Adam Adamant Lives! - The Complete Collection (5 Disc Box Set) [1966] [DVD]

At long last, after it's aborted issue, last year, this series sees release upon DVD. This is possibly one of the finest fantasy type shows that the BBC has ever produced.

The basic premise of the series is that of an Edwardian gentleman and adventurer (Adam Adamant), who had been entombed in a block of ice by his arch enemy "the Face" in 1902. Upon his discovery in the present (1966), he is revived, enabling him to continue his adventuring. Finding his vast fortune still intact, he buys a penthouse overlooking the Thames. This he refurbishes with furniture from his own period. His only concession to the present day, is a Mini Cooper S, with the numberplate AA1000. This is housed in the multi-storey carpark, beneath his penthouse, to which he has access via a private lift. Accompanied by his young companion Georgina Jones and with his ever-useful swordstick at his side, he embarks upon further adventures.

The Character of Adam Adamant was played with great style by Gerald Harper, while his youthful companion was Juliet Harmer. Of the other regulars, the part of Adam's butler, Simms, was taken by Jack May, whose character spent much of the time quoting appropriate limericks to Adam.

As well as being a great adventure series, much of the shows enjoyment comes from the clash of culture, between the Edwardian values of Adam, and the extremely modern Miss Jones. This is a series that could well do from being remade now as these cultural clashes, would prove even more extreme.

First broadcast in mid 1966, two series were produced, totalling 29 episodes. During its original run the series came close to toppling "The Avengers" crown, but although the series had proved popular, it was never recommissioned. The series was produced by Verity Lambert, who was also the original producer of Dr Who. With directors including a young Ridley Scott.

Previously only the first two episodes had been available, and this release now sees the re-release of these two episodes, along with all other remaining episodes that the BBC still holds. This series sadly suffering the fate may shows of its period did. Happily Pdf files of the missing scripts have been included in this set, along with a new documentary about the series.

I'm pleased to report that Adam Adamant remains largely as entertaining to its fans who remember it as when first viewed 40 years back. Adamant is the gracious man of action propelled through the marvels of suspended animation by a devious foe, Samurai Jack-like, to the future - an enigmatic event revisited in brief flash back by the programme most weeks. And best of all at the start of each episode, the larger than life mood is set splendidly by a memorable Goldfinger-like ballad, sung by a full throated Kathy Kirby.

The first episode sets up the key situation, and all the others I have seen thereafter take place in the 60's, with the now 99 year-old, but still youthful, adventurer taking on a different bunch of foes each week - often at the unoffficial behest of the British Government, who value his peculiar, off beat talent for sniffing out dire deeds.

Aiding Adamant in his efforts is a vaguely camp, risqué limerick loving, manservant - permanently installed in his discreet flat hidden above a London car park - and Miss Jones (Juliet Harmer), a young, impulsive, typically swinging sixties bird, who inevitably gets into scrapes and precipitates the main crisis each week as she gets captured. Adamant himself is amusingly disdainful of modern mores and fashions - although he does allow himself the pleasure of driving a mini one notices. He also remains impeccably dressed in the style of a 1880's gentleman, complete with spats, waist coat and a sword stick (making up an odd if dashing, figure, never made an object of derision, even by his fiercest enemies).

Those who enjoy the tongue in cheek qualities which hallmarked The Avengers will find some similarities here, not just in the dashing, Steed-like turn out of the central character (and indeed it shares at least one of its writers, Brian Clemens, at times) although it has to be admitted the better known show deserves its superior reputation. The Adamant script formula is fairly rigid by comparison, with the same set ups each week - including the prompt and slightly ludicrous appearance of Miss Jones as employee in every establishment which finds itself under suspicion - and it lacks the implicit sexual magneticism, larger budget, and surreal sophistication of the other show. Despite the best charms of Miss Jones, Adamant is above real flirtation (although he is a ladies' man in his own, genteel way) an element of his character which somewhat weakens a potentially interesting relationship.

More often than not Adam confronts each week a conspiracy of some sort against the general public or public finances, whether it originates from a bunch of crooked embalmers, religious fanatics, frock designers, casino operators, record companies and soap manufacturers - or even from those who, in one episode, plan to devastate Blackpool's golden mile, with exploding light bulbs no less.

The best moments of the series are usually in the weird Adamant household with some low level bitching going on between manservant and Miss Jones. Some episodes rise to very entertaining heights, notably the one set within a fashion house this while, as Adamant kills the odd henchman with his sword stick or exposes the workings of an evil escort agency, one is reminded that not all viewers would have been youngsters. But over all, its very atmospheric fun, marvelously preserved, very much of its period if you care for the time capsule experience.

The set includes a whimsical, but ultimately not very informative, commentary on one or two shows by the now elderly Adamant (Gerald Harper) and associates, as well as a documentary and stills from the missing episodes. No less a talent than Ridley Scott worked on one episode. Not all episodes exist - those which do are largely from the first of two seasons, but fortunately they stand alone, enjoyable in their own right.

A few years ago I bought the video with the first two episodes of the series. It looked like a great idea and I was very pleased when the remaining 17 of an original 33 episodes were released this year. The quality and value of this 5 DVD boxset is excellent. I haven't watched all 17 episodes but the 5 or 6 or so I have watched are pure 1960's nostalgia. Look out for the fashion - although filmed in black and white -it just adds to the atmosphere.

The theme of an Edwardian gentleman being transported through time to 1966 has been compared to Austin Powers trip from the 1960s to the 1990s, but the former works so much better with incidents like Adam's visit to the Fluffy Club. A memorable quote being:"How can you refer to my grandchildren, Miss Jones? You know I never married!"

I've read that the programme came about as an attempt by the BBC to match ITV's Avengers with storylines like the one based on gaining control of the British population by getting them addicted to the scent of an artificial blue carnation given away free with washing powder. As I recall, in reality, there used to be a lot of free gifts given away with washing powder!

As another reviewer has mentioned the acting is spot-on, even the most incredible storyline seems convincing - and weren't these the days when they had to film it all like a stage play in one go?

There is a booklet which goes with the 5 discs, but be warned, you will need very strong reading specs as the print is very small.