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Special Features
Full Screen
DVD 5
English
Region 0
Dolby Digital English
Dolby Digital
Fully Interactive Menus
Exclusive Interview With Edward Woodward
DVD 5
English
Region 0
Dolby Digital English
Dolby Digital
Fully Interactive Menus
Exclusive Interview With Edward Woodward
From the Back Cover
TV viewers first met Callan in a one-off Armchair theatre play 'A Magnum for Schneider, in which the disgraced former top secret service agent is seconded to a government section devoted to the elimination of undesirables - by whatever means necessary. Callan's was a violent, bleak world where if you didn't kill first they killed you. He was a cold-blooded killer, an outsider - isolated, often in direct conflict with his superior Hunter, a code name given to all heads of Section. Made in 1973, this Feature Film is an expanded rewrite of the first TV episode in which the disgraced former secret service agent David Callan is given the opportunity to redeem himself with one more liquidation. His assignment is to kill a businessman responsible for a number of bombings and gun running, but not everything goes according to plan.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I also remember with fondness the TV series and agree that the movie is not a replacement for the series. But, in its own right the movies is well worth watching. Modern viewers will probably be disappointed by the lack of graphic violence, but what is there is shocking in its suddenness and brutality. It also shows what can be done with a few blows. The acting throughout is first class. All who have seen the TV series will miss the classic opening sequence of lightbulb which set the tone for the whole saga.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The film is a remake of a series episode, the pilot. The film is a lot more glossy than the TV series and therfore looses some of the grim anti hero of the main character. David Callan is one of the greatest TV characters ever to grace our screens, the film is fast paced and well shot with plenty of action, and a lot of well know stars in some of their first roles on TV. A very good film which stands alone, but better if viewed along with the 1st series.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie is a slightly extended version of the original play and adds bits to show more of Callan's sometimes vicious nature and Callan's and Lonely's more friendly interaction.
The performances of Edward Woodward and Russell Hunter as Callan and Lonely are up to their usual high standard but I missed actor Anthony Valentine in the role of Toby Meres as he did in the early TV series, he completed the strong triangle of main characters.
Whilst I think the film is only worth having if like me you get it for a very low price and as an introduction to the TV series the DVD does also include an excellent (one way) interview from Edward Woodward which in itself justified the price I paid.
I would strongly recommend Callan - The Monochrome Years [DVD] [1976] [1967 with the original play and what remains of the first and second series an excellent DVD and good value, 11 episodes and the play, all good and interesting stories, good screen quality too and of course Edward Woodward's fine portrayal as the troubled assassin.
Personally I'll wait and see if the prices of the colour episodes sets drop before buying but I might give in before then as I remember some great Callan stories that I've not seen since early Sky satellite days.
If you like this high quality of acting, story telling and characters then I also suggest you look at another fantastic TV series and good quality DVDs with a great actor and character made for each other, Public Eye with Alfred Burke as Frank Marker starting with Public Eye - The Complete 1969 Series [DVD] [1965.
The performances of Edward Woodward and Russell Hunter as Callan and Lonely are up to their usual high standard but I missed actor Anthony Valentine in the role of Toby Meres as he did in the early TV series, he completed the strong triangle of main characters.
Whilst I think the film is only worth having if like me you get it for a very low price and as an introduction to the TV series the DVD does also include an excellent (one way) interview from Edward Woodward which in itself justified the price I paid.
I would strongly recommend Callan - The Monochrome Years [DVD] [1976] [1967 with the original play and what remains of the first and second series an excellent DVD and good value, 11 episodes and the play, all good and interesting stories, good screen quality too and of course Edward Woodward's fine portrayal as the troubled assassin.
Personally I'll wait and see if the prices of the colour episodes sets drop before buying but I might give in before then as I remember some great Callan stories that I've not seen since early Sky satellite days.
If you like this high quality of acting, story telling and characters then I also suggest you look at another fantastic TV series and good quality DVDs with a great actor and character made for each other, Public Eye with Alfred Burke as Frank Marker starting with Public Eye - The Complete 1969 Series [DVD] [1965.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Classic Callan
I loved the TV series, although looking at videos of the "monochrome years" I have to say it was clearly made on the cheap. Read more
Published 3 months ago by James N. Beatson
well acted, but daft plot
The film may not be true to the television series (and probably never could be), but it is true to the sixties/seventies spy film genre. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Graham R. Hill
callen the movie
movie is ok and quality is good. but as its only an extended version of the pilot programme. it did,nt seem worth doing.
Published 16 months ago by philip thorley
Worth it for Edward Woodward
Showing it's age, but well worth buying just to see the role created so well by EW. Yes the production is cheap, it lacks all the modern fancy camera work, but it is still a good... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Peter J. Mccurdy
A remake and what that implies
Like so many remakes this was much more professionally produced but unfortunately this does not compensate for the original characters. However, still good value.
Published 19 months ago by Rodders
Callan - The Movie
Superb! This is the best rewriting of a pilot episode ever done. True actors doing a great job.
Published on 23 May 2010 by Mr. R. J. Scandrett
callan the movie
I can remember the callan tv series and the famous swinging lightbulb but have always preferred the cinema
film version
I havent seen it for some years now the only... Read more
film version
I havent seen it for some years now the only... Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2010 by Donald Kirkbride
Callan: The Movie on DVD
This film didn't have the biting edge that the series, as we remember it, did. Loved Edward Woodward's talk on making the series included on the DVD! Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by P. Wallace
back to the 60's cold war
the basic theme is the existential individual in the cold war scenario, with each side the mirror of the other relying on the amoral to fight their battles at arms length, James... Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2009 by William M. Beveridge
Killer with a conscience!
Bought this DVD some time ago and was suprised at how good it was.Edward Woodward is superb in his usual restrained way as the killer with a conscience,Callan,and he is ably... Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2009 by Ivor Winters
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