"The Professionals" took elements from spy shows and police procedurals, but it wss really about action: fast cars, big guns and bigger explosions. The world of "The Professionals" was all ominous foreign accents and menacing sunglasses, the plots having little to do with the real world. CI5 were an undercover unit, dedicated to the destruction of all terrorists working in Britain, keeping the country smelling of "if ever so faintly of roses and lavender". Cowley was the boss, Bodie and Doyle his best two lads.

This first box set contains the first fourteen stories to be produced. They are more studio-bound than the series would later become, but there is still plenty of tearing around the countryside to be enjoyed.

The excellent "Close Quarters" is the highlight of the set, a tense story of Bodie trapped in a vicarage under seige from a group of German terrorists. "Killer with a long arm" and "Heroes" are fast-paced with impressive action sequences. "When the heat cools… more »

"The Professionals" took elements from spy shows and police procedurals, but it wss really about action: fast cars, big guns and bigger explosions. The world of "The Professionals" was all ominous foreign accents and menacing sunglasses, the plots having little to do with the real world. CI5 were an undercover unit, dedicated to the destruction of all terrorists working in Britain, keeping the country smelling of "if ever so faintly of roses and lavender". Cowley was the boss, Bodie and Doyle his best two lads.

This first box set contains the first fourteen stories to be produced. They are more studio-bound than the series would later become, but there is still plenty of tearing around the countryside to be enjoyed.

The excellent "Close Quarters" is the highlight of the set, a tense story of Bodie trapped in a vicarage under seige from a group of German terrorists. "Killer with a long arm" and "Heroes" are fast-paced with impressive action sequences. "When the heat cools off" is a strong showcase for Doyle. "Klansman" was a brave attempt to build a story around a series of racist attacks. "Stake out" is a story about Bodie and Doyle going bowling.

The picture quality, though not restored, is nonetheless very good.