BACK ON TRACK? 'THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.' MOVIE

Shatterpoint! No one can touch Robert Vaughn's THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Images: WARNER BROS. 

After seemingly endless years of production difficulties, including budget problems, constant script changes, cast and crew departures, signings and then departures (involving stars like George Clooney, then Tom Cruise, followed by director Steven Soderbergh-my personal perfect choice to have visualised the project), it finally looks as if the first big-screen, all-new adventure for WARNER BROS.'s re-imagined MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., originally developed for TV by Sam Rolfe (from suggestions and ideas by 007 creator Ian Fleming and further input from series producer Norman Felton), will finally start shooting soon, under the popular camera eye of talented Brit, Guy Ritchie, the former Mr. Madonna who made such great and stylish UK films as the drugs/crime comedy drama LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS, its successor, the hilarious SNATCH, and the two hugely popular and inventive American blockbuster re-imaginings of classic SHERLOCK HOLMES, starring Robert Downey Jr in the title role, for PARAMOUNT.

Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) and Napoleon fighting THRUSH baddies.

Playing the suave and sophisticated ladies man with the dangerous core, Napoleon Solo, first played in the iconic series by Robert Vaughn, is new SUPERMAN Henry Cavill, whilst the blond-mopped Russian agent and friend to adventure by his side, Illya Kuryakin, previously brought to cool life by David McCallum, is inhabited by Arne Hammer, making waves in the controversial DISNEY re-make of another TV hero, from the western genre, THE LONE RANGER. Other major supporting stars in the film have yet to be revealed (though actresses Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Debicki will likely be of importance to our heroes as either love interests or villainesses - where would be without the series THRUSH world despot villains, eh?!), but one other big confirmation for Scott Z. Burns screenplay is Brit actor Hugh Grant, apparently going to be a leader in British Naval Intelligence -perhaps a re-imagined version of quirky but powerful U.N.C.L.E. boss-to-be, Alexander Waverly (once played by the Leo G. Carroll).

Let's all send out some good vibes for what could be a very cool project capable of giving 2015's next BOND movie a run for its money if done right, hope that it doesn't all go tits-up the way THE GREEN HORNET re-imagining did (unlikely with Ritchie's building pedigree for fun storytelling), and that the small-screens two original stars get to make some lively, maybe important cameos somewhere in it.

"Open Channel D..."

GOODBYE, NORMAN FELTON

David McCallum and Robert Vaughn fight back in THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Image: MGM.

I was very sad to hear of the 4th July passing of the legendary film/TV producer, British-born Norman Felton. He was 99. As Executive Producer through his ARENA company, he helped bring the iconic four year running MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. TV series (and it's GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. spin-off), developed by Sam Rolfe (and which made above pictured Robert Vaughn and David McCallum international stars and household names), to production reality for MGM from 1965-1968. It's a show that I've always loved and enjoyed, and one that I'm happy to say remains as popular and enduring as ever with audiences in worldwide DVD sales and repeats. And let's also not forget another iconic sixties TV series Felton produced, either: the Richard Chamberlain starring medical drama Dr. KILDARE, nor the many successful TV movies he lent his considerable talents to, including the cult Leonard Nimoy starring, early seventies psychic mystery movie, BAFFLED!

Norman Felton with THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E.'s Stefanie Powers and Noel Harrison. 

KOOL TV sends its condolences to Mr Felton's family and friends in this sad time.

FINALLY ON UK DVD: 'THE RETURN OF THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.'

Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) and Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) get some adrenaline back into their lives, in the reunion movie: THE RETURN OF THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Images: CBS.

Thankfully not quite ready for the retirement home just yet, those fearless men from U.N.C.L.E. - the indomitable Napoleon Solo (always played with charm and exemplary panache and good manners by Robert Vaughn) and his super-cool Russian comrade Illya Kuryakin (the plucky and seemingly age-less David McCallum) - are back to fight one last battle against their dreaded nemesis, THRUSH (that's Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity to you and me!), in the lively and ratings successful one-off reunion film from April 1983: THE RETURN OF THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - The Fifteen Years Later Affair, now finally available on UK DVD, after years of waiting, from FABULOUS FILMS.

Check out the KOOL TV overview and review of this underrated and enjoyable feature length TV film, with a starry cast and full of action and good humour from writer/director Michael Sloan, here: KOOL TV WANTS ON UK DVD: "RETURN OF THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E."

Together again after fifteen years: Robert Vaughn and David McCallum.

Picture quality-wise, this DVD has the nicest on-screen transfer of the movie yet, far removed from those grainy colour-less copies shown by ITV in the mid-eighties, or on its later poor condition, this tape will ruin your player, VHS release. Sadly, there are no extras accompanying this premiere DVD release beside a brief stills gallery and bios- its a shame that FABULOUS FILMS couldn't have at least tracked down Robert Vaughn for an audio commentary on it: he's been in the UK on and off for the last eight years doing HUSTLE!- but just to have the film in decent quality is fine and dandy with me, and proves a worthy addition to any U.N.C.L.E. or CULT TV fans growing collection.

It's the only time you'll ever get a type of THRUSH you'll enjoy!

DVD sleeve for the UK release. Image: FABULOUS FILMS.

Now, if only someone at WARNER BROTHERS could properly release the entire original series in the UK!

KOOL TV RATING (OVERALL PACKAGE): 3.5 out of 5