Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dated charm, solid concept, catchy song, 1/2 hr too short, 23 Aug 2002
The Protectors is a 52-episode Gerry Anderson live-action production set in the 1970s. It follows the adventures of three high-priced troubleshooters - Harry Rule (played by American actor Robert Vaughn), the Contessa Caroline di Contini (the late Nyree Dawn Porter), and Paul Buchet (the late Tony Anholt). Rule is based in London, the Contessa in Rome, and Buchet in Paris. They maintain contact through a sophisticated (for the time...) linked communication and computer network. Their adventures range from straightforward prison breaks to rather complex cases of international intrigue. Nearly every episode involves some sort of exotic location shot. This series had a running time of about 25 minutes per episode - not quite enough to tell an absorbing action adventure tale with any significant character development. However, the series had a solid concept and a chemistry between cast members that overcame the tight time constraints and awkward scripts. Thirty years later, it has acquired the patina of dated charm - especially the continuity lapses, period dialogue, and dated apparel. For these reasons alone, this series is quite entertaining to watch. Finally, The Protectors has one of those forceful 1970s theme songs that sticks in one's head - "Avenues and Alleyways" sung by Tony Christie. This song has the mildly annoying characteristic of getting in one's noggin and flatly refusing to leave...
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Early 70's action and suspense! ...with terrific cars of that day as well!, 17 Jun 2008
I agree with J. D. Mohney's review totally, not much to add, really. Only that car nuts will have a treat too: I have not seen the entire series, but the episodes I've seen were packed with Jensen Interceptors, Rolls-Royces (several models), Citroën SM's, Citroën DS's and many more... There even was a Maserati Mistral in one episode! ...and a Citroën GS (Jaune Primevère, AC 321) in another one!
For the reasons mentioned by J. D. and the one's I've discovered for myself I find the series well enough entertaining and a joy to watch.
The 25-minutes-format is odd, I don't know of any other series that has such short episodes, but it's also perfect for those occasions when you don't have an hour to spend, only to realize that you've seen 3 episodes in a row! Just because they were only bite size.
Conclusion: The Protectors rank amongst my favourites for the above reasons. If you only ever will buy one series of 60's or 70's british police/agent drama/action you might be better off with The Professionals, I guess. I love Cowley's sharp tongue and way with words in that series! He's no push-over! But if you, like me, really love the series from the 60', 70's and even 80's you might find Special Branch (especially the series from the 70's), The Avengers (the Emma Peel years, in particular), Dempsey and Makepeace interesting too...
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