upon us. This time The Persuaders stars two of the better known stars of the time, Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. Curtis plays Danny Wilde, a street smart, self-made millionaire from the Bronx while Moore is Lord Brett Sinclair, an upper-class member of the British establishment.

There are no fancy computers or other piece of spy technology to aide our well heeled, well dressed (for the period) do-gooders here. Just guile, wit and connections. Volume 6 comes with 4 episodes each running around 50 minutes each. Here`s an episode synopsis:

Episode 19: The Morning After
When Brett awakens after a heavy night`s drinking party and finds he has a wife - a very glamorous one too - it takes more than Danny`s friendship to untangle the surrounding web of intrigue.


Episode 20: Read and Destroy
Brett offers his stately home to Felix Meadows, a double agent on the run, wanted after an audacious East-West double cross. But someone is watching their every move and things don`t turn out as planned.


Episode 21: A Death in the Family
The Sinclair clan is shrinking. Some distant relative is playing out his own game of Kind Hearts & Coronets by killing off everyone who stands between him and the Sinclair title. Will Brett be the next to die? Whose face lies behind the killer`s smile?


Episode 22: The Ozerov Inheritance
The Grand Duchess Ozerov requires Brett and Danny`s help in establishing her right to a collection of priceless jewels. The task ahead seems simple, however, they are unaware that there are other interested parties who want the gems, and they will stop at nothing to get them...

Video

Presented with the original 4:3 fullframe, The Persuaders shows its age mainly in the costume and production design. Colours are a little muted but I think this is down to the age of the master tapes more than anything. Detail, while not as high as one can expect from the format, is very reasonable. There are frequent moments of poor encoding, particularly around the actors as they walk with speed. It`s noticeable on all the episodes and can be a little disarming. Apart from some dirt which is the norm with old TV series, the quality of the video is watchable.

Audio

The original mono track is preserved and served up well enough. I couldn`t hear any distortion or much in the way of hiss either. It`s a perfectly serviceable soundtrack.

Features

Episode index, subtitles and episode summaries on the back of the box is all that`s featured. Would have been nice to include something else, but I suppose this is one for the collectors and they may know all that they need to know from earlier discs. Incidentally, the back of the box states `Special Features: Interactive Menus`, so THAT`S where there are... ;-)

Conclusion

I`ll level with you, when I first received this DVD I just looked at the box and sighed. Not one of content though, one more of contempt. I hadn`t read any of the previous reviews for the other volumes and I thought I had another series in the vain of Gerry Anderson`s The Protectors. So I watched the first episode, The Morning After, and I couldn`t have been more wrong with the Protectors comparison.

Yes this show was made about 30 years ago, but I have to say I really enjoyed watching all four episodes. These are each about 50 minutes long and seem about right for the stories being told. What I think works is the fact that the storylines aren`t as far fetched as some of the other similar 70s shows. There`s nothing futuristic about it, no leading edge gizmos or the like, just fast cars, simple stories (very boys own adventure stuff) and attractive women. The writing does stretch some of the imagination, but it`s nothing more than lighthearted fun. It came as a pleasant surprise.

Casting is spot on and I haven`t laughed as much as this for quite some time. Tony Curtis and Roger Moore make up the ideal screen partnership in an era that`s still familiar, except for the dress sense that is. The aforementioned cars, women and some nice locations all serve up some very witty banter and well made action. Don`t take it seriously and I`m sure you`ll smile at the contrast between Curtis and Moore.

One thing that`s quite noticeable are the continuity errors. There are minor flaws but spotting them was some of the fun. While this DVD is enjoyable, I doubt there`s a lot of replay value to be had so it`s probably not worth buying unless you`re a fan collecting the series. Having said that though, it`s definitely worth watching so borrow if you can!