Six more episodes from the Diana Rigg colour season of THE AVENGERS, although this time around, there's a higher level of clunkers than usual.

Things get off to a disappointing start with THE LIVING DEAD. The plot is decidedly unoriginal, with yet another take on the "underground organisation plans to take over the country" idea. Not even Julian Glover as Masgard can save this one, and there are only a few moments to really enjoy (including Emma saving Steed by machine gunning an entire firing squad, but even this seems to drag on for far too long for the scene to work properly).

Fortunately, things pick up with Philip Levene's THE HIDDEN TIGER. For a start, there's Gabrielle Drake looking lovely, but equally great is Ronnie Barker as the milk-lapping Cheshire of P.U.R.R.R., the Philanthropic Union for the Rescue, Relief and Recuperation of Cats.

Only THE AVENGERS could do a story of killer cats, and Levene throws in some great characters and plenty of double-entrendres. It's just a shame that this episode has some annoying "splats" on the soundtrack, but it's still one of the series' best-ever episodes.

The final episode on disc one is THE CORRECT WAY TO KILL. While not quite up the standards of the previous episode, this tale of Steed and Emma combining forces with the enemy to flush out a third party has plenty of enjoyable moments.

This being a Brian Clemens script there are the usual English touches, such as the pair of bowler-hatted agents in the teaser and S.N.O.B. (Sociability, Nobility, Omnipotence, Breeding), a school for young gentlemen.

Guest stars Philip Madoc and Anna Quayle are great, and the only real fault is Michael Gough's terrible Russian accent.

Disc two opens with NEVER, NEVER SAY DIE, another attempt to replicate the success of the Cybernauts (who feature on Emma's TV in the teaser).

Initially the episode seems quite promising, as a man keeps getting run over by motorists, but it soon deteriorates. Calling Christopher Lee's character Frank N Stone always struck me as silly, and despite some good fight scenes, this is a bit of a disappointment.

Few episodes divide AVENGERS fans like EPIC. Personally, I've always found it terrible, but some fans seem to regard it very highly. However, this tale of washed up actors and an insane film director intent on including Emma in his latest production is a long way from being "epic" as far as I'm concerned.

Emma is kidnapped, wakes up in a replica of her flat and then Kenneth J. Warren's crazed Z.Z. von Schnerk proceeds to place her in scenes revolving around various movie cliches. There's precious little plot here and even less wit, but fortunately the collection ends in much better style.

THE SUPERLATIVE SEVEN is a cross between 10 LITTLE INDIANS and the Cathy Gale episode DRESSED TO KILL.

Emma is largely absent as Steed boards a plane for a fancy dress party, only for the guests to discover that they've all been invited by someone different.

Each of the guests all has some individual skill and the exercise is a test arranged by spy-trainer Jessel (Donald Sutherland). The strong cast also includes Brian Blessed and a young Charlotte Rampling as expert shot Hana Wilde (who would have made a better companion for Steed than Tara King, if you ask me).

The fight scenes might include some rather obvious doubles, but Steed is great, Hana Wilde works well and there are some good lines in there.

Extras include the usual trailer, photo gallery and the follow-that-hat thing, as well as an odd German interview with Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg.

On the technical side, the episodes could have done with a bit more of a clean-up, and there are sound faults on THE HIDDEN TIGER.

Overall, this is a bit of a disappointing volume, despite the inclusion of one of the series' classic episodes. BACK TO THE TOP

THE AVENGERS:
THE DEFINITIVE DOSSIER -
1967, FILES THREE AND FOUR

Written by BRIAN CLEMENS,
PHILIP LEVENE

Directed by JOHN KRISH,
SIDNEY HAYERS,
CHARLES CRICHTON,
ROBERT DAY, JAMES HILL

Starring PATRICK MACNEE
and DIANA RIGG


KULT T.V.
(CERTIFICATE PG)

REGION 2 (PAL)


RATING: 6/10


NEXT RELEASE:
1967, FILES FIVE AND SIX

PREVIOUS RELEASE:
1967, FILES ONE AND TWO