The Avengers Series 5 [Blu-ray] [2015]

I bought the mega box set of the NSTC version of the Emma Peel years in 2003. They look grainy on modern TV so they look fabulous in HD. Crisp and clean.Ahhh nostalgia !!

The Blu-Ray disks of seasons 4-6 aren’t actually any better wuss as quality than the DVDs ! Sometimes they are actually worse because there is too much contrast

This wonderful fifth series of The Avengers is one of the best remembered simply because it took the now successful series into the world of glorious colour.After the success of series four of the Avengers in America and in Britain a fifth series in colour was certain to be a hit. And it was. All of the successful factors from the previous series were still there.But the colour gave the series a big lift. Everything looks fabulous. The producers made good use of the colour element by embracing all of the glorious colours of fashionable sixties culture.The episode plot lines are still a good mixture of adventure, humour and science fiction. The chemistry between Peel and Steed still continues. The leather look is replaced with smart jump suits that give the character a youthful and athletic appeal. And her fashion clothes are stylish in design.Peel has an avant-garde fashion that features bold accents and high-contrast geometric patterns emphasising her youthful, contemporary personality. She represented the modern England of the Sixties - just as Steed, with his vintage style and mannerisms, personified Edwardian era nostalgia.A prologue appears at the beginning of all the fourth series episodes. This involves Steed pouring two glasses of champagne. Mrs Peel and Steed come together and they clink glasses and the theme music begins with the opening credits. The American version had a different basis, which was designed to clarify who and what the Avengers were. In the opener, a waiter holding a champagne bottle falls dead with a dagger in his back onto a human-sized chessboard. Steed and Mrs. Peel walk up to the body as the voice over explains: "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." During this voice over, Steed pours two drinks from the wine bottle. They clink glasses and depart together.This fifth series of the Avengers was the best to that date. And still has the feel of quality nearly fifty years after its creation.Producers gave the character Emma Peel because they wanted a female character with "man appeal". This was shortened to "M appeal" or "M a ppeal" and therefore Emma Peel. She has the same self-assuredness of Cathy Gale, combined with superior fighting skills, intelligence, and a contemporary fashion sense.There are some good bonus features, The individual DVD cases fit far too tight into the outer box and there are no subtitles. Also the picture and sound are very good. There has been some criticism of these DVD releases in terms of picture, sound and cuts, but I found nothing that bad about these released to truly worry about.The series is in fabulous colour and these are some of the best episodes ever and this series is a treat.

It seems to me canal has hit the jackpot with their new blu-ray in its avengers range. The blu- ray discs feature all episodes from the Macnee/Rigg 1966/1967 coloured episodes and being struck from the original negatives are as stunning to look at as the monochrome triumphs of the previous boxset, in terms of crystal clear clarity. This pivotal season is a true snapshot of a halcyon time with bold purples and oranges, clashing stylishly to bring the viewer a slice of psychedelic witchery. This season pulls out all the stops in its sheer uniqueness for a spy series blending a Britishness now seldom seen, with espionage, scientific misdeamenours coupled with borderline surreality ensures we are constantly reminded we are waltzing through avengerland. The prints are eye popping, the colours are the best we have seen. The felt on the bowler hat, the cracks in Emma Peels gaudily chic leather jackets, the weaves on the sassy Emma Peelers and even steam whirling it's way from a coffee cup are a joy to behold and so sharp. We are plunged into a day glo whirlpool of the old etonian and the trendy, hip bubble of swinging london. The show stands up well by being old school but never a relic and is deserved to receive the 'cult' status it duly deserves. The storylines vary but all contain a little something magical and when it is at it's most glib can wow us back with some stunning visuals. We can see now that we are at the peak of The Avengers tenure in the way visually and aurally it seems so cinematic. With the enhanced quality these , as the monochrome, are mini-movies in their own right. We can now revel in sheer HD glory. I know this is a pricey blu-ray collection but those wowed by the monochrome epics from season 4 will be in for a premium treat . certain episodes look so different this seems at times like you're watching something for the first time due to it's freshness. Another highlight is the clarity of the music and this really does bring forth Laurie johnsons incidental music and makes you realise how important it is to the going ons when our intrepid duo progress with their bizarre caseloads. The perfect release for affonciados or those wanting to be thrilled by a bastion of a retro cult series - this immaculate collection is the ultimate for how any show of such wit, haughtiness, style that celebrates the sheer 60's zeitgist of swinging london should be viewed. Let's paint London paisley and shimmer under a kaleidoscopic moon - ahhh - we must be in avenger land !