RETRO TV SPECIAL - THE CHAMPIONS (1968)

LEAPING BACK TO 1968 FOR A LOOK AT ONE OF ITC'S LESSER-REGARDED FANTASY ADVENTURE SHOWS. MEET...THE CHAMPIONS OF LAW, ORDER AND JUSTICE!
LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT!!

[@happyman050]

Love all the itc series. Currently watching the b/w episodes of the saint on dvd

[@eagleal]

Wonderfully summarised video Paul. We love the classic shows of the 60's despite all their faults. The biggest of course was the complete lack of character development and depth, followed by any continuity. And of course being aimed at the U.S market, the majority of the ITC glossy shows had this problem more than Doctor Who and anything the BBC might have made. Just look at the enjoyable Irwin Allen shows as to how the market they were aimed at wanted their TV made.

[@lordred4116]

Back to my formative years in the 1960s. Sunday afternoon tv, the Champions followed by the golden shot.

[@thebighon6854]

Great review, loved the show as a kid and enjoy it now, but I think you are right about it's shortcomings. Some of the episodes tended to under-use the powers as well. It's one of those programmes I would like to see remade but not made too OTT.

[@ianwoodward1127]

Another great review, Paul. I have very fond memories of the Champions from my youth and I remember avidly collecting the bubble gum trading cards. I seemed to remember that they incorporated codebreaker puzzles. I also still have the paperback novel that you mentioned. I agree that it was fairly formulaic but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was glossy and glamorous as all those ITC series were at the time. I'm still fond of it and own the excellent Network dvd boxset. I was also very fortunate to meet Alexandra Bastedo some years ago at a memorabilia event. So all in all I was a big fan. Look forward to your review of Department S. One of my favourite ITC series.

[@CardiffOneOne]

Cheers Ian!! I vaguely remember those Champions cards, I'm sure I had them too...!!

[@ianwoodward1127]

Happy days indeed, Paul!

[@zsatsfm]

Hi Paul, good review. I have fond memories of watching this as a kid on Sunday afternoons in the late 70's or early 80's in the UK. Funnily enough, I've just got the dvd boxset for xmas and I've watched almost all of the episodes so far. I am enjoying them immensely and i do love seeing the old British actors too. The best episodes for me are the ones set in the UK, as the ones set abroad suffer from too many fake backgrounds and obvious sets because of the limited budget. I agree with you that Alexandra Bastedo is not the best actor, but she is criminally underused in the majority of episodes, she should have been given more to do like Emma Peel in the Avengers. Also, as well as being formulaic, a fair few of the episodes have enough plot holes in them to sink a submarine. My favourite episodes are The Night People, Nutcracker and Autokill. Least favourites: Operation Deep Freeze and Twelve Hours.

[@ironjade]

I loved The Champions in 1968 but like a lot of ancient TV, it takes some sitting through these days. The plane crash in the first episode seems to last about a week.

[@markstramtrainbuscapades1729]

Always felt that William Gaunt was the most charismatic of the three, putting a little charm into what little he was given! Alexsandro Bestada's charms, though, weren't in her acting! I think one of her strongest moments was actually playing a villain in "Randell & Hopkirk Deceased" fighting with Annete Andre in the cemetery! Yes, I think this is one instance where a well done modern reboot would work!

[@frankmarker4414]

Great review.I sort of agree with you that this series hasnt stood the test of time.I watched it when it came out,im as old as that lama now!.And it did strike me as being very serious unlike say the other ITC series.Almost apart from them.The super powers were a bit come and go the only one that got used every week was the hearing ability with that sound effect.The best thing for me about the series was that title music and the classy opening and closing titles.It did have potential but largely fell into ITC proceedural with some guys with a few powers.Which was a shame as it could have been more.Some episodes are very good but get swamped on the whole by mediocre ones.I like the series but in small amounts.Its not go to ITC stuff for me.Got to be in the mood for it.

[@Stephen-Fox]

I liked the show when seeing reruns and episodes on VHS as a kid, but... Yeah, nothing you say here is wrong.

[@ironjade]

Almost forgot. How about a review of "The Medusa Touch" (1978)? Richard Burton is on top form as the psychiatric patient who thinks he can cause disasters. It came to mind because I finally found a free,legal download of Peter van Greenaway's original novel which, like all his other books is long out of print. A physical copy goes for over£300.

[@CardiffOneOne]

Wowsah!! Saw Medusa Touch a few years ago...excellent idea for a rewatch, thank you! Stay tuned!

[@Boyer316]

Great film, seconded 👍

[@Boyer316]

Ahhh 'Low' Grade....