The Avengers (TV Series) The Danger Makers (1966) User Reviews

Addicted to danger

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 31 January 2015]

When a series of senior military men are killed or injured doing deliberately dangerous things Steed and Mrs Peel are called in to investigate. A psychologist who is caring for a man hurt while trying to climb St Paul's Cathedral suggests that may have become addicted to danger during the war and are now seeking other forms of danger. It turns out these men aren't acting independently; they are members of 'The Danger Makers'; a secret society led by the mysterious 'Apollo'. Steed infiltrates claiming to be a member of the clubs northern branch and Mrs Peel poses as a prospective member… meaning she will have to pass their potentially fatal entry test. When Apollo turns up their cover is blown and we learn his dastardly intention is to use The Danger Makers to steal the crown jewels!

This is a classic episode where, for the most part, the antagonists aren't bad. The idea that people who served in the war might miss the adrenalin rush and excitement is entirely plausible even if their club is a little unlikely. Of course there has to be a real bad guy and Apollo proves to be suitably villainous; the others do at least believe in a fair fight. There are some genuinely tense moments to savour; most notably Mrs Peel's test… even though one knows she isn't going to be killed I found myself holding be breath!

Douglas Wilmer and Nigel Davenport

[kevinolzak · 9/10 · 5 March 2011]

"The Danger Makers" is a classic episode, depicting an organization of military veterans who couldn't get used to dull lives as civilians, craving danger as a fix instead of drugs. The mastermind behind the secret group is nicknamed 'Apollo,' whose ultimate goal is to conduct the crime of the century, stealing the crown jewels from the Tower of London! (already attempted by George Zucco's Professor Moriarty in 1939's "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"). Speaking of Holmes, this would be the lone entry for then current Sherlock Douglas Wilmer, who would immediately follow up with the role of Sir Nayland Smith opposite Sir Christopher Lee in "The Brides of Fu Manchu" and "The Vengeance of Fu Manchu." One of Patrick Macnee's finest moments has a limping Nigel Davenport understandably shaking while trying to dispatch an unperturbed Steed (he would try again in "Split!"), while Adrian Ropes, unceremoniously gunned down with Steed close by, would return for both "From Venus with Love" and "Whoever Shot Poor George Oblique Stroke XR40?" The climax is indeed the stuff of legend, as the luscious leather-clad Emma Peel walks the plank, one of the defining moments for delectable Diana Rigg (earlier at one point, Macnee does a hilarious double take upon viewing Emma's latest costume, advising her to show the phrenologist her 'bumps!'). Steed really does care for Emma, and it shows in the stars' wonderful chemistry.

Putting the spice back into life.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 9 July 2022]

When various army members die, Steed and Mrs Peel investigate, and uncover a bizarre group, The Danger Makers.

Excellent, truly an excellent episode, and despite the seemingly extravagant plot, it's perhaps one of the show's most down to Earth storylines, unlike most of the situations, this one is actually feasible, realistic.

It makes you ponder the question, how on Earth can someone, so used to danger, excitement, living in danger, adjust to the suburban, everyday, mundane life. It's a fascinating concept.

It has to be said that the concepts and ideas, the very writing itself was so advanced, so far ahead of its time, an addiction to danger, fascinating.

Plenty of great scenes throughout, best of all for me was Mrs Peel's initiation scene. It was very tense, edge of the seat viewing, Steed's presence was of course different to normal.

Acting here was first rate, Nigel Davenport, Douglas Wilmer and Moray Watson, all brilliant. I'm a huge fan of the late Fabia Drake, and she too is terrific here.

An absolute classic, 9/10.

Surprisingly modern

[lucyrfisher · 18 December 2015]

I don't mean Mrs Peel's clothes - influenced by Bridget Riley and Piet Mondrian. (I wondered if her rubber onesie would save her from the dastardly entrance test.) I mean her conversation with the major - trying to get him to reveal himself, she riffs about how soft we have become with all this ludicrous safety regulation. "Safety matches!" She sounds like a 2015 libertarian moaning about speed cameras and the nanny state. Her conversation with Peel about people who seek Nirvana as if it was a drug is more dated. Later, it's suggested that the Danger Seekers use peril as a drug. All very late 60s! Establishment figures who had never used any drug stronger than aspirin, cigars or whisky were wondering if they were missing out. Meanwhile hippies deliberately sought bliss. Then most of us blinked and got on with the 70s (recession, work, brown corduroy).

AN EPISODE THAT PROVES THAT THE AVENGERS WAS A CUTTING EDGE SERIES

[asalerno10 · 8/10 · 25 May 2022]

We are in the year 1966, in these times talking about adrenaline was unthinkable, it was a term that nobody used and The Avengers was a pioneer in explaining what adrenaline causes in human beings. The story is about a psychologist who plans to use a group of retired soldiers to seize the Crown Jewels, for this he exalts his thirst for adrenaline to the maximum from the danger acquired in his years of combat. This episode also has a fast-paced scene where Mrs. Peel's mettle is put to the test in a skill that consists of advancing through slides trying to keep the rings in her hands from touching high-tension wires, today in Today this type of test can be seen on entertainment TV shows, but in 1966 it was a highly creative and novel event. Another demonstration that the imagination of the screenwriters was ahead of its time.

The Danger Makers

[guswhovian · 7/10 · 4 August 2020]

When an army General is killed in a "chicken-running" motorcycle accident, Steed and Mrs Peel discover a group of adrenaline-seeking military men who are plotting to steal the Crown Jewels.

The Danger-Makers is a decent episode. Nigel Davenport makes a surprisingly subtle villain, while Douglas Wilmer (the best Sherlock Holmes, IMHO) is the chief baddie. Fabia Drake has a fun role.

The plot is original, and there's some nice action set-pieces. Good fun.

The Danger Makers

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 10 December 2023]

A General is the latest officer to die by deliberately putting himself at risk so the Avengers investigate. Groves was well-regarded by his troops but his Major is cagey, so Steed tells Emma to show him her bumps - the Major is interested in phrenology. They discover Major Robertson is a member of a secret society which allows Army men to experience the adrenalin rush of being in battle again, by performing crimes and taking risks.

The idea of a society of danger seekers is really interesting, especially when it's centred around the military. Adrenalin isn't a subject used in 1960's TV series. The Avenger has fantastic concepts- Nigel Davenport's character feels that there isn't enough wars for one to get danger - it's an ok episode, though a little uneven as the first half isn't very sharp or as engaging as the latter. Loved the danger apparatus Emma is forced to go on as an initiation into the society. There's a lively fencing sequence and loved how the villain was see-sawed into the electric portion of the apparatus- the saying "hoisted by one's own petard" comes to mind.