DVD slight return: The Spy Collection

This megaset contains British television programs produced by ITC (Incorporated Television Company) in the late-60s and early 1970s. The 14 disc set should keep you occupied for a couple of months of casual viewing should you accept the mission.
Beware that this, aside from four eps of The Prisoner, is in no way essential viewing but rather the very definition of guilty pleasures. The Prisoner seems like a teaser with just the pilot and three eps, one of which The Chimes of Big Ben is an alternative edit, and one where you have to jack the volume up. Those who know know that The Prisoner contains some of the most outlandish paranoia inducing moments in television and are probably aware that the complete 17 episodes are available as a stand alone package.
The Spy Collection displays a total disavowal to the true state of world politics. But in the era in which these shows were produced the concept of cool attractive secret agents fighting Nazis (a popular 60s villain) and Communism was among the more accepted stereotypes fostered by television.
The camp and mod style displayed by The Persuaders! goes a long way to making it go down easy. Not exactly spies The Persuaders!, from 1971, are a couple of playboys who are recruited by a judge who himself runs a kind of star chamber. He uses the pair to punish bad guys who have otherwise escaped the long arm of justice. Starring Roger Moore, caught between The Saint (another ITC series) and James Bond, and Tony Curtis, who frankly is a hoot and running on all cylinders especially when he channels his Some Like It Hot persona, the duo drive around in slick cars (Aston Martin and Ferrari), court hot babes and resolve international intrigue. Moore sports an ascot and plays a Lord (upper crust you know) while Curtis wears a single glove and finds ways to deliver hilarious non sequiturs. Several of the eps are helmed by British directors like Basil Dearden and Roy Ward Baker, themselves vets of British cinema. The theme song by John Barry, just like his work on countless films (James Bond to Dances With Wolves), sets the mood for adventure with its cool structure and hints of darkness.
Less interesting but nonetheless compelling is The Champions, from 1968 and featuring an American actor in the lead (in an effort to market internationally). This trio of British spies were escaping a mission in China when their plane crashes in Tibet. A secret race of mountain dwelling Tibetans (who of course look like they're from central casting) revive them and give them super psychic powers. Once back in London they continue to work for their secret agency Nemesis but without telling their superior of their newfound abilities. I especially like the sci-fi sound effects and zooms into the characters eyes as they are using their telepathic waves to communicate with each other.
The set also contains the first season of The Protectors, which stars a post-Man From U.N.C.L.E. Robert Vaughn, Tony Anholt, and the totally seductive Nyree Dawn Porter. This series was not broadcast in the US and never achieves the kind of cult appeal of the other shows in this package. Yet with its revolving international locations and super cool theme song it grows on you after a couple of eps. The themes song "Avenue and Alleyways" sung by Tony Christie over the end credits each week (he sounds like Tom Jones) will have you humming its melody in the shower if you're not careful.