Sporting Chance is one of four feature-length programmes made up of two episodes each. The episodes on this volume are Someone Waiting and Anyone Can Play.As a collectable, this tape is a must as its presentation differs from the episodic versions of the stories that make-up the feature. The Precision Video version is the rarest of the two on account of a couple of things:
Many copies surfaced later on the ex-rental market but as time goes on the less likely the chances of finding a copy. The Channel 5 issue is much more common and wasn't deleted as quickly as the Polygram editions were.It was priced at about 70 pounds when released in the early 80's, putting it out of the reach of most fans UK VCR penetration (oo-er, missus) was only a single-figure at that point so most fans didn't have a vcr or simply didn't know the tape was available. all scans on this page courtesy Jaz Wiseman
Sporting Chance nuances:
- The most obvious nuance is the opening titles in which the familiar Persuaders titles are replaced by some drawings of a car race that look like they were done by a 10 year-old (see frame-captures below). A shortened version of the John Barry theme plays under these tacky titles.
- The 2 episodes are bridged by a clip from To the Death, Baby - the clip is a slightly re-arranged version of the sequence immediately following the opening titles in which Danny arrives at a hotel and thumbs a wad of cash in Brett's ear. The inclusion of the clip is supposed to set-up the next part of the feature, Anyone Can Play. In practice it just confuses the viewer.
- The post-theme opening sequence at the tables in The Milton Club are edited to exclude the shots or parts of shots that have the episode acting, writing and directing credits.
