The first thing that has to be stated about the Callan: The Monochrome Years (UK - Region 2) set is that it is a miracle that it is available at all. Network (the DVD publisher) worked for literally years behind the scenes overcoming rights issues that were holding up the potential release and many fans believed it just wasn't possible (especially for a relatively niché market item like black and white, 1960s Callan) to get past the red tape... the number of different studio logos on the rear cover gives some idea of the various parties and countries involved.
It was certainly a red letter day for fans when the announcement came that it was finally on the way!
Right; details; the set comprises all of the remaining, un-wiped black and white episodes from seasons 1 and 2 of Callan. That means, over the 4 discs, 2 of the original 6 from Season 1 and 9 of the original 15 from season 2, one of which (The Worst Soldier I Ever Saw - see earlier Blog review) ) has been edited together from unedited recording block footage after the original was destroyed.
All episodes are presented in their original 4:3 aspect ratio (as you'd expect from a purveyour of classic era TV like Network; fans of such TV would be up in arms if it was re-configured to widescreen) though picture quality is, as you may guess, very variable and sometimes quite poor (Death of a Hunter for one example). Sound is simply the original mono (but this is much preferable to a totally anachronistic and inappropriate surround sound up-mix) and sadly, like the vast majority of Network's output, there are no subtitles. I know this is very disappointing to some but I have it on good authority subtitles are nowhere near as cheap as the average viewer would imagine and adding them to niché market releases (even relatively popular nichés like Callan) often just isn't financially viable... still, it's a pity.
Extras are limited to the original Armchair Thriller pilot for the series called "A Magnum for Schneider" and many fans were disappointed that, given "The Worst Soldier I Ever Saw" was edited down from an unedited recoding block, the parts edited out were not included as an extra (or even the unedited block in its entirety). However, for whatever reason, this footage is not included.
However, despite the shortcomings of the set in certain areas, the episodes themselves are some of the best television ever created, consistently well plotted and acted, and even today they stand up as great pieces of thrilling drama... and if it wasn't for Network's behind the scenes efforts we wouldn't be able to see them at all.
Though the original RRP is £30 for the 11 episodes + pilot (not exorbitant but not cheap), reflecting some of the difficulties involved it its road to the market, it can now be picked up for practically a third of that figure and I would advise, in fact I urge, any fan of the spy/thriller genre to do, so except for one thing...
...later in 2011 there is a single package release of this set, the Colour Years set which follows it plus the feature length reunion episode "Wet Job" and that will include a new documentary. It will also include a book by TV historian Andrew Pixley and judging by Andrew's previous work on classic TV (such as on The Avengers, Doctor Who and The Prisoner) and his high standing in the eyes of fans of classic TV, the book will be well worth having. Both of these extras will be unique to this set... which hasn't made Network too popular with those who have bought the separate items but, given the work they've put in, I suppose you can't blame them for trying to make fans like me double-dip just to get them!
Whichever set you choose to buy though, the advice above still stands... if this is anything like the genre you like don't even think about wondering whether you will get past the material being black and white, not in the best condition and with no modern surround sound... you will, and you'll be happy you did.
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