PRODUCT:
Rigid outer box containing 2 foldout digi-packs. Digi-pack one contains 4 DVDs that feature 4 episodes per disc (episodes 1 - 16). Digi-pack two contains 3 DVDs, 2 of which contain the remaining 8 episodes (again 4 per disc) and the final disc, The Files of Judge Fulton,  that contains all the bonus materials.

THE DISCS:
Each DVD features doutoned art face labels that feature classic images of Curtis + Moore from the series. The bonus disc features an image of Laurence Naismith (Judge Fulton). The 6 DVDs that contain the episodes all have hidden 'easter egg' bonus items (1 per disc) that include the recipe for a Creole Scream cocktail, biographies of Tony Curtis and Roger Moore, Aston Martin and Ferrari features, textless opening and closing credits and a profile of John Barry.

THE MENU'S:
Nicely animated main menu that features the 'silhouette man' logo and the 'faces' logos that appeared on original 1970s memorabilia such as the UK paperbacks. The main menu includes 2 windows playing clips from the episodes featured. Options on the main menu allow you to play all four episode in order, choose a certain episode, select individual chapters and choose your preferred language option (French language by default or English with French subtitles as the alternative). Playing under the main menu is the Persuaders! theme. Sub menus (eg chapter selection) match the style of the main menu and are nicely presented. The bonus disc menu is a parody of the animated passport opening titles.

THE EPISODES:
All 24 episodes are from the 1996 Polygram transfers. I have only 'dipped into' a few specific episodes but the picture quality is consistent and matches the first UK DVD release in terms of print quality. The episode running order also matches the UK order in that Angie... Angie and Five Miles to Midnight are correctly placed as episodes 2 and 3 (even though they were never broadcast in this order), thus ensuring that viewer will see them how they were intended to be seen - this is a separate debate that I won't go on about... {which is just as well as I'd have edited any such debate out of the copy - Drumm} - A full episode review will follow soon.

THE FILES OF JUDGE FULTON (supplementary materials disc)
Perhaps the most anticipated part of this disc is the Dutch documentary AVROskoop, filmed on the set of The Man in the Middle in 1971. This 22 minute documentary is a must-see for all fans as it features interviews with Tony Curtis, Roger Moore and Terry Thomas. Perhaps the best part of the documentary is the very beginning where we see two takes of the same scene being filmed (both slightly different) that are different from the one that made the final cut.

The Robert S. Baker interview from the French TV series Destination Series is very nice presented, accompanied by many behind-the-scenes images.

A very nice additional item is The Saint episode The Ex-King of Diamonds which was the tester for the pilot of The Persuaders! This is a particularly nice extra as Robert S. Baker talks about the episode at length in his featured interview. The episode is presented in English with French subtitles.

Print quality looks good but I've only 'dipped' into it. The Award Ceremony from French TV is rather unique. The series had won an award for being the most popular series broadcast over a 25 year period. Tony Curtis and Roger Moore were reunited via a satellite TV link for the show. A short but sweet extra which Alain Carazze deserves a special mention: "without whom..."

All 5 theatrical trailers are presented although the one for the abandoned film, The Persuaders (note no exclamation mark) is a hidden bonus.

Another excellent extra are the 10 promotion spots, five of which are in different languages (French, Italian, Spanish, German and Austrian(?)). These show the excellent rapport between Tony and Roger and are hysterical, particularly the German version where... {the bit of Jaz's review that was supposed to be here has been cut out as it gives away the punchline - Drumm} ...

The remaining 5 promo spots are silent although they are clearly in English (the frantic search for this audio continues!). A gallery of merchandise is included that features various items from original scripts, call sheets, publicity, records, annual, comics, paperbacks, etc).

Internet links to TF1 and The Morning After are provided so that those using a PC or Mac can get direct access to them. A selection of other ITC series are trailed as forthcoming releases by TF1 and these include UFO, The Prisoner, Danger Man, The Champions and Space:1999.
 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
This is a nicely presented DVD set. The digi-pack method lends itself well to the product. The episodes look good and there are some very nice extras. TF1 must be congratulated on this DVD box, they have made a lot of effort and the results are excellent.