The Avengers '67: Set 1

"Emma, I'll be your Steed/I'll be all you ever need" sang The Allies in their hit (in Seattle, anyway) ‘80's single "Emma Peel," an homage to the sexy but deadly Mrs. Emma Peel, played by Diana Rigg, who starred opposite Patrick Macnee (playing John Steed) in the 1967/1968 seasons of the British TV spy series The Avengers. Timed to coincide with the release of the feature film with Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman, A&E is releasing this three video boxed set (containing six episodes), as well as a second and third set from the 1967 season. I confess to tuning into the show sporadically as a 13-year-old--primarily to check out Diana Rigg's sometimes creatively revealing wardrobe (yes, I know, boys are scum). Now that Emma no longer holds sway over my hormones, I can report that The Avengers is a semi-fun curio whose at-the-time radical genre-busting flourishes, such as the "POW" cartoon text bubbles added in the climactic fight scene of the episode I re-visited, "The Winged Avenger," seem tame today. However, there are legions of fans who will no doubt want to see these episodes of the cult classic or at least review Mrs. Peel's fashion choices. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)