The Avengers (Steed and Mrs Peel) The Cybernauts Trilogy Blu-Ray

brian s

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Due for release on 5/8/19 at £16. From their site.

We’ve selected three highpoints from across the run for this special 2019 release: The Cybernauts, their 1965 robotic debut featuring Diana Rigg; the 1967 follow-up Return of the Cybernauts, again with Diana Rigg and Peter Cushing guesting in one of his most sinister roles; and, making its world High Definition debut, The New Avengers 1976 finale The Last of the Cybernauts…?? .
We’ve pulled the original film elements for all three episodes into the Network studio for brand new, painstaking, High Definition restorations, exclusively for this release.
There’s much more to this release, though: as well as presenting the episodes in all their uncut, restored glory, we’re also presenting the option to watch each episode in its contemporary transmission context, with actual commercials in situ.
Included in the package is a 32-page booklet by celebrated television historian Andrew Pixley detailing the history of the three episodes and there’s limited edition digipack packaging whilst stocks last.

The Avengers: The Cybernauts Trilogy [BLU-RAY]
 
Pre ordered, really looking forward to this.
 
Common sense is for all the other bits of your life that aren’t to do with your hobby/passion/obsession.

How else would I have ended up with not one, but two HD DVD players and around thirty discs, which, if I remember correctly, I felt lucky when I managed to finally get rid of for about £100 for the lot :D
 
Pre-ordered for two reasons:

1. Finally, "The New Avengers" in HD!:)
2. Pixley's book is only 32 pages long!

I suspect this will turn up on Amazon for £10 in due course, but maybe if enough people buy it from Network themselves they might think about doing a complete "New Avengers" HD restoration.
 
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Common sense is for all the other bits of your life that aren’t to do with your hobby/passion/obsession.

How else would I have ended up with not one, but two HD DVD players and around thirty discs, which, if I remember correctly, I felt lucky when I managed to finally get rid of for about £100 for the lot :D

I didn't know whether to give you a funny or a sad for that post. I guess many of us hear have been there to some extent.

Bri
 
Pre-ordered for two reasons:

1. Finally, "The New Avengers" in HD!:)
2. Pixley's book is only 32 pages long!

I suspect this will turn up on Amazon for £10 in due course, but maybe if enough people buy it from Network themselves they might think about doing a complete "New Avengers" HD restoration.

I'm not sure I'd buy the New Avengers blu if it came out. It wasn't a patch on the Mrs Peel episodes. I don't think I could justify the upgrade from the DVD. Buying this might give me a chance to reconsider that possible option. I'd still rather have a Champions blu from Network though. A shortened Pixley book might indeed be interesting.

:)
Bri
 
I think it helps, Brian, that my first introduction to the whole Avengers world was via "The New Avengers", so I've always had a soft spot for it despite its flaws.

If Network could do as good as job on it as they did with "The Professionals", then it would be truly spectacular. Perhaps even get Jo Lumley in for an interview and/or commentary as an extra would be fantastic. She was hugely popular with teenage boys like me in the 70's!
 
I think it helps, Brian, that my first introduction to the whole Avengers world was via "The New Avengers", so I've always had a soft spot for it despite its flaws.

If Network could do as good as job on it as they did with "The Professionals", then it would be truly spectacular. Perhaps even get Jo Lumley in for an interview and/or commentary as an extra would be fantastic. She was hugely popular with teenage boys like me in the 70's!

Yes I think Purdey does it for a lot of people of a certain age. My certain age means it's Mrs Peel. :) I can imagine if that show was your first exposure you'd like it and be able to appreciate the earlier versions. Unfortunately doing it the other way around doesn't work as well.

Bri
 
I'm not sure I'd buy the New Avengers blu if it came out. It wasn't a patch on the Mrs Peel episodes. I don't think I could justify the upgrade from the DVD. Buying this might give me a chance to reconsider that possible option. I'd still rather have a Champions blu from Network though. A shortened Pixley book might indeed be interesting.

:)
Bri
I still like The New Avengers, a great theme tune and Joanna Lumley (often scantily clad), there were some very good early episodes but the later ones where they inexplicably went to France and Canada massively dropped off in quality and were a sad end to the series as a whole.
 
I still like The New Avengers, a great theme tune and Joanna Lumley (often scantily clad), there were some very good early episodes but the later ones where they inexplicably went to France and Canada massively dropped off in quality and were a sad end to the series as a whole.

I believe there was a French production company and money involved. I can't remember the details now.

Bri
 
I still haven't ordered this but it's reminded me that I haven't got the Tara King series blu. Like the Mrs Peel sets it was pretty expensive when it came out. I've had a look around and it can be had for £29 now. I was in CEX the other day and it was £35! Six quid more than a new copy. Absolutely shocking.

Bri
 
My copy arrived today with little fanfare - not even a shipping confirmation e-mail!

Anyway, the packaging is nice and slimline for those running out of shelf space and Pixley's booklet actually looks readable!:D
 
Okay, I've just made the huge mistake of reading Pixley's booklet of "Viewing Notes".

I've no doubt that he is a diligent and rigorous researcher, but he is a truly terrible writer. He's somehow managed to achieve the miraculous feat of making something so interesting turn into something utterly dull and lifeless.

Thankfully, there's only around 24 pages of his usual endless list of dates and locations to have to endure. I just don't know why he doesn't try and seek out contemporary interviews, or actually talk to people who might still be alive and have memories of working on the show.

I know the human memory is notoriously unreliable and fallible, but recollections are far more entertaining and rewarding (to me) than just dates and locations. I was losing the will to live!

Anyway, buy this set for the disc content, not for the booklet of tedium!
 
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Having just watched the two colour episodes I can’t recommend this disc enough and really hope they sell sufficient units to encourage Network to restore the rest of the New Avengers stories.

The option of watching each episode with ad breaks containing commercials from the time made me come over all nostalgic seeing the likes of Terry Wogan flogging stock cubes, Orson Welles sherry and Diana Rigg promoting British Airways. :)
 
Having just watched the two colour episodes I can’t recommend this disc enough and really hope they sell sufficient units to encourage Network to restore the rest of the New Avengers stories.

The option of watching each episode with ad breaks containing commercials from the time made me come over all nostalgic seeing the likes of Terry Wogan flogging stock cubes, Orson Welles sherry and Diana Rigg promoting British Airways. :)

I'm really pleased you enjoyed them so much. You should consider getting the two Mrs Peel series blu sets if they're a reasonable price now.

I have to confess I'd completely forgotten the ads option. That and the "fascinating" Pixley book are the reasons to buy this. As I've said I already have two of these on blu and one on DVD so I'll wait for it to come in price before i go for it.

I wonder if the Tara King set is any cheaper yet?

Bri
 
I've just made the huge mistake of reading Pixley's booklet of "Viewing Notes".

I've no doubt that he is a diligent and rigorous researcher, but he is a truly terrible writer. He's somehow managed to achieve the miraculous feat of making something so interesting turn into something utterly dull and lifeless.

Thankfully, there's only around 24 pages of his usual endless list of dates and locations to have to endure. I just don't know why he doesn't try and seek out contemporary interviews, or actually talk to people who might still be alive and have memories of working on the show.

Aww, that does seem quite harsh. Andrew Pixley posts on Roobarbs Forum from time to time and appears to be one of the most polite gentlemen anyone could ever encounter. He's under no illusions about the readability of his notes, as they're not intended to be used in that way for entertainment purposes. Here's a short quote:

Andrew_Pixley said:
These are not stand-alone books to be read for fun or entertainment. They are reference guides to be consulted for additional detail and background - should one require it - once a programme has been viewed. It's not necessary to read the notes to enjoy the programme, but it is generally necessary to watch the programme to make use of the notes.

The full text can be found at the link below, in which Mr Pixley also explains why he avoids including opinions and recommendations in his viewing notes:

Shoestring (2|entertain / Network) - Page 39
 
^^^^

Well, I actually enjoyed reading his post explaining the rationale behind his Viewing Notes far more than the actual Viewing Notes themselves!

At least he's honest enough to admit that they are practically unreadable as they only serve a particular function and work within a specific context. And I agree with him completely that you don't really need them to enjoy whatever programme they're bundled with.

In fact, I think whoever employs him are clearly underutilising his talents because the Viewing Notes are basically a waste of time and add practically nothing of any value to the programme. I know there was praise for his efforts on that website (and he is clearly rigorous and methodical), but I would suggest that hardly anyone actually reads them and virtually no one enjoys them.

I dunno. I am passionate about certain TV shows, films and music, but I'm not obsessive about anything. Maybe I just have the wrong mindset for his work.
 
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Those who have written on this thread might like to know that as a result......I have bought these discs and am eagerly awaiting their delivery!
 
They have now been delivered and TNA episode has been watched. Positive reviews all round, picture was great and the sound while still having room for improvement was v good for 1976, esp the bass effects throughout. The ads were funny too, esp the one for Hi Karate. Couldn't recall where I have seen the girl from that ad before, but 43 years is a long time ago! Thoroughly recommended and hope that Network will do a Blu Ray of TNA on the back of this. Quite enjoyed the Pixley notes as well!
 
The ads were funny too, esp the one for Hi Karate. Couldn't recall where I have seen the girl from that ad before, but 43 years is a long time ago! Thoroughly recommended and hope that Network will do a Blu Ray of TNA on the back of this. Quite enjoyed the Pixley notes as well!

Valerie Leon. I think most remember her from those ads but she's been in all manner of things including a couple of Bond films.

Valerie Leon - IMDb

Bri
 
Valerie Leon. I think most remember her from those ads but she's been in all manner of things including a couple of Bond films.

Valerie Leon - IMDb

Bri
I think she the only Bond girl to have been in the two different franchise if you call the hotel receptionist in The Spy Who Loved Me as one although there was a plethora of Bond ladys in the spoof Casino Royale. Valarie also appeared with Roger in The Persuaders but also a bit part I think was in a vehicle advertising something. Glad she got a bigger part in Never Say Never Again. Seem to recall in my Filmomonic program guide she was a patron but sadly I never saw her at the show.
I also recall her on a morning show chatting about Bond and still was an attractive lady.
Sad that for most she be remembered for those aftershave ads, I only think she got one main role and that was playing two characters in a Mummy film.
 
I think it's down to this thread that we've started rewatching the "color" Mrs Peel series agai over the last several weeks. We're not binge watching by any means as we've only got to Venus With Love tonight. Brilliant tv to be appreciated over a period of time. It was great seeing Jon Pertwee as the Brigadier.

:)
Bri
 

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