The Protectors: The Complete Series [DVD]

The protectors is a great 1970s classic series originally created by the famous ITC studios. It is a good fun detective type of show. Robert Vaughn stars as Harry Rule, the suave American who leads the operations and works from a London office; Nyree Dawn Porter is the elegant, Rome-based Contessa di Contini, and Tony Anholt is Paul Buchet, a French agent operating out of Paris. The three of them make up this unique team that tackles baffling and dangerous assignments. Together they move around Europe`s most top resorts. There are some impressive locations that give the show glamour. The team keep in touch via hi tech seventies computer equipment. There are fashionable cars and private jets used as they fight crime head on. They tackle spies, murderers, smugglers and drug pushers. Harry Rule is the leader, an American who works from a hi tech office in London and lives in a country mansion with an Irish wolfhound named Gus. He is looked after by his au pair, Suki, who is a martial arts expert. The Contessa di Contini is Lady Caroline Ogilvy, an elegent English widow. Her late husband was Italian and has left her the villa in Rome. She specialises in art and antiques fraud and is chauffeured by a karate chopping driver named Chino. Paul Buchet is french, and works from an apartment in Paris. The three main characters have a special, and warm bond to each other and there is good atmosphere.
The series has style, glamour, action and a little comedy all neatly packed into each episode that runs just under half an hour. This means that there isnt the character development like there would be with an hour long show. But it doesnt matter because the three main characters do get character development over the series anyway. The running time also gives the show originality that makes it stand out. (there were very few other shows that had the same short running time made by ITC, and thay were series like The Adventurer made around the same time as The Protectors, and the early episodes of Danger Man from the sixties all of which I also reccomend) And the 25 minute episodes dont offer time to get bored as things move along quickly. The whole show has the feel of a standard hour long ITC show but its just shorter.
Robert Vaughn, Nyree Dawn Porter and Tony Anholt give a good performance. The series has charm with its seventies style of fashion, cars, locations and clothes. And the whole production seems to have even more originality about it than it did at the time. It is entertaining and nostalgic enjoyment that is on offer in this release.
The adventures of the Protectors were produced by Gerry Anderson (puppet master who created Thunderbirds) and Reg Hill. (who produced many other british programmes)
Its good that Network DVD have finally released this wonderful series to go along with the other ITC programmes they have in their catalogue. Its taken them a bit too long realy because they have had the soundrack available for some time. The series has been out before on ITV entertainments and its still possible to get that version, but this Network release is the one to get. Its well presented as are most of their releases.
John Thaw, Diana Quick, Stephanie Beacham, Peter Bowles, Patrick Troughton and George Baker are among the many stars making guest appearances, while Tony Christie sings the show's theme tune, Avenues and Alleyways - a UK Top 40 hit in 1973 and on its re-release in 2005. This 7-disc set comprises all 52 half-hour episodes, originally aired between 1972 and 1974 There are some limited extra SPECIAL FEATURES:
* Over 1500 stills (disc 7) including PR and behind-the-scenes shots
* PDF promotional material including original brochure and press information
The soundtrack is also available seperatley which I also would reccomend. The Protectors - Original Soundtrack [5 Disc set]
There are no subtitles for hard of hearing. No English Subtitles or audio description.

i would like to know if there are english subtitles avalaible thanks, i want to buy it but i need subtitles in order to understand all

this isn't gerry anderson's most successful live-action series, U.F.O takes first place in that regard.
even so, there are some good episodes from "the protectors" but most of them can be found in the first series from 1972/73 as the second series is a real letdown with some pedestrian stories and acting. for me, 26 episodes would have been preferable to 52. also, the rather grainy footage doesn't help either.
the supporting cast is very good but most of these I.T.C shows do contain some highly gifted and reliable actors. i loved seeing the likes of derren nesbitt, ian hendry, nigel green( in his last t.v appearance before his untimely death) and patrick troughton amongst others. they add something to the series.
robert vaughan is quite effective in the lead and he is well supported by the other two regular characters. i like the catchy theme tune as well.