The Avengers International Fan Forum

peabody · Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:45 am Post subject: 6.32 - Take-Over

Discuss, review and rate Take-Over.

Written by Terry Nation
Directed by Robert Fuest

norw27 · Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 7:37 am Post subject:

One of my all time favourite episodes, and one that demonstrates the great variation of the last series. We see Steed at his most vulnerable in a long time and being persecuted by a wonderful gang of out there villains such as the wonderfully barmy Circe, and great visuals and direction by Robert Fuest add up to an altogether different Avengers episode.

Darren · Site Admin Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 1807 Location: UK

Sublime episode. So different. It really gives a sense of where the show could have gone had it continued - a more psychological feel at times.

I think it really is one of Macnee's finest performances. Steed really goes through it. We see his charm and sociability and quick thinking and he really gets dirtied down.

The guest cast are all strong actors.

It's beautifully and effectively directed by Robert Fuest. Some great design from Robert Jones (and unsung hero of the later years of the show).

Easy 10/10

Frankymole · Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 7:08 pm Post subject:

I agree, it is sheer brilliance. Tom Adams shines as the villain, a good match for Steed (his erudite and ruthless side, as Merlin in The Morning After was for his sly and mischievous side). It's a shame he never got similarly challenging screen roles again.

The grit and pain of this episode, when compared to more whimsical New Avengers entries like Target!, shows up the false contrast between the popular portrayal of the 1960s series as "witty"/whimsical and the 1970s TNA as "tougher"/more serious. There was a natural progression going on, and the Avengers always mixed humour with hardness.

And it was never harder than here, in Take-Over, an essential episode. Proving the Avengers wasn't fluff, and could do hard-hitting drama with the best of them.

This episode is the very definition of "tension" and "suspense", but looks beautiful (and bleak).

10/10. I wouldn't want all Avengers episodes to be like this, but I am glad one is.
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mariocki · Have Fingers... Will Type! Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 412

One of my favourites this one. I was fortunate to be able to interview Tom Adams last year and we watched Take-Over as we talked. He was amazed at how good it was (and how good he was!) although he didn't remember a great deal about the actual filming. He did remember trying it on with Hilary Pritchard though and was given very short shrift apparently Very Happy

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Timeless A-Peel · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 3:19 am Post subject:

I can only agree with everything that's been said. It's an episode of claustrophobic, bleak, tense body horror, and it works brilliantly. It has this cold, clinical feel that ratchets up the suspense, especially when they juxtapose the surgeries with "civilised" scenes, like the dinner party. Patrick gets to play Steed in survival mode, and puts in a top performances. And I squirm every time I see those neck bandages.
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Frankymole · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 5:02 am Post subject:

mariocki · Have Fingers... Will Type! Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 412

It's just sitting on my dictaphone at the moment Franky, I must get around to transcribing soon. Tom was the perfect gentleman as you would expect but he kept stopping to watch himself on the screen and exclaim, "Look at me, I was so cool." It wasn't in a big-headed kind of way, he was genuinely surprised at how good he was and I think he regretted not applying himself more around that time.
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Frankymole · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 6:08 am Post subject:

Very perceptive of him. It's a great performance - one of the most memorable Avengers villains, and that's saying a lot.
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anti-clockwise · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 6:57 am Post subject:

This was a fantastic idea to review the episodes. I have a lot of catching up to do so I have not seen this episode before. I am thrilled to hear everyone liked this so much and that Geoff got to interview one of the best villains ever. Wish that interview was on bonus material but alas Geoff has it What year did you interview him Geoff? And how did it come about? How did you find him anyway?
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peabody · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 8:27 am Post subject:

I couldn't agree more, anti-clockwise. Very Happy

Haven't seen this episode in a while, but will watch it tonight. Reading your thoughts and ideas in advance only heightens the experience of the episode itself.

mariocki · Have Fingers... Will Type! Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 412

anti-clockwise · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 2:59 pm Post subject:

mariocki · Have Fingers... Will Type! Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 412

It was an autograph signing event with Martin Landau being one of the main stars. Here's a picture of Fenton-Grenville himself:

It was a good weekend with Martin playing to the cameras on a fan built Space 1999 set at one point. Another one of the good guys.
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Frankymole · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 3:10 pm Post subject:

Martin Landau's an acting hero. I loved him as the black hat Western tough in an early Twilight Zone episode (the one with the supernatural snake oil salesman), right through to his Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood.

That's a fine pic of Mr Adams. He's still got the imposing look!
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anti-clockwise · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 4:39 pm Post subject:

nice pic Geoff. He looks very distinguished.
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cyberrich · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:29 am Post subject:

Love the Tom Adams story. Wish I'd been there! I did go to a similar event in 1995 attended by Linda Thorson, as well as others with an Avengers connection such as Jane Merrow, Annette Andre, Ed Bishop, Carol Cleveland, and several others. As for Take over, I'll give it 8/10. Great episode with surprisingly realistic acting for this type of genre. The most sinister episode of them all! Rich.

widescream · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 4:19 pm Post subject:

Frankymole · Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:37 am Post subject:

I think a lot of people in the 70s saw The Avengers as too camp, and the 60s in general as too camp, which is why The New Avengers was a lot "grittier". Then people in the 1980s saw that as too camp due to all the flared trousers.
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mariocki · Have Fingers... Will Type! Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 412

Ol' Fenton-Grenville seems to have been doing quite well for himself in recent years with an interesting sideline in commercials, so for the benefit of those outside the UK, here are a selection:

From 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AefSQtxcAVs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

From 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo6k85TjPX4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

From 1994:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo6k85TjPX4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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"No ma'm, I'm a Texan."