The Avengers Series 1 (1961) | The Search For The Missing Episodes - Ian Hendry Patrick Macnee

[@johnnynoirman]

It's a crying shame---Doctor Who also suffered the same fate for many episodes.

[@fidomusic]

Also most of the brilliant A For Andromeda (1961) starring Peter Halliday as scientist John Fleming.

[@tyroneepps4854]

I remember the avengers thanks ian

[@joanne26]

Hi from the West Midlands Since COVID messed up the human race over 18 months ago and the lockdown enforcements i have had 'plenty' of time on my hands to watch lots of films and TV from the 1960's and 1970's. These are my favourite decades although i was only a child of the 60's i put this decade first for many reasons Both the BBC and ITV were at the top of their game with some ICONIC series such as The Avengers and i have been watching some of the episodes again fairly recently on ITV Ian was a prolific actor in films and TV and it is so sad that he died too young. I have watched some of his films already and enjoyed them. One of which is THE HILL. He played a character called Staff Sgt Williams and what a great film. I hope at the time of sending this comment you have located the 'missing episodes'

[@adinocc2042]

The BBC was going to erase the tapes with all of the episodes of Monty Python & reuse them for Football games! Thankfully, Terry Jones found this out in time & purchased the tapes from BBC. Unbelievable!

[@IanHendryActor]

Lovely anecdote ;) To Terry Jones - may he rest in peace and laughter

[@susanboylefanable]

I'm only just finding out that the series was ever anyone but Steed & Emma, & I never got to see enough of THEM when they were still making new episodes. My entire family was hoojed, though. For example, even years later, my mother refused to miss anything with Diana Rigg in even a cameo appearance, & I couldn't see the point until Mom told me she'd played Emma Peel.

[@shibolinemress8913]

Love the Indiana Jones music with the maps! And the final cargo hold scene! 😀

[@44032]

It is amazing to me that with our modern computer systems that the archives of the world aren't fully cataloged by now such that things continue to be "discovered" in them. Also if private owners have tapes or films of well-known old series, they must know the value of what they have. it's amazing they would silent about it. What I'd really like, more than audio remakes is a full video remake with appropriately cast actors and a method of filming that resembled what would have been seen in 1961. That would fill in the unfortunate gap, so to speak.

[@IanHendryActor]

Episode found! Kaleidoscope and team announced on 3.10.2016 that an original episode has just been recovered. More details here: ianhendry.com/the-avengers-1961-lost-episode-tunnel-of-fear-from-the-very-first-series-rediscovered-after-55-years/ Reply 2

[@heulwenrenshaw7335]

I have been trying to locate series 1, episode 6? (not sure) Title 'Kill the King', for six years, where a friend was filmed in it. Apparently they used to clean the tapes in order to re-record, as in those days the BBC didn't have much money. I have made numerous attempts at locating the recording without any joy. When I located the series on the BBC site, it was said they had deleted many films. Big Mistake.

[@SciFiFan2012]

There's still quite a lot of missing 2nd Doctor Who episodes as well.

[@PitchSkullBlack]

Fantastic video. Very informative.

[@pauthomp]

Well found and excellent job well done

[@IanHendryActor]

Thanks Paul - Kaleidoscope are doing great work too. Hopefully spreading the word here and elsewhere will bring further finds...

[@pauthomp]

By accident caught tonight on 'True Entertainment', channel 31 Freeview at 8 pm, one of the original black and white episodes, Mr Teddy Bear, with Honor Blackman and Patrick Macnee - were you aware? Fantastic reprise ..

[@IanHendryActor]

Yes, the re-run began with the surviving Series 1 episodes, with the exception of the newly discovered 'Tunnel of Fear'. Good to see that series is as popular as ever and getting another airing!

[@richardsharpe2966]

They were shown on a TV channel called True Entertainment

[@louisgoubin9569]

An idea would be to locate wiped tapes (on which something else was recorded) and try to recover the Avengers layer below. The idea is that tapes may have been incompletely erased. Technically, it boils down to separate a tiny signal (the remaining traces of the Avengers episode) from a big signal (whatever has been recorded on top of it), which is probably very difficult...

[@daiton-jon-f8179]

Does anyone remember an episode in which a room could not be escaped ,that is when you exited the room, there was an exact copy waiting and it went on and on until it was discovered the whole system was on a turntable incorporating maybe three rooms.

[@shibolinemress8913]

That was S04Ep23 "The House that Jack built". A great Emma Peel episode, and one of the ones that felt a lot like The Twilight Zone. My other favourite Zone-esque ep is S04Ep09 "The Hour That Never Was".

[@slewvian]

the house jack built. fiendish episode.

[@bobbg9041]

Yes!

[@bobbg9041]

But I cant get out!!!

[@bobbg9041]

Help

[@IanHendryActor]

Episode found! Kaleidoscope and team announced on 3.10.2016 that an original episode has just been recovered. More details here: ianhendry.com/the-avengers-1961-lost-episode-tunnel-of-fear-from-the-very-first-series-rediscovered-after-55-years/

[@archiveschapeaumelonetbott4132]

Congratulations on your work! This video and its mystery are very exciting to discover. Alas, these surviving episodes have still not been released on DVD in France (just one TV broadcast and a very confidential DVD). I would love to share the story of these episodes with the French-speaking fans of The Avengers. So would it be possible for me to offer you French subtitles or to upload your video in French version on my amateur channel (with of course a link to the original video)? Thank you very much for your work !

[@IanHendryActor]

Hi - thanks for the comment - feel free to reuse and add your own voice-over in French. The more the merrier! Suggest you change the length slightly, add a few seconds, may also help to stop KZbin from detecting a duplicate.

[@archiveschapeaumelonetbott4132]

@@IanHendryActor Thank you very much for your response. It's very nice of you! I was thinking of offering a subtitled version at first, but your idea of adding a voice directly may be more interesting. I will mention the link to the original video and the existence of "Tunnel of fear" in the description. Thanks again to you, and French greetings !

[@kazfleszar5899]

what a great loss if they were wiped .

[@kascnef]

Just like thanos

[@bobbg9041]

One of these days you'll find this master piece in someone's garage under tons of movie and TV memobila and it should be in thd archives and preserved ditigtaly Its really sad any of the past 70 years shows are missing, someone has them. And they should be shared with the world. These shows are moving art. Its not just a TV show anymore. Being 60 years old I cant think of one show I wouldn't go back and watch today just for fun. It clearly shows how movies and TV shows have changed in the last 70 years or more from silent flicks to Large budget productions of today. Just becuse it has a big budget really dosnt mean it will last. I've seen so many start and end in 2 seasons. Star track is a good example why you should give a show some time to develop a fan base . Insted to we reality shows, no one gives a shit about in 2 years. Why do I care who makes the best cake? Who dates who? Who my big brother is. Or how long some jackass is stuck on an island. Or the dumbest show race around the planet. That show needs to be on the travel Channel where no one will watch it. Insted we let funny tv shows like the big bang end. Or a remake like 5-0 that was 10 times better then the orignal come to an end. BOOKEM DANNO.

[@Yetaxa]

I think for a start there is almost zero chance of the tapes surviving. If they hadn't been wiped they would be still readily available, and considering that ALL episodes from series 2 and 3 are on 16mm film, I somehow doubt any would be kept The only hope for copies made, for whatever purposes. It is frustrating the complete lack of documentation on this, because there really isn't much to go on. Do we even know if these episodes were actually sold abroad? It feels like it's so unlikely With Doctor Who for example, we know it was sold around the world with many film copies made. We know where to look (and there have been a few discoveries because of this) But with The Avengers, we have no idea. We can only hope for more private collectors that may have them

[@matthewbeumer3168]

Honor Blackman was superb she took on the mantle of Dr Keel and led the way for Emma peel.

[@smfvmd]

I remember the first series of The Avengers as being very different in character from the more well known camp but nevertheless entertaining subsequent series.

[@charliewatson4248]

Girl on the trapeze just been transmitted on True Entertainment (channel 61). Many years ago Channel 4's "TV Heaven" series showed an episode of POLICE SURGEON. I don't remember the episode title but it also starred Michael Crawford. Do any more of these still exist?

[@IanHendryActor]

Hi Charlie - the episode with Michael Crawford was called Easy Money - still the only known surviving episode. For those interested, a book has just been published about Police Surgeon series and it's influence on the subsequent development of The Avengers -> ianhendry.com/police-surgeon-dr-brents-casebook-the-avengers-hayes-mcginlay/

[@Allan-et5ig]

it seems only a very rich (eccentric?) millionaire with a very early video recorder (they did exist) might have recorded the lost episodes. but - most unlikely...

[@thomascooke17]

I will all like The Avengers and Patrick MacNee work. Mrs. Emma Peel will be my favorite years. I saw some are some of the lost episodes where broadcast on bravo or ifc channels maybe on cable 2003 or 2004. I was vhs taping to watch them. I would have kept but couldn't. Watch once tape them. I seen all but series 2 and 3

[@mckavitt]

My vote goes to Honor Blackman as Cathy Gale, altho' I love Dame Diana Rigg as a dramatic actress.

[@mckavitt]

+qui êtes vous? Each to his own...

[@Novascorian]

I wonder whether you may be on the right track with your mention of the CBC. We were great fans of the CBC broadcasts of the show, and the error you mention sounds plausible in Canada at that time, when the American ABC was better known here (alas) than the real network of that name. It might be worth enquiring. There may have been multiple copies if the regional CBC offices got their own. Good luck with the quest, Ian.

[@IanHendryActor]

+Novascotian Thanks for the comments - we do know that a certain distribution company that worked very closely with ABC (UK), had very strong connections with Canada and even set up an office there. That is one of our lines of enquiry. I've taken note of your comments and will look into this more....thanks!

[@Novascorian]

Best of luck with the quest. It would be great fun to see them.

[@yolandacarrion8596]

lnovidable serie ""

[@charliewatson4248]

Some episodes were filmed live and never recorded

[@IanHendryActor]

Hi Charlie - yes, some went out live but we know that all were recorded and kept at the time. We have the video [VTR] record sheet from Iris Productions who produced the series - showing that the eps. were available a year later. Iris were part of ABC but a separate company.

[@zagozago9893]

About 7 were done live. So they are lost.

[@baudelaire2984]

So when does the general public get to see Tunnel of Fear on DVD or streaming?

[@IanHendryActor]

Hi - apologies for the slow rely. No announcement yet - but a French and German re-release of The Avengers is apparently in the works; but no news if it will contain this newly discovered episode. Will share if I hear anything.

[@ladamyre1]

Fear not. Eventually man will discover faster-than-light travel and, of course, the antennas and receiver to capture the original broadcasts will exist as well and we will have them then.

[@louisgoubin9569]

Alternatively, we could politely ask aliens to send the episodes back to us ;-)

[@gusro12]

hello, please i would like to get the 'girl on the trapeze" subtitle in english or in french so i can translate it to spanish , or even the script thanks

[@IanHendryActor]

hi - please contact me through the website, I have a copy of the camera script ianhendry.com/contact/

[@IanHendryActor]

Tunnel of Fear DVD Release set for 2018. Latest info -> ianhendry.com/the-avengers-tunnel-of-fear-studio-canal-lost-episode-dvd-release-date-set-for-15th-january-2018/

[@barryk1701]

The true question is - how and when will this find be released to the public?

[@IanHendryActor]

StudioCanal own the copyright for The Avengers - I've been told that they have been contacted and offered a copy. It then depends on the as to if/ when they will produce a DVD/ BluRay release. Given the following of The Avengers worldwide, I would be surprised if they don't.

[@barryk1701]

Thanks! I'm hoping that they place all of season one (3 1/2 episodes) on the disk and throw in a couple of extra's like the Police Surgeon episode (Money) and a documentary or two for a worth while release and hopefully soon (would make a nice Xmas present for Avenger fans!)

[@IanHendryActor]

Keel and Steed are on the case as we 'speak'! I'll post any developments and news as and when we find out more. I like the idea of a Series 1 edition with some extras...

[@qix6424]

The complete series torrent has 3 season 1 episodes.

[@timelesstimesgoneby]

VHS tapes

[@sg8888888]

This is similar to the missing NASA’s telemetry tapes.

[@darganx]

Is Brian Clemens still alive? Surely he or his family would have knowledge of any still exist..

[@IanHendryActor]

Brian died in 2015 - he and Leonard White were asked about these episodes many times - as well as many other former ABC TV executives, crew and staff. They couldn't provide any further leads. There's still a good chance, though, that more episodes do exist...

[@theforthdoctor7872]

Is there a scheduled release date for "The Tunnel of Fear"?

[@IanHendryActor]

Hi - apologies for the delay in replying. No info as yet, although I hear that a French and German DVD re-release is in the works which some fans have suggested may contain The Tunnel Of Fear. But as yet that is just a rumour I am afraid and it may only be part of a box set. If I hear anything I will share on the website and FB page...

[@ricardodelmunda6363]

What's the music in the background Great show thanks

[@IanHendryActor]

Thanks. The theme tune is by Johnny Dankworth -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH-zm6SDo5uJjq8

[@barrygouthro6315]

Let us see what you are talking about ok .

[@joseeloirbajerski7287]

Season 1 full episodes ?

[@12artman]

The Australian Broadcast Corporation???

[@IanHendryActor]

If the Australian Broadcast Corporation is mentioned, then clearly that is an error. Australian Broadcasting Commission up until 1983, when the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act was introduced - changing the name to what it is today. Can't remember exactly what was said in the video, but hope this clarifies things...

[@ninnn3025]

Where is iron man?

[@yolandacarrion8596]

an fogiven serie