Customer Reviews

Adam Adamant Lives! - The Complete Collection (5 Disc Box Set) [1966] [DVD]

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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. The series was produced by Verity Lambert, who was also the original producer of Dr Who. With directors including a young Ridley Scott.

Previously only the first two episodes had been available, and this release now sees the re-release of these two episodes, along with all other remaining episodes that the BBC still holds. This series sadly suffering the fate may shows of its period did. Happily Pdf files of the missing scripts have been included in this set, along with a new documentary about the series.

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).

Those who enjoy the tongue in cheek qualities which hallmarked The Avengers will find some similarities here, not just in the dashing, Steed-like turn out of the central character (and indeed it shares at least one of its writers, Brian Clemens, at times) although it has to be admitted the better known show deserves its superior reputation. The Adamant script formula is fairly rigid by comparison, with the same set ups each week - including the prompt and slightly ludicrous appearance of Miss Jones as employee in every establishment which finds itself under suspicion - and it lacks the implicit sexual magneticism, larger budget, and surreal sophistication of the other show. Despite the best charms of Miss Jones, Adamant is above real flirtation (although he is a ladies' man in his own, genteel way) an element of his character which somewhat weakens a potentially interesting relationship.

More often than not Adam confronts each week a conspiracy of some sort against the general public or public finances, whether it originates from a bunch of crooked embalmers, religious fanatics, frock designers, casino operators, record companies and soap manufacturers - or even from those who, in one episode, plan to devastate Blackpool's golden mile, with exploding light bulbs no less.

The best moments of the series are usually in the weird Adamant household with some low level bitching going on between manservant and Miss Jones. Some episodes rise to very entertaining heights, notably the one set within a fashion house this while, as Adamant kills the odd henchman with his sword stick or exposes the workings of an evil escort agency, one is reminded that not all viewers would have been youngsters. But over all, its very atmospheric fun, marvelously preserved, very much of its period if you care for the time capsule experience.

The set includes a whimsical, but ultimately not very informative, commentary on one or two shows by the now elderly Adamant (Gerald Harper) and associates, as well as a documentary and stills from the missing episodes. No less a talent than Ridley Scott worked on one episode. Not all episodes exist - those which do are largely from the first of two seasons, but fortunately they stand alone, enjoyable in their own right.

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.

I want to advise potential buyers of the Dutch edition listed here that this edition does not have the 64 page booklet mentioned in other reviews of the UK edition listing for this collection.

The UK edition, which is just a few quid more than the Dutch version, has the exhaustive 64 page booklet by Andrew Pixley. In my opinion, if you are interested in getting this series from the nostalgia viewpoint or even a first timer, then you will want the booklet for its very interesting and informative background to the series.

It's been well remastered and obviously shows the limitation of the 405 line videotape. But it's no worse than any other BBC 405 line recording of the period 1966-67.

If you're not bothered by the booklet, then get this Dutch edition (Dutch subtitles can be switched off as the soundtrack is English) as its a great buy.

I had never seen this show, before my time, I had always been curious about it after seeing the DVDs on Amazon and I am very glad I decided to make the purchase as this has become one of my favourite shows now.

It is sad this show, like many others from the BBC, has missing episodes. This is due to a clearout of tapes at the beeb some years ago. However there are a number of episodes on this 5 Disc set and if you can't bear the thought of missing those few episodes that ended up in the bin then they have even included the PDF files of the original scripts as extras alongside the Annual and several comics and even a copy of the Adam Adamant special in the 1966 Radio Times which almost made me squeal with excitement :-)

Remember this series was made and shown at the height of the 60s in 1966-67 and it captures that era magnificently, down to the hero of the day driving a mini :-)

Adam Adamant is a dapper fellow, tricked into a trap where he is frozen in ice by his arch enemy 'The Face', he rests frozen and undisturbed for many years until being found, thawed out and comes back to live, hence it being called Adam Adamant LIVES! He hooks up with Georgina Jones (Miss Jones to you! LOL) and man servant Simms. An Edwardian in 1960's swinging London!

This is very much like The Avengers and in fact all the main players and some of the writers worked on The Avengers at some point. So if you like the Emma Peel years, this will appeal to you ;-)

Get past the first couple of episodes, you might think, ooh this isn't for me but your just warming yourself up to the show, panic ye not! Before long people will have to rip the DVDs from your hands.

The shows are around 45 minutes long each, so a good length and there are tons of extras to keep you busy including a catch up with the stars of the show recorded recently and that runs for an hour itself.

Be aware this is vintage material, some of which was lost, so some has been restored from film and a couple of episodes have either poor quality vision and in one case bad sound, nothing insurmountable mind, and it all makes you so glad that they were able to recover them once you get into it, that you won't mind.

I cannot recommend this highly enough, its a real treat. I also happened to mention it in the passing to my mother who informed me it was one of my fathers favourite shows in the 60s, which was nice to know as he has since passed on and we never managed to share the show together when he was alive, funny how these things happen.

Amazing quality sound and vision - just like a modern dvd series. I thought it would be grainy and hissy, but no - just the opposite, I have only watched four episodes so far, but the quality is amazing.

Love the series and it's fun to watch - very tongue in cheek. If you like the Avengers, then you'll love this.

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 and write, has a basic standard of education, but aspires to something better or higher. In the 50's and 60's British television produced a mountain of creative, imaginative, innovative, risk taking and intellectually stimulating drama. By comparison, modern British television is dull, anti intellectual, conformist, formulaic and suffocatingly politically correct. At times, when I watch modern British television I feel like George Orwell's Winston Smith or Ray Bradbury's Montag. The present BBC is a basket case. It is no longer viable. The continued erosion and undermining of its original ethics and values is evidenced by the downward spiral in the quality of both its television and radio broadcasting. Anyone with an IQ above 100 now finds it almost impossible to find any of the programming on Radios 3 and 4 either interesting or intellectually stimulating. Together with the World Service, they have been trashed on the altar of political correctness. The BBC has for a number of years abused its position with an ever increasing licence fee generating Billions, but yet delivering poor quality broadcasting. The BBC is no longer universally loved, admired or respected, even by the people working for it. Sadly, the BBC is becoming irrelevant in British public life. It no longer has any gravitas or intellectual credibility. The South West London apparatchiks presently running the BBC are cynical, pseudo intellectual, preening, self important, self serving, patronising thought police. They have no creativity or imagination. The last of the truly creative people at the BBC were cleared out in the late 70's/early 80's. How many truly entertaining, memorable, creative and daringly intellectual BBC programmes have there been after this period? Adam Adamant is a breath of fresh air. It comes from a time when the BBC was truly idealistic about Public Service broadcasting and fizzing with novel, experimental ideas. It doesn't always work. It is not always politically correct (how can it be in 1966!). However, it is is imaginative, subversive, entertaining and hugely enjoyable. It is well worth buying. You will not see its like again in your lifetime. Highly recommended.

This review just focuses on the differences between the two versions of this box set - the UK home market edition listed here and the export Dutch edition which is listed separately by amazon. I have had both. The major difference on the amazon listings is that the pink/white balloon with lettering on the top left hand corner of the box set is in Dutch, the English version, naturally, is in english.

I had originally bought the Dutch version which, at the time was about half the price of the UK edition from a Dutch market place seller(the excellent ''The-Best-on-DVD''). It has,not surprisingly a Dutch language slipcase and identical Dutch langauage back cover. it has a facility to switch off Dutch subtitles as the soundtrack is good old English. Hoever, this edition does not have the 64 page booklet - I guess the cost of producing multi-language booklets for what will be a minority interest title wasn't worth it.

However, the UK edition listed here does have the 64 page booklet and boy is it worth the extra. Smallish font size text, some nice illustrations and a level of detail regarding the series creation that is astonishing. Around thirty pages on the series creation and the remainder on an episode by episode breakdown, credits, storyline etc. Andrew Pixley the booklet's author is obviously a devoted fan and has produced a booklet worthy of the series.

I've just seen the first episodes and the remastering is fine considering it was originally shot on 405 line video. Absolutely nothing to complain about especially now the price has dropped to about half it was when I decided to go for the cheaper Dutch version. Don't want anybody else to make that mistake. If you're not bothered about the booklet, the Dutch edition is a great buy.

Bought this box set after watching the 1st episode on BBC4 as part of lost programs.Have only watched 1st disc so far planning on watching all over Christmas.Comes with hefty booklet very in depth.Couldn't resist buying for great price & free p&p.Worth owning.

The Avengers, The Saint, The Prisioner and all the other classic 60's series all get the usual praise and rightly so but Adam Adamant seems almost like a forgotten gem, most people will have heard of the name but wouldnt be able to place where they heard it, this is a crying shame.

Gerald Harper excels in the role of a Victorian gentlemen frozen in time by his arch nemesis 'The Face' only to be thawed out in the swinging 60's to rise again to fight crime.

Able assisted by his butler 'Simms' and 'helped' by Georgina Jones his saviour in London and now personal best friend who you suspect would like more in the relationship than Adam will give, go about solving crimes and capers in The Avengers style.

Obviously since this was a 60's BBC series you will know that it has been savaged by lost episodes etc and indeed the complete 2nd series of Adam Adamant is pratically non existant which is a shame as The Face comes back in most episodes.

As usual ' Nice one Beeb ' NOT