The Avengers (TV Series) The Positive Negative Man (1967) User Reviews

Cracking episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 1 September 2022]

Scientists who've worked on Top secret Project 90 are being killed, eliminated with a huge electric shock.

After a few minutes, I wasn't sure this was going to be an episode I was going to like, it did feel somewhat like a sci fi style story, with little green men. However I was wrong.

This one needs a few minutes to settle down, once it does, I'd argue its another excellent episode.

I think this show was always at its best when it felt original, this one certainly did. A very original concept, with a very interesting villain, a villain that to my mind produced one reaction from Mrs Peel that I've not seen before, fear.

Michael Latimer's Haworth, he grew on me, by the end I was a fan. I'll have to give it an extra few stars, as it features two of my favourites, Peter Blyth and Caroline Blakiston, I thought she was terrific as the superior secretary.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, 9/10.

A shocking villain

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 10 March 2015]

A series of scientists have been murdered in a literally shocking manner and they all have one thing in common; they worked on the now cancelled 'Project 90'. Further evidence of the connection to 'Project 90' is provided by the fact that the files relating to the project have been incinerated inside their safes. As our protagonists investigate the murders Steed deals, and flirts, with 'Top Hush' secretary Cynthia Wentworth-Howe who keeps her keys in a garter belt. We later learn that 'Project 90' involved 'broadcast power'; an invention which would allow electricity to be broadcast by directed radio waves rather than wires. It is this that the villains are using to kill their targets; the electricity being broadcast to a heavily insulated man whose tough can be deadly! When Mrs Peel is captured they use her as bait for a trap that should kill both her and Steed if it goes according to plan.

This is an enjoyable sci-fi episode; in the opening scene I thought that the grey faced attacker was meant to be a robot done on the cheap but it later became apparent that he was very much human and his rubbery grey 'skin' is really thick insulating make-up. The method of attack is entertaining in a macabre way; the shocks literally blasting the victim through doors or into a wall… but all bloodless of course. The story leads to a good climax where Steed and Mrs Peel must fight the electrified villain without getting electrocuted. Along the way there are some laughs to be had; I particularly liked Cynthia Wentworth-Howe and her listing of the various security ratings; the top class being 'button lipped' as well as how she kept her keys in a garter belt… as Steed remarked they were still warm!; Caroline Blakiston does a fine job in this role.

Among The Wittiest Chapters Of The Series, With Superior Performances By The Leads.

[rsoonsa · 8/10 · 3 February 2009]

From among the nine scripts that Tony Williamson wrote for The Avengers television series, this one must be placed high upon the list for its drollery, despite a violence-laced science fiction tinged plot that engages secret agents John Steed and Emma Peel in an effort to solve a series of murders that, if not abated, might lead to the collapse of the British Empire. Three scientists, formerly attached to a government sponsored "Project 90", have been brutally slain by being hurled through solid walls, while top-secret Project 90 documents of the most secret security category, "Button-Lip", have been carbonized despite being ensconced within locked and sealed safes. Because the crimes have occurred at a State-run research facility, Steed and Mrs. Peel direct their sleuthing efforts there, whereupon they determine that something named "broadcast power" may have been utilised to enable humans to be carriers of a potent electrical charge at no harm to themselves, and powerful enough to cause the instantaneous death of all those they touch, a situation that has clearly unsettled those in command of the dauntless Avengers. Directed ably by Robert Day with no observable technique, as is his custom for the six Avenger episodes he helms, this work emphasises the amiable consociation of John and Emma, working together as usual against bizarre adversaries. This production also displays an unexpected hint of romantically inspired banter exchanged between the pair. Of the 161 Avenger narratives, the 51 that include Rigg (1965/7) are easily the most favoured by a majority of viewers, and this piece showcases the reason, as there is nary a miss by the agents of the sophisticated dialogue penned by Williamson. The eighth in sequence from the sixth season for the programme, it suffers from the only consistent flaw of the group: the climactic fight scene, as ever clumsily choreographed and with sub-par stunt work. However, also as ever, a viewer by then will be agreeably sated with the film's well-constructed plot line, in addition to the ineffable appeal of Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Diana Rigg as Mrs. Peel.

Emma Peel, science research

[kevinolzak · 10/10 · 4 April 2011]

"The Positive Negative Man" presents another full proof science fiction plot, laced with danger and wit. The concept of broadcast power, working electrical appliances without wires or plugs, is being used for nefarious purposes, as several researchers turn up dead, and all traces of the top secret papers destroyed. Emma Peel's seldom utilized science background figures out the finer points, while Steed flirts effortlessly with a 'hush hush' Ministry official, played with affection by Caroline Blakiston ("Dance with Death" and "The Gravediggers"), who keeps every key attached to her luscious gartered thigh (Emma to Steed: "don't forget to return the key!"). Many Hammer veterans are present- Michael Latimer (1966's ""Prehistoric Women), last seen in "A Touch of Brimstone," Sandor Eles (1964's "The Evil of Frankenstein" and 1970's "Countess Dracula"), last seen in "Concerto," and Peter Blythe (1966's "Frankenstein Created Woman"), last seen in "A Sense of History," plus Bill Wallis, last seen in "A Touch of Brimstone," and Ray McAnally, who would return for another sci fi entry, "They Keep Killing Steed." With only three more episodes remaining for Diana Rigg, this provides a lasting vision of the two stars' magnetic personalities, as both are attached to Steed's auto, with his ironic yet touching exclamation, "don't fight it, Mrs. Peel...we're inseparable!" Also, these last few shows were shot in the gorgeous British summer of 1967, Strawberry Fields indeed. Stay tuned.

Top of the range

[edward-kellow · 10/10 · 26 April 2008]

This is the best episode on the disc I have been watching - witty, poised, and an almost Bond type insouciance in the face of hi-tech murders. The wit stops the plot from being mechanical and what a fantastic cast. Handsome Peter Blyth and Michael Latimer, great to see the young Caroline Blakiston as a very arch secretary who later appeared in Sunday Bloody Sunday as a drunken party goer provoking the immortal lines "here come those tired old tits again" - protocol gone mad and yet the behaviour is true enough to reality or at least it is a version of how the Brits used to see hush hush civil servants. It's a lost world. The technology is fun and drives the plot along. Reminds me of those classy 40s detective movies with Myrna Loy. The architecture, the abandoned research site with the railway tracks like something out of the famous five and of course the cars - a splendid Morris Minor van all add heaps of atmosphere.

Great episode in my opinion.

[tonygarraway2009 · 9/10 · 8 January 2018]

This is definitely one of my favourite episodes from the latter part of the Diana Rigg era. The episode is beautifully filmed and has a great atmosphere from start to finish. The first sequence of a strange man wearing white boots with a painted face and an electrode on his finger just emphasises the fact we are in for an hour of quirkiness.

Ray McAnally plays the role of the eccentric scientist well, although some may find it obvious that he is the villain of the piece. Michael Latimer is also good as his cool and calm associate. Caroline Blakiston also crops up as a very attractive secretary (I just recently watched her in the excellent Miss Marple story 'At Bertram's Hotel' -what an excellent actress she is).

The picture quality of the dvd is excellent and the colours look vivid.

9/10.

NOW THE ONE WHO ATTACKS IS A GREEN VILLAIN

[asalerno10 · 9/10 · 3 June 2022]

First it was the Netizens, then the robots from Never Never Say Die with Christopher Lee, and now we have a green man. The highlight of this episode is the way the corpses end up appearing, all embedded in walls, super original. The green man in question is a scientist who is taking revenge on his colleagues by charging himself with positive and negative energy with which just by touching his victim with a metal finger he can fire her with incredible force until he embeds her in a wall, to protect his own body. Must use a green substance that serves as insulation. This is one of the most fantastic and elaborate villains in the entire series. The chapter entertains and also maintains until the end the origin of this disturbing-looking killer.

The Positive-Negative Man

[guswhovian · 6/10 · 22 September 2020]

Steed and Mrs Peel investigate when several scientists who had worked on a top-secret project are murdered.

This is definitely the weakest episode of Season 5 so far. The plot seems a lot like The See-Through Man, but not as good. Unmemorable characters, an unmemorable villain and sub-par writing do this one in. Caroline Blakiston is good as the "top-hush" ministry secretary.

Diana Rigg does get some good lines though, such as "It was a corny situation calling for corny measures".