Kids TV swings once more with the reissue of The Tyrant King (1968)

I'll be honest, this is a new one to me, but after reading the write-up, I'm desperate to see The Tyrant King, which is being issued on DVD for the first time by Network.

Why so good? Well, because it sounds so odd and very much of the swinging sixties. Directed by Mike Hodges (Get Carter) and written by Ace of Wands creator (and Sweeney writer) Trevor Preston, The Tyrant King follows three teenagers as they travel around London searching for an answer to a hidden secret. Or as the press release says:

A quest fraught with drama and danger takes them to some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks and beyond.

All of that backed up with a soundtrack that includes the likes of Pink Floyd, The Nice, Cream and The Moody Blues.

This six-part series was shown once, in black and white, in 1968, but this issue will show the series in colour, transferred from original 16mm film materials specifically for this release.

We don't have a clue what the end product will be like. Originally an adventure story published by London Transport, The Tyrant King is almost certainly going to be a slice of swinging London and perhaps a glimpse of a London that no longer exists.

We're hoping to do a review ahead of release (31st December 2011), but if you want to take a chance, it is being sold exclusively by Network itself and is available to pre-order now. £12 is the price.

Find out more at the Network DVD website