The Avengers
Short description
The Avengers is a 1998 action adventure comedy based on the 1960s British television series of the same name. John Steed, an agent of the British secret service, is assigned to investigate a series of bizarre weather events afflicting the country. Suspicion initially falls on scientist Emma Peel, but Steed becomes convinced she is innocent, and the two join forces to uncover the real culprit. Their investigation points to Sir August de Wynter, a former government insider and wealthy industrialist who has acquired the means to manipulate the weather and is using it to hold Britain to ransom. Steed's superior, known as Mother, directs the operation while the pair work to thwart the scheme. The film was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, its sixth feature following National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Benny & Joon, Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventure, Diabolique and The Avengers, and it was written by Don MacPherson and produced by Jerry Weintraub.
Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman lead as Steed and Peel, with Sean Connery as de Wynter. Jim Broadbent, Fiona Shaw and Patrick Macnee, who played Steed in the original television series, round out the main cast. Made for around 60 million dollars, the film took roughly 49 million dollars worldwide, falling short of its budget. Audiences on TMDB rate it 4.4 out of 10 from over 800 votes, while critics were harsher still, with a 3.2 out of 10 from 83 reviews.
What's left behind the scenes
- Following terrible test screenings, the initial 2 hour and 30 minute cut of the film was shortened to 86 minutes.
- The idea for the film was taken from the episode "Too Much Water" of the 1965 Avengers television series.
- The quintessential James Bond, Sean Connery, returns the favor to 'The Avengers' by playing the villain, while the film's creators persistently tried to parody the 'Bond' style.
- Steed's second partner, Mrs. Emma Peel (actress Diana Rigg), appears in the Bond film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' a couple of years after leaving 'The Avengers', even managing to marry Bond, only to be killed shortly after.
- John Steed himself (Patrick Macnee) plays a Bond ally – Sir Godfrey Tibbett in 'A View to a Kill'. For the sake of secrecy, Sir Godfrey is forced to pretend to be Bond's servant.
- John Steed's first partner, Catriona Gale (actress Honor Blackman), disappears from the series to appear as Pussy Galore in the Bond film 'Goldfinger'. In 'The Avengers' Christmas special, they joke that John Steed will receive a postcard from Fort Knox from Mrs. Gale. Some scenes from 'Goldfinger' were filmed there.
- Several scenes not included in the film were used in the promotional video.
- Mel Gibson and Nicole Kidman were initially considered for the roles of John Steed and Emma Peel. Gwyneth Paltrow was also offered the role of Emma. Ultimately, the parts were played by Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman.
- The script was sent to Diana Rigg, who was offered the role of Alice, a secret agent disguised as a 'typically English' old woman. But she declined. The role was ultimately played by Elin Atkins.
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