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Amazon.com

Along with Monty Python's Flying Circus, The Avengers practically defined British cult television, and it was never better than during the three years that Diana Rigg's Emma Peel character tossed out her witty barbs and karate kicks. The Complete Emma Peel Megaset encompasses all 51 episodes from 1965-66 (in black and white) and 1967 (in color). Paired with Patrick Macnee as the dapper, umbrella-wielding John Steed, Rigg's Mrs. Peel turned heads with her sexy outfits, then broke skulls of the various would-be world-dominating bad guys who crossed her path. Like the mixed crime-fighting teams who came after them in shows like Moonlighting and The X-Files, Steed and Mrs. Peel had a constant platonic playfulness. In one episode when Mrs. Peel is working undercover at a department store, Steed drops in for a visit, remarking, "They told me 'Mrs. Peel is in Ladies Underwear.' I rattled up the stairs three at a time." However, unlike their spiritual successors, Steed and Mrs. Peel never jumped the shark; instead she bid a fond farewell as she passed the torch to Steed's next partner, Tara King (Linda Thorson), just as she had been passed the torch from Honor Blackman. (Blackman left her Kathy Gale character to go on to fame as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger--in one episode, Steed receives a postcard from Gale sent from Fort Knox.) But although Macnee had some enjoyable moments with other partners throughout the series' run, it's the Emma Peel years that fans remember most fondly, not only for the great chemistry between the lead actors, but the superb writing and distinctly British, and distinctly '60s, quirky charm. The megaset was rereleased in 2006 in space-saving Thinpaks and with a new 216-minute bonus disc. --David Horiuchi

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Emma Peel (The Avengers) Megaset        Rating:

If you are a fan of the Avengers then this is for you. Part of the series is in black and white, and part in colour as it was. Easy to play and easy to watch.

Emma Peel and John Steed are government agents who tackle a variety of Mastermind type criminals, who have both political and financial gains to make. Steed is a relatively clever "gentleman" who knows all about wine etc. Mrs Peel on the other hand tends to be the one doing much of the fighting and is far the more intellectually clever of the team.

If you are a UK customer check that you have a multi region DVD player, as it is Region 1 (USA).

I did have a problem with the set; 1 received 2 of the 67-5 series and no 67-6 series. Amazon swiftly sorted the problem and sent me a new one.

Schirm; Charme und Melone        Rating:

The Avengers were and still are very popular in germany, too and I am glad to get hold of all the episodes. I personally would have liked the DVDs subtitled since english is not my native language and I do not get all the lines of the witty conversations. What I also object is that the original film material is often quite unclean, spots and scratches should have been removed digitally before putting the episodes on DVD. That is my only objection, I am really glad to have these TV treasures on DVD.

Brings back fond memories        Rating:

This set brings back fond memories of watching The Avengers with the rain beating down outside during my childhood in London. For those of you who like The Prisoner (McGoohan) for the surreal situations, coupled with humor and early James Bond type plots on a smaller scale, don't miss this set!

It's Man Appeal for goodness sake!        Rating:

How could you go wrong if you spents an entire week just sitting back and watching Emma Peel (M for man + appeal) beat up baddies in her cat suits and haute fashion? John Steed is one lucky man! The golden age of The Avengers is summed up in this set. Others may prefer Ian Hendry, Honor Blackman or Linda Thorsen but there is no doubt that The Avengers hit its stride during Diana Rigg's Emma Peel years. Sexy, smart, sophisticated espionage, that's The Avengers' appeal. Buy this...now!

Every episode a delightful pleasure        Rating:

I have had this precious set since it was first issued.

Informatively, I had the pleasure of seeing Diana Rigg in London, in the play, "Lady Macbeth," many years ago.

I recall staying in a London Hotel when the Avengers were shown on television. In those days one had to rent a TV, as it was not stnndard equipment. I made it a point that where ever I was in the City to hail a taxi and return to the hotel as quickly as possible in order to see the scheduled Avengers program. This procedure lasted as long as it was scheduled.

Not long ago on BBC America, Diana Rigg was interviewed by Parkinson, a popular talk show host. Diana must have been in her Sixties. On her appearance she received a thunderous applause.
I was glued to the set. At her stage in life, she was most charming in addition to her intelligent and beautiful personna.
Every word she uttered was like music. One realizes how musical the English language is when spoken by Diana.Her interview was most interesting and sadly I do not possess a copy, but am checking the internet to locate a video of her interview.

Now to business: Every episode in the collection is a treasure.
In every episode Diana Rigg assumes the appropriate role. At the same time one is aware of the complete Diana Rigg persona.

Diana Rigg as Emma Peel does her own stunts, whereas her most compatable partner, Patrick Macnee uses a stunt man.

Being retired, and living a rather semi reclusive life, I have a daily routine that rarely varies. After looking at the evening news 6PM to 7PM, I must confess that I cannot help but be depressed. In my mid 80's, as you can guess, I have seen much of the world abd was part of the events of the day. When I started this daily routine, at the completion of the news, I would sit quietly and ponder what was shown on the news. Realizing that at my time of life there was nothing I could do but just witness the terrible things that were going on in the world in general.
One day, out of the blue, as they say, I chose an Avenger DVD,
of the Emma Peel collection. What a delightful surprize.
I was shielded from the outside world, and for a too brief period, I was completely mesmerized. So, I made this a daily event for a number of years, and have enjoyed each episode, many times, with the same pleasure as my first viewing. At writing, I am looking forward to choose a DVD for this very evening.

As an aside, the other day on the Larry King Show featuring the memory of Marlyn Monroe, with a few beauties of the 50's and 60's,I could not help but compare them with Diana Rigg who is close to 67. Looking at them and hearing them speak plus a clip showing Monroe gyrating and speaking in her manufactured little girl voice, they paled compared to the charm, dignity and vocal expression of Diana Rigg. In my opinion she is the epitome of femininity and a grace to the human race.

Finally, if I were to be stranded on a desert island, completely on my own and was offered only one consolation prize, I would choose a DVD player with the complete Emma Peel (Avengers) set.

To those who are not acquainted with the Avengers, I heartily recommend the entire set. I guarantee it will give you hours of
pleasure no matter how many times you view repeats.

Robert Lyons
Reno, Nevada

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