Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) 2000-2001

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Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
Remake, series 2 DVD (VVL, 2002)
Genre	Fantasy Action Drama Comedy Paranormal
Creator(s)	Dennis Spooner
Starring	Vic Reeves Bob Mortimer Emilia Fox Tom Baker
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	13
Broadcast
Original channel	BBC1
Original run	2000 – 2001

In 2000 - 2001 the original 1960s television series, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) was remade by Working Title Films for the BBC starring Vic Reeves as Hopkirk (once again in a white suit) and Bob Mortimer as Randall, with Emilia Fox as Jeannie.

Consisting of only two series, the entire first series was written and produced by Charlie Higson, who also directed some episodes. The second series employed some other writers, including Gareth Roberts, Mark Gatiss and Jeremy Dyson. The basic situation was the same, but the circumstances of Hopkirk's death were changed. Another change was the introduction of Wyvern (Tom Baker), a kind of heavenly mentor for Marty.

Many episodes also included storylines that paid homage to the original show, as well as other 1960s shows - especially those made by ITC. In the fifth episode of series one, a clip of Mike Pratt (who had died before the new series was produced), from the original series episode "The Smile Behind the Veil", was included. Marty encounters him in Limbo. Place names also paid homage to the original show: Spooner Drive - named after Dennis Spooner - is used in the first episode of series one; and Cope House - named after Kenneth Cope - is the name of the building where the duo's office is. Marshall & Snellgrove - the name of the rival detective agency - was originally the name of an actual department store that was operating in the 1960s.

1 Technical aspects
- 1.1 Episodes
  - 1.1.1 Series 1
  - 1.1.2 Series 2
2 External links

[edit] Technical aspects

The series was shot in 16:9 widescreen. However, for reasons unknown, the Region 2 & 4 DVD of Series 1 was released in a pan and scan 4:3 format. The Series 2 DVD is coded for Regions 2 - 6 and is in the original aspect ratio.

The first print of the cover of the Series 1 VHS and DVD uses lenticular printing so that when the viewing angle is changed Marty's image appears and disappears.