The Professionals

The first series set the standard for five successful years, milking the dramatic potential of a rich gamut of scenarios, from international espionage to racism and religious evangelism; Bodie and Doyle usually being called upon to protect a controversial figure from the assassin's bullet. Shaw would later dismiss The Professionals for its stereotypical violence and for a long time refused to allow reruns. In fact, as cult television goes, it has weathered well. Many of its themes are as relevant today as they were then. The constantly elliptical script ("I want you to see that he's… well taken care of") is tremendous fun. And despite the macho drive, the whole thing has a camp archness which betrays its Avengers pedigree. Great for a nostalgic wallow.

The second series of The Professionals hit television screens running in 1978, with Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins now wearing their roles--and their trousers--as the fearless CI5 duo, Bodie and Doyle, like second skins. Brian Clemens' creation, based on the notion of a special crime-busting unit, targeting terrorism, espionage and international wrong doing, crackles with humorous one-line exchanges, car chases, shoot-outs and punch-ups, all under the auspices of Gordon Jackson's George Cowley, a man with a tight reign on his team's anarchic tendencies. "Anyone who disobeys will spend the rest of his life watching trawlers in the outer Hebrides," he warns, with no expectation that his star boys will take a blind bit of notice.

The late 1970s action series THE PROFESSIONALS follows the exciting adventures of former mercenary William Bodie (Lewis Collins) and former cop Ray Doyle (Martin Shaw), agents of CI5--Criminal Intelligence 5. Assigned to various missions by Major George Cowley (Gordon Jackson), the tough duo faces danger in every episode. This collection presents the entire third season.

The classic action series THE PROFESSIONALS follows the exciting adventures of former mercenary William Bodie (Lewis Collins) and former cop Ray Doyle (Martin Shaw), agents of CI5--Criminal Intelligence 5. Assigned to various missions by Major George Cowley (Gordon Jackson), the tough duo faces danger in every episode. This 4-disc collection presents the entire fourth season.