The DVD Review in association with MTZ Magazine 

RAFFLES 
Released by Acorn Media UK . 6 disc box set. Available to buy now.

Although only one series of 13 episodes was made of Rafles (back in 1977) the series is still held in high regard by aficionados of classic TV.
Following of from a 1975 play (not included here) and based on the famous series of books by E.W. Hornung the series stars the suave Anthony Valentine as the even suaver A.J. Raffles, a regular on the country house circuit in turn on the twentieth century England, darling of the cricket scene and with an eye for the ladies Raffles is actually a major jewel thief and safe cracker, aided by his old public school fag Bunny Manders (played with a nice sense of eagerness by Christopher Strauli) Raffles robs his way across the stately homes of England with Detective Inspector Mackenzie (Victor Carin) hot on his trail.

Beautifully packaged this 6 disc set is great fun to watch with some great guest stars including the likes of the very lovely Jan Francis as well as Peter Sallis, Jill Gascoine, Carol Drinkwater, Brian Glover, Alfred Marks, Tony Britton and Robert Hardy to name just a few and from an era of UKTV that has never been bettered (the mid 1970's) that has never been bettered, the 1960's may have belonged to the one off TV play but the 1970's was the decade of quality drama series and Raffles is no exception. 
Extras are all text based (apart from the photo gallery) include a bio and bibliography of Hornung, production notes and cast filmographies.

NOTE:- This set is also available on VHS and also as a single 2 disc set containing the first five episodes.