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* [[France]] "Sydney Fox l'aventurière" ([[M6 (TV channel)|M6]], [[W9 (TV channel)|W9]])
* [[France]] "Sydney Fox l'aventurière" ([[M6 (TV channel)|M6]], [[W9 (TV channel)|W9]])
* [[Slovakia]] "Lovkyňa Tajomstiev" (Markíza, Joj)
* [[Slovakia]] "Lovkyňa Tajomstiev" (Markíza, Joj)
* [[Hungary]] "Az elveszett ereklyék fosztogatói" (means: The Hunters Of The Lost Relics) (TV2 and now AXN)
* [[Hungary]] "Az elveszett ereklyék fosztogatói" (means: The Raiders Of The Lost Relics) (TV2 and now AXN)
* [[Latin America]] "Relic Hunter" (AXN)
* [[Latin America]] "Relic Hunter" (AXN)
* [[Sweden]] "Kultjägarna" ([[Kanal 5 (Sweden)|Kanal 5]])
* [[Sweden]] "Kultjägarna" ([[Kanal 5 (Sweden)|Kanal 5]])

Revision as of 10:11, 1 February 2012

Relic Hunter
Relic Hunter title screen
GenreMystery
Fantasy
Action
Adventure
Created byGil Grant
StarringTia Carrere
Christien Anholt
Lindy Booth
Tanja Reichert
ComposerDonald Quan
Country of originCanada/France Co-Production 1-2 series
Canada/United Kingdom Co-Production 3rd series
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes66 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersJay Firestone
Adam Haight
Simon MacCorkindale
Running time43 minutes[1]
Original release
Networkfirst-run syndication (1999-2002)
ReleaseSeptember 20, 1999 –
May 20, 2002

Relic Hunter is an anglophone Canadian television series, starring Tia Carrere and Christien Anholt. Actress Lindy Booth also starred for the first two seasons; Tanja Reichert replaced her for the third. It was inspired by the success of the video game Tomb Raider.

It centers around Sydney Fox who is a professor but primarily a globe-trotting "relic hunter," looking for ancient artifacts to return to museums and/or the descendants of the original owner. She is aided by her linguistic assistant Nigel and occasionally by her somewhat air-headed secretary Claudia. She often ends up battling rival hunters seeking out artifacts for the money.

It ran for three seasons in the U.S. between 1999 and 2002 after fulfilling its initial three-season, 66-episode contract, from which it was not renewed. In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, it is aired on Sky1 and subsidiary channels, while in Canada, it is aired on CityTV and Space, CTV's sister network A-Channel and recently Showcase. The series was shot in the Toronto area, explaining Carrere's frequent attendance in courtside seats at Toronto Raptors games during the time.

Overview and themes

Relic Hunter follows the globe-trotting adventures of unorthodox American archaeologist Sydney Fox (Tia Carrere), and her more reserved British assistant Nigel Bailey (Christien Anholt). They are assisted at their 'home base', a generic American university identified only as Trinity College, by ditzy student secretary Claudia (Lindy Booth), the spoiled and fashion-conscious daughter of one of the college's major donors. The character of Claudia was replaced in the third season by Karen Petrushky (Tanja Reichert), who is closer to the standard 'sexy secretary' stereotype but with a facility for predicaments of a bureaucratic nature.

At the beginning of each episode, there is a short flashback in which a relic or artifact is used or abused in its original time before being lost, stolen or hidden. The show cuts to Trinity College in the present day, where Sydney and Nigel are asked to find the relic by some person or agency such as a museum, private collector (in disguise) or government. Most episodes feature the duo traveling around the globe, hunting for clues in order to find the artifact. Complications abound, often with rival relic hunters getting involved, generally giving Sydney a chance to show off her martial arts prowess. It is then up to Sydney and Nigel to seize the relic and ensure it ends up in the proper hands (such as the rightful owners or a suitable museum). Each episode ends with a scene at Trinity College explaining what has happened to the relic.

The plots in Relic Hunter usually take a grain of historical information and are dramatized in order to fit in with the story. There are, however, some historical errors on the show. For example, the episode "Devil Doll" mentioned Cuzco as an Aztec city but Cuzco was an Inca city while in the season 1 episode "Irish Crown Affair", the last legitimate ruler of Ireland, king Brian Boru is shown wearing a costume depicting 3 lions which was actually a symbol for England. Also "Gypsy Jigsaw" features some goofs: though the action takes place in Romania, the plate number of the taxi is not Romanian, the name of the places have no any resemblance with any Romanian place, and the Romanians in that episode talk with a rather Slavic accent than Romanian one. (Romanian is a Latin language and not a Slavic one.)

Nigel shows an artifact to Sydney.

Many episodes feature comic moments interlaced with the action. Sydney also knows how to hold her own in a fight and Carrere is often involved in many fights and stunts in the show. The shows also exploits the sexual tension between Sydney and Nigel, including one episode in which they went undercover in a nudist colony. Sydney is also frequently seen wearing skimpy clothing, with lots of cleavage and tight-fitting shorts; this was a major aspect of the series.

Cast and characters

Relic Hunter featured four starring roles throughout its run. The two protagonists of the series, Sydney Fox and Nigel Bailey are the only characters to appear in all 66 episodes of the series.

  • Tia Carrere as Sydney Fox (Seasons 1 – 3): The main protagonist of the series. Sydney works closely with Nigel Bailey whom she meets in the first episode. Sydney is proficient in both hand-to-hand (seen in most episodes) and weapons (seen in particular in episode thirty, "Roman Holiday") combat. She has many contacts all over the world, in the archaeological fields and otherwise. She is very protective of both her assistants as well as her students and colleagues. She is willing to fly to any country without notice to fetch back, "save" or avenge them. (Episodes 1 - 66)
  • Christien Anholt as Nigel Bailey (Seasons 1 – 3): Sydney's assistant and companion who accompanies her on her travels whilst searching for the relics. Nigel often finds himself in situations that are uncomfortable and needs Sydney's help to get out of them. This evens out as the series progresses though. He is secretly in love with Sydney. (Episodes 1 - 66)
  • Lindy Booth as Claudia (Seasons 1 – 2): Sydney's office assistant who often helps out Sydney and Nigel from the campus back home whilst they are abroad. She sometimes plays a vital role in finding the relic and shares witty banter with Nigel. (Episodes 1 - 7, 9 - 37, 39 - 44)
  • Tanja Reichert as Karen Petrushky (Season 3): Claudia's replacement for the final season. (Episodes 45 - 66)

There were also a number of recurring characters in the series, as listed below:

  • Lynette: Lori Gordon - Claudia's replacement whilst she's away. (Episodes 8 & 10)
  • Avery Ko: Ho "Oyster" Chow - A mercenary, terrorist and rival relic hunter. (Episode 13)
  • Cate Hemphill: Nancy Anne Sakovich - An Interpol agent and occasional romantic interest of Nigel. (Episodes 25, 34 & 53 (mentioned in 47, 54, 59 & 66))
  • Dallas Carter: John Schneider - An ex-partner of Sydney and now rival relic hunter. (Episode 12)
  • Kurt Reiner: Thomas Kretschmann - Another ex-partner of Sydney turned rival. (Episodes 6 & 12)
  • Stewie Harper: Tony Rosato - Relic Hunter who has a love-hate relationship with Sydney. (Episodes 1, 8 & 21)
  • Derek Lloyd: Louis Mandylor - A CIA agent who requires Sydney's help, more than once. (Episodes 7, 26 & 46)
  • Allan Conroy: Peter O'Brien - Sydney's "soul mate" and relic hunter. (Episode 44)
  • Andres De Viega: George Calil - Sydney's enemy who has been a hiccup in several hunts. Also Fabrice's son. (Episode 66)
  • Preston Bailey: Crispin Bonham-Carter - Nigel's brother and worst enemy. (Episodes 42 & 65)
  • Bruce Farrow: Kevin Jubinville - Sydney's relic hunter friend who is framed for robbery in Egypt for "stealing" Thutmose III's diamond. (Episode 13)
  • Fabrice De Viega: Simon MacCorkindale - Sydney's sworn enemy who killed her mentor Alistair Newel when she was ten. (Episodes 47, 58 & 66)

The following table lists the relics featured in each episode, together with the time and location of the flashback sequence and any other locations used in the episode.

Episode title Relic Flashback details Other locations
1 Buddha's Bowl Buddha's alms bowl Nepal 523 BC Hong Kong
2 Smoking Gun Al Capone's diamond-encrusted gun Chicago 1930 United States
3 The Headless Nun Remains of Sister Evangeline Nova Scotia 17th century Canada
4 Flag Day Pioneer's Bear Flag of California California 1846 United States
5 Thank You Very Much Lost guitar of Elvis Presley Germany 1960 Germany
6 Diamond in the Rough Magical Glove of former baseball great Jimmy Jonesboro Fenway Park, Boston 1946 United States
7 Transformation Paracelsus scrolls Salzburg, Austria 1946 Peru
8 Etched in Stone Treasure of legendary Viking Jann the Bold Northumbrian Coast 935 AD Sweden
9 The Book of Love Casanova's Book of Love Casanova's Hideaway, Italy 1749 Italy
10 The Myth of the Maze Minotaur's Maze Athens 3000 BC Greece
11 Irish Crown Affair Lost crown of the last King of Ireland Ireland 1000 AD Dublin
12 The Emperor's Bride Coffin of the bride of a Chinese Emperor Huang River, China 1000 BC Alaska
13 Afterlife and Death Diamond of Thutmose III Egypt 1425 BC Amsterdam
14 Nine Lives Statue of the cat goddess Mafdet Egypt 1895 New York
15 Affaire de Coeur Rings that belonged to lovers, Callum and Elena Scotland 1430 Scotland
16 A Vanishing Art Scepter of the Kingdom of Hungary Budapest 1897 Atlantic City
17 A Good Year Crown jewels of France Paris 1792 France
18 The Last Knight Templar Grand Master's sword Paris, circa 1300 France
19 Love Letter Records proving a secret marriage on the eve of the French Revolution Village South of Paris 1789 France
20 Possessed Zeus' sacred sundial Libya 14th century Brussels
21 Nothing but the Truth Ruby Chalice of Truth The Barbary Coast 1534
22 Memories of Montmartre A tiara known as the Heart of Europe Paris Moulin Rouge 1930s
23 The Put Back Idol from the Temple of Woot Kuba, Africa 100 AD
24 Dagger of Death Dagger of Kali Temple of Kali, India 500 AD
25 Last of the Mochicas Vessel believed to contain the Great Warrior Spirit of the Mochicas South America 662 AD
26 The Legend of the Lost The Kai Nomata (lost tribe) Vanuatu Islands 4800 BC New Guinea
27 Fertile Ground Idol of Lono Hawaii 1779 Madagascar
28 Gypsy Jigsaw Crown of the Roma people Romania 1830
29 Three Rivers to Cross Jade Empress Three Rivers, China 1245 AD
30 Roman Holiday Caesar's breastplate Rome 44 BC
31 Cross of Voodoo Haitian Cross of Utu Haiti, late 18th Century New Orleans
32 Lost Contact Sacrificial bowl Burma 1824
33 The Reel Thing Relics of Egyptian Pharaoh Amun II Egypt 1516 BC England
34 M.I.A. Faberge egg St. Petersburg, Russia 1886 clip show
35 Out of the Past Cleopatra's necklace Egypt 30 BC
36 Eyes of Toklamanee Eyes of Toklamanee Mississippi Valley 1605 St Louis
37 Run Sydney Run Sword of Ateas Ural Steppes, Russia 339 BC
38 French Connection Prophecy of Nostradamus Church Of Cordiers Salon, France, 1600
39 Don't Go Into the Woods Golden Falcon of Maribor Carpathian Mountains 1711 AD
40 Midnight Flight Ruby-encrusted scepter of Gunther the Brave Germania Circa 400 AD Luxembourg and Paris
41 The Executioner's Mask Executioner's Mask Bourg, France 1789
42 The Royal Ring Ring of Anne Boleyn Tower of London 1536
43 Set in Stone Magical sword of St. Gabriel Balaton, Hungary 1595
44 Deadline First Christian Tau cross Jerusalem 1099 AD Paris
45 Wages of Sydney Chinese dragon's egg Quan Shu Fortress, Manchuria 1359
46 Mr. Right Bowl of Parvati Bali, Indonesia 1459 AD
47 Sydney at Ten Egyptian necklace St. Beatrice's School 20 years ago Turkey
48 The Light of Truth Light of Truth Arabia 843 AD
49 Treasure Island The treasure of Treasure Island The Spanish Main 1790
50 Star of Nadir Star of Nadir Palace of the Talibs, Endostan 1423
51 Vampire's Kiss Vampire Chalice Czechoslovakia 1720 AD
52 Devil Doll Cursed Aztec Devil Doll Meso-America 1488 AD
53 Incognito Lancet which causes anyone cut with it to gain incredible strength New Guinea 1522 AD Lisboa, Malta
54 All Choked Up Statue of Athena Greece 800 BC
55 Warlock of Nu Theta Phi Wicca amulet New England Colonies 1692 AD
56 Women Want to Know Statue of Ganesha Southeast Asia 1075 AD
57 Fire in the Sky Extraterrestrial artifact Pacific Northwest 1398 AD
58 Hunting with the Enemy Ashes of Confucius Cambodia 1952
59 Antianeiral Belt of Hippolyte Asia Minor 1200 BC Constantinople
60 Under the Ice Anasazi mummy Arctic Circle 1355 AD
61 Arthur's Cross Cross of King Arthur England 455 AD Chepstow, Wales
62 Faux Fox Crown jewels of Charles IV of Spain Royal Palace, Madrid 1808
63 Pandora's Box Pandora's Box An-Najaf, Persia 422 AD
64 The Warlord Kahina's Saddle Bekkastan, 1401 AD
65 Fountain of Youth Water from the Fountain of Youth Pascus Florida, West Indies 1521 Spain and England
66 So Shall it Be Keys to Stonehenge Stonehenge, England 121 AD

Production

The "Trinity College" campus scenes were filmed at the St. George campus at the University of Toronto in Canada. Campus landmarks prominently featured throughout the series include Victoria College and the Soldier's Tower (directly adjacent to Hart House).

The "Antianeiral" episode ship scenes were filmed aboard HMCS Haida, the last Tribal Class destroyer in the world, when she was berthed at Ontario Place, in Toronto, Canada. For instance, the scene where Sydney finds the belt was filmed in the forward mess deck. All signage onboard was covered with Russian words. Haida has a red maple leaf on one of her funnels and this was covered with a "bird" design. Anything that would show the ship to be of Canadian, or "western" origin, was removed for the film shoot.

First season filmed in 4:3, second and third in widescreen 16:9 but mainly shown in pan and scan 4/3 as are most of Fireworks Entertainment productions from 2000.

International Distribution

Relic Hunter was broadcast in many countries around the world including:

DVD releases

Alliance Home Entertainment has released all three seasons of Relic Hunter on DVD in Region 1 (Canada only), for the very first time.

In Region 4, Warner Home Video released season 1 on DVD in Australia in two volume sets in 2005, these sets are now out of print.[2][3] Madman Entertainment subsequently acquired the rights and released the second season on DVD in 2006 and the third season in 2010. A complete Season 1 box set was released by Madman on February 2, 2011.[4]

DVD Name Ep# Release Dates
Region 1 (CAN) Region 4
Season 1 22 April 20, 2010[5] February 2, 2011
Season 2 22 May 18, 2010[6] June 21, 2006[7]
Season 3 22 June 8, 2010[8] June 2, 2010[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ [1] & [2] The official Relic Hunter DVD here on amazon is given a net total running time of 946 minutes each in seasons 1 and 3 which, when divided, by 22 episodes for each season, is 43 minutes per episode.
  2. ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/780747
  3. ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/780748
  4. ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/817201
  5. ^ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00386OWVG
  6. ^ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003BNO9HI
  7. ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/786921
  8. ^ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003FLLPXM
  9. ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/812750
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