The Persuaders! (1971)

## A Sun-Drenched, Champagne-Fuelled Time Capsule: Revisiting The Persuaders! Before buddy-cop movies dominated the action-comedy landscape, there was a show that perfected the formula with a jet-setting, aristocratic twist. *The Persuaders!*, a 1971 British series that ran for a single, glorious season of 24 episodes, isn't just a television show; it's a mood. It’s the feeling of sun on a sports car's bonnet, the clink of glasses in a Monaco casino, and the effortless chemistry of two of the era's biggest stars at the peak of their charm. The premise is pure, delightful fantasy. Lord Brett Sinclair (Roger Moore), a polished, witty, and impeccably dressed British aristocrat, and Danny Wilde (Tony Curtis), a self-made, street-smart American millionaire from the Bronx, are two of the world's most successful playboys. A retired English judge, frustrated by the limitations of the law, manipulates them into a partnership. His reasoning? Their shared love for adventure, women, and fast living—and their contrasting backgrounds—make them the perfect duo to persuade justice where the courts cannot. ### The Magic is in the Marriage of Styles The real genius of *The Persuaders!* lies not in its plots (which are often standard caper fare), but in the electric, bickering-brothers dynamic between Moore and Curtis. * **Roger Moore as Lord Brett Sinclair:** Fresh from *The Saint* and years away from James Bond, Moore is the epitome of suave, dry wit. His Sinclair is unflappably cool, armed with a raised eyebrow and a droll one-liner for every situation. He’s the man who knows which wine to order and how to dispatch a villain without wrinkling his cuffs. * **Tony Curtis as Danny Wilde:** Curtis is all New York energy and charm. As Wilde, he’s the brash, resourceful counterpoint to Sinclair's reserve, delivering lines with a classic Curtis-style patter. He’s the guy who might solve a problem with a cheeky grin or a well-thrown punch. Their constant, good-natured ribbing—about each other's accents, backgrounds, driving skills, and fashion sense—is the engine of the show. It never feels mean-spirited; it feels like the genuine needling of two men who, despite their vast differences, have found a unique and unshakeable friendship. ### A Time Capsule of Glamour Watching *The Persuaders!* today is a form of time travel. It is a lavish, unapologetic love letter to the glamour of the early 1970s Riviera lifestyle. The production values were astronomical for a television series at the time, and it shows: * **Locations:** The show is a travelogue of the most beautiful spots in Europe, from the French Riviera and Rome to London and Alpine resorts. * **Wardrobe:** Tony Curtis's wardrobe, in particular, is a legendary parade of bold prints, leather jackets, and turtlenecks that defines an era of male fashion. * **Cars:** The opening credits alone, set to the iconic theme by John Barry, feature our heroes racing their respective sports cars (an Aston Martin DBS for Sinclair, a Ferrari Dino 246 GT for Wilde) along the coast. It is pure, automotive wish-fulfilment. ### The Verdict: A Cult Classic for a Reason **4 out of 5 Stars** *The Persuaders!* is not a complex, gritty drama. It won't keep you up at night pondering the human condition. What it will do is provide 50 minutes of utterly stylish, witty, and entertaining escapism. It’s the television equivalent of a perfect cocktail: refreshing, bubbly, and leaving you with a smile. Its cancellation after one season (due to its high cost and not performing as well as expected in the crucial American market) has only added to its legendary, cult-classic status. **Who will love it?** Fans of classic television, Roger Moore and Tony Curtis, stylish 70s aesthetics, lighthearted action-comedies, and the golden age of the "buddy" genre. **Who might not?** Viewers seeking deep, serialised storytelling or gritty, realistic action may find it too frivolous or dated. In the end, *The Persuaders!* succeeds entirely on the strength of its two leads. It is a masterclass in star power and chemistry, a sun-drenched relic from a time when television escapism meant style, charm, and the irresistible fantasy of two millionaire playboys fighting crime for the fun of it. It remains, quite simply, a blast.