The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair (1983)

This TV movie featured Robert Vaughn and David McCallum returning as their popular espionage characters Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin, agents of the U.S. branch of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement. In this movie which obviously takes place a number of years after the series ended. Napoleon Solo had inexplicably left or been let go years ago, and after he left Illya also mysteriously quit the force. Illya has gone to work in a store where he designs women's outfits - some of which are pretty offensive and revealing. This was a disappointment for the production as well as Illya's character. I liked that the fictitious character JB (presumably James Bond) made a brief guest appearance, assisting Solo in a car chase who he referred to as "a colleague." I enjoyed that when the program went to commercial the last frame was frozen and then blurred out - just like in the original series. I did not like the altered music which slightly resembled the original TV show theme. There were a few funny parts in this movie which bring back memories of the old series, but The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. is not a favorite. Many of the original episodes were significantly better.

First,i have some choice words about this "unique" CBS TV movie from 1983-Nice,,But No Dice!! "THE MAN FROM UNCLE" was a landmark NBC-TV series from 1964 to 1968,as well as being Metro Goldwyn Mayer's answer to the 007 craze of the 60s-and successful enough for MGM to theatrically release most of the two parters as motion pictures. but what was never explained was how Viacom Productions got the rights to do this reunion movie,with out MGM's participation! director Ray Austin did a so-so job-but in all fairness,they still could've used any of the original directors who worked on the TV series,and why they didn't do that,is a very big mystery,with money usually being the main reason! the reunion movie was somewhat nice,seeing Robert Vaughn and David McCallum back as UNCLE's finest-but it would've been better,had MGM participated in this reunion! ironically,Michael Sloan,who later went on to create "THE EQUALIZER" TV series at Universal in 1985,also did the first reunion film of "THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN" and "THE BIONIC WOMAN" in 1987,using an almost exact same story,that was used in "RETURN OF THE MAN FROM UNCLE"-and over the years,i've been meaning to point that out,until now! point being,is that remakes and reunions fall seriously short of being the items they once were,when the originals had their run! pity,that Sloan couldn't get Stephanie Powers to return as "April Dancer" for this reunion,,but then, this movie just wasn't up to speed! about the only satisfying justice that was done,was in a 1986 episode of NBC's "THE A TEAM" series,when Vaughn and McCallum reunited,but was on opposite sides of the law-and the episode,"The Never Say Uncle Affair",was actually WAY better then the 1983 TV movie,because it was clever,and stylish! otherwise,the reunion film,just did not have the flare and wit,of the 1964-68 series, and could've been way better! currently,Warner Bros. is planning to make an UNCLE movie,since they own the rights,as well as the MGM library,but i don't think that their efforts will be any better,which is why the originals will always be the Superiors!

*Spoiler/plot- The Return of the Man from UNCLE: The Fifteen Years Later Affair, 1983. A nuclear warhead is stolen by an international crime ring and UNCLE calls back some of it's older retired spy's to help out with this case. Also the THRUSH spy ring wants revenge on the older spy's and tries to kill them in the ransom exchange.*Special Stars- David McCallum, Robert Vaughn, Patrick Mcnee, Anthony Zerbe, Keenan Wynn.*Theme- Old spy's are the best spy's.*Trivia/location/goofs- Las Vegas and Hoover dam locations. Shot in Las Vegas, Boulder dam. Cameo of 'James Bond' with George Lazenby.*Emotion- A reunion show idea that doesn't quite excite the fan as the original series. Too many plot points hitting the 'older' spy premise to be enjoyable. There are too many supporting characters of famous actors that have very little to do to tell the story. Another disappointing aspect is that other than vintage pen communicators (not the first communicator- which was a cigarette box) and very little signature weaponry like the UNCLE agents guns or THRUSH insignia were seen in film. This is shell of a reunion film with no spirit or charm even though the film has the original actors.*Based On- 60's TV spy show, 'Man from UNCLE'.

This movie was clearly made for Television and the copy I got looked like it was a "bootleg" from China or something. The focus was terrible and the color saturation was gone totally. The company who released this particular DVD was New Star Video. Avoid getting a copy of this from this company, The quality is TERRIBLE.As for the plot, it was weak and very unlikely. There is a scene at the end where there are 20-25 THRUSH agent lying dead in close proximity to each other and the remainder of the UNCLE contingent just jog on by with none of them even hurt. The believability of this film is low and although Robert Vaughn and David McCullum and Patrick McNee carry the film, it is still very weak and there are too many "I'm Sure, like their gonna do that!!" moments to it. Perhaps I am seeing it through "adult" eyes after seeing the original series as a small kid (8-10). Kids will like this but adults will see through it totally and may not enjoy it as much as a pre-teen or teenager would. Worth a shot if there is nothing else to watch.5 out of 10...