A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominately female partners.A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominately female partners.A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominately female partners.
- Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys
- 1 win & 4 nominations total
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Storyline
John Steed (Patrick Macnee) works for British Intelligence and works with various partners, notably: Dr. David Keel (Ian Hendry) (season one), Cathy Gale (Honor Blackman) (seasons two and three), Emma Peel (Dame Diana Rigg) (seasons four, five, and six), and Tara King (Linda Thorson) (season seven). The problems he finds are always a bit odd, just on the edge of science fiction (cyborg killers, a city built under a disused coal mine, a gang put together for adrenaline junkies, and a killer who used a concentrated cold virus to kill his victims by having them sneeze to death). Steed is always the ultimate in culture and grace as he saves the world each week. —John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
- Genres
- Certificate
- G
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaDuring her first season, Dame Diana Rigg was dismayed to find out that the cameraman was being paid more than she was. She demanded a raise, to put her more on a par with her co-star, or she would leave the show. The producers gave in, thanks to the show's great popularity in the U.S.
- GoofsSteed was an officer during World War Two, but episodes involving his past disagree as to whether he served in the Army or the Royal Air Force.
In Game (1968) Bristow had a list of Army officers he was targeting, including Major John Steed.
In The Hour That Never Was (1965) Steed reminisces about life at RAF Hamelin.
- Quotes
[repeated line]
John Steed: Mrs. Peel, we're needed.
- Crazy creditsAmerican broadcasts of the 1965 season were preceded by an introduction showing Emma Peel and John Steed walking across a giant chessboard as a narrator says: "Extraordinary crimes against the people and the state have to be avenged by agents extraordinary. Two such people are John Steed -- top professional, and his partner, Emma Peel -- talented amateur. Together they are -- The Avengers!"
- Alternate versionsStarting in the summer of 2004, the BBC America Channel aired prints of fifth and sixth season episodes with the humorous tag sequences at the end of episodes deleted. During the autumn of 2004, the prints were further altered, with the original closing credits sequence with shadowy images of Steed and Mrs. Peel against a blue background replaced by credits rapidly rolled past a plain black background. In early 2005, the same channel aired seventh season prints with the same changes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Without Walls: The Avengers (1992)
Top review
Campy yet fun and original
Definitely 60's and it is obvious. Yet this is still one of the most fun shows ever made. John Steed is the epitome of British class, right down to the Bentley in British Racing Green (notwithstanding the Tara King years).
Then there is Emma Peel, mmmmm Emma Peel. Aside from Diana Rigg's obvious physical charms her real appeal is the strength of her character. Totally confident, cool, classy, and capable (driving a Lotus Elan was also a big plus) Diana Rigg created a female character (which was resisted by the producers tooth and nail I understand) that surprised me even though I first saw the show over 20 years after it went off the air. Emma Peel was devoid of the traditional female stereotypes that permeate the airwaves always in need of rescue and if not are total cartoons. She could kick ass and frequently saved Steed's butt in the process. Mass media still has a major allergy to original, tough female characters which is a testament to the originality of the character.
Something was lost after Tara King took over. It was a return to the stereotypes and the show lost something for me, that and I didn't like Steed's new car, just didn't have the same class as his former Bentley.
Still I highly recommend watching it, fun plots, wry humor, over the top villains, great characters, and an impossible lack of blood. How can you not have fun watching this?
Then there is Emma Peel, mmmmm Emma Peel. Aside from Diana Rigg's obvious physical charms her real appeal is the strength of her character. Totally confident, cool, classy, and capable (driving a Lotus Elan was also a big plus) Diana Rigg created a female character (which was resisted by the producers tooth and nail I understand) that surprised me even though I first saw the show over 20 years after it went off the air. Emma Peel was devoid of the traditional female stereotypes that permeate the airwaves always in need of rescue and if not are total cartoons. She could kick ass and frequently saved Steed's butt in the process. Mass media still has a major allergy to original, tough female characters which is a testament to the originality of the character.
Something was lost after Tara King took over. It was a return to the stereotypes and the show lost something for me, that and I didn't like Steed's new car, just didn't have the same class as his former Bentley.
Still I highly recommend watching it, fun plots, wry humor, over the top villains, great characters, and an impossible lack of blood. How can you not have fun watching this?
helpful•356
- dagdfg-3
- Feb 9, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Also known as
- Chapeau melon et bottes de cuir
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
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