17 replies to this topic

[the other fellow]

I've been watching the series "Callan", which has had a re-run on UKTV here.
This is the first time i've seen it and i'm really surprised at how good it is.
Very low key and low budget, but the quality of writing and acting is first rate.
Edward Woodward, in particular, is outstanding (got me thinking he would have made an interesting Bond).

Anyone else a fan of the series or like to share their thoughts on it?

[jaguar007]

I wish the show was available in the US. I have never seen it, but am familiar with it. I am a big fan of Edward Woodward from The Equalizer days.

[DLibrasnow]

I have the DVD of the "Callan" movie and remember seeing reruns of episodes on British TV back in the early 1980s. I recall liking it and I watch the movie every once in awhile.

[TheSaint]

What is the frickin' holdup on releasing this on dvd in the UK? It seems like every spy-related UK tv series has been released, home & abroad, except this one.

[the other fellow]

[quote name='jaguar007'
I wish the show was available in the US. I have never seen it, but am familiar with it. I am a big fan of Edward Woodward from The Equalizer days.

Likewise, jaguar007, i did not see The Equalizer during it's run but i have read where Woodward's character "Robert McCall" was so similar to "Callan" that it may have been the same character.


[quote name='DLibrasnow'
I have the DVD of the "Callan" movie and remember seeing reruns of episodes on British TV back in the early 1980s. I recall liking it and I watch the movie every once in awhile.

Could you give me your opinion on the movie please D?
I'm trying to track it down, but i would like to know whether higher production values work for or against the character and mood.

[quote name='TheSaint'
What is the frickin' holdup on releasing this on dvd in the UK? It seems like every spy-related UK tv series has been released, home & abroad, except this one.

It is available in Australia. It was released by Umbrella Entertainment but only series 3. I am currently watching series 4(the last) which is due to end in few weeks.
I can relate about the availability of DVD'S.
The majority of the DVD'S i purchase are through Amazon US or UK.

[TheSaint]

It is available in Australia. It was released by Umbrella Entertainment but only series 3. I am currently watching series 4
(the last) which is due to end in few weeks. I can relate about the availability of DVD'S. The majority of the DVD'S i purchase are through Amazon US or UK.

There are 4 seasons/series, and only the 3rd season/series has been released on dvd? That makes so little sense it's ridiculous, especially when you consider the excellent job Umbrella did with releasing the whole run of The Saint on dvd.

[the other fellow]

It is available in Australia. It was released by Umbrella Entertainment but only series 3. I am currently watching series 4
(the last) which is due to end in few weeks. I can relate about the availability of DVD'S. The majority of the DVD'S i purchase are through Amazon US or UK.

There are 4 seasons/series, and only the 3rd season/series has been released on dvd? That makes so little sense it's ridiculous, especially when you consider the excellent job Umbrella did with releasing the whole run of The Saint on dvd.

You're right Saint. It's crazy that only one series/season has been released. I can't see any reason for series 4 not to be available. As for series/season 1 & 2
apparently some of the episodes have been wiped.

[Roebuck]

Incidentally, Patrick Mower, who played James Cross in the later Callan episodes, was promoting his autobiography in a radio interview last week. He says he was approached several times to play Bond (the original approach coming from Harry Saltzman) and devotes a chapter to it the book.

[spynovelfan]

If you like the CALLAN series, I highly recommend the spy novels written by their creator James Mitchell in the Sixties under the name James Munro. All feature a Bond-like character (but rather tougher) called Daniel, sorry, John Craig. The series runs as follows:

The Man Who Sold Death
Die Rich, Die Happy
The Money That Money Can't Buy
The Innocent Bystanders

[Blofeld's Cat]

It is available in Australia. It was released by Umbrella Entertainment but only series 3. I am currently watching series 4
(the last) which is due to end in few weeks. I can relate about the availability of DVD'S. The majority of the DVD'S i purchase are through Amazon US or UK.

There are 4 seasons/series, and only the 3rd season/series has been released on dvd? That makes so little sense it's ridiculous, especially when you consider the excellent job Umbrella did with releasing the whole run of The Saint on dvd.

You're right Saint. It's crazy that only one series/season has been released. I can't see any reason for series 4 not to be available. As for series/season 1 & 2
apparently some of the episodes have been wiped.

Series 4 IS available to buy now, AND it includes the Callan movie.

As for series 1 and 2 not getting released, the other fellow is right in saying that a few episodes are missing from the BBC archives. Details here.

Still, getting an incomplete series 1 and 2 on DVD is better than not getting anything at all. To sweeten the pot, so to speak, the sets should include the very first Callan called 'A Magnum for Schneider', the 1981 reunion special called 'Wet Job', and a Callan spoof that was aired on Woodward's own TV show called 'The Edward Woodward Hour'.

[the other fellow]

Thanks for that info B.C
Great news that series 4 is now released and that it includes the movie and audio commentaries by Edward Woodward.
Wonder how long we'll have to wait for a release of the first 2 series(whats left) and pilot?

Thanks to spynovelfan for recommending the novels. I'll look into that.

The Edward Woodward Hour. Try saying that after a few drinks.

[Blofeld's Cat]

The Edward Woodward Hour. Try saying that after a few drinks.

Actually, I remember a TV commercial that he did in the '70s for a hybrid wood product called "Craftwood", and he faces the camera straight-faced and says: "Would wood do this? Craftwood would or my name isn't Edward Woodward."

[TheSaint]

Series 4 IS available to buy now, AND it includes the Callan movie.

As for series 1 and 2 not getting released, the other fellow is right in saying that a few episodes are missing from the BBC archives. Details here.

Still, getting an incomplete series 1 and 2 on DVD is better than not getting anything at all. To sweeten the pot, so to speak, the sets should include the very first Callan called 'A Magnum for Schneider', the 1981 reunion special called 'Wet Job', and a Callan spoof that was aired on Woodward's own TV show called 'The Edward Woodward Hour'.

That's some good news.

[the other fellow]

[quote name='Blofeld's Cat' date='12 September 2007 - 05:53' post='771605']
Actually, I remember a TV commercial that he did in the '70s for a hybrid wood product called "Craftwood", and he faces the camera straight-faced and says: "Would wood do this? Craftwood would or my name isn't Edward Woodward."


LOL

[Blofeld's Cat]

This thread has got me wanting some Callan.

While I just don't have the money to buy any of the box sets (yet! ), I decided to buy the Callan movie DVD via eBay that is done by Umbrella Entertainment. It also includes an exclusive Woodward interview conducted in 2000. And for just AUD$11 too.

Think I'll watch it tonight.

[the other fellow]

This thread has got me wanting some Callan.

While I just don't have the money to buy any of the box sets (yet! ), I decided to buy the Callan movie DVD via eBay that is done by Umbrella Entertainment. It also includes an exclusive Woodward interview conducted in 2000. And for just AUD$11 too.

Think I'll watch it tonight.

I picked up the box set of series 3 at JB HiFi at a discounted price of about $40.
They have the new box set at around $65 but thats too expensive for me at the moment
Did a search on eBay and found that whats left of series 1&2 and the pilot "A Magnum for Schneider" are available through private sellers though the quality is not broadcast standard. Apparantly these private tapes were offered to the distributers but were rejected due to the quality issues but can be sold because of they are out of copyright and in the public domain.

The interview with E.W on the Callan movie DVD may be the same as the one available on the series 3 box set.

Anyway, hope you enjoy seeing Callan again B.C.

[Blofeld's Cat]

The interview with E.W on the Callan movie DVD may be the same as the one available on the series 3 box set.

Just finished watching it actually.

It runs a touch over 20 mins with EW standing outside what looks like a stable of some kind (his perhaps?). Quite informative. Apparently Callan was so popular on TV at the time that Soccer games due for broadcast on the same day would be rescheduled to the following day because everyone would be watching Callan!

I picked up the box set of series 3 at JB HiFi at a discounted price of about $40.

Oohh! Thanks for the headsup on that. May go there tomorrow and check it out. Cheers, fellow.

[the other fellow]

Yes that's the same interview B.C.

Another actor who i failed to mention(Roebuck has already mentioned Patrick Mower)
was the late William Squire who played Hunter, Callan's boss. I wonder whether Eon ever seriously considered him as replacement for Bernard Lee as "M".
He actually fits the description of Flemings "M" almost perfectly. And those "cold grey eyes". He's just sensational!.