Randall and Hopkirk [Deceased] - original - from Network in early 2017

[Aclea]

Or Randall and Hopkirk Diseased as the continuity announcer on Southern TV used to mispronounce it. Teaser for it up on Network's site.

[Aclea]

Now up for a pre-buy, but - and it's a biggie - they're not releasing a boxed set but going the old Carlton DVD route of releasing separate volumes instead because they haven't finished restoration work on the full series yet and are releasing as they finish:

http://networkonair.com/features/201...kirk-restored/

http://networkonair.com/shop/2584-ra...626808341.html

[WilsonBros]

This is superb news!!!!

The only thing which could be better would be if Network dropped that God-awful Vic n' Bob remake into a deep hole and sewed it with salt.

Because that's what Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) needed all along - fart jokes.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by WilsonBros

This is superb news!!!!

The only thing which could be better would be if Network dropped that God-awful Vic n' Bob remake into a deep hole and sewed it with salt.

Because that's what Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) needed all along - fart jokes.

And one who couldn't act and didn't seem to actually be alive to begin with.

[DavidGallow]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Now up for a pre-buy, but - and it's a biggie - they're not releasing a boxed set but going the old Carlton DVD route of releasing separate volumes instead because they haven't finished restoration work on the full series yet and are releasing as they finish:

Considering that's exactly what they've done with The Professionals and Terrahawks on blu, I wouldn't have expected otherwise.

[WilsonBros]

Originally Posted by Aclea

And one who couldn't act and didn't seem to actually be alive to begin with.

I was going to say something very similar, but just left it fart-humour.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by DavidGallow

Considering that's exactly what they've done with The Professionals and Terrahawks on blu, I wouldn't have expected otherwise.

Not really - these are going out in single-disc volumes of just four episodes, whereas The Professionals was released on a season-by-season boxed set basis.

[the blob]

I was just posting the info link in the Network thread. I think it's a great way to do it stretching out the cost as well as the restoration. Looking forward to this.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by the blob

I was just posting the info link in the Network thread. I think it's a great way to do it stretching out the cost as well as the restoration. Looking forward to this.

I can understand the economics and practicalities of it, but knowing there'll be a boxed set repackage down the line and having a pile of unwatched titles that isn't getting any smaller I'm not sure if I might not hold off on that. But then again, do I really want to wait that long?

[DavidGallow]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Not really - these are going out in single-disc volumes of just four episodes, whereas The Professionals was released on a season-by-season boxed set basis.

Yes, really. The success of earlier volumes made the next sets possible. Semantics over the amount of episodes aside, the model is exactly the same.

[the blob]

Originally Posted by Aclea

I can understand the economics and practicalities of it, but knowing there'll be a boxed set repackage down the line and having a pile of unwatched titles that isn't getting any smaller I'm not sure if I might not hold off on that. But then again, do I really want to wait that long?

Honestly, other than the economic benefit and not knowing how much the full set will even be I actually stand a far better chance of getting through the complete series all spaced out!

[chip75]

The problem with releasing episodes on an ad hoc basis is the majority of customers will be wary of them abandoning said plan, because not enough people buy the individuals or will wait for a box set.

So like the Andromeda releases you get a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy, where the distributor abandoned the individual seasons because they weren't selling (because customers were wary of them releasing a complete box set!) and released a full set. Obviously that left those who had bought separate season with only choice of double-dipping.

And anyone who went through the VHS or early DVD era will know that whilst it does stretch out the costs somewhat by having staggered releases, you end up paying for a £120 box set instead of £25!

In this case it's only going to be £60, but £60 is still a lot for 26 episodes, even after Network's hard work.

Anyway it will be lovely to see lovely Jeannie in high definition.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by DavidGallow

Yes, really. The success of earlier volumes made the next sets possible. Semantics over the amount of episodes aside, the model is exactly the same.

It's not mere semantics. The Professionals was released as complete seasons rather than each disc of four episodes being released separately. If the first season hadn't sold well enough, like The Sweeney they wouldn't have released subsequent seasons, but that first season would still have been available as a single release that only required a single purchase. Had the first season been released in six parts spread over several months - as the only season of this is being - it would have been 'exactly' the same model, but this is a different approach that harks back to Carlton's original releases of shows like Jason King (which they abandoned after a single volume), The Persuaders and RHD.

Network have never before broken a single TV season into six parts that had to be bought separately. As chip75 notes, it has risks that releasing complete seasons, or even splitting the set into two boxed sets, doesn't have, not least the prospect of people waiting to see if they do release all six volumes or change tack.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by chip75

And anyone who went through the VHS or early DVD era will know that whilst it does stretch out the costs somewhat by having staggered releases, you end up paying for a £120 box set instead of £25!

Ah yes, those faraway days of Carlton's Silver Collection when we thought it was a good deal getting two DVDs with unremastered episodes of Randall and Hopkirk [Deceased], The Saint or The Persuaders for £15 at HMV.

[the blob]

I think in this case the release schedule probably goes a way to indicating completion. They would probably have to have the sixth disc in production when at least the fourth is released if they want them all released by end of April.

As for the complete series, bar waiting for a sale which wouldn't likely include this until spring 2018, I can't see the pricing bring lots lower. It's about the same length as a season of Space 1999 and a popular show. Product-wise the complete set is also likely to be the same six discs repackaged so that would also ease the risk from the separate releases.

[bigshot]

I have an episode of this on one of Network's sampler blu-rays. It looks very good, but if the single episode on the comp is representative, I'm probably going to pass on these. (Never saw the series back in the day.)

[Desk.]

It's good news, but my DVD box set is still sitting unopened. :-(

Frankly, I'd have much rather had Return of the Saint!

Desk

[manfromatlantis]

Originally Posted by DavidGallow

Yes, really. The success of earlier volumes made the next sets possible. Semantics over the amount of episodes aside, the model is exactly the same.

Of course it isn't.
This Randall and Hopkirk release is Networks first release ever on disc where a show has not been released in a complete season.
Multi season shows usually appear in separate season sets which is the way Network have done it since day one with no episodic releases and Terrahawks and The Professionals followed the precise same strategy Network have used for 15 years.

This is the first time a single season show has been broken down into volumes.
The cynic may think its because Network need the cash to cover the restoration but as all 6 volumes will be out by April I doubt the success or otherwise of the volumes will make any difference to the restoration which is very likely almost completed on a basic level already.

I think its just Network trying to soften the blow of shelling out for a complete box in one go which often deters collectors who then wait for a 50% off sale before buying.
Its also a good way of collectors getting the episodes while the rest of the series is being completed so its a win win situation although Networks reluctance to confirm the dvd extras will be included is a mistake that is putting some punters off.
Restoring the original opening titles is inspired but hopefully will be done properly unlike the dvd versions. Over the years those titles certainly were the most memorable bit of the show and their absence since the last 70's repeats is deeply felt

[timeschange]

At long last the Blurays are coming out. Received the first volume from Network today. After the de-graining that UFO received it's good to see this is a return to form for Network.

Not sure why the Network authoring team seem incapable of producing discs with seamless branching but it's good to see the original broadcast opening titles that we saw throughout the 70's broadcasts although the fact that they give away the entire premise in 30 seconds means it might have been preferable to leave the original credits on episode 1.
That or seamless branching would have been a way to include the alternate titles which surely need to appear somewhere.

If this pre buying individual volumes is the only way Network can finance the restoration of the ITC catalogue then I'm all for it although bonus features from dvd releases are essential. In the write up on the inside cover Network go to great lengths to explain about the drops in quality that we all know about with fades, dissolves, effects shots etc but they do refer to "The ITC Catalogue" rather than just Randall & Hopkirk in the notes which makes me optimistic that we will get a 50th Anniversary Bluray for Captain Scarlet and perhaps even The Champions this year too.

Volume 3 already available to pre buy. Complete set not out until October meaning pre buyers get a 5 month head start and Network have promised a free box to house all the discs in for those who buy all the individual volumes although the case on Volume 1 is thicker than I expected and is not one of the extremely thin cases that Network often use

[Rixx]

Originally Posted by timeschange

At long last the Blurays are coming out. Received the first volume from Network today. After the de-graining that UFO received it's good to see this is a return to form for Network.

Not sure why the Network authoring team seem incapable of producing discs with seamless branching but it's good to see the original broadcast opening titles that we saw throughout the 70's broadcasts although the fact that they give away the entire premise in 30 seconds means it might have been preferable to leave the original credits on episode 1.
That or seamless branching would have been a way to include the alternate titles which surely need to appear somewhere.

If this pre buying individual volumes is the only way Network can finance the restoration of the ITC catalogue then I'm all for it although bonus features from dvd releases are essential. In the write up on the inside cover Network go to great lengths to explain about the drops in quality that we all know about with fades, dissolves, effects shots etc but they do refer to "The ITC Catalogue" rather than just Randall & Hopkirk in the notes which makes me optimistic that we will get a 50th Anniversary Bluray for Captain Scarlet and perhaps even The Champions this year too.

Volume 3 already available to pre buy. Complete set not out until October meaning pre buyers get a 5 month head start and Network have promised a free box to house all the discs in for those who buy all the individual volumes although the case on Volume 1 is thicker than I expected and is not one of the extremely thin cases that Network often use

Thread is here

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=285423