MovieChat Forums > The Avengers (1966) Discussion > Ep by ep; Invasion of the Earthmen

Ep by ep; Invasion of the Earthmen

posted 7 years ago by Joxerlives
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A truly excellent concept not least that this was done at a time when interplanetary space travel seemed imminent. Like many of the other incredible scientific advances the Avengers discover you wonder why the suspended animation process was never put to wider use?
Still, great ep, once again mixing the surreal with the mundane, let down slightly by the fake python but still terrific. A young Warren Clarke as one of the villains and Steed and Tara making for a very odd married couple. Rather saucily Tara asks Steed should she wear her gymslip? The Brigadier would certainly approve given the outfits he has the Alpha academy girls wear.

[–] ctaylor-65092 7 years ago

This episode was one of the three produced by John Bryce. Of these three this was the most usable along with Have Guns Will Haggle. The scenes featuring Tara as a brunette and "changing" into her blonde wig, were scenes filmed by Brian Clemens when he came back in charge. These were for continuity as Tara was changed by to a brunette by Clemens and therefore this Bryce episode could be salvaged.

For what it is, it's a pretty entertaining installment, but a little below par in some aspects. Tara's character is not fleshed out and she is sort of non descript. She is merely filling in the female lead. She looks quite stunning in her brunette scenes, but looks horrible and dumb in the blonde look. The leather fight outfit also doesn't suit her at all. However, she looks fantastic in closeups as she is in the tunnel. Great face!

I thought the tunnel of fear element could have been used to greater effect alla The Fear Merchants, but the concept of the Alpha Academy is intriguing and interesting. The sets do look somewhat cheap and the interior of the academy is hideous! Lol but I still enjoyed this episode. We know what's going on from an early point in the episode, so the viewer just pretty much has to sit back and enjoy Steed and Tara trying to escape the booby traps, which is fun.

Also, the maroon sports car Steed drives in this episode was meant to be his car! John Bryce thought Steed should drive more cool, modern cars!! Can you imagine! Clemens had the Bentley reinstated and Tara got this car for a while in future episodes.

This episode (without the Brian Clemens added scenes) serves as a glimpse into what The Avengers was morphing into under John Bryce. A pretty harmless episode, but still enjoyable.