Jason King: The Complete Series [DVD]

Jason King was the sequel to the series Department S. (If you liked Department S you will like this too, although I personally prefer Department S.) If you have not seen Department S, I recommend you try that first. (for story consistency and character development)
This series is another classic ITC series that's fun and glamour. After Department S was made and screened on TV from 1968-1970, one of the main characters got his own series. The character of course is Jason King. The series was created around 1971 to 1972. There were 26 episodes in total.
The series featured the further adventures of the title character who had first appeared in Department S. In that series he was an author working as part of a team of investigators. They worked on many unusual cases and the fact that Jason was an author was just part of his character and didnt distract from what the team were doing as investigators for Department S. In this sequel series Jason King, Jason, has left the service as a member of Department S and is concentrating on writing adventure novels. These novels follow the adventures of the fictional Mark Caine, (which the Jason King character was also writing about in Department S) who closely resembled Jason King in looks, manner, style, and personality. None of the other regular characters from Department S appeared in this series.
Jason King visits international locations as part of his research for his books but always gets involved in adventure. There is always crime, action and women, The first episode has King retelling a Mark Caine novel to a television executive. Subsequent episodes feature King trying to write his novels and being hassled by his publisher Nicola Harvester about deadlines. King, however, is often tricked by Ryland of the British Government into assisting the Government in international political matters. All of his adventures, later find themselves written into the adventures of the fictional novel of Mark Caine that King has just been working on. Jason always has loads of attractive girls around him.
Although looking at it now he is a bit over the top with his Caftan, His hair style and his medallions around his neck. He is a handsome guy that women seem to worship. (Although for me Peter Wyngard (who played Jason King) lookeded more handsome in any other character he played other than Jason. I would even venture to say he is a bit cheesy or camp. However this is the character we are talking about here)
You can see clearly that Jason is a bit of an influence or inspiration on the Austin Powers character from the Austin Powers films. (Thinks a lot about himself, flamboyant clothes and hairstyle, medalians and women drooling over him) However this was the early seventies and it is all just a load of fun. You cannot take the stories seriously they are just light TV fun. Peter Wyngarde is excellent and despite my earlier comments the series and the character are very original and unique. There is nothing else like it. There are some very good extras on the final disc and this edition has been re packaged and Network has done a fantastic job on the product. This is a great slice of seventies nostalgia. And a good insight into seventies TV culture. There are some interesting special guest appearances by other famous actors and actresses throughout the series. The series was created by Dennis Spooner and like its predecessor, Department S, was made by Lew Grades ITC Entertainment production company (which had become successful with such series as Danger Man, The Saint, Champions, Randall and Hopkirk, The Prisoner, Man in a suitcase, Strange Report, and the Persuaders.
Great series, Great product.

Let's face it, without a contribution for Peter Wyngarde the set is flawed. He was great and so was the series, but it's rather like only having half of the pantomime horse. All I can ask is why didn't he get involved. He must have been asked. And Mr Wyngarde does offer a commentary of sorts on the Australian version of this set -and the Department S set. Oh well, such is life dear boy. Bless you Peter (my real name also) for those fun years; pity they ended so sadly. TV has missed you for 40 years and is the sadder for that. Liked your role in Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett, however. A small example of what might have been. I hope you are happy

I remember Department S from the late 60s and this is the spin of series from it Jason King.The stories in Department S revolved around mysteries that were to baffling for normal police and were thus referred to Department S ( a type of Interpol) who specialised in solving the inexplicable .
For instance an aeroplane that landed without passengers and crew would be refereed to Department S.Department S called on the services of a guy who was a great crime novelist to help them Jason King.You have got to watch department S first to then fully appreciate Jason King.The stories in this series are more a vehicle to advertise the Jason King character as he tumbles headlong into adventure.I think that the stories have more humour to them than the Department S stories which tended to be more serious.There are some great looking women in the stories too.One of my favourite stories of the series is called "Uneasy lies The Head".I love the opening sequence in a Whitehall office multinational delegates are discussing ways of combating an international narcotics organisation.They are looking for a man to take charge of the investigation,Jason King is suggested,after all his mother was a French Countess and his father a descendant of the exiled Russian dynasty ( he is well heeled)Flamingoes Only Fly On Tuesdays is another favourite. In this story Jason is mistook for a gun runner while visiting a Caribbean Island during the course of the story he makes friends with the opposition party to solve the case.
If you want to relive the 60s in all its fashion watch this series !