Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7739 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-07-31
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 9
• Running time: 1545 minutes

Customer Reviews

From a female perspective
I bought this boxed set the minute it became available on Amazon. I notice that all of the other reviews so far have been male. I quite understand this as I feel like I am the only female on this planet that hates soaps and rom-coms, probably due to having been sat in front of the telly by an equally sci fi and crime series obsessed mother from a very early age. The Champions was just about the very first television programme I can just about barely remember watching (I was about 6 when it came out). Yet even then it had left a favourable lasting impression on me as programmes filled with good plots, fun, humour, adventure and action all rolled into one. I was a bit apprehensive because obviously my perspective on what makes a good programme has changed since I was six. However I was not disappointed on buying this boxed set and re-watching the programmes again after all these years. I did notice on that back of the packaging that the claim is made that 3 of the episodes have a voice over by the "Champions" but I have only been able to find 2 of the episodes with this special feature (i.e. The Beginning and Auto Kill). If anyone can tell me which is the 3rd one I would be happy to try to locate it on my DVD? That aside. What can I say. Maybe it is nostalgia for me but either way I have re-watched the whole set now and every now and again I still pick out an episode to re-watch. This is a DVD set that looks like it will keep me interested and occupied forever. Definitely my favourite viewing ever.

The Champions return
One of the greatest TV shows of all time is re-released on DVD in this SPECIAL EDITION box set by Network DVD. Three Nemisis agents crash land their plane in Tibet while escaping the Chinese after stealing micro bacteria samples. Then they are re-born as superhumans after an ancient tripe of people repair their bodies and give them fantastic gifts including strength, telepathy, improved vision and hearing. They become The Champions of Law, Order and Justice. Starring Stuart Damon as Craig Sterling, Alexandra Bastedo as Sharron Macready and William Gaunt as Richard Barrett. I first saw this series on BBC2 in 1996 and on VHS when ITC first released the series on a home video format. I was hooked from episode one.

This classic 1960s ITC series is from the same company who brought us THE SAINT, DANGER MAN, THE BARON, MAN IN A SUITCASE, THE PRISONER, GIDEON'S WAY, STRANGE REPORT and so many more classic action/adventure series. This 9 disc set contains all 30 episodes digitally restored to a very high quality. The picture is bright and colourful and the mono sound is great. The extras on disc 9 are superb. There is a documentary reuniting the three stars of the series, plus trailers, Legend of The Champions compilation which was produced by ITC in 1983 combining the epsiodes 'The Beginning and The Interrogation' and audio commentaries with the three stars. This is the definitive release of a very special TV series. Unmissible if you enjoy quality television.

5/5

Brilliant Value
The Champions is, to my mind, an under-rated series: three terrific leads who work brilliantly together, an original concept and some fantastic scripts. For those who want whizzy special effects, look away: this was state of the art in 1966, not 2006. For those who want action, adventure and a fair slice of humour, give it a go.

The extras in this set are outstanding, and seeing the three stars reunited after so long was a treat. They're great fun, both in the documentary and their commentaries. It's a pity they weren't asked to comment over every episode!

I'm too young to recall the series' initial broadcasting. I caught up with it in the '90s, and have watched out for a release like this ever since. It was worth the wait.