The Champions - The Complete Series

Scifind.co.uk rating - 4.5 - out of 5.

Reviewed By: John Ainsworth

Starring: Stuart Damon, Alexandra Bastedo, William Gaunt,

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 £59.99

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