Callan - The Monochrome Years

DVD Release Date:	February 22, 2010
Approximate Run Time:	600 Minutes
Aspect Ratio:	1.33.1 Fullframe
Rating:	Unrated
Sound:	Dolby Digital Mono
Region Code/Format:	PAL Region 2
DVD Released by:	Network
Retail Price:	£29.99

Reviewed By:	Troy Howarth on February 28, 2010

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5/5The Film

David Callan (Woodward) is a reluctant assassin for a mysterious British agency. His assignments often require him to kill people he feels sympathy for, and he ultimately finds his own life - and sanity - put on the line.

To test a cliche: they just don't make 'em like this anymore. While it's easy to romanticize the "good old days," Callan is a top notch example of the sort of intelligent, adult, carefully constructed television show that is so hard to come by. Truth be told, they didn't even make 'em like this that often in the 60s and 70s, either.

Edward Woodward anchors the show with his star making turn as the cynical but conscience-ridden hired killer. The gifted British thespian would go on to find popularity as the similarly icy (but rather more refined) Robert McCall on the hit US series The Equalizer (1985-1989), and some have theorized that the later series was something of a spin-off; a sort of "what if Callan changed his identity and went to the US?" scenario. It's an intriguing idea, but it doesn't really hold water. Callan is ultimately strong enough on its own to stand as its own unique entity, and while The Equalizer certainly had its merits, it displayed the schizophrenic variance in quality typical of so many TV shows - a great episode followed by a mediocre one, and so forth. This is not true of Callan - from beginning to end, it sustains a great consistency of quality, even if the cheap shot on video aesthetics are unworthy of its intelligent writing, directing and acting.

The show originated as a stand-alone TV play titled A Magnum for Schneider (1967), which is included in this set. In it, a disgraced Callan is brought back into the fold to kill an arms dealer named Schneider (Joseph Furst). The tight script by James Mitchell serves as a blueprint for the seasons that would follow, as Callan is forced to make one tough ethical decision after another, all the way delicately walking the line in an effort to appease the superiors he so overtly despises. It's a gripping piece of TV, and it would warrant special attention even if it had never spawned an entire series.

The TV play proved a big success with critics and with the public, and it soon lead to a series of six episodes which aired from in the second half of 1967. Of these first episodes, only two have survived: The Good Ones Are All Dead and You Should Have Got Here Sooner. Somewhat fittingly, they were the opening and ending chapters of the first series; one can only guess what happened to Callan and his associates in between. The two episodes continue the theme of Callan's complicated relationship with his job and his superiors, and they compare well with the initial TV play.

The show returned in 1969, this time through the auspices of Thames Television. This second season consisted of 15 episodes; of these, only 9 have survived. While the loss of the other six episodes (You're Under Starters Orders; Land of Peace and Light; Blackmailers Should Be Discouraged; Jack-On-Top; Once A Big Man, Always A Big Man; The Running Dog) is regrettable, the continuity between the extant installments is generally clear enough. The dynamics between the characters continue to evolve and deepen, and the individual plot lines contain plenty of surprises and tension.

These early episodes are all in black and white, though the subsequent two seasons (1970 and 1972, respectively) would switch to color. Production values would improve somewhat, though Thames regrettably would never opt to switch over to shooting on film. A 1974 feature film - simply titled Callan - would correct that, though the story would just rehash A Magnum for Schneider. After that, the characters would remain dormant until 1981, when a new adventure, Wet Job, sought to bring closure to the series; it was weak stuff compared to the original episodes, but it still had its share of pleasures for the Callan afficiando.

In addition to Woodward, these early episodes feature stand out performances by a number of familiar character actors. Series regulars include Ronald Radd (The Kremlin Letter), Anthony Valentine (To the Devil... A Daughter), Michael Goodliffe (The Gorgon) and Russell Hunter (Taste the Blood of Dracula). Valentine and Hunter would continue to reprise their roles - as cocky assassin Toby Meres and Callan's odiferous sidekick Lonely, respectively - but the other characters would be re-cast as the storyline required.

2.5/5Video

Network has finally released the surviving black and white episodes of Callan to R2 DVD. The episodes are in somewhat rough condition, but it's wonderful to have them available just the same. It was common practice at the time to erase videotaped programmes, in order to get more use out of the tapes, so it's a wonder that all of the episodes didn't end up lost forever. There's ample evidence of tape wear and tear, but the transfers are by no means unwatchable. Viewers looking for perfection will be put off, but fans looking to see the episodes will no doubt be pleased, despite the imperfections.

3/5Audio

The mono English soundtrack sounds as good as one can expect. The moody music score comes off well enough, and dialogue is clear and easy to discern. There are no captioning or subtitle options.

0/5Extras

None - not even any talent bios. The recent Acorn sets of the 1970 and 1972 seasons (in color) aren't exactly loaded to the gills, either, but at least the '72 set has a couple of commentary tracks from Woodward (who passed away in 2009). Still, extras or no extras, it's just great to have these rare episodes preserved on DVD.

3.5/5Overall

Some rare early episodes of an outstanding TV series get a long-overdue DVD release thanks to Network.

Want more info? Hit the Network website by clicking here!

Film Rating		DVD Rating
Director:	Various	Film:
Writer:	Various	Video:
Released:	1967	Audio:
Cast:	Edward Woodward, Russell Hunter, Anthony Valentine, Ronald Radd, Derek Ford, Michael Goodliffe	Extras:none
Cast:		Overall: