A
dramatic and popular children's television series that was surprisingly
daring and holds up well today. Network UK R2 DVD release.
The Series
Ace of Wands
premiered in July 1970 on ITV - Britain's only commerical television
channel. Unlike many children's shows at the time, it was explicitly
aimed at older children, rather than young children or family viewing,
with some very "modern" (for the time) characters and settings, and it
played in the post 5pm slots usually aimed for the more adult orientated adventure serials. Running to three series, it told the
stories of 'Tarot' - a stage magician who also experimented with
genuine telepathic powers and his two assistants who would often come into conflict with
others possessing similar powers. Each of the stories was presented as
three or four 25 minute episodes, usually ending with a dramatic
cliffhanger. Unfortunately,
all of the episodes of the first two seasons of Ace of Wands have been
lost to time, but the third season remains in its entirety and all six
stories are included in this DVD release.
In The Meddlers,
Tarot meets his two new assistants (Mikki and Chas), and has to contest
with some very strange goings on in an inner city market that might be
the result of a 100 year old curse. Aside from the rather obvious
contrivance that Tarot meets two people with the same powers and
characteristics as his previous season's assistants, this is a solid
episode, with a fully explained wrap-up at the end, and makes a good
introduction to the series. The Power of Atep
sees both Mikki and Tarot being plagued by sinister dreams of ancient
Egypt - Tarot learns from his friend Mr Sweet that a mummy has been
stolen from the British museum, and he soon finds himself travelling to
Egypt to fight a four thousand year old power, but one that might have
a more human face. With the atmosphere of a Hammer horror film in
places, this four part story is often very creepy, but has quite a let
down at the ending.
In Peacock Pie,
a mysterious bank robbery sees the trio come into contact with Mr
Peacock - an immensely powerful illusionist who puts even Tarot to the
test. One of the best stories in the series, it remains tense
throughout, with a fitting conclusion. Mama Doc
is certainly the weirdest story in the set, about an obsessive doll
collector, who is somewho linked to the disappearance of several
scientists. Although quite entertaining, it is full of gaping plot
holes, despite a lengthy attempted explanation at the end. Sisters Deadly sees
Chas visiting a pair of elderly sisters to celebrate their 100th
birthday - but when he finds himself robbing a post office with no
recallection, the trio find themselves drawn into a bizarre and
sinister kidnapping plot, with some rather unsuspecting "volunteers". In the final story, a four parter called Beautiful People,
the trio become suspicious of a small town fête that is giving away
expensive items to the poor and elderly, and soon discover that the
items have been tampered with as part of a deadly practical joke,
leading to a tense and dramatic conclusion.
To
a modern viewer, one of the most curious things about the series was
the lack of an obvious romantic interest between Mikki and Tarot -
although there are very subtle hints between the characters that something
might be going on. The pacing of the episodes is generally very sedate,
and could probably be compressed to half of its run-time on a modern
show, but it helps to build up atmosphere and tension throughout the
stories. Fortunately the series manages to avoid delving into parody or
the all out humour of most children's television, and is often very
dark, although the conclusions can be quite contrived, much to their detriment. Production
costs for the series were kept to an absolute minimum, and so most of
the action is
kept in or around London (except for a soujourn to Egypt in The Power of Atep,
achieved with some rather obvious stock footage and suitably disguised
sets) and the special effects are also rather dated, with some very
obvious blue screen work, but the show looks pretty decent for the time
and holds quite well today. There is only minimal incidental music, but
the show's title music is very distinctive, composed by future Status Quo member Andrew Bown. In
the lead role of the series is the otherwise little known Michael
MacKenzie, and in this third season he was joined by Petra Markham as
Mikki and Roy Holder as Chas, both of whom have done some other
television and film work, but nothing particularly well known. The trio
do give good performances throughout, and help to keep the show
straight faced, despite the often daft premises. There are various
actors used in the different stories, but only
character actor Brain Wilde (who had brief appearances in various
British horror films, as well as leading roles in Porridge and Last of the Summer Wine) will probably be recognisable, playing Mr Peacock in Peacock Pie. Not as dated as you would expect, Ace of Wands
will be a nostalgia trip to all its former fans, but should also appeal
to all classic television fans who enjoy fantasy and supernatural
series - despite its children's television billing, the series is more
than enjoyable for adult viewers, just don't expect fast pacing, top
notch special effects or completely hole free plots. Partly recommended.
In brief:
Anyone famous in it?
The
majority of the cast are occasional television actors and there are few recognisable faces.
Any violence?
A few fights, but nothing brutal.
Any sex?
None
Who is it for?
Fans of classic television adventure shows with a hint of magic and mystery will find plenty to enjoy here.
The DVD
Visuals
Original Aspect Ratio - 1.33:1. Colour. The
picture quality is generally good - the series was shot on a mix of
film and video, so there are jumps in quality between the exterior and
interior shots, but it is more than watchable, and probably looks as good as it
did when originally broadcast.
Audio
Original English mono - sounds fine.
Subtitles
None
Extras
The discs include:
A new
documentary including various interviews with the cast and crew
as well
as some photos from the lost stories with lots of details and stories
about the series. In three parts, 15 minutes each, anamorphic
widescreen.
Newly recorded audio commentary (on the three Sisters Deadly
episodes) with Michael MacKenzie (Tarot), Petra Markham
(Mikki) and the show's producer Victor Pemberton, a continuous
commentary over all three episodes talking about the making of the series, with some
interesting stories. Worth listening too.
Two bonus television episodes, Mr Stabs from Dramarama (1984) and Dutch Schlitz's Shoes from Shadows (1975), telling the further adventures of the occult 'Mr Stabs' character who appeared in the second series of Ace of Wands. The image and sound quality is the same as on Ace of Wands. 25 minutes each.
Image Gallery with various photos from all three seasons. Presented as a video file, sadly not scrollable and without music.
The
set also includes an 88 page booklet about the series, including
details and reviews of all of the episodes, including the first two
seasons. Fully illustrated,
Packing
Only available in a complete four disc boxset.
Region
Region 2 - PAL
Other regions?
Not available elsewhere.
Cuts?
The
episodes are believed to be fully uncut and are the original UK
television prints (even including the original "advert break coming up"
signals and the 'end of part 1' cards).
Summary
A very enjoyable series from the 1970s that still holds up well today. Partly recommended.
Good looking/sounding prints,
and a fine array of extras will make this set a must have for fans of
the series, and likely to remain definitive. Only the lack of HOH subtitles is disappointing.
