"The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964) TV series 1964-1968

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

22 September 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Plot:

The two top agents of the United Network Command for Law Enforcement fight the enemies of peace, particularly the forces of THRUSH.

Plot Keywords:

Walkie Talkie | Infrared Vision | Clothing Press | Rifle | Secret Entrance

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 13 nominations

Cast

Robert Vaughn	...	Napoleon Solo / ... (104 episodes, 1964-1968)
David McCallum	...	Illya Kuryakin / ... (100 episodes, 1964-1968)
Leo G. Carroll	...	Alexander Waverly / ... (96 episodes, 1964-1968)

Also Known As:

"Ian Fleming's Solo" (USA) (working title)
"Mr. Solo" (USA) (working title)
"Solo" (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min (105 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Arena Productions

Trivia:

The stunts were usually done by actors David McCallum and Robert Vaughn as well as by stuntmen, and the best version was used. McCallum wasn't too keen on heights and Vaughan wasn't too keen on water - so they tried to avoid those stunts.

Quotes:

Mr. Alexander Waverly: How is that leg of yours coming along?
Napoleon Solo: Healing faster than my dignity.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Avengers: The Girl from Auntie (#4.17)" (1966)

Still The Best

The Man From UNCLE premiered in 1964 based on the popularity of the James Bond movies. I never was a big fan of the Bond flicks, but I loved the Man From UNCLE. The combination of tongue-in-cheek humor and outlandish gadgets was not only entertaining, but great fun! And Robert Vaughn and David McCallum did a terrific job in their roles, skirting just on the edge of silliness, but still with a certain gleam in their eye that let you know the whole business was just too outlandish to possibly be real. Secret headquarters, outlandish villains, super spy gadgets, MFU had it all. And it was all great fun!

Leo G. Carroll played the unflappable Mr. Waverly, who always seemed to be one step ahead of his agents. Season 1 was undoubtedly the best, although 2 had its moments. Season 3 was not entirely a disaster, but the producers tried too hard to make it all silly comedy, a la Batman, which was a campy hit, and lost the flavor of the show, although there are some outstanding moments, as when Solo is busy kissing the girl in the warm comfort of a car, while Kuryakin is fighting the bad guys in the pouring rain. As he stands there, drenched, Illya looks at his warm, dry partner and remarks, "we make such good partners." But by the time season 4 rolled around, the damage had been done, although they tried going back to the original concept. All the actors had lost interest and it was canceled.

It's still fun to watch and nice to know both actors are still busy performing, Vaughn in the British series, Hustle, and McCallum in the CBS hit NCIS. I still miss the fun of the Man From UNCLE. No-one ever did a spoof better, and we'll never see anything quite this good again. Too bad Warners seems to have some kind of problem releasing it to DVD, there are plenty of people who'd love to have it.