This TV movie was culled from two separate episodes of the ITC British series, The Champions (1967), starring Stuart Damon (Craig Sterling), Alexandra Bastedo (Sharron Macready), William Gaunt (Richard Barrett) and costarring Anthony Nicholls (Tremayne). The two episodes, The Beginning - worked as a pilot, insofar as it explains who the three lead characters are and how they become The Champions. The action that takes place in the TV movie combines scenes from this first episode spliced, in bits and pieces format with the 18th episode, The Interrogation, in which Craig Sterling is kept in isolation and systematically "grilled" by a Nemesis operative who is trying to determine whether or not Sterling has become a double agent. Throughout the questioning sessions, Sterling is kept off balance with drugs, and other physical and psychological ploys, all in an attempt to help the interrogator (Colin Blakely) get to the "truth".
Having seen the movie a number of times, I can see why anyone would experience confusion or displeasure. Whoever decided to use Episode 18 with The Beginning did not do the viewers any favors. I can only recommend that any person who has recollection of this '60's TV show, and wants to relive those "good-old-days" spend the $50 or so and buy The Champions, which is available on DVD. I've been watching the episodes, in sequence, and have been enjoying them, immensely. Sharron Macready really gives Emma Peel a good run for her money, and as far as I'm concerned, that's really saying something!!
