Quote:
Originally Posted by OceanBlue
You'd think Return of the Saint would be a shoe-in for a Blu-ray release by Network (like with The Champions, one series/season only). "Duel in Venice" was the first episode of the show I'd seen in full (I have a very vague memory of the bit in the title sequence when the lorry/truck passes under the bridge). They made good use of Venice, with plenty of different locations (not saying anything against Moonraker, as that's one of my favourite Bond films, but not as many locations were used in it compared to the Return of the Saint episode).
Ian Ogilvy does have a bit of a Roger Moore-vibe about him, and it's a pity the show didn't last beyond the one series/season.
Love the theme tune, and I was happy seeing what I assume were the original ad-bumpers.
Only recognised one guest-star, Maurice Colbourne, who several years later would star in drama series Howards' Way.
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I have the dvd set released in 2008. The original ad bumpers were on the set as an extra. There was no obvious remastering for the set (it looks like the same copies as used for this broadcast) as the episodes are clearly not in HD.
Incidentally the dvd extras also includes the raw footage for the opening title segments without the stick figure. It's kind of amusing seeing a number of takes of the jump into the water which actually show the people at the back of the boat throwing a rock or something to cause the splash. When I was young I was amazed at the titles with the stick figure thinking they had amazing effects that must have taken a long time to make. All my childhood has been spoiled by raw footage now. It's like when you see that clip of the late great David Prowse talking to Carrie Fisher without the voiceover on YouTube... *shudders* haha.
I think with many of these ITC shows, Network have previously suggested that they are not viable financially for Blu Ray releases unless ITV assists with funding.
I wonder whether the viewing figures for the broadcasts of this (and The Champions broadcasts on ITV4/TPTV) might get looked at by ITV when Network next comes to them to talk about future releases. Especially if the original negatives are held somewhere.