"The Persuaders!" (1971) TV series 1971-1972

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

18 September 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Plot:

English Lord Brett Sinclair and American Danny Wilde are both wealthy playboys, they are teamed together...

Plot Keywords:

Playboy | Cult Favorite | Car Chase | Mission | Duo

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Tony Curtis	...	Danny Wilde (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Roger Moore	...	Lord Brett Sinclair / ... (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Laurence Naismith	...	Judge Fulton (11 episodes, 1971-1972)

Also Known As:

"The Friendly Persuaders" (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Germany:12 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

According to the DVD commentary, neither Roger Moore, an uncredited co-producer, nor Robert S. Baker, the credited producer, ever had a contract other than a handshake with Lew Grade. They produced the entire 24 episodes without a single written word guaranteeing that they would ever be paid.

Quotes:

[Chivers, Brett's butler, a former cracksman, pulls a toothpick from his black bag]
Danny Wilde: Excuse me, you don't plan to open the door with the toothpick, do you?
Chivers: No, sir. I indulged in a rather stringy beef sandwich on the journey.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Comedy Connections: To the Manor Born (#4.5)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

The Persuaders

One of the best detective series ever.

Maybe it's out of nostalgia, maybe it's because I've grown up with the series, but whichever way I choose to look at it, I come to the conclusion that The Persuaders was and still is one of the best detective/adventure/action/what-have-you-series ever created. Because even now, as I recently bought the complete series on DVD, and has been able to watch all episodes again, including many which I missed when they were aired on TV, I can't help but being endlessly charmed and entertained by it. Even though a lot of shows that gain cult-status tend to be more out of sheer novelty value, in the case of The Persuaders, I feel it is more than well deserved. Everything, from the utterly brilliant theme music by John Barry, the kitschy but superbly entertaining fight-scenes to the great chemistry between Moore and Curtis and the general high quality of the story lines, is just top-notch. Sure, it's silly and kitschy and very 70's, but then on the other hand, that's what's so great about it.

This is pure, shameless entertainment when it's at its best.