Series 2 , 3 and so on - Callan (1967) Discussion

[–] duke-verity 19 years ago

The dvd box set claims to be series one but is in fact series three! A black and white pilot episode -'A Magnum For Schneider' in 1967 was followed by two black and white series, the first in 1967 (A.T.V Television) and the second in 1969 (Thames Television). In 1970 Thames commissioned two series to be made in colour.

The first of these colour series, from 1970, is on the dvd box set. The second colour series, from 1972, is not available. Neither is the 1981 one off sequel- 'Callan: Wet Job'.

The early black and white episodes from 1967 and 1969 that made up the original series one and two have been completely ignored by the dvd distributors. Twelve of these black and white shows (including the pilot) exist, but have yet to be released. You can get shoddy bootleg copies on ebay if you want them. It's better to wait until a dvd company that actually knows what it's doing acquires the existing master copies. We may have a long wait.

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[–] pablo-taylor 12 years ago

"It's better to wait until a dvd company that actually knows what it's doing acquires the existing master copies."

The rights situation with Callan was extremely complicated which is why the surviving B&W episodes took so long to appear, it wasn't for lack of trying on the original distributors part.

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[–] Sun_Dragon 19 years ago

i also thought that it is the real 1. series amd was quite confused when i realised what was happening. i dont understand it at all. why not bring out the series in chronological order?! to be honest, i dont expect there is more to come.
anyway, you can get some of the b/w programmes on ebay. good luck!

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[–] duke-verity 19 years ago

I've had the twelve existing black and white episodes on tape for more than ten years and they're episodes well worth seeing. As I said, let's hope they show up eventually in spanking new dvd editions.

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[–] jebatten 19 years ago

duke-verity;

Why not copy them to DVD and sell them. I would certainly buy them from you.
You lucky person.

Regards
Jim

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[–] Sun_Dragon 19 years ago

yeah, count me in, too! i am especially keen on the pilot. oh, and i would like to know what callan is like as hunter! *lol*

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[–] duke-verity 19 years ago

The pilot is a rough sketch of the series to come. It's a product of its times, with the fashions, attitudes and video taped studio bound production values that you find in most ITV programmes of this era. On the plus side, you get a bravely grim drama with an unglamourous anti-hero killer as the lead. On the down side, you get some standard cardboard villainy from Peter Bowles as Toby Meres! Thankfully, Anthony Valentine would take over the part from the first series onwards and make it his own.

Callan made a messy hash of his time as Hunter, holding the post for the first half of series four before the inevitable demotion. I won't spoil what happens, but considering his long term emotional instability and his attitude to authority, you can see the writing on the wall from the first moment that he is 'asked' to take a seat in Hunter's chair.

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[–] jebatten 18 years ago

I tried to get the movie version, but was told they were out of stock and the supplier wasn't making any more.

Know where I can buy the movie on DVD?

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[–] Sun_Dragon 18 years ago

i think i bought it from amazon, but try ebay or other online shops as well! there are a lot of copies out and it shouldnt be a problem to get hold of one. good hunting!

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[–] Sun_Dragon 18 years ago

it is on amazon.co.uk for £4.95 (used)

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[–] JoshsDad 18 years ago

there's a better copy available from australia on e-bay - 4 quid plus postage

JoshsDad

'my name is Dad, Josh's Dad'

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[–] blueseven 18 years ago

Me too.

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[–] avenger-16 18 years ago

I can't understand why they don't put this great program out on DVD in its entirety. It seems that an awful lot of mediocre programs are being released onto DVD but some of the earlier TV series are being ignored. I am sure there is a market out there for 'Callan'.

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[–] blueseven 18 years ago

I do not think they will ever release the Black and Whites on DVD, as the quality is so downgraded and there are missing episodes.

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[–] pertti.jarla 18 years ago

The other shows can be obtained as so-and-so-quality copies from private collectors. Try internet auction sites. And get them if you can! I'm sorry to say the released season 3 is not the strongest of the series. It has some great eps, like "Suddenly-at Home" and "Breakout", but sometimes the show premise seems to get tired. And Meres, one of the greatest key characters, is missing.

Season one episodes are mostly lost: the existing few episodes are maybe not yet the strongest Callan, but still good.

Season two is very strong. The later shows "Sandbaggers" and "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" get the most praises, but the 1969 season of Callan is without doubt the greatest in 60's spy drama. The show has perhaps its most grim moments in "Lets Kill Everybody" and "Death of a Hunter". Unfortunately many episodes are lost.

Season four exists in its entirety, and has been rerun in UK Gold. It is sheer fun: Callan as Hunter, Lonely becomes a problem, Cross becomes more bitter and unstable and Meres returns, more poisonous than ever...

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