The
Champions – The Complete Series (Special Edition)
Cast Stuart Damon, Alexandra Bastedo, William Gaunt
Directors
Various
Year
1968
Format
9 Discs, 30 Episodes
Release
Date Out Now
Distributor
Network
RRP
?9.99
It’s
actually only a couple of years since The Champions was
originally released on DVD. However, this new ‘Special Edition’
box-set really lives up to its name. This is the ultimate collection
of The Champions in that it presents everything that a
nostalgia hungry Champions fan could wish for.
The extras
on this DVD set are extensive. They include audio commentary’s
by lead actors Stuart Damon, Alexandra Bastedo and William Gaunt on
two episodes; original test footage of the lead players; an
incidental music suite; various trailers and promos and a merchandise
image gallery – including PDFs of pages from a Joe 90
annual.
The main
‘extra’ is the new We are the Champions
documentary which reunites the lead cast for the first time in over
thirty years. It is actually quite moving to see the actors meeting
each other again and it is obvious that they have a genuine liking
for each other and enjoyed making the programme. This will probably
not come as a surprise to fans of the series as the chemistry between
the actors is clearly apparent in the episodes themselves.
Of course,
however good the extras may be, it is the episodes themselves that
count. Nicely re-mastered by Network, all thirty episodes are here
present and correct. Also included is a previously unseen extended
version of The Beginning as well as the The Legend of the
Champions compilation movie. If you grew up watching The
Champions, either on their original showing in the late Sixties
or on their numerous repeats in the years following, you won’t
be disappointed. Unlike some shows, The Champions really is as
good as you remember it. Never mind if the cast rarely set foot out
of the studio, let alone venture to the exotic international
locations featured in the stories, this is classic television with a
strong lead cast, imaginative direction and exciting and suspenseful
stories.
The basic
premise of three secret agents being granted special powers by a
strange Tibetan monk may seem ridiculously comic-strip but it’s
actually handled with subtlety. The ‘special powers’ –
heightened strength, senses and mental agility – aren’t
overused or overblown. Our heroes aren’t bionic or magical but
just have the edge and the element of surprise on their opponents.
It’s
a joy to be able to watch Craig, Sharron and Richard in action again
and even when you’ve watched all thirty episodes you’ll
find yourself wishing that they had made more.
John
Ainsworth
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