The Protectors (1972)
The Protectors is a British television series, an action thriller created by Gerry Anderson. It was Anderson's second TV series using live actors as opposed to electronic marionettes, and also his second to be firmly set in contemporary times. It was also the only Gerry Anderson produced television series that was not of the fantasy or science fiction genres. It was produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment production company. Despite not featuring marionettes or any real science fiction elements, The Protectors became one of Anderson's most popular productions, easily winning a renewal for a second season. A third season was in the planning stages when the show's major sponsor pulled out, forcing its cancellation. The Protectors first aired in 1972 and 1973, and ran to 52 episodes over two series, each 25 minutes long - making it one of the last series of this type to be produced in a half-hour format. It starred Robert Vaughn as Harry Rule, Nyree Dawn Porter as the Contessa Caroline di Contini, and Tony Anholt as Paul Buchet. Episodes often featured prominent guest actors.
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Episode 1 - Quin
Release Date: 1973-09-21Harry travels to Spain in order to track down a bounty hunter named Quin.
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Episode 2 - Bagman
Release Date: 1973-09-28The Protectors are called to deliver the ransom for the kidnapped daughter of a Danish aristocrat.
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Episode 3 - Fighting Fund
Release Date: 1973-10-05A revolutionary group steals and auctions off a priceless art collection in order to purchase dynamite to fund their cause.
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Episode 4 - The Last Frontier
Release Date: 1973-10-12The Protectors are hired to smuggle into Britain a Russian scientist who wishes to marry her childhood sweetheart.
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Episode 5 - Baubles, Bangles and Beads
Release Date: 1973-10-19In Denmark, a young woman and her father call on the Protectors to deliver a huge ransom for a stolen jewelry shipment.
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Episode 6 - Petard
Release Date: 1973-10-26The Protectors go after industrial spies who are threatening to topple a chemical company by scooping their best products.
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Episode 7 - Goodbye George
Release Date: 1973-11-02Alone in Italy, the Contessa goes to Venice to find out why the son of a wealthy Brit is making huge withdrawals from his account.
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Episode 8 - Wam (1)
Release Date: 1973-11-09In Salzburg, the Protectors must rescue a group of vacationers whom are unknowingly being held hostage on top of an Austrian mountain.
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Episode 9 - Wam (2)
Release Date: 1973-11-16In Salzburg, the Protectors must rescue a group of vacationers whom are unknowingly being held hostage on top of an Austrian mountain.
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Episode 10 - Implicado
Release Date: 1973-11-23In Spain, an English boy is framed and arrested on drug charges after a drug dealer plants some hash in his backpack.
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Episode 11 - Dragon Chase
Release Date: 1973-11-30In Britain, Harry is called on to protect a Russian author from publishing his anti-socialist book.
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Episode 12 - Decoy
Release Date: 1973-12-07An old friend who has a new lead on an insurance scam calls Harry and the Contessa to Venice, but he is murdered just before they arrive.
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Episode 13 - Border Line
Release Date: 1973-12-14The Protectors are hired by a Hungarian actress wanting to bury her now deceased revolutionary father in their homeland.
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Episode 14 - Zeke's Blues
Release Date: 1973-12-21Harry's college friend Zeke, a pianist, is blackmailed into setting Harry up by mobsters.
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Episode 15 - Lena
Release Date: 1973-12-28In Venice, Harry aids Lena, a journalist, expose a corrupt politician.
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Episode 16 - The Bridge
Release Date: 1974-01-04Undercover as an explosives expert, Harry seeks to rescue a kidnapped girl and prevent a bridge bombing.
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Episode 17 - Sugar and Spice
Release Date: 1974-01-11In order to protect the daughter of a rich industrialist who has received threats against her life, Harry poses as her tutor.
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Episode 18 - Burning Bush
Release Date: 1974-01-18Harry masquerades as a drunk in order to get a Canadian heiress out of a cult.
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Episode 19 - The Tiger and the Goat
Release Date: 1974-01-25The Contessa is used to lure her former lover, a British spy, out into the open.
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Episode 20 - Route 27
Release Date: 1974-02-01Knowing where a huge stash of heroin is hidden, Harry confronts the drug dealers.
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Episode 21 - Trial
Release Date: 1974-02-08The Protectors are called upon when the father of a man on trial for murdering a policeman goes after the judge.
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Episode 22 - Shadbolt
Release Date: 1974-02-15Harry is stalked on a train by Shadbolt, a professional assassin.
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Episode 23 - A Pocketful of Posies
Release Date: 1974-02-22Harry Rule is called upon to see if Eartha Kitt's (guest star)home is haunted.
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Episode 24 - Wheels
Release Date: 1974-03-01The Protectors are hired to discretely research stolen secret Swiss bank account information.
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Episode 25 - The Insider
Release Date: 1974-02-25The Protectors aid a movie director in the retrieval of film being held for ransom.
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Episode 26 - Blockbuster
Release Date: 1974-03-15The Protectors chase after a stolen platinum shipment.