"The Persuaders!" (1971)TV series 1971-1972

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

18 September 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Plot:

English Lord Brett Sinclair and American Danny Wilde are both wealthy playboys, they are teamed together...

Plot Keywords:

Car Chase | French Riviera | Playboy

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Tony Curtis	...	Danny Wilde (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Roger Moore	...	Lord Brett Sinclair / ... (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Laurence Naismith	...	Judge Fulton (11 episodes, 1971-1972)

(more)

Series Directed by
Leslie Norman		(7 episodes, 1971-1972)
Roy Ward Baker		(4 episodes, 1971-1972)
Basil Dearden		(3 episodes, 1971-1972)
Val Guest		(2 episodes, 1971-1972)
Sidney Hayers		(2 episodes, 1971-1972)
Roger Moore		(2 episodes, 1971)

Series Writing credits
Terry Nation		(7 episodes, 1971-1972)
Brian Clemens		(3 episodes, 1971)
Donald James		(2 episodes, 1971-1972)
Michael Pertwee		(2 episodes, 1971)
Tony Barwick		(2 episodes, 1972)

Series Produced by
Robert S. Baker	....	producer (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Terry Nation	....	associate producer (24 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Original Music by
Ken Thorne		(22 episodes, 1971-1972)
David Lindup		(2 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Cinematography by
Tony Spratling		(24 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Film Editing by
Bert Rule		(12 episodes, 1971-1972)
Peter Pitt		(8 episodes, 1971-1972)
Derek Chambers		(3 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Art Direction by
Harry Pottle		(18 episodes, 1971-1972)
Charles Bishop		(6 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Makeup Department
Gerry Fletcher	....	makeup artist (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Mike Jones	....	hair stylist (24 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Production Management
Malcolm J. Christopher	....	production manager (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Johnny Goodman	....	executive in charge of production (24 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Peter Price	....	assistant director (18 episodes, 1971-1972)
Frank Ernst	....	assistant director (6 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Art Department
Ken Tait	....	set dresser (24 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Sound Department
Claude Hitchcock	....	sound recordist (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Ted Karnon	....	dubbing mixer (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Jim Sibley	....	dubbing editor (24 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
James Devis	....	camera operator (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Brian Ellis	....	focus puller (24 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
John Briggs	....	wardrobe supervisor (24 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Music Department
John Barry	....	composer: theme music (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Deveril Goodman	....	music editor (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Don Kirshner	....	music supervisor (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Ken Thorne	....	conductor (22 episodes, 1971-1972)
David Lindup	....	conductor (2 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Other crew
Robert S. Baker	....	deviser (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Doris Martin	....	continuity (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Roger Moore	....	clothes: Lord Sinclair (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Terry Nation	....	story consultant (24 episodes, 1971-1972)
Arnold Ross	....	location manager (23 episodes, 1971-1972)
Ann M. Paterson	....	production secretary (22 episodes, 1971-1972)
Milton S. Gelman	....	co-story consultant (7 episodes, 1971-1972)
Walter Black	....	co-story consultant (3 episodes, 1971-1972)
Julie Leighton-White	....	production secretary (2 episodes, 1971-1972)

Production Companies

• Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
• Television Reporters International Tribune

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1971-1972) (USA) (TV)
• Astro Distribution (1995) (Germany) (video) (laserdisc)
• ITC Worldwide Distribution
• KOCH Media Deutschland GmbH (2003) (Germany) (DVD)

Also Known As:

The Friendly Persuaders (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Germany:12 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

The cancellation of this series allowed Roger Moore to accept the role of James Bond.

Quotes:

[Danny and Brett are driving on a rough country road towards Danny's new cottage]
Lord Brett Sinclair: Daniel, will you please turn around and take me to the station? I wish to go back to London.
Danny Wilde: I'm not takin' you back to the station to go back to London. You're staying with me!
Lord Brett Sinclair: I don't care how good your surprise is, nothing is worth a ride like this.
Danny Wilde: You know what your problem is? You're getting soft! Living in London is doing it to you, making you a softy. You stick with me, 'cause the surprise I'm gonna show you is gonna knock your eyes out.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Pastewka: Der Unfall (#1.1)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

The Persuaders

Inspired!

Never before have I seen on-screen chemistry like that between Roger Moore and Tony Curtis in The Persuaders. Both actors fill their roles perfectly and more besides, whoever teamed up these guys needs credit also.

Whether they're winning improbable fight scenes, surviving hair-raising car chases, or making sense of unusual situations (e.g Sinclair finding out how he has suddenly acquired a wife, Wilde being accidentally immersed into a Soviet spy ring, or Sinclair again finding that he has been cloned!) Moore and Curtis always appear to be having a riot of a time, perhaps in some measure a result of the large quantities of champagne the cast got through on the set.

Roger Moore deploys his usual charm and dry wit, whilst the manic Curtis excels with his deadpan humour and perfect timing. The contrast between the two main characters matches that between the two actors, but its more a case of salt and vinegar than cheese and chalk, Moore and Curtis are perfect together, and together they are perfect for the show. Slightly camp 1970s comedy/action - perfect for Roger to make his indelible mark on the James Bond series, and a welcome change for Tony from his less light-hearted roles.

Brilliant series, shame it only lasted a couple of years!