The Avengers (1998)

This film is based on the television program of the same name. It includes the iconic characters John Steed and Emma Peel

Summary

-Legendary British agents John Steed and Emma Peel work together to stop Sir August de Wynter from using his weather machine to destroy the world

Cast

-Ralph Fiennes: John Steed

-Uma Thurman: Dr. Emma Peel

-Sir Sean Connery: Sir August de Wynter

-Jim Broadbent: Mother

-Fiona Shaw: Father

-Eddie Izzard: Bailey

-Eileen Atkins: Alice

-John Wood: Trubshaw

-Carmen Ejogo: Brenda

Did You Know?

-When asked about this movie, Ralph Fiennes said "I think it's a real badge of honor to have a real flop on your resume."

-At the 2006 AFI Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony, Eddie Izzard said he took role in the movie so he could meet Sir Sean Connery

-This film, along with the 2003 film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, was part of the reason Sir Sean Connery decided to retire from acting

-Ralph Fiennes had signed on to this film while he was in the process of filming the 1996 film The English Patient

-Eileen Atkins was offered the role of Father initially. But she felt it would be more fun to play the gun-toting Alice

-Playing the role of Mother, Jim Broadbent had to be made up with padding to appear heavier and he smoked no-tipped Senior Service cigarettes

-Sean Connery's character, Sir August de Wynter, is the chairman of an organization called B.R.O.L.L.Y. (British Royal Organization for Lasting Liquid Years). Their logo is a multi-colored umbrella. In Britain, "brolly" is a slang term for umbrella

-Drew Barrymore, Elizabeth Hurley, Miranda Richardson were three of the many actresses who auditioned for the role of Emma Peel

-John Steed and Emma Peel are able to get across the frozen river by walking on top inside inflatable plastic bubbles. This concept was also used in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever. It's how James Bond is able to get on to Blofeld's oil rig

-In the Winter Wonderland HQ, John Steed and Emma Peel split up to go after the teddy bears. Peel says "I'll take the high road" and Steed replies "I'll take the low road". These are lyrics to a folk song called "Loch Lomond" from 1841

-Sir Michael Caine was considered for the role of Sir August de Wynter

-Ironically, Sir Sean Connery and Ralph Fiennes are part of the James Bond series of films. Sean played James Bond while, later on, Ralph Fiennes played M

-At least people from this film appeared in the Harry Potter film series. Jim Broadbent, who plays Mother in this film, played Potions professor Horace Slughorn in Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince. Fiona Shaw, who plays Father in this film, played Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter series. Ralph Fiennes, who plays John Steed in this film, played Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series