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Product Description
All 17 remaining episodes of the swinging '60s BBC adventure series, starring Gerald Harper as Edwardian adventurer Adam Adamant, transported to the 1960s to battle crime and defeat his evil nemesis, The Face (Peter Ducrow). In these episodes, Adam investigates a murder where the only clue is a stick of Blackpool rock, the world of high fashion disguises murder and espionage, and Adam rejoins his old regiment to investigate a series of murders. Episodes are: 'A Vintage Year For Scoundrels'; 'Death Has a Thousand Faces'; 'More Deadly Than the Sword'; 'The Sweet Smell of Disaster'; 'Allah Is Not Always With You'; 'The Terribly Happy Embalmers'; 'To Set a Deadly Fashion'; 'The Last Sacrifice'; 'Sing a Song of Murder'; 'The Doomsday Plan'; 'Death By Appointment Only'; 'Beauty is an Ugly Word'; 'The League of Uncharitable Ladies'; 'The Village of Evil'; 'D For Destruction'; 'Black Echo'; and 'A Sinister Sort of Service'.
Synopsis
A dashing Edwardian gentleman is entombed in ice by his enemy 'The Face.' When he eventually awakes he finds himself in the swinging sixties. With the help of Georgina Jones he becomes involved in a world of secret ciphers, danger and intrigue. He was dashing, debonair and daring. He had pledged to fight evil, to undertake any dangerous or delicate mission on behalf of his sovereign. He was fin de siecle gentleman, Adam Adamant. Was and is - for Adam Adamant Lives!
In 1966, the BBC turned to Doctor Who creator Sydney Newman and producer Verity Lambert for an idea to emulate ITV's success with The Avengers, Adam Adamant Lives! saw ever-so British star Gerald Harper take the lead role and Ridley Scott, acclaimed director of Gladiator and Alien, direct several episodes. Only two series were made but three decades later a certain Austin Powers exquisitely parodied the series...
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
120 of 121 people found the following review helpful
By J. A. Buss
Format: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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
53 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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).... Read more ›
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).... Read more ›
63 of 65 people found the following review helpful
By M. Wren
Format:DVD
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.
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesomeness personified
When I purchased this box set I was slightly unsure of what to expect, knowing only about the series through my deep-held appreciation of Doctor Who and reading a little about this... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Mr. Nicky Verra
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sixties series revied
Nice to see this again. Had vague(very vague!) memories of it from being a young child. Not disappointed, good fun.
Published 2 months ago by onalane
3.0 out of 5 stars
A curiosity
I gave it three stars because my expectations were not high to begin with and the product itself is as advertised. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Zinger
4.0 out of 5 stars
A blast from the past
This was a blast from the past, the acting by the main actors flowed well .
This is very enjoyable if you were like me impressed by this swashbuckling hero back in the sixties
This is very enjoyable if you were like me impressed by this swashbuckling hero back in the sixties
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Peter Palmer
5.0 out of 5 stars
its not the avengers !
this is always gonna be compared to the avengers and it shouldn't its ADAM ADAMANT matured nicely a lovely glimpse of sixty's life not sure why its black and white don't care... Read more
Published 5 months ago by luke
5.0 out of 5 stars
My hero
Aaaaaaaaaah the hero of my childhood!
Made in the sixties, its quite fun to watch for lots of reasons that weren't apparent at the time, the sets are often in danger of... Read more
Made in the sixties, its quite fun to watch for lots of reasons that weren't apparent at the time, the sets are often in danger of... Read more
Published 5 months ago by C. Herron
5.0 out of 5 stars
The past lives again
Forget the dodgy sets and the black and white if you liked the series the first time araound then you will like it again. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Gary Ambrosini
5.0 out of 5 stars
Adam Adamant Complete
I loved this programme when it first came out. It's just as good now, comes from a simpler time, strong on imagination, not so reliant on technology
Published 6 months ago by Sue Thomson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Adam Adamant Back fom the Grave!
As a small child I always had a vague, dreamy recollection of Adam Adamant. The trouble with a lot of the BBC material from this time, is that it assumes that its audience can read... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Peterabbit
5.0 out of 5 stars
Under-rated and unknown
I had never seen nor heard of this series before an ad from Amazon.Being a huge fan of British TV, the description was enough to get me interested. Read more
Published 7 months ago by James B. Burton
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