A DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF TIME-THE COMPLETE SERIES

A short blurb from Acorn Media about A Dance To The Music Of Time-The Complete Series: A brilliant adaptation of a literary masterpiece-often compared to the landmark miniseries Brideshead Revisited in scope and impact.

A Dance to the Music of Time is a BAFTA-Award winning British miniseries that has never been shown here in the U.S. Based on the 12-volume literary saga debuted in England in 1997. The miniseries is very much like Brideshead Revisited for the extravagance of it all. The story looks at 50 years of British upper class life from the 1920's through the 1960's that follow friendships, Adultery, Ambition and Failure. The miniseries has quite a few notable British Actors and Actresses of stage and screen including John Gielgud, Miranda Richardson, Edward Fox, Zoe Wanamaker, Colin Baker and many more. The miniseries is also uncut with Adult Language and Nudity. This set also includes Cast Filmographies and photo galleries.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. Film One-with Edward Fox and John Gielgud (105 mins)

Disc 2- 1. Film Two-with Edward Fox, James Villiers and Zoe Wanamaker (102 mins)

Disc 3- 1. Film Three-with Miranda Richardson and Zoe Wanamaker (103 mins)

Disc 4-1. Film Four-with Colin Baker and Miranda Richardson (103 mins)

Extras

Disc 1: Biography on Anthony Powell- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2: Cast Filmographies

Disc 3: Cast Filmographies

Disc 4: Photo Gallery (16) Pictures
Cast Filmographies

Verdict

A unique look at the Upper Class British way of life through the years.

Rating; ****!

A MIND TO KILL-SERIES 1

An absolutely riveting series from the Welsh TV SC 4 channel, A Mind To Kill starring fellow Welshman, Phillip Madoc. His character is Chief Inspector Noel Bain, a widower with a 17 year old daughter to take care of. The episodes are feature length with true, gritty ways of life in the Welsh countryside. For at least the first two series it was simultaneously filmed in the native Welsh language as well as in English. The series does contain adult language and nudity. Bain also solves crimes the old fashioned way with intelligence and instinct. The series was nominated for 5 Welsh BAFTAs which included Best Actor. Some of the guest stars in Series 1 is John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Living Daylights) and Aubrey Morris (Doctor Who). This set includes production notes for the first series along with Cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks. All stories run approx 94 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Black Silence"-with John Rhys-Davies and Aubrey Richards
2. "White Rocks"

Disc 2- 3. "Gameboys"
4. "Rest Not Secure"

Disc 3- 5. "Son of His Works"
6. "Rachel Hardcastle"

Extras

Disc 1: Production Notes- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT-COMPLETE SERIES

The Adventures of Sir Lancelot starring William Russell (Doctor Who) is now available as a complete series set through Timeless Media Group. The series was produced in 1956 by Sapphire Films for ITC, the same company that produced The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Richard Greene, a year earlier. William Russell stars as Sir Lancelot of the Lake, a knight of the Round Table from the King Arthur legend. The episodes were filmed at Nettlefold Studios situated near Walton-On-Thames. A consultant from Oxford University was on hand to give it authenticity as best as it could with such an extremely small budget. There were 30 episodes produced with the last 12 episodes shot in Color which was the first British TV series to be shot in Color. There were a few guest stars and smaller acting parts that went to up and coming TV and future movie stars such as Ronald Leigh Hunt, Edward Judd, Robert Hardy, Patrick McGoohan, Frederick Jaeger, Nigel Green and Michael Caine! 10 episodes each are on each disc. There are no extras. Film prints are not that bad considering the source material and being over 55 years ago! Please visit www.timelessvideo.com to order this series and many others!

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Some episodes are somewhat grainy but overall, very good.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "The Knight with the Red Plume"-with Edwin Richfield
2. "Ferocious Fathers"-with Derren Nesbitt and Ballard Berkeley
3. "The Queen's Knight"-with John Dearth
4. "The Outcast"-with Patrick McGoohan
5. "Winged Victory"-with Nigel Green
6. "Sir Bliant"
7. "The Pirates"
8. "The Magic Sword"-with Michael Caine
9. "Lancelot's Banishment"
10. "Roman Wall"

Disc 2- 11. "Caledon"
12. "Theft of Excalibur"-with Alfie Bass
13. "The Black Castle"
14. "Shepherd's War"
15. "The Magic Book"
16. "The Ruby of Radnor"-with Edward Judd
17. "The Lesser Breed"-with Wilfred Brambell
18. "Witches' Brew"-with Leonard Sachs
19. "Sir Crustabread"-with Frederick Jaeger
20. "Maid Of Somerset"

Disc 3- 21. "Knight Errant"
22. "Double Identity"-with John Bailey
23. "The Lady Lilith"
24. "The Bridge"-with Jack May
25. "The Ugly Duckling"
26. "Knight's Choice"-with Robert Hardy
27. "The Missing Princess"
28. "The Mortaise Fair"-with William Franklyn
29. "The Thieves"
30. "The Prince of Limerick"

Extras

Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None

AFFAIRS OF THE HEART SERIES 1

Affairs of the Heart Series 1 are seven episodes based on the works of Henry James. Tales of love and loss in English country houses. The series was produced in 1974 but not shown here in the States until the early 1980's. The first series had many guest stars such as Ian Ogilvy (Return of the Saint), Jeremy Brett (Sherlock Holmes), Diana Rigg (The Avengers) and Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances) to name a few. The extras consist of Cast Filmographies and a Henry James Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on videotape. Each episode runs approx 48 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Catherine" -with Ian Ogilvy
2. "Adela"-with Richard Vernon
3. "Miss Tita"-with John Carson
4. "Grace"-with Jeremy Brett and Diana Rigg

Disc 2- 1. "Milly"-with Tony Jay
2. "Flora"-with Patricia Routledge and Gayle Hunnicutt
3. "Mary & Louisa"-with Douglas Wilmer

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Henry James Biography-(Text Only)

Verdict

Seven episodes of Romance! Worth just for the stars alone!

AFFAIRS OF THE HEART SERIES 2

An Affair of the Heart Series 2 completes the series with six more episodes based on the works of Henry James. This season was also produced in 1974 but not shown here in the States until the early 1980's. The second and final series had impressive guest stars such as Bernard Lee (James Bond Films), Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius) and Edward Hardwicke (Sherlock Holmes) to name a few. The extras consist of Cast Filmographies and a Henry James Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on videotape. Each episode runs approx 48 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Emma" -with Cheryl Campbell
2. "Bessie"-with Sinead Cusack and Christopher Casnove
3. "Kate"-with Eileen Atkins and Bernard Lee

Disc 2- 1. "Daisy"-with Georgina Hale and Daniel Massey
2. "Leonie"-with Barbara Murray and Derek Francis
3. "Elizabeth"-with Diane Cilento, Derek Jacobi and Edward Hardwicke

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Henry James Biography-(Text Only)

AGATHA CHRISTIES MYSTERY LOVERS COLLECTION

One of the best mystery writers of our time, Agatha Christie is presented in 4 different stories that she wrote over the years with 4 characters that have become world famous! Poirot, Miss Marple and Tommy and Tuppence and the story "The Pale Horse" showcased the writing talent and with such guest stars as Jean Marsh, Louise Jameson, Honor Blackman, and Joanna Lumley to name a few. The Extras includes Cast Filmograqphies, Photo Galleries and Biographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good. Slightly grainy in places but otherwise good! Episodes are also uncut.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Pale Horse"-with Jean Marsh and Louise Jameson (101 Mins)

Disc 2- 1. "Tommy & Tuppence-The Secret Advisory-with Honor Blackman and George Baker (120 mins)
"The Affair of the Black Pearl"-with Charles Shaughennsey (53 Mins)

Disc 3- 1. "Miss Marple-Body in the Library"-with Joanna Lumley and Simon Callow (94 Mins)

Disc 4- 1. "Poirot-The Mysterious Affair at Styles"-with David Savile (103 Mins)

Extras

Disc 1: Agatha Christie Biography-Text Only
Cast Filmographies-Text Only

Disc 2: Agatha Christie Biography-Text Only
Cast Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 3: Cast Filmographies-Text Only
Photo Gallery
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 4: David Suchet Biography-Text Only
Agatha Christie Connection-(Text Only)
Cast Filmographies-Text Only
Poirot Trivia-Text Only
Poirot Quotes-Text Only

ALFRESCO-COMPLETE SERIES

Alfresco was a British Comedy series that was Granada's answer to BBC's Not the Nine O'Clock News. It was a sketch show. The series starred all up and coming stars in their own right. Stephen Fry (Oscar Wilde), Hugh Laurie (House), Ben Elton (Co-Creator of Blackadder), Emma Thompson and Robbie Coltraine (Harry Potter Films). The series ran for 2 seasons for a total of 13 episodes from 1983 to 1984. This set also includes the 3 part pilot for the series entitled "There's Nothing to Worry About" in 1982. Also included in the set are cast filmographies and cast biographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Each episode is approx. 24 mins each. It is presented in Widescreen. There is a Play All feature. 1983

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Episode 1" Series 1
2. "Episode 2"
3. "Episode 3"
4. "Episode 4"
5. "Episode 5"
6. "Episode 6"
7. "Episode 7

Disc 2- 1. "Episode 1" Series 2
2. "Episode 2"
3. "Episode 3"
4. "Episode 4"
5. "Episode 5"
6. "Episode 6"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)
Cast Biographies-(Text Only)

Disc 2: "There's Nothing to Worry About"-3 episode mini-series to sell the "Alfreso" series (1 hour 18 minutes)

Verdict

An interesting beginning to the stars careers. Defiantly watch it!

AMAZING MRS PRITCHARD

A short blurb from Acorn Media about The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard- "She's got people talking!" That's what everyone says about Ros Pritchard, the successful supermarket manager and mother who ignites a political firestorm when she stands for Parliament and ends up winning the general election.

The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard is about a manager of a big grocery store that has had enough of the politics of England and thinks she could do better. She becomes the 2nd female Prime Minister in England's History. The show is best described as West Wing with an Anti-establishment slant. Ros Pritchard succeeds Tony Blair as Prime Minister. A scandal erupts and Ros has a choice of either resigning or staying with the job. You'll have to watch to find out! This set includes a Cast Fimography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Each episode is approx. 59 mins each. It is presented in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Episode 1"
2. "Episode 2"
3. "Episode 3"

Disc 2- 1. "Episode 4"
2. "Episode 5"
3. "Episode 6"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A Sleeper of a show. Defiantly watch & and then buy it!

Rating: ****!

ANGLO SAXON ATTITUDES

Richard Johnson stars in this biting satire about a historian that is coming to terms of growing old. And how he found out about a Melpham idol and what it really was. This set includes such stars as Richard Johnson, Daniel Craig and in one of her first films role, Kate Winslet. This set also comprises of an Andrew Davies Biography and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 77 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Episode 1"-with Richard Johnson
2. "Episode 2"-with Daniel Craig and John Cater

Disc 2- 1. "Episode 3"-with Kate Winslet

Extras

Disc 1: Andrew Davies Biography (Text Only)

Disc 2: Andrew Davies Previews
Cast Biographies-(Text Only)

Verdict

A well done satire! I would recommend it!

ARMCHAIR THRILLER SET 1

The last incarnation of Armchair Theatre that was a British institution from 1956-1980 was Armchair Thriller. The normal opening of Thames Television was a daytime view of London. With the opening of Armchair Thriller it is totally at night which has never been seen before! There were 55- 30 minute episodes made. This set is not in original broadcast order with the stories coming from both seasons. Each episode had an individual title but the main title for each story is used for this review. The star-studded cast includes a young looking Ian McKellan (Lord of the Rings), Prentis Hancock (Space:1999), Christopher Benjamin (Doctor Who) and Stephen Grief (Blakes 7) among others. There are no extras on this set.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good. There is a play all feature on this set.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. This set is in mono as well.

Disc 1- 1. "Dying Day" with-Ian McKellen, Michael Troughton and Prentis Hancock (4 Episodes)- (100 mins)

Disc 2- 1. "Limbo Connection" with -Christopher Benjamin and Beatrix Lehmann (6 episodes) - (152 mins)

Disc 3- 1. "Rachel In Danger" with-Stephen Grief (4 Episodes) -(91 mins)

Disc 4-1. "The Victim" with-Paul Jericho, Gerald Sim and Edward Burnham (6 Episodes) -(153 mins)

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

ARMCHAIR THRILLER-SET 2

The second set of the thriller series "Armchair Thriller" is now on DVD from Acorn Video. This time there are 3- 6 part stories starting with "Chelsea Murders" which has three murders that the killer sent poems with clues to the murders and a suspicious film crew that are around when the murders take place. There is also an edited feature length version of "The Chelsea Murders" to view as well. The second story is called "The Circle Complex" which is about a jewel thief that kills a policeman and is set to prison and the police have a psychologist that tries to find out where the jewels are hidden and the Doctor gets caught up with trying to find the jewels himself with not so good results! The third and last story is called "Quiet as a Nun" where a TV journalist finds out why an old friend was murdered who happens to be a nun and the unfortunate goings on at the convent. There was a short lived TV series based on the "Quiet as a Nun" story that starred Patricia Hodge that was called "Jemima Shore Investigates" in 1983. Again this set is not in original broadcast order with the stories. Each episode had an individual title but the main title for each story is used for this review. The the only recognizable star in this set is the actor Trevor Martin who played a Time Lord in the last Pat Troughton Story "The War Games". There are no extras on this set.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good. There is a play all feature on this set.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. This set is in mono as well.

Disc 1- 1. "The Chelsea Murders" (6 Episodes)- (145 mins)

Disc 2- 1. "The Chelsea Murders" Feature Length Version - (103 mins)

Disc 3- 1. "The Circle Complex" with-Trevor Martin (6 Episodes) -(149 mins)

Disc 4-1. "Quiet As A Nun" (6 Episodes) -(150 mins)

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

BARON-THE COMPLETE SERIES

The Baron has finally made its debut on North American Region 1 DVD! The Baron is a mixture of "The Saint" with a dash of "Lovejoy" and one of the first British TV series to have an American as the star of the series. The series is also the first live-action TV series to be made in Color in Britain! The series stars Steve Forrest of "Swat" fame as an antique dealer and part time crime fighter name John Mannering. He is co-starred with the beautiful Sue Lloyd as Cordelia Winfield. The set is the complete 30-episode run completely uncut! The set also includes Audio commentaries on selected episodes as well as audio introductions on a few episodes from the guest stars from that story.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Each episode runs approx 49 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Diplomatic Immunity"
2. "Samurai West"-with Lee Montague and Colin Jeavons
3. "Red Horse, Red Rider"-with John Bennett and Edward Brayshaw
4. "The Legions of Ammak"-with Peter Wyngarde

Disc 2- 5. "Portrait of Louisa"
6. "Epitaph For A Hero"-with Patricia Haines and Paul Maxwell
7. "Farewell To Yesterday"-Sylvia Sims and William Sylvester
8. "The Persuaders"-with James Villars

Disc 3- 9. "Something for A Rainy Day"-with Patrick Allen and Lois Maxwell
10. "Enemy of the State"-with Anton Diffring and Joseph Furst
11. "There's Something Close Behind You"-with Phillip Madoc and Mike Pratt
12. "And Suddenly Your Dead"-with Vladek Sheybal and George Pravda

Disc 4-13. "A Memory Of Evil"-with Robert Hardy and Edwin Richfield
14. "Masquerade Part 1"-with Bernard Lee and John Carson
15. "The Killing Part 2"-with Geoffrey Palmer and John Gill
16. "Long Ago and Far Away"-with Barrie Ingham and Douglas Wilmer

Disc 5- 17. "You Can't Win Them All"-with Sam Wanamaker and Peter Bowles
18. "The Seven Eyes of the Night"-with Jeremy Brett and Christopher Benjamin
19. "The Long, Long Day"-with Derrick Sherwin
20. "The Edge Of Fear"-with William Franklyn and Willougby Goddard

Disc 6- 21. "Time To Kill"-with Peter Bowles and Hamilton Dyce
22. "So Dark the Night"-with George Baker
23. "The Maze"
24. "Night of the Hunter"-with William Gotell

Disc 7- 25. "Storm Warning Part 1"-with John Woodvine and Dudley Sutton
26. "The Island Part 2"-with Derek Newark
27. "Roundabout"-with Annette Andre and Edwin Richfield

Disc 8- 28. "The High Terrace"-with Max Adrian
29. "The Man Outside"-with Paul Maxwell and John Ringham
30. "Countdown"-with Edward Woodward and Valerie Leon

Extras

Disc 1- Audio Commentary of "Diplomatic Immunity" by Sue Lloyd and Johnny Goodman
Audio Introduction by Peter Wyngarde for "The Legions of Ammak-(2:41)

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- Audio Commentary of "Something For A Rainy Day" by Sue Lloyd and Cyril Frankel

Disc 4- None

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- Audio Introduction by Brian Clemens for "The Maze"-(1:35)

Disc 7- Audio Introduction by Annette Andre for "Roundabout"-(1:13)
None

Disc 8- Audio Commentary of "The Man Outside" by Sue Lloyd and Roy Ward Baker

Verdict

A fantastic set! It's good to finally see it on DVD here in the states! If you have not gotten this set, get it!

BENNY HILL-THE COMPLETE MEGASET

A blurb from A & E Home Video about "Benny Hill-The Complete Megaset" Never aired in the US in full-length form, this complete collection of the Thames episode of The Benny Hill Show.

Ah, Benny Hill! What can I say about him…Comic Genius! The Benny Hill Show ran for 20 years from 1969 to 1989 for a total of 58 50-minute shows that were produced roughly 3 to 5 a year. He had done over 585 sketches with some of his most famous roles with the likes of Fred Scuttle, Chow Mein, A Clown and Tex Cymbal to name a few.

What is show and humor Politically Incorrect? Yes, but for its time, it was generally accepted. Toward the end of the shows run, it became not accepted and the show was eventually cancelled. In all of the sketches that he did about 5% of them was Benny chasing the women, but for the remaining 95% of the time HE was being chased or rejected by the women. That seems to be the misconception for a lot of people. Was he a comic genius? I think so because he comedy and his timing were excellent! Some of the sketches and his humor fell flat, but so do quite a lot of the Saturday Night Live shows do too! Benny Hill once visited the home of Charlie Chaplin-THE comic Genius and in his TV room on a very long shelf, there were an entire row of videotapes with the words Benny Hill on them. For THE comic genius to consider Benny to be a comic genius is a high honor indeed!

This megaset includes all 58 episodes with all of the sketches and songs he did along with two documentaries about him and a rare 30 minute short called "Eddie In August" and 3 Interview shorts with the Hill's Angels dancers reminiscing about the times on the show. For time constraints I will not be able to list every thing on every episode. What I will do is list the most well known sketches and how long each show ran. In the near future, I will list all of the sketches and songs on the show in a different section of the site.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are shot on videotape with filmed outdoor shots.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- Show # 1-Ye Olde Wishing Well, Sound Delay Interview (52:19)
Show # 2- The Short Happy Life Of Maurice Dribble (50:58)
Show # 3-Tommy Tupper in Tupper Time (50:30)
Show # 4- The Hitchhiker, Rouge Nudist, Sound Of Frankenstein (51:26)

Disc 2- Show # 5- Underworld Water of Jacques Custard, Chow Mein (50:42)
Show # 6- A Tribute to the Lower Tidmarsh Volunteer Fire Brigade (48:17)
Show # 7- Crime Doesn't Pay and Top of the Pops (51:22)
Show # 8- Undercover Sanitary Inspector, Revered Gray (47:56)

Disc 3- Show # 9- French For Starters, Chow Mein & Cookie (50:24)
Show # 10- Chow Mein: At Home with Henry McGee (50:22)
Show # 11- The Dimpton Drinking Club & The Great Pretender (50:08)

Disc 4- Show # 12- Pierre De Tierre, Chow Mein At Customs (50:31)
Show # 13- Undercover Nazis, Chow Mein Meets Nicolas Parsons (51:08)
Show # 14- Woodstick and Autumn Fashion Parade (50:51)
Show # 15- Christmas Booze Up and Yackanory (49:27)

Disc 5- Show # 16- Chow Mein: At Home with Henry McGee II, Jackie Wright's Holiday (50:42)
Show # 17- The Deputy and The Dalton Abbott Railway Choir (48:33)
Show # 18- Spot Black and Band At The Park (50:16)
Show # 19- The Great British Dancing Finals (50:28)

Disc 6- Show # 20- Film Time and The Minstrel Boy (48:35)
Show # 21- Coalpits and Short Unhappy Life of Ted Tingle (48:52)

Disc 7- Show # 22- Beach of Waikiki and A Long Dry Summer (50:17)
Show # 23- The Art Of Rolf Harris and J Arthur Mein (51:19)
Show # 24- The Stamp Collector ad Tex Cymbal: Golden Boy (49:23)
Show # 25- Jack & Jill and Sports Day (50:16)

Disc 8- Show # 26-Strangers in the Night and Transistor Radio (49:57)
Show # 27-Murder on the Oregon Express (50:58)
Show # 28- Getting to know you and Supersonic (50:01)
Show # 29- Sun Awards-The New Avengers and Bionic Baby (49:09)

Disc 9- Show # 30- Villain of the Year and Scouts and Guides Fete (49:37)
Show # 31- Husky and Starch, Casanova and Deep In My Heart (49:41)

Disc 10-1 Show # 32-Digger Blue Private Eye and The Widow (51:28)
Show # 33- Telephone Exchange and Friday Night Fever (50:50)
Show # 34- Leprechaun TV and Wondergran Meets Dracula (50:33)
Show # 35- Carmen, O'Jack and The Race (49:35)

Disc 11- Show # 36- The Scarlet Pimple and Women's Lib TV (50:53)
Show # 37- The Medieval Jester and The Fudpuckers (50:11)
Show # 38- The Tree Musketeers (51:32)

Disc 12- 1. Show # 39- Michael Caine and Wondergran Meets Dr Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde (51:13)
2. Show # 40- Channel Surfing and Undercover Sanitary Inspector (50:26)
3. Show # 41- Big Poppa and Man Wanted (50:45)

Disc 13- Show # 42- School Teacher and the Monte Carbolic Show (50:44)
Show # 43- The Video Machine and Cops & Robbers (50:38)
Show # 44- Me & My Shadow and Super Teech (50:47)

Disc 14- Show # 45- Holiday and Saucy Boy (50:09)
Show #46- Scuttlevision and Club Bizarre (51:38)
Show #47- The Vagabond and the Hot Shoe Show (50:15)

Disc 15 Show #48- School Teacher, Brand Names and the B-Team (51:06)
Show # 49- Foe Ever Love and School Mistress (51:17)
Show #50- The Weather Hut and Dibbles Health Fun (50:15)

Disc 16 Show #51- The Love Ship, The Bucket and The Handyman (50:40)
Show # 52- Living the Dream and European TV (51:12)
Show # 53- The New York Slob and Cagney and Lacy (50:53)

Disc 17- Show # 54- Brooklyn Benny and The Halitosis Kid (50:42)
Show # 55- Bronco Benny and Joggers (50:36)
Show # 56- The Birthday Party and The Crook Report (50:39)

Disc 18- Show # 57- Heroes Through the Ages Chow Mein-Home Catering (50:36)
Show 58- Pepy's Diary, The Good Guys and Gone Fishing (50:35)

Extras

Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- Documentary-Benny Hill-The World's Favorite Clown (52:11)
Benny Hill Trivia Quiz # 1

Disc 4- None

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- Biography-A & E-Humor and Controversary-Benny Hill (45:14)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 2

Disc 7- None

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- Rare Short-"Eddie In August" (25:07)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 3

Disc 10- None

Disc 11- None

Disc 12- Interviews-I was a Hill's Angel- (16:06)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 4

Disc 13- None

Disc 14- None

Disc 15- Hills Angels-Off The Record (11:57)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 5

Disc 16- None

Disc 17- None

Disc 18-Hill's Angels in Conversation (10:04)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 6

Verdict

If you are a fan of Benny Hill, you've got to get this set! By all means, it is well worth the price!

Rating; *****!

THE BILL SEASON 1

A short blurb from International Voyage about The Bill Season 1:" From its launch in 1984 as a weekly cop drama to its current serialized format, THE BILL has remained a top-rated and critically acclaimed series, captivating audiences worldwide with explosive storylines and compelling characters.
One of the longest running Crime Drama show that is still on the air is "The Bill".

The show premiered in 1984 showing the life and times of the Sun Hill Police station in North London with the officers and the ups & downs of working at a Police Station. Shot on videotape and using unusual camera angles long before NYPD Blue, it gave the show a certain sense of realism. The Bill in its first season had BBC Alumni in the form of Brian Coucher from Blakes 7 and John Woodnutt from Doctor Who. This first set has 11 one hour episodes including the pilot episode entitles "Woodentop". The set also has a behind the creation look at "The Bill" with a featurette called "London Beat" plus a photo gallery.

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! Produced on videotape the quality is quite clear with no dropouts at all. There is also a Play All feature on each disc.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Sounds great in Mono!

Disc 1- 1. "Funny Ol'Business"
2. "A Friend In Need"
3. "Clutching At Straws"
4. "Long Odds"

Disc 2- 1. "It's Not Such A Bad Job After All" with Edward Brayshaw
2. "The Drugs Raid"
3. "A Dangerous Breed" with Trevor Martin
4. "Rough In The Afternoon" with Bernard Kay and Tip Tipping

Disc 3- 1. "Burning The Books" with John Woodnutt and Brian Coucher
2. "Death Of A Cracksman" with Colin Spaull
3. "The Sweet Smell Of Failure"

Disc 4-1. Pilot- "Woodentop"

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None
Disc 4: "Behind The Creation of the Bill" Featurette (12:57)
"The London Beat" Featurette (11:22)
Photo Gallery

Verdict

I would recommend buying this set! The picture and audio quality are superb. The extras are few but it is still a very enjoyable action packed show

Rating; ****!

BLACKADDER REMASTERED-THE ULTIMATE EDITION

I first saw Blackadder on A& E years ago that was heavily edited and at that time thought "This is a very funny show!" Once I watched the Complete Blackadder Series unedited it's even funnier. It also boasts of a couple of very well known faces now. Rowan Atkinson is superb in the ever-changing roles of Blackadder who was in "Never Say Never Again" and the "Mr. Bean" series as well as the "Thin Blue Line". Hugh Laurie who went onto "Stuart Little" movies and to the TV Show "House". Other people in the cast are Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson along with Tim Mcinnerny and of course, Tony Robinson as Baldrick. This set is "Remastered" with better picture quality compared to the 2001 release and is also in nice packaging but some slight and unfortunate changes are in the new set unlike the 2001 version. Two most glaring are the "Back & Forth" special that is changed to a 16 x 9 widescreen and an addition of a laugh track! The second is on the "Blackadder Christmas Carol" special which has been censored on this set by taking out a line that talked about crucifying a dog. There are some new extras along with some from the original release. A new 1 hour special commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the show with interviews from the cast of the series. There are also extended interviews with the cast from the anniversary special. This would truly be an Ultimate Edition if the unaired Blackadder pilot was on this set, but it is not. If you don't have Blackadder yet this version is good to get!

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "The Foretelling" with Peter Cook
2. "Born To Be King"
3. "The Archbishop"
4. "The Queen Of Spain's Beard" with Jim Broadbent
5. "Witchsmellers Pursuivant"
6. "The Black Seal" with Patrick Allen

Disc 2- 1. "Bells" with Rik Mayall
2. "Head"
3. "Potato" with Tom Baker
4. "Money"
5. "Beer" with Miriam Margolyes
6. "Chains"

Disc 3- 1. "Dish and Dishonesty"
2. "Ink and Incapability " with Robbie Coltrane
3. "Nob and Nobility"
4. "Sense and Senility" with Kenneth Conner
5. "Amy and Amiability"
6. "Duel and Duality" with Stephen Fry

Disc 4-1. "Captain Cook"
2. "Corporal Punishment"
3. "Major Star"
4. "Private Plane" with Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson
5. "General Hospital" with Miranda Richardson
6. "Goodbyeee" with Geoffrey Palmer

Disc 5- "Blackadder Back & Forth" (33 Mins)
" Blackadder: A Christmas Carol" (43 Mins)
" Blackadder: The Cavalier Years" (15 Mins)
" Baldrick's Diary: The Making Of Back & Forth" (29:14)

Disc 6- "Blackadder Rides Again" (59:18) -Documentary

Extras

Disc 1: Footnotes to History- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Audio Commentary on Bells with Ben Elton, Richard Curtis and John Lloyd
Audio Commentary on Chains with Tony Robinson and Tim McInnerey
Audio Commentary on Money with Stephen Fry
Footnotes to History- (Text Only)

Disc 3: Audio Commentary on Ink with Rowan Atkinson and John Lloyd
Audio Commentary on Amy with Ben Elton, Richard Curtis and John Lloyd
Audio Commentary on Duel with Stephen Fry
Footnotes to History- (Text Only)

Disc 4: Audio Commentary on Major Star with Tony Robinson & Tim McInnerey
Audio Commentary on Goodbyeee with Rowan Atkinson and John Lloyd
Footnotes to History- (Text Only)

Disc 5: Footnotes to History- (Text Only)

Disc 6: Rowan Atkinson Interview (23:39)
Stephen Fry Interview (15:02)
Richard Curtis & Ben Elton Interview (16:24)
Tony Robinson Interview (14:35)
Miranda Richardson Interview (04:57)
Hilary Bevan Jones Interview (04:47)
Hugh Laurie Interview (04:38)
Rik Mayall Interview (04:21)
Costumes Revisited (10:21)

BLUE MURDER SET 1

This was an interesting take on a cop show with a female Detective Chief Inspector that has to juggle Police work, being a single mom, having to deal with her wayward husband and go against a system that do not like women in charge. That's a handful! If you are a fan of British TV, you'll be able to handle the accents, if not you might have a slightly tough time understanding some of the dialog. I have no problem with it. The show is not fast paced, more relying on character development. The show is a little graphic at times when they come to a crime scene, but other than that, well done. The set includes the first 6 episodes with cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 69 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Cry Me A River" Part 1
2. "Cry Me A River" Part 2

Disc 2- 1. "Hit & Run"
2. "Up In Smoke"

Disc 3- 1. "Fragile Relations"
2. "Lonely"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Verdict

A very good series. Caroline Quentin is surprisingly good! Looking forward for set 2!

Rating; ****!

BLUE MURDER SET 2

This second set comprises the final 4 episodes of the series. Like other British Crime shows, this show relies on "Fine Tooth Comb" attention to Police rules to solve the murders. These stories are as good and riveting as the first set. If I am not mistaken Blue Murder has been shown on BBC America but not on any PBS stations. The set includes the last 4 episodes with cast filmographies and texted interviews form stars Caroline Quentin and Ian Kelsey.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 69 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Spartacus thing"
2. "Make Believe"

Disc 2- 1. "In Deep"
2. "Steady Eddie" with Jack Ellis

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Caroline Quentin Interview- (Text Only)
Ian Kelsey Interview- (Text Only)

Verdict

A very good series. Caroline Quentin is superb!

Rating; ****!

BLUE MURDER SET 3

This third set comprises 3 more episodes of the series. My apologies to everyone when I said that the second set were the last 4 episodes. Apparently, they have made more! Like other British Crime shows, this show relies on "Fine Tooth Comb" attention to Police rules to solve the murders. These stories are as good and riveting as the first 2 sets. If I am not mistaken Blue Murder has been shown on BBC America but not on any PBS stations. The set includes 3 episodes with a behind the scenes look at Blue Murder.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 69 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Not a Matter of Life and Death"
2. "Desperate Measures"-with Simon Williams

Disc 2- 1. "Crisis Management"

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: Behind the Scenes of Blue Murders- (46:03)

Verdict

A very good series. Caroline Quentin is superb!

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED COMPLETE MINI-SERIES

A blurb from Acorn Media about Brideshead Revisited: 25th Anniversary Collector's Edition" Based on the acclaimed novel by Evelyn Waugh, this epic drama tells a tale of love and loss amid the fading glory of the British aristocracy. This visually ravishing production won 17 international awards and launched the careers of stars Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews, who appear alongside Sir John Gielgud, Diana Quick, Clare Bloom and Sir Laurence Olivier in an Emmy winning role.

An extremely well done mini-series was produced in 1980 and shown in 1981 the mini-series had a star-studded cast with Anthony Andrews, Jeremy Irons, Lord Laurence Olivier, Michael Gough and Nicolas Grace. The story is set in the 1920's England with a commoner called Charles Ryder going to college and meets an aristocrat named Sebastian Flyte and became friends right away. The bi-sexual relationship that they have is tastefully done. Why I say Bi-sexual is because later on Charles meets and eventually marries Celia and Charles later on joins the Army and comes back to the house during World War II, which brings back memories. The Box set is filled with extras such as a 50-minute documentary called "Revisited Brideshead" along with outtakes, Audio commentaries on 2 episodes one with Jeremy Irons and the other with Anthony Andrews and cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! This mini series has been painstakingly remastered from it original negatives.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. The DVD's are in mono as well.

Disc 1- 1. Episode 1-"Et in Arcadia Ego" with-Nicholas Grace
2. Episode 2- "Home & Abroad" with-Simon Jones

Disc 2- 1. Episode 3-"The Bleak Light Of Day"
2. Episode 4-"Sebastian Against The World"
3. Episode 5-"A Blow Upon A Bruise"

Disc 3- 1. Episode 6-"Julia" with-Charles Keating and John LeMesurier
2. Episode 7-"The Unseen Hook" with-Anna Quayle
3. Episode 8-"Brideshead Deserted"

Disc 4-1. Episode 9-"Orphans Of The Storm"
2. Episode 10-"A Twitch Upon The Thread"
3. Episode 11-"Brideshead Revisited" with-Michael Gough

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary on Episode 1: with Jeremy Irons and Nicholas Grace
Documentary-Revisiting Brideshead (47:54)
Outtakes- (09:45)
About the DVD-restoration work- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2: Audio Commentary on Episode 4: with Anthony Andrews
Location Photos
Production Notes- (Text Only)

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Verdict

One of the best mini-series that has come out of England in years! I would highly recommend buying this set!

Rating; *****!

CALLAN SET 1

When Acorn Video acquired Fremantle Media product I was hoping that Callan was part of the package and when they announced that Callan was coming to DVD, I was thrilled! The series ran for 5 season starting out in 1967 to 1972. This set is actually all of the third season, which was first to be shown in color. The first 2 seasons do not exists in its entirety but hopefully they will be available after the other sets are released. The opening episode has Callan in a hospital room some time after shooting his boss Hunter and Hunter shooting Callan which is now getting back into the swing of things at work. Great Stuff! This series also catapulted Edward Woodward into Stardom. The series also has some known guest stars such as David Prowse, Richard Hurndall, Andrew Sachs, Joseph Furst, Stephanie Beacham and Michael Jayston. A well acted series and the next set will be out hopefully soon!

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Video for indoor scenes and outdoor scenes. Quality is quite good considering the age of the source. There is also a play all feature on each disc.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- Series 1

1. "Where Else Could I Go?"-with David Prowse
2. "Summoned To Appear"-with George Pravda and Warren Clarke
3. "The Same Trick Twice"-with Richard Hurndall and Andrew Sachs

Disc 2- Series 2

1. "A Village Called 'G'"-with Joseph Furst
2. "Suddenly-At Home"
3. "Act Of Kindness"

Disc 3- Series 3

1. "God Help Your Friends"-with Stephanie Beacham and Michael Jayston
2. "Breakout"
3. "Amos Green Must Live"-with Annette Crosbie

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: Edward Woodward Biography (Text Only)
Callan Trivia (Text Only)

CALLAN-SET 2

The second and final series of Callan is now available through Acorn Video. This time the series wraps up with 13 episodes from 1972. The beginning of the season has Callan being exchanged with a Russian agent and now Callan's cover has been blown. The "section" brings him back and makes him a "Hunter" which he doesn't like. The last three episodes of the series was a mini series of sorts about a defector and soon had enough of the spy life and walks away. What is really nice about this set is that 2 episodes "If He Can, So Could I" and "Call Me Enemy" have audio commentary with the great and sadly late Edward Woodward! Well worth getting the set just for that! Network Video will soon be releasing the pilot TV movie and the remaining episodes from the first two series in the UK. I hope that Acorn will pick up that set when it is released. The series also has some known guest stars such as TP McKenna, Julian Glover, Mike Pratt, Tony Selby, John Levene and Brian Croucher.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Video for indoor scenes and outdoor scenes. Quality is quite good considering the age of the source. There is also a play all feature on each disc.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- Series 4

1. "That'll Be The Day"-with TP McKenna, Julian Glover and Ronald Radd
2. "Call Me Sir!"
3. "First Refusal"-with Anthony Valentine
4. "Rules of the Game"-with Mike Pratt

Disc 2-

1. "If He Can, So Could I"-with John Abineri
2. "None of Your Business"-with Tony Selby
3. "Charlie Says Goodbye"

Disc 3-

1. "I Never Wanted the Job"-with John Levene
2. "The Carrier"
3. "The Contact"

Disc 4-

1. The Richmond File: "Call Me Enemy"-with TP McKenna and Brian Croucher
2. The Richmond File: "Do You Recognize the Woman?"
3. The Richmond File: "A Man Like Me"

Extras

Disc 1: Edward Woodward Biography- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Audio Commentary on "If He Can, So Can I" by Edward Woodward

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Audio Commentary on "The Richmond File: Call Me Enemy" by Edward Woodward

CAPTAIN SCARLET

A short blurb from A & E about Captain Scarlet:" With stunning special effects, a new generation of realistic "Super-marionation" puppets, and a darker, more serious tone than its predecessors, CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS was producer Gerry Anderson's (Space: 1999, Stingray, UFO, Thunderbirds) most ambitious series. This exclusive DVD set includes all 32 episodes, available uncut and digitally remastered for the first time."

I personally never saw Captain Scarlet when it was first on the airwaves back in 1967. I did however, watched the "Super Space Theater" on Showtime back in 1982, which was a compilation of episodes from the series. The show was phenomenal! Looking at the show now it no doubt seems pretty violent considering the time and age group that it was aimed for. Don't get me wrong, I also loved the "Thunderbirds" but for once the puppets were proportioned better and looked more life like! When the series finally came to DVD here in the states, I picked it up quickly.

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! Taken straight from the 35 mm negatives, the picture quality is crystal clear, which makes the wires much more visible unfortunately.
Very clear!

AUDIO

Was originally recorded in Mono. A nice feature on these discs is that you can switch to 5.1 Dolby Surround sound and get some great sound quality although at times it sounds slightly muffled. All and all, well done.

Disc 1- 1. "The Mysterons"
2. "Winged Assassin:
3. "Big Bend Strikes Again"
4. "Renegade Rocket"
5. "Point 783"
6. "Manhunt"
7. "Operation Time"
8. "White As Snow"

Disc 2- 1. "Seek And Destroy"
2. "Spectrum Strikes Back"
3. "Avalanche"
4. "Shadow Of Fear"
5. "The Heart Of New York"
6. "Fire At Rig 15"
7. "The Launching"
8. "Lunarville 7"

Disc 3- 1. "The Trap"
2. "Model Spy"
3. "Dangerous Rendezvous"
4. "Special Assignment"
5. "Place Of Angels"
6. "Crater 101"
7. "Expo 2068"
8. "Traitor"

Disc 4-1. "Flight 104"
2. "Noose Of Ice"
3. Codename:Europa"
4. "Flight To Atlantica"
5. "Treble Cross"
6. "Attack On Cloudbase"
7. "The Inquisition"
8. "Inferno"

Extras

Disc 1: Gerry Anderson Commentary on The Episode-"The Mysterons"
Introduction To Captain Scarlet- (Text Only)
Photo Gallery

Disc 2: Character Biographies- (Text Only)
Gerry Anderson Biography- (Text Only)
Photo Gallery
Production Gallery

Disc 3: Biographies of the Angels- (Text Only)
Photo Gallery
Spectrum ID Cards- (Text with Pictures)

Disc 4: Gerry Anderson Commentary on Episode of-"Attack of the Cloudbase"
Vehicle Guides- (Text Only)
Production Gallery
DVD-Rom Feature-Cross section diagrams of vehicles used on the show.

Verdict

I would highly recommend buying this set! The picture and audio quality are superb. The extras are few but the audio commentaries make up for that with information that was not presently known about the workings of the show.

Rating; ****!

CHANCER SERIES 1

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Chancer Series 1: In the role that led to film stardom in Croupier and an Oscar nomination in Closer, Clive Owen is simply dazzling as Stephen Crane-con artist, swindler, and purported savior of a struggling sports car company. In this complete first series, Chancer follows the fortunes of unforgettable characters pulled powerfully by love, sex, money, loyalty-and, ultimately, identity.

This series was the vehicle that shows the talent of Clive Owen (King Arthur, Children of Men). In this he plays a con artist & swindler that somehow get stuck actually saving a small car company from going under than ripping them off. Fired from his previous job, he finds one at Douglas Motors and instead of running away with all the money, he get in too deep to just simply leave. I really enjoyed this series, which is filmed beautifully! This set comprises of the first 13 episodes of the series.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks All discs have a Play All feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Weapons From the Wall" with Sean Pertwee and Leslie Phillips
2. "Killing Floor"
3. "Hazard" with Ed Bishop
4. "Trust" with Caroline John

Disc 2- 1. "Pretenders"
2. "Possessions" with Eleanor Bron
3. "Faith" with Clive Merrison

Disc 3- 1. "Lies"
2. "Wreckage" with Peter Vaughn
3. "Sanctuary"

Disc 4-1. "History"
2. "Temptation"
3. "Love" with Tip Tipping

Extras

Disc 1: Photo Gallery (40 Pictures)

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Verdict

A very good first series. The show had a good stable of known British actors and Actresses. Looking forward for series 2!

Rating; ****!

CHANCER SERIES 2

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Chancer Series 2: He's back! In the complete second series of this British TV hit, Clive Owen turns on his megawatt charm as an irresistible rogue with a taste for scams, swindles, and romance.

The second and final series of the show are on this 2-disc set. The season is much darker in feel and tone from the first series. Chancer confesses and goes to prison and come back out and tries to the get his life back together. Again the music is by Jan Hammer from Miami Vice fame. This series also boasted 2 people that when on to bigger things, Louise Lombard who went onto the CSI TV series and Christopher Eccleston that went on to play the 9th Doctor in the newly re-vamped Doctor Who series. This set has Cast filmograpies. This set also comprises the final 7 episodes of the series.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks All discs have a Play All feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Jo" with Louise Lombard and Christopher Eccleston
2. "Ashes"
3. "Secrets"
4. "Remembrance"

Disc 2- 5. "Blood"
6. "Fall" with Michael Kitchen and Terry Molloy
7. "Sacrifices"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmogrphies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Verdict

Again a darker look for series 2 but very well done! I would recommend it!

Rating; ****!

THE COMMANDER SET 1

A new series from the creator and producer of Trial and Retribution is The Commander with this first set. This series is about a female police commander who is head of a Murder Review Team and the highest ranking woman officer at New Scotland Yard. There are many that want to take her down a peg or two. This set also includes interviews from actress Amanda Burton and creator Lynda LaPlante with a behind the scenes look at the show and police definitions.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks There is a Play All Feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Entrapment"-with David Calder (150 Mins)

Disc 2- 1. "Virus"-with Anthony Valentine (128 Mins)

Disc 3- 1. "Black Dog" (128 Mins)

Disc 4-1. "Blacklight"-with Nicholas Grace (128 Mins)

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Mastering the Commander-Amanda Burton Interview- (07:00)
Blake's Inspiration-Interview with Lynda La Plante- (09:27)
Earning the Stripes- (13:31)
Lynda L Plante Biography- (Text Only)
Amanda Burton Biography- (Text Only)
Commander Definitions -(Text Only)
Clips from Trial and Retribution- (02:21)

Verdict

A well done series!

CRACKER-A NEW TERROR

A blurb from Acorn Media about Cracker-A New Terror: A New Terror deftly depicts a world held hostage to violence, both personal and political, it blares from omnipresent TV screens, crops up in casual conversations and casts its shadow on everyday life.

One of my favorite British cop dramas, a thinking man's kind of show is "Cracker". The series started in 1993. It shows a forensic psychologist called Dr. Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald played by well-known Scottish actor-Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter, Goldeneye). After living in Australia for the past 10 years he came back to Manchester to find that England has changed immensely since 9/11.

The movie was actually titled "Cracker-9/11" but changed to a New Terror here in the States. Fitz's daughter is married and he is giving the bride away reflects on his past. To make the plot more interesting, a murderer at first has no apparent motive. Later it is found out that a former British soldier that fought in Northern Ireland has been haunted by it and is irritated over the US response to 9/11 and the "War on Terror" has caused the ex-soldier to go over the edge. The plot is thinly veiled from the writer of the movie about the lack of foreign policy from the US and the emotional response to 9/11. Also included on the disc is a 45-minute retrospective documentary with interviews with Coltrane and cast and crew and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! The episodes total 108 minutes long.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- Cracker-A New Terror (108 Mins)

Extras

Disc 1: Cracker-Behind the Scenes-45 minute Documentary
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

A thought provoking look at how 9/11 changed Europe's thoughts about that day in September 2001.

This review also is the 100th review for this site! Thanks to all that have helped me get this far. Special thanks to Jim O'Rear for building of this site.

Rating: *****!

CRIME TRAVELLER-COMPLETE SERIES

This series I really enjoyed which was a cross between Doctor Who and Time Trax about two detectives that have a time machine from the other detectives father that they can go back but not forward in time to stop or solve a crime. They also have to get back to the time machine when they are supposed to or they will be permanently locked in a loop of infinity. The series stars Michael French as Jeff Slade and Chloe Annett as Holly Turner whose father built the time machine is now in a loop of infinity. The series lasted only 8 episodes and was not commissioned for a 2nd series due to a change in management at the BBC. There are no extras in this set.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Jeff Slade and the Loop of Infinity"
2. "A Death In The Family"-with Mary Tamm
3. "Fashion Shoot"

Disc 2- 1. "Revenge of the Chronology Protection Hypotheses"-with John Gill
2. "Sins of the Father" with Stephen Greif
3. "Death Minister"

Disc 3- 1. "The Lottery Experiment"-with Zienia Merton
2. "The Broken Crystal" with Angela Pleasence

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Verdict

A very good enjoyable series. A shame there were not anymore episodes made. I recommend it!

Rating; *****!

DANGERMOUSE-THE COMPLETE SERIES

A blurb from A & E Home Video about "Dangermouse: The Complete Series" Dangermouse is the smallest secret agent in the world, not to mention the funniest. Now, from the famed animation studios of Cosgrove Hall Productions (Count Duckula, The Wind and the Willows) all ten seasons of his groundbreaking, sidesplitting, globetrotting cartoon adventures are available in a single box set.

Cor! Crickey! The complete Dangermouse collection has finally arrived! Dangermouse is a delightful romp into the life of the smallest Secret Agent, Dangermouse and his animated assistant, Penfold. Together, they fight villains such as Baron Silas Greenback, who he fights in most episodes and a slew of other villains. Dangermouse actually started out as a comic strip that ran in Look-In magazine in England and was syndicated in other magazines. The animated show started in 1981. The show ran for a total of 10 seasons until 1992. Dangermouse was also the first British cartoon to break into the American TV market. It started her in the States in 1984 on Nick at Nite and still has a following to this day. Even the Simpsons pay homage to Dangermouse in an episode calling him DangerDog! Cosgrove-Hall Animation went on to produce Count Duckula, Bananaman, and 2 episodes for the Doctor Who classic story "The Invasion" for DVD. This set also includes The Unaired Pilot to Dangermouse, Sing along Karaoke to the theme song, character biographies and 2 episodes of "Count Duckula".

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Some episodes are somewhat grainy but overall, very good.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Rogue Robots"
2. "Who Stole the Bagpipes?"
3. "Trouble with Ghosts"
4. "Chicken Run"
5. "The Martian Misfit"
6. "The Dream Machine"
7. "Lord of the Bungle"
8. "Die Laughing"
9. "The World Of Machines"
10. "Ice Station Camel"
11. "A Plague of Pyramids"

Disc 2- 12. "Custard"
13. "Close Encounters of the Absurd Kind"
14. "The Duel"
15. "The Day Of The Suds"
16. "The Bad Luck Eye of the Little Yellow God"
17. "The Four Tasks Of Dangermouse"

Disc 3- 18. "The Invasion Of Colonel K"
19. "Dangermouse Saves the World…Again"
20. "The Odd Ball Runaround"
21. "The Strange Case of the Ghost Bus"
22. "The Trip To America"
23. "The Wild, Wild Goose Chase"
24. "The Return Of Count Duckula"
25. "Demons Aren't Dull"

Disc 4-26. "150 Million Years Lost"
27. "Planet Of The Cats"
28. "Four Heads Are Better Than Two"
29. "Tower Of Terror"
30. "The Great Bone Idol"
31. "Public Enemy No. 1"

Disc 5- 32. "The Long Lost Crown Affair"
33. "By George, It's a Dragon"
34. "Tiptoe Through the Penfolds"
35. "Project Moon"
36. "The Next Ice Age Begins At Midnight"
37. "The Aliens Are Coming"
38. "Remote Control Chaos"
39. "The Man From Gadget"
40. "Tampering With Time Tickles"
41. "Nero Power"
42. "Once Upon A Timeslip"
43. "Viva Dangermouse"
44. "Play It Again, Wolfgang"
45. "Hear, Hear"
46. "Multiplication Fable"
47. "The Spy Who Stayed In With A Cold"
48. "Its All White, White Wonder"
49. "The Hickory, Dickory Dock Dilemma"
50. "What A 3 Point Turn up for the Book"
51. "Quark, Quark"

Disc 6- 52. "Alping Is Snow Easy Matter"
53. "AAAGGHG!! Spiders!"
54. "One of Our Stately Homes Is Missing"
55. "Afternoon Off With the Fangboner!"
56. "Beware Of Mexicans Delivering Milk"
57. "Catastrophe"
58. "The Good, The Bad and the Motionless"
59. "Statues"
60. "The Clock Strikes Back"
61. "EE-Tea!"
62. "Bandits, Beans and Ballyhoo!"
63. "Have You Fled From And Good Books Lately?"
64. "Tut, Tut, Its Not Pharaoh"
65. "Lost, Found and Spellbound"
66. "Penfold BF"
67. "Mechanized Mayhem"
68. "Journey To The Earth's Cor!"

Disc 7- 69. "Dangermouse on the Orient Express"
70. "The Ultra Secret Secret"
71. "Duckula Meets Frankenstoat"
72. "Where There's a Well, There's Away"
73. "All Fall Down"
74. "Turn Of The Tide"
75. "Gremlin Alert"
76. "Cor! What A Picture"

Disc 8- 77. "I Spy With My Little Eye…"
78. "Bigfoot Falls"
79. "The Statue Of Liberty Caper"
80. "Penfold Transformed"
81. "A Dune With A View"
82. "Don Coyote & Sancha Penfold"

Disc 9- 83. "Crumhorn Strikes Back"
84. "Ants, Trees And…Whoops A Daisy!"
85. "There's A Penfold In My Suit"
86. "Rhyme And Punishment"
87. "Pillow Fright"
88. "Heavy Duty"
89. "The Intergalactic 147"

Extras

Disc 1- Unaired Pilot-"Mystery Of The Lost Chord" (15:04)
Character Biographies-Text Only

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- Theme Song From Dangermouse Karaoke (0:19)
Character Biographies-Text Only

Disc 4- None

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- Count Duckula Episode-One Stormy Night" (23:25)
Theme Song from Dangermouse Karaoke (0:19)
Character Biographies-Text Only

Disc 7- None

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- Count Duckula Episode-Town Hall Terrors (23:12)
Theme Song From Dangermouse Karaoke (0:19)
Character Biographies-Text Only

Verdict

A fantastic set! If you have not gotten this set, get it!

Rating; *****!

DICKENS OF LONDON-THE COMPLETE SERIES

A Short Blurb from Koch Vision about "Dickens in London"-While on tour in America, Charles Dickens (Roy Dotrice) recalls the moments that shaped his life. From his penniless childhood in Chatham and London during the 1820's to the unprecedented success he later enjoyed on both sides of the Atlantic, he traces his extraordinary experiences, which influenced many of his greatest works.

One of the all time favorite writers in English literary history was Charles Dickens. This series is the story that takes Dickens to 1867 America where he had a one man show reading his best stories. He is ailing and about at the end of his life. He dies in 1869. The series consists of flashbacks to his childhood and to his father both played by Roy Dotrice. The miniseries had a few up in coming notable actors such as John Nettles (Midsomer Murders), Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) and Roy Marsden (Sandbaggers). The set has all 13 episodes from the series. Most notably in the set is an Audience with Charles Dickens at the Ambassadors Theatre in London with the audience dressed up in period clothing with Simon Callow as Charles Dickens. He also played the same character recently in the new series of Doctor Who in the episode "The Unquiet Dead".

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Each episode runs approx 48 mins.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Mask"
2. "The Deed"
3. "Blacking"
4. "Love" with Karen Dotrice and Derek Francis

Disc 2- 1. "Success" with John Nettles
2. "Fame" with John Ringham
3. "Money"

Disc 3- 1. "Possession" with Jack May
2. "Dreams" with Ben Kingsley
3. "Magic" with Ralph Michael

Disc 4-1. "Nightmare"
2. "Angel" with Roy Marsden and Milton Johns
3. "Memories" with Connie Booth

Disc 5- Bonus Disc-"An Audience with Charles Dickens" with Simon Callow
(60 Mins)

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Verdict

A well played miniseries. Great cast and nice extra with Simon Callow as Charles Dickens. Take a look at it!

Rating; ****!

DISCWORLD COLLECTION

The Discworld TV animated adventures were based on the Discworld series of books by Terry Pratchett. The series to me is a cross between Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. The US didn't like the character of Death voiced wonderfully by Christopher Lee but Pratchett left him in. The two stories that are in this set are Soul Music and Wyrd Sisters. They run for 6 25-minute episodes each. The set also includes
Storyboards, character biographies and an interview with the author Terry Pratchett.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Each episode is approx. 24 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Episode 1"
2. "Episode 2" 1996
3. "Episode 3"
4. "Episode 4"
5. "Episode 5"
6. "Episode 6"
7. "Episode 7"

Disc 2- 1. "Wyrd Sisters"-(2 Hours 19 mins)-with Christopher Lee, Annette Crosbie and Eleanor Bron
1997

Extras

Disc 1: Interview with Terry Pratchett-(31:12)
Welcome to the Discworld-Complete Pilot-(07:32)
Storyboards-Pictures
Terry Pratchett Biography-(Text Only)
Character Biographies-(Text Only)
Filmographies- (Text Only)
Discworld Books-(Text Only)

Disc 2: Terry Pratchett Biography-(Text Only)
Welcome to the Discworld-(02:20)
Wyrd Sisters Characters-(Text and Pics)
Wyrd Sisters Storyboards-(Interactive)
Discworld Books-(Text Only)
Weblinks-Web Addresses

Verdict

A rarely seen series. Defiantly watch & and then buy it!

DNA-COMPLETE SERIES 1 & 2

An interesting series from Granada television comes DNA starring Tom Conti. The series combines the fascination with forensics like CSI and classic British mysteries to make a satisfying meld of the two. The series also stars Samantha Bond (Moneypenny from the Bond films) as Donavan's troubled wife. Conti plays Joe Donavan a forensics man who suffers a mental breakdown years ago and is thrusted back into work. I really liked this show that has pretty good plot twists and good suspense! This set consists of the first two series The show is a little graphic at times when they come to a crime scene, but other than that, well done. The set includes all 5 episodes with cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 69 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Episode 1" -with Samantha Bond
2. "Episode 2"

Disc 2- 1. "Episode 3"-with Owen Teale
2. "Episode 4"
3. "Episode 5"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A very good series. Tom Conti is great as Donavan!

DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET-COMPLETE SERIES

Duchess of Duke Street was a BBC production from 1976 to 1977 producing 31 episodes over a 2 season run. Starring Gemma Jones as Louisa Trotter and Christopher Cazenove as Charlie Tyrrell. The show was based on a true-life story by Rosa Lewis from 1900 to 1925. Lewis died in 1952. The series is very reminiscent of Upstairs, Downstairs with the handling of the staff and guests. Such stars as George Pravda, Leigh Lawson, Robert Hardy, Maureen O'Brien and Lalla Ward showed up on the series. This set also includes a Rosa Lewis Biography, Photo Gallery and Cast Filmographies. .

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are shot on videotape with the slightest color bleeding on outdoor shots. Each episode are 52 mins.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "A Present Sovereign"-with George Pravda
2. "Honor & Obey"
3. "A Nice Class of Premises"

Disc 2- 1. "The Bargain"
2. "A Bed of Roses"-with Richard Vernon
3. "For Love or Money"-with Leigh Lawson

Disc 3- 1. "A Lady of Virtue"-with Robert Hardy & Elizabeth Shepherd
2. "Trouble & Strife"-with Maureen O'Brien
3. "The Outsiders"-with Ronald Lacey

Disc 4-1. "Lottie's Boy"-with Anthony Andrews
2. "No Letters, No Lawyers"-with Thorley Walters and Andrew Knox
3. "A Matter of Honor"

Disc 5- 1. "One Night's Grace"
2. "Plain Sailing"-with Patrick Newell and Noel Coleman
3. "A Test Of Love"-with Anton Rodgers

Disc 6- 1. "Family Matters"-with Martin Shaw
2. "Poor Catullus"-with Freddie Jones and Julian Fellowes
3. "A Lesson in Manners"
4. "Winter Lament"-with John Scott Martin

Disc 7- 1. "The Passing Show"-with TP McKenna
2. "Your Country Needs You"
3. "The Patriots"-with Derek Farr

Disc 8- 1. "The Reluctant Warrior"
2. "Tea and a Wad"
3. "Shadows"-with Geoffrey Bayldon

Disc 9- 1. "Where There's a Will"
2. "The Legion of the Living"-with Lalla Ward and Iain Cuthbertson
4. "Lottie"

Disc 10-1. "Blossom Time"
2. "Poor Little Rich Girl"
3. "Ain't We Got Fun"-with Ian Collier

Extras

Disc 1- Rosa Lewis-(Text Only)
The Edwardian Period-(Text Only)
Photo Gallery-15 Pictures
Cast Filmographies-(Text Only)

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None

Disc 4- None

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- Rosa Lewis Biography-(Text Only)
Cast Filmographies-(Text Only)

Disc 7- None

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- None

Disc 10- None

Verdict

A well-done production! If you like Upstairs, Downstairs you will like this set.

EDWARD THE KING-COMPLETE SERIES

One of the best British series that deals with royalty is Edward The King, an extremely well done series produced by ATV/Granada in 1973. I remember watching the series when it was shown here in the states in the late 1970's and was intrigued about England and the arorstocrity! The 13 part series starred Timothy West as Edward the Seventh which in England the series was originally titled and Annette Crosbie as Queen Victoria and Robert Hardy as Prince Albert Edward's Father. Great sets and wonderful period costumes fill every episode! The 4 disc set also includes a good amount of extras, rare for Acorn but very welcomed! We have on the set audio commentaries on selected episodes with Timothy West and Annette Crosbie and almost 1-hour interview with Robert Hardy and much more!

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on Videotape with outdoor scenes done on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Boy"-with James Warwick
2. "An Experiment in Education"-with Felicity Kendal and Andre Morrell
3. "The New World"-with Nigel Havers
4. "Alix"

Disc 2- 1. "A Hundred Thousand Welcomes"-with Michael Hordern
2. "The Invisible Queen"-with John Gielgud and Rula Lenska
3. "Dearest Prince"-with Gareth Thomas
4. "The Royal Quadrille"-with Christopher Neame and Charles Dance

Disc 3- 1. "Scandal"-with -with Carolyn Seymour and Geoffrey Palmer
2. "The Years of Waiting"-with Michael Billington
3. "King At Last"-with Edward De Souza

Disc 4-1. "The Peacemaker"-with Geoffrey Bayldon
2. "Good Old Teddy"-with Geoffrey Beevers

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary on Alix with Timothy West and Annette Crosbie
Episode Intro by Robert Macneil-(1:40)
Trailer for Episode 4-(00:30)

Disc 2: Trailer for Episode 5
Trailer for Episode 6
Trailer for Episode 7
Trailer for Episode 8

Disc 3: Intro for Episode 11 by Robert Macniel-(01:28)
Audio Commentary for Scandal and King at Last by Timothy West and Annette Crosbie
Trailer for Episode 9
Trailer for Episode 10
Trailer for Episode 11

Disc 4: Robert Hardy-In Depth-(31:45)
Story of Edward The King-(22:14)
Photo Gallery with Audio Commentary-(52:34)
Intro to Episode 12 by Robert Macneil-(01:26)
Intro to Episode 13 by Robert Macneil-(01:38)
Trailer for Episode 12
Trailer for Episode 13

Verdict

A simply wonderful series. Highly Recommended!

ELEVENTH HOUR

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Eleventh Hour: Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek: The Next Generation) brings his commanding screen presence to the role of Ian Hood, special scientific troubleshooter for the British government. Backed by his tough-minded bodyguard Rachel Young (Ashley Jensen), Hood takes on rogue cloners, ruthless polluters, resurgent viruses, and other menaces at the very frontiers of contemporary science.
Eleventh Hour is an absolutely riveting bit of television. Patrick Stewart is great as the retired scientist Ian Hood working for the government as a scientific advisor. The stories are very well written on the "This could really happen" type of scale. If your old enough or you are an Anglophile like me, it reminds you of a one man "Doomwatch", that was a great series too! There are four stories one that deals with human cloning, a smallpox virus epidemic, global warning and a cancer cure-all. The special features include text interviews with Patrick Stewart and co-star Ashley Jensen with cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Shown in widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Resurrection"
2. "Containment"

Disc 2- 1. "Kryptos"
2. "Miracle"-with Roy Marsden

Extras

Disc 1: Text interviews with Patrick Stewart and co-star Ashley Jensen
Cast filmographies

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A well acted and action packed stories with good video and audio quality. Great for any fan of Patrick Stewart.

Rating: ****!

FALL AND RISE OF REGINALD PERRIN-ORIGINAL COMPLETE SERIES

Coming to DVD for the first time here in the states is The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin! A landmark comedy series premiered in 1976 on BBC 1. It ran 3 seasons and ended in 1979 with Rossiter starring on the TV series Rising Damp and the same time. The story goes is that Perrin was a sales exec at a company called Sunshine Deserts. He also has fantasies about his secretary and had Walter Mitty type daydreams. Life is boring for Perrin and basically fakes his own death to get away and start life over again. Leonard Rossiter stars as Reggie Perrin and John Barron plays C. J, his boss. An extremely funny series that won many BAFTA awards. Although not a definitive collection, it is the complete original series on DVD. What would make it a truly definitive set would have been the sequel series called "The Legacy of Reginald Perrin" which was made in 1996 and starred everybody from the original cast except Leonard Rossiter who died in 1985 with the collection. Perhaps E1 will eventually put that series on DVD. This set includes all 21 episodes of the original series and as special features, the 1982 BBC Christmas special that Perrin had a part in and a Perrin special filmed in 1996 around the time of the "Legacy" series.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Film quality is quite good with some dirt and specks

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- Series 1

1. "Hippopotamus"
2. "Nightmare in the Park"
3. "The Sunday Extraordinary Business Meeting"
4. "The Bizarre Dinner Party"
5. "The Speech to the British Fruit Association"-with Tenniel Evans
6. "Trying a Frenchman, Welshman, Scotsman and an Italian"
7. "The Memorial Service"

Disc 2- Series 2

1. "Remarried and Back at Sunshine Desserts"
2. "Elizabeth's New Admirer"
3. "Jimmy's Offer"
4. "The Unusual Shop"
5. "Re-Involvement"
6. "The Four Untrustworthy Men"
7. "Extreme Solution"

Disc 3- Series 3

1. "The Great Project"
2. "Staff Training"
3. "The Trickle of Visitors"-with Frederick Jaeger
4. "Communal Social Evenings"
5. "Timebomb"
6. "Peacekeeping Force"
7. "Is The Coast Calling Again?"

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: 1982 BBC Funny Christmas excerpt-(05:02)
The Very Best of Leonard Rossiter-(52:00)

FANNY HILL

This version of Fanny Hill is the latest incarnation of the classic story about a young girl who becomes a woman for the men she is with. After losing her parents by smallpox, Fanny moves to London and falls into prostitution. The book was banned here in the States from 1821 to 1966 for the adult themes in the book. This mini series does contain nudity and strong sexual scenes. Guest starring with newcomer Rebecca Night is Samantha Bond and Edward Hardwicke. The extras include behind the scene footage and the trials of making the mini series.

VIDEO

The video quality is not great! The movie is 116 minutes long. There is a Play All Feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Fanny Hill"-Mini Series (116 Mins)-with Samantha Bond and Edward Hardwicke

Extras

Disc 1: Bringing Fanny Hill To Life-(11:09)
Production Difficulties-(04:07)
The Subject of Nudity-(08:30)
The "Look"-(07:47)
A Tale of Morality-(03:07)
Andrew Davies Biography-(Text Only)
Andrew Davies Previews-(Text Only)

Verdict

A well-done production. Well worth the buy!

FATHER BROWN SET 1

A blurb from Acorn Media about Father Brown Set 1: With a distinct twinkle behind his spectacles, Kenneth More brings G.K. Chesterton's beloved Father Brown to the screen in a classic British television series. When it comes to amateur detective work, don't let this priest's absent-minded air & penchant for an occasional tipple fool you.

The great late Kenneth More starred in a series called "Father Brown" about a priest who solves crimes. The show was produced in 1974 but not shown in the US till the early 1980's. This set has the first 7 episodes of the series. The show was shown on PBS' "Mystery" hosted by Vincent Price at the time. The show had an array of stars from the BBC. The only thing that the show had against it and all BBC programs of that era was any outdoor scenes were filmed on grainy 16 mm film and the indoor scenes were done on videotape. No fault of Acorn Media. Acorn even has an explanation on the back of each DVD cover about the quality, which is very good. The set also has a GK Chesterton Biography and Cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes run approx 52 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Hammer Of God" with William Russell and Peter Hawkins
2. "The Oracle Of The Dog"
3. "The Curse of the Golden Cross" with Bella Emberg
4. "The Eye of Apollo"

Disc 2- 5. "The Three Tools Of Death" with James Hyter
6. "The Mirror of the Magistrate"
7. "The Dagger with Wings" with T.P. McKenna and Michael Sheard

Extras

Disc 1: Cast filmographies
G.K. Chesterton Biography

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A well-acted drama, which "Murder She Wrote" no doubt got their inspiration from.

Rating: ****!

FATHER BROWN SET 2

A blurb from Acorn Media about Father Brown Set 2: Heaven Help the Murderer who crosses paths with G K Cheterton's beloved detective, Father Brown. Seemingly to confound criminals with his keen observations and inescapable logic.

This set concludes the series with the final 6 episodes. The theme music from the show is excellent. The last part of the series the Father had an assistant. His name is Flambeau who at one time was a thief but now is working on the right side of the law. What I found neat was the actor who plays Julius Brayne in the episode "The Secret Garden" is also the voice of Jeff Tracy in the Gerry Anderson series "The Thunderbirds" and the character "M" from the James Bond series, Bernard Lee is also in one of the episodes. The set includes a G.K.Chesterton Biography and Cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes run approx 52 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Actor and the Alibi" with John Stratton and Roberta Tovey
2. "The Quick One" with Bernard Lee and Christopher Benjamin
3. "The Man with Two Beards" with Brian Croucher

Disc 2- 4. "The Head Of Caesar"
5. "The Arrow Of Heaven" with Mike Pratt and Richard Hurndall
6. "The Secret Garden" with Peter Dyneley and Charles Drake

Extras

Disc 1: Cast filmographies
G.K. Chesterton Biography

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A very nice conclusion for a great series. Well worth the buy.

Rating: ****!

FAWLTY TOWERS-COMPLETE COLLECTION REMASTERED

What can I say about Fawlty Towers! A Masterpiece! I first watched Fawlty Towers in the early to mid 1980's on our local PBS channel in Tampa, Florida. I loved Monty Python's Flying Circus and heard that this show had John Cleese in it, I had to watch it. I even got my mother to watch too which was unusual because my mom doesn't normally like this kind of humor. I watched my mom literally fall off the couch laughing and I couldn't stop laughing myself. The Complete Fawlty Towers collection is chalked full of extras as well as all 12 episodes digitally remastered!
There are interviews with John Cleese, Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs. There is also a director's audio commentary on every episode and commentaries by John Cleese on every episode along with brand new interviews with all the cast including a rare interview with Co-Creator Connie Booth and a few more surprises!

VIDEO

The video quality is wonderful! Digitally remastered and restored for the first time on DVD.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "A Touch of Class"
2. "The Builders"
3. "The Wedding Party"
4. "Hotel Inspectors"

Disc 2- 1. "Gourmet Night"
2. "The Germans"
3. "Communication Problems"
4. "The Psychiatrist"

Disc 3- 1. "Waldorf Salad"
2. "The Kipper and the Corpse"
3. "The Anniversary"
4. "Basil The Rat"

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentaries on all four episodes by John Howard Davies
Audio Commentaries on all four episodes by John Cleese
Trailers: French & Saunders
Father Ted
The League of Gentlemen
Wallace & Gromit
BBC America

Disc 2: Audio Commentaries on All episodes by John Cleese
Audio Commentaries on All episodes by Director Bob Spiers
Trailers: Same as Disc 1

Disc 3: 2009 Interviews with John Cleese, Connie Booth, Andrew Sachs and Prunella Scales- (38:28)
Original Interviews with John Cleese- (52:41)
Original Interview with Andrew Sachs (24:56)
Original Interview with Prunella Scales (07:55)
Helpful Staff-Cast Biographies-Text with pictures
A Visit to Torquay: Home of the Real Fawlty Towers (11:30)
Guest Registry-Guest stars that have stayed in the hotel
Cheap Tatty Review- (0:56) short comedy sketch
Blooper Reel (Approx 4 minutes)
Trailers: Same as Discs 1 and 2

If you love British comedy, you've got to get this set! The picture and audio quality are fantastic! The extras are full of interviews, outtakes, audio commentaries and information about the show.

FINNEY-COMPLETE SERIES

A blurb from BFS Video about "Finney": A Family Legacy Smeared with Vengeful Blood-England's "Mafia" and An impressive series, strong in atmosphere, character and detail.

An interesting 6 part miniseries entitled "Finney" was produced in 1994. It actually is based on the 1988 movie "Stormy Monday" with Tommy Lee Jones and Melanie Griffith. This miniseries stars David Morrissey (Viva Blackpool). It's about a son from a Mafia dynasty that comes homes and opens a Jazz hall in London. Then he finds out that his father was murdered. He tries to leave the "Family Business" but "Finney" who he's called, is in too deep. I was a little skeptical watching this, but I liked the outcome and flow of the story and really like the open shot in episode one with a long continuous tracking shot. Some notable actors appear in Finney such as John Bennett (Doctor Who), Prentis Hancock (Space: 1999), Michael Mackenzie (Ace Of Wands) and John Woodvine (Doctor Who) as Bobo Simpson from a 'Rival" family that possibly had Finney's father murdered, which in retaliation from Finney's brother Steven blows the back of Bobo's head off which Bobo is sent to hospital and when he recovers changes his personality and becomes very religious. Finney and his family try to find out who murdered their father. The set also includes Cast profiles and a trailer for the miniseries.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The miniseries runs approx 5 hours.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. Episode 1-with John Woodvine
2. Episode 2-with John Bennett and Prentis Hancock

Disc 2-
3. Episode 3-None
4. Episode 4-None

Disc 3-
5. Episode 5-with Michael Mackenzie
6. Episode 6-with Prentis Hancock

Extras

Disc 1- Cast Profiles-Text Only
Miniseries Trailer (01:06)

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-None

Verdict

A good miniseries. England's answer to "The Sopranos". Which this series came out 5 years before the Sopranos.

Rating: ****!

FIRST AMOUNG EQUALS-COMPLETE SERIES

This set is a well-done adaptation of the Jeffrey Archer's Novel about British politicians that are trying to become Prime Minister. Well received in England at the time it came out in 1986. Starring Oscar winning actor Tom Wilkinson. This series was also shown on PBS stations around the country. There were a total of 10 episodes produced and were shot on Videotape with outside footage done on film. This version is the original UK broadcast version. The set also includes a Jeffrey Archer text biography and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! There is also a Play All feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. "Episode 1"-with Andrew Keir and Clive Swift
2. "Episode 2"-with Iain Cuthbertson
3. "Episode 3"
4. "Episode 4"-with Bernard Horsfall and Donald Pickering

Disc 2-
5. "Episode 5"-with Frank Windsor
6. "Episode 6"
7. "Episode 7"

Disc 3-
8. "Episode 8"-with Willoughby Goddard
9. "Episode 9"
10. "Episode 10"

Extras

Disc 1- Character Biographies (Text Only)
Production Notes from Steve Smith (Text Only)

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- Jeffrey Archer Biography-(Text Only)
Cast Filmographies-(Text Only)

Verdict

A very well done production! I highly recommend it!

FORTYSOMETHING-COMPLETE SERIES

A rather strange but funny series starring Hugh Laurie who also directed the first 3 episodes is about a middle-aged man hence the title "Fortysomething" who is a Doctor that is having a mid-life crisis and a affair or two. The series also stars Anne Chancellor from "Suburban Shootout" as his wife who also may be having affairs as well. By sheer coincidence or irony, the very next project for Laurie was to go to America to star in a TV series about a strange Doctor in the series "House"! This series had a few well-known British actors such as Sheila Hancock, Clive Mantle and Laurie's comedy buddy for 10 years, Stephen Fry. Special Features include a text only Biography on Hugh Laurie and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 49 mins each. There is also a Play All feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Episode 1"-with Sheila Hancock and Clive Mantle
2. "Episode 2"-with Stephen Fry
3. "Episode 3"

Disc 2- 1. "Episode 4"
2. "Episode 5"
3. "Episode 6"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)
Hugh Laurie Biography- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A very good series. If you are a fan of Hugh Laurie, pick this one up!

FOYLE'S WAR SET 5

The final set in the Foyle's War series is set 5 with the final 3 movies that closes the Second World War and possibly Foyle's career. Starring Michael Kitchen and guest starring Michael Jayston and Phyllida Law along with a fine cast of supporting characters round out the show. There was talk of starting a Series 7, but apparently it was either too expensive to continue a period drama of someone at the BBC did not like the show and wanted it stopped. Who knows! The movies are the original UK broadcast movies unlike the edited American prints. This set includes a short documentary on the show as well as cast filmographies and texted interviews with the cast.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 100 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Plan of Attack"-with Michael Jayston

Disc 2- 1. "Broken Souls"-with Phyllida Law

Disc 3- 1. "All Clear"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 3: The Making of Foyle's War (12:51)
Honeysuckle Weeks-the End of Foyle's War-(Text Only)
Anthony Howell-The End of Foyle's War-(Text Only)
A Real Life Foyle-(Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

A very good set. A possible fitting end to a series!

GEORGE GENTLY-SERIES 1

George Gently Series 1 is a new mystery series in the vein of Foyle's War and Midsomer Murders. Each episode is feature length and takes place in the mid 1960's. The series stars Martin Shaw (The Professionals) as George Gently as an honest and well-feared Scotland Yard officer that was about to retire but transferred to a rural police district and it is teamed up with a young sergeant to solve crimes. The series is played like "Midsomer Murders" in the interaction between the two characters. The set includes text interviews with the star Martin Shaw and the writer and executive producer.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 89 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Gently Go Man"

Disc 2- 1. "The Burning Man"

Disc 3- 1. "Bomber's Moon"

Extras

Disc 1: Interview with Martin Shaw- (Text Only)
Interview with Writer/Exc Producer-(Text Only)
Martin Shaw Biography-(Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Verdict

A very good series. Martin Shaw is fantastic! Looking forward for series 2!

THE GRAND-THE COMPLETE SERIES

"The Grand" was one of Russell T. Davies first series that he produced and wrote for. He is now known as the producer and writer of the new "Doctor Who" series. Starring Susan Hampshire from one of my favorite series "Monarch from the Glen"! The series is best described as a cross between "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "The Duchess of Duke Street". The series is about a Manchester hotel after World War I with the two classes of people that stay in the rooms upstairs while the workers of the hotel that work downstairs. This complete set also includes cast filmographies and a photo gallery.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on film. No specks or dirt. Excellent quality. Each episode runs approx. 49 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Episode 1" Series 1
2. "Episode 2"
3. "Episode 3"
4. "Episode 4"

Disc 2- 1. "Episode 5"
2. "Episode 6"
3. "Episode 7"
4. "Episode 8"

Disc 3- 1. "Episode 1" Series 2
2. "Episode 2"
3. "Episode 3"
4. "Episode 4"

Disc 4-1. "Episode 5"
2. "Episode 6"
3. "Episode 7"-with Frank Finley

Disc 5- 1. "Episode 8"
2. "Episode 9"
3. "Episode 10"

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: Cast Filmographies
Photo Gallery (18 Pictures)

Verdict

If you like "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "The Duchess of Duke Street" you will like this series!

HAMISH MACBETH-COMPLETE SERIES

Hamish Macbeth is a series of mystery novels by M.C. Beaton that was turned into a TV series that ran from 1995 to 1997, starring Robert Carlyle. The series takes place in a small fishing village in the Northern part of Scotland, just like where my grandmother was born. Robert Carlyle plays a policeman that is the Constable of the village where interesting and weird things happen. Some actors in this series went on to bigger things. Shirley Henderson who played Isobel went on to portray Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films as well as Carlyle himself with Trainspotting and The Full Monty and Alistair Mackenzie that went on to star in the TV series Monarch of the Glen. This set includes all 3 seasons minus one episode "West Coast Story" presumably because of the extensive use of excerpts from the movie "West Side Story" and could not get the clearance to have it on DVD. The set also includes cast biographies and a behind the scenes featurette.

VIDEO

Excellent quality. There is also a Play All feature for every disc. Each episode runs approx 50 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also in Mono on the set.

Disc 1- 1. "The Great Lochdubh Salt Robbery"
2. "A Pillar of the Community"-with Phyllida Law
3. "The Big Freeze"

Disc 2- 1. "Wee Jock's Lament"
2. "A Bit of an Epic"

Disc 3- 1. "A Perfectly Simple Explanation"
2. "In Search of a Rose"-with Alistair Mackenzie
3. "Isobel Pulls it Off"

Disc 4- 1. "Radio Lochdubh"
2. "No Man Is An Island"-with Michael Mackenzie
3. "The Lochdubh Deluxe"-with Andrew Keir

Disc 5- 1. "The Honorable Policeman"
2. "Deferred Sentence"
3. "Lochdubh Assassin"
4. "The Good Thief"

Disc 6- 1. "The Trouble with Rory"
2. "More Than A Game"
3. "Destiny Pt 1"
4. "Destiny Pt 2"

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: Cast Biographies- (Text Only)

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Good Morning with Anne and Nick-Hamish Macbeth- (04:54) 03/22/1996
Trailers to other BBC Shows

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Trailers to other BBC Shows

Verdict

I enjoyed watching this series very much and would love to actually visit the location sometime!

Rating; *****!

HETTY WAINTHROPPE INVESTIGATES-THE COMPLETE SERIES

A blurb from Acorn Media about "Hetty Wainthropp Investigates"-The Complete Collection" Acclaimed actress Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances) captivated American and British audiences alike as the 60-something housewife-turned detective, Hetty Wainthropp.

Move over Angela Lansbury, Patricia Routledge just took over as the world's best amateur sleuth! I have always liked Patricia as Hyacinth Bucket in the long running, "Keeping Up Appearances" series and she plays a no nonsense senior citizen that has a knack for asking the right questions and solving crimes. The show actually started as a pilot for the TV series entitled "Missing Persons" which she had a different husband and she looked different as well. Then 6 years later the BBC started the "Hetty Wainthroppe Investigates" series that ran for 4 seasons and 27 episodes. The show also was a springboard for the up & coming star Dominic Monaghan from "The Lord of the Rings" and now "Lost". The show had a few known guest stars but mainly use the locals in Lancashire. This complete box set also includes the pilot story "Missing Persons" and an interview with Patricia Routledge with photo galleries and cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are filmed.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "The Bearded Lady"
2. "Eye Witness"

Disc 2- 1. "Fingers"
2. "Widdershins"

Disc 3- 1. "A High Profile" with Anne Reid
2. "Safe As Houses"

Disc 4-1. "Poison Pen"
2. "Lost Chords"

Disc 5- 1. "Not All There (Runaways)"
2. "Astral Plane"

Disc 6- 1. "A Rose By Any Other Name" with Ronald Pickup and Joan Sims
2. "Woman Of The Year"

Disc 7- 1. "All Stitched Up"
2. "Daughter Of The Regiment"
3. "Serving The Community"

Disc 8- 1. "Fisticuffs"
2. "Child's Play"
3. "Pursuit By Proxy"

Disc 9- 1. "A Minor Operation" with Wanda Ventham
2. "Helping Hansi" with Wanda Ventham and Michael Troughton
4. "How Time Flies" with Tenniel Evans

Disc 10-1. "Something to Treasure"
2. "Family Values"

Disc 11- 1. "Digging For Dirt"
2. "Mind Over Muscle"

Disc 12- 1. "Blood Relations"
2. "For Love Nor Money"

Disc 13-Bonus Disc

Pilot Movie-Missing Persons (104 Mins) (1990) with Jimmy Jewel

Extras

Disc 1- a conversation with Patricia Routledge (26:04)
Photo Gallery-20 Pictures
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None

Disc 4- Production Notes -(Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- None

Disc 7- Production Notes-Season 3-(Text Only)

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- None

Disc 10- Production Notes-Season 4-(Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Disc 11- None

Disc 12- None

Disc 13- None

Verdict

I'd take Hetty over Jessica any day. A very nice series. My only concern is the packaging that the set came in. I about broke the discs getting them out. Apart from that, great!

Rating; *****!

THE HOUSE OF ELIOTT-THE COMPLETE SERIES

A blurb from Acorn Media about "The House of Eliott-The Complete Collection" From the creators of Upstairs, Downstairs comes an addictive drama series set in the era of flappers and suffragettes, Louise Lombard and Stella Gonet star as Evangeline and Beatrice Eliott, sisters born into wealth and privilege who must support themselves after their profligate father dies and leaves them penniless.

A show that is in the tradition of Upstairs, Downstairs is a show called House of Eliott. This show spanned 3 years and 34 episodes. Produced by the BBC between the years of 1991 to 1994. One of the sisters, Louise Lombard, has gone onto the TV show- CSI since 2004. Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins created the show, the same people that created "Upstairs, Downstairs". In the series, the two young women were left as orphans by their Father and went to work as dressmakers and finally to a company that they both built on their own. All 3 seasons took place in the 1920's and was shot entirely on videotape and was one of the last productions to be done at the BBC Television Centre before they started outsourcing their shows. Some good BBC talent were in the show such as Minnie Driver, Burt Kwouk, Colin Jeavons, Donald Pickering and Stephen Greif to name a few. This set includes Production notes, 1920's fashion, a photo gallery and an interview with Louise Lombard.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are shot on videotape with the slightest color bleeding on outdoor shots.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. Part 1
2. Part 2
3. Part 3-with Jack Watling

Disc 2- 1. Part 4-with Colin Jeavons, Burt Kwouk and Minnie Driver
2. Part 5-with Salvin Stewart
3. Part 6

Disc 3- 1. Part 7
2. Part 8
3. Part 9

Disc 4-1. Part 10
2. Part 11-with Anthony Valentine and Donald Pickering
3. Past 12

Disc 5- 1. Part 13-with Colin Spaull
2. Part 14-with Toby Whitehouse
3. Part 15

Disc 6- 1. Part 16
2. Part 17
3. Part 18

Disc 7- 1. Part 19
2. Part 20
3. Part 21-with Stephen Greif and Christopher Robbie

Disc 8- 1. Part 22
2. Part 23-with Lee Montague
3. Part 24

Disc 9- 1. Part 25
2. Part 26
4. Part 27

Disc 10-1. Part 28
2. Part 29
3. Part 30

Disc 11- 1. Part 31
2. Part 32

Disc 12- 1. Part 33
2. Part 34

Extras

Disc 1- Production Notes-(Text Only)
1920's Fashion-(Text Only)
Photo Gallery-19 Pictures
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None

Disc 4- None

Disc 5- Interview with Louise Lombard (12:08)
Photo Gallery-29 Pictures
Cast Filmographies

Disc 6- None

Disc 7- None

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- None

Disc 10- None

Disc 11- None

Disc 12- None

Verdict

A well-done production! If you like Upstairs, Downstairs you will like this set.

Rating; ****!

I REMEMBER NELSON-MINISERIES

A short blurb from Acorn Media about I Remember Nelson- Worshipped as a national savior, Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson masterminded the naval victories that thwarted Napoleon's plans to invade Britain. Yet, in the midst of public adulation, rumors swirled about his private life. Nelson took a friend's wife as a mistress and even fathered a child by her in secret.
Most British costume dramas can sometimes be a little boring, but I found that this series "I Remember Nelson" enjoyable in the fact that it is told in 4 different perspectives from 4 different people in Nelson's life. The series originally aired on Masterpiece Theatre in 1982 starring Kenneth Colley as Horatio Nelson made famous among other things the saying "Kiss Me Hardy" referring to his Captain on ship when Nelson was hit by cannon fire and was dying down below deck. This 2-disc set has the 4 episodes from the mini series with Cast Filmographies and a Photo Gallery.

VIDEO

The video quality is good considering the age of the video! Each episode runs approx 52 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Love"-with Laurence Naismith, John Gill and John Forbes-Robertson
2. "Passion"-with Tim Pigott-Smith

Disc 2- 1. "Duty"-with Daniel Massey
2. "Battle"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies

Disc 2: Photo Gallery-26 pictures

Verdict

An engaging mini-series! If you are a sea-faring fan and like British Naval history, then you will like this!

THE IT CROWD-SEASON 1

The people that brought you Father Ted, Black Books and The Office bring you "The It Crowd". The shows premise is an IT support team that works for a glamorous London Office complex with a very strange boss! The IT team are in a shabby office in the bowels of the basement which they are in their own little world of insanity! Filmed in front of a live studio audience made by Thames Television for Britain's Channel 4. The disc includes the 6 episodes from the first season. The disc also includes deleted scenes, Hidden Outtakes with a behind the scenes documentary and more! Very Funny!

VIDEO

The video quality is great! There is a Play all feature. Each episode runs approx 23 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Yesterday's Jam"
"Calamity Jen"
"Fifty-Fifty"
"The Red Door"
"The Haunting of Bill Grouse"
"Aunt Irma Visits"

Extras

Disc 1: Deleted Scenes (9:17)
Behind the It Crowd (13:45)
Hello Friend (11:14)

Verdict

I hear that the Second season of coming out soon. Well worth the buy!

INSPECTOR MORSE COLLECTION 1

A blurb from BFS Video about Inspector Morse Collection 1: "Award winning actor John Thaw stars as the melancholy, enigmatic and romantic Inspector Morse, a man who never uses his first name and who finds solace in real ale, classical music and difficult crosswords. Together with his able Sergeant Lewis (Kevin Whately), Morse uses his considerable intellect and passion for truth and justice to investigate death and murder in the English university town of Oxford.

One of the best mystery shows to come out of England in quite sometime! John Thaw plays Detective Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse, A CID officer or (Criminal Investigation Department) with the Thames Valley Police in Oxford, England. The TV series comprises of 33 two-hour episodes, this set has the first 6 episodes. The TV series ran from 1987 to 2000. The show also had some noticeable guest stars such as Patrick Troughton, Michael Gough, Elspet Gray, Michael Hordern, Simon Callow and Elizabeth Hurley.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good. Slightly grainy in places but otherwise good! Episodes are also uncut.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Dead Of Jericho"-with Patrick Troughton

Disc 2- 1. "The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn"-with Michael Gough and Clive Swift

Disc 3- 1. "Service of All the Dead"-with Michael Hordern

Disc 4- 1. "The Wolvercote Tongue"-with Simon Callow

Disc 5- 1. "Last Seen Wearing"-with Elizabeth Hurley

Disc 6-1. "Bonus Specials"

Extras

Disc 1: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 2: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 3: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 4: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 5: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 6: "The Mystery of Morse"-Documentary (50:41)

Verdict

I have been a fan of Inspector Morse for sometime and these first episodes were a joy to watch. If you are a fan of mystery shows, this series is one of the best! Defiantly worth the buy!

Rating: *****!

JOE 90

Statement from A & E about Joe 90:" Following the heels of Captain Scarlet, JOE 90 marked yet another triumph for producer Gerry Anderson. In classic Anderson style, the show featured incredible machines, fast-paced action and ahead of their time special effects. This DVD collection includes all 30 episodes, digitally remastered and restored from 35 mm prints and presented in their original production order."

I do not believe that Joe 90 ever aired here in the states in the 60's but I did watch the compilation movie back in the 80's under the title "The Amazing Adventures Of Joe 90". I thought that the special effects and the puppetry were great and the premise that you could take brain patterns from anybody and be that person was really neat. What a cool concept! Unlike Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 was a little less exciting but the stories were good and Barry Gray's music makes the show. There were 3 Anderson shows that used the puppets that were correctly proportioned. Captain Scarlet was first followed by Joe 90 and then finally Secret Service.

VIDEO

Like Captain Scarlet, the video quality is the same. No film dirt or specks that I could see. Taken straight from the 35 mm negatives, the picture quality is crystal clear.
Very clear!

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. These discs do NOT have 5.1 Dolby Surround sound but the audio quality is still clear nonetheless!

Disc 1- 1. "The Most Special Agent"
2. "Hi-Jacked"
3. "Splashdown"
4. "Operation McClaine"
5. "Three's A Crowd"
6. "International Concerto"
7. "Big Fish"
8. "The Unorthodox Shepherd"

Disc 2- 1. "Relative Danger"
2. "Business Holiday"
3. "King For A Day"
4. "Double Agent"
5. "Most Special Astronaut"
6. "Arctic Adventure"
7. "The Fortress"

Disc 3- 1. "Colonel McClaine"
2. "Project 90"
3. "The Race"
4. "The Professional"
5. "Lone-Handed 90"
6. "Attack Of The Tiger"
7. "Talkdown"
8. "Breakout"

Disc 4-1. "Mission X-41"
2. "Test Flight"
3. "Child of the Sun God"
4. "Trial At Sea"
5. "See You Down There"
6. "The Birthday"
7. "Viva Cordova"

Extras

Disc 1: Designer Mike Trim Commentary on the episode-"The Most Special Agent"
Director Ken Turner Commentary on the episode- "The Unorthodox Shepherd"

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Character Biographies- (Text Only)
Data Files- (Text Only) About WIN Organization
Photo Gallery

Verdict

I would highly recommend buying this set along with any of Gerry Anderson's works! The picture and audio quality are wonderful. The extras are minimal but the audio commentaries make up for that!

Rating; ***1/2!

THE LAST DETECTIVE-COMPLETE COLLECTION

What a refreshing take on a crime show! The character is basically a loser but still solves crimes and wins now and again. Suitably played by Peter Davison (Doctor Who, All Creatures Great & Small) he lives through humiliation by his peers at work and not much of a relationship with anybody other than a friend of his who they both likes dogs played by Sean Hughes (The Commitments). There are some Dr Who alumni in the show with David Troughton and Lynda Bellingham. These episodes also has a few really good guest stars such as the Who's Roger Daltrey, Leslie Phillips and New Doctor Who's Camille Cordi and comedienne, Josie Lawrence. This complete set has Cast Filmographies and a biography of the Author that the show was based on and a really interesting video interview with the star himself, Peter Davison! To finish out the special features is the original 1981 TV movie that started it all called "Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective with the great Bernard Cribbins that tells the same story as the series pilot.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes run approx 69 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Last Detective (Pilot)" with David Troughton and Leslie Schofield
2. "Dangerous Moonlight"

Disc 2- 1. "Tricia"
2. "Lofty" with Josette Simon (Blakes 7)

Disc 3- 1. "Christine"
2. "The Long Bank Holiday" with Lynda Bellingham

Disc 4- 1. "Benefit To Mankind"
2. "Dangerous & The Lonely Hearts" with Colin Spaull

Disc 5- 1. "Friends Reunited" with David Calder
2. "Tow Paths Of Glory"

Disc 6- 1. "Three Steps To Hendon" with Tony Slattery and Nigel Planner
2. "Willesden Confidential"

Disc 7- 1. "Once Upon a Time on the Westway" with Camille Cordi, Roger Daltrey and Anthony Valentine
2. "Dangerous Liaisons"
3. "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Willesden"

Disc 8- 1. "The Man From Montevideo"-with Josie Lawrence
2. "Dead Peasants Society"-with Leslie Phillips and Owen Teale

Disc 9- Bonus disc-"Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective-with Bernard Cribbins-110 mins.

Extras

Disc 1: Cast filmographies
Photo Gallery (20) Pictures
Leslie Thomas Biography (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: Cast filmographies
Photo Gallery (27 Pictures)
Leslie Thomas Biography (Text Only)

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: Cast filmographies
Leslie Thomas Biography

Disc 6: Cast Filmographies

Disc 7: Cast filmographies
Leslie Thomas Biography

Disc 8: Peter Davison Video Interview (23:07)

Disc 9: Production Notes- (Text Only)

Verdict

I really enjoyed this series. Peter Davison consistently puts out great performances! Well worth the buy!

LIFE ON MARS-SERIES 1

Life on Mars is a fantastic TV show that premiered in 2005 with John Sims as Police Detective Sam Tyler who gets struck by a passing car while on a case and then wakening up to find that he is in 1973! What is interesting about the series is that you don't know if he actually is in 1973, or it is all a dream or he is really dead! The original series is far better than the weak US version. The first series consists of 8 episodes that are uncut with language and nudity. There are also audio commentaries on every episode with cast and crew and interviews and behind the senses footage about the show. There is a final second series to "Life on Mars" which I can hardly wait for and a sequel series, "Ashes to Ashes" that takes place in the 1980's and has a female detective that I hope Acorn will also bring to DVD soon.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes are also uncut. There is also a Play All Feature. Each episode is approx 58 mins long.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Episode 1"
2. "Episode 2"

Disc 2- 1. "Episode 3"
2. "Episode 4"

Disc 3- 1. "Episode 5"
2. "Episode 6"

Disc 4- 1. "Episode 7"
2. "Episode 8"

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentaries on both episodes with cast & crew
Take a Look at the Lawman Pt 1-(32:43)
Interview with Director Bharat Nalluri-(02:51)

Disc 2: Audio Commentaries on both episodes with cast & crew
Take a Look at the Lawman Pt 2-(31:09)

Disc 3: Audio Commentaries on both episodes with cast & crew
Music of Life on Mars-(14:02)

Disc 4: Audio Commentaries on both episodes with cast & crew
Get Sykes-Production Designer-(07:58)
Outtakes Reel-(05:55)

LIFE ON MARS-SERIES 2

The second and last season of Life on Mars is now on DVD! This series puts the typical detective genre on its ear with the concluding 8 episodes that has a very tense ending! In this season all of last season is ramped up even more! The second series consists of 8 episodes that are uncut with language and nudity. This set unlike the first set does not have any audio commentaries but there are interviews and behind the scenes footage and 2 documentaries about the return to the second series and the end of the series. The ending will throw you! Well done!

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes are also uncut. There is also a Play All Feature. Each episode is approx 58 mins long.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. There is an option for 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound!

Disc 1- 1. "Episode 1"- Marc Warren
2. "Episode 2"

Disc 2- 1. "Episode 3"
2. "Episode 4"

Disc 3- 1. "Episode 5"
2. "Episode 6"

Disc 4- 1. "Episode 7"
2. "Episode 8"

Extras

Disc 1: The Return of Life On Mars- (45:19)

Disc 2: Behind the Scenes of Episode 3- (21:56)

Disc 3: Behind the Scenes of Episode 5- (15:16)
Behind the Scenes of the CID set- (03:32)

Disc 4: The End of Life on Mars- (27:51)
Behind The Scenes of Episode 7-(03:25)
Behind the Scenes of Tufty's Cameo-(03:44)

Lillie-Complete Miniseries

The acclaimed 13 part miniseries that starred Francesca Annis as Lillie Langtry, the theater darling of England around the turn of the last century. Francesca Annis also played the same character in the miniseries, Edward the Seventh 3 years prior. The story takes place in an unhappy marriage in the 1870's to her death in 1929, played wonderfully by Annis and the make up in the last few episodes are very believable. Shot on videotape and film was shown on London Weekend Television for the ITV channel back in 1978. The series also stars Anton Rogers, Peter Egan, Dennis Lil, Jeannie Linden, Anthony Ainley, John Bennett and "Q" himself, Desmond Llewelyn among others. This set includes Cast filmographies on all discs.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on videotape with filmed outdoor scenes. There is a Play All feature. All episodes run approx 51 mins.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Emille"
2. "Mrs. Langtry"
3. "The Jersey Lillie"-with Jennie Linden and Desmond Llewelyn
4. "The New Helen"-with Dennis Lil

Disc 2- 5. "Bertie"
6. "Let Them Say"
7. "The Sailor Prince"-with John Castle and Anthony Ainley

Disc 3- 8. "Going on the Stage'
9. "America"
10. "Home on the Range"-with John Bennett and David Healy

Disc 4-11. "Mr. Jersey"-with James Warwick
12. "Sunset and Evening Star"-with Deborah Watling
13. "Fifty Cents A Dance"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast filmographies

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None
Verdict

A well done miniseries. To learn more about the show visit www. acornmedia.com.

Rating; ****!

LILIES-THE COMPLETE SERIES

A blurb from Acorn Media about "Lilies": Tough, sexy and heartbreaking, Lilies unsparingly depicts the often brutal realities of life in the 1920's Britain, the bleak choices facing impoverished young women, and the fortifying power of love in its many forms.

Lilies is the story of 3 young women going through life in working-class Liverpool. A few years after World War I, the Moss family is a devout Irish Catholic family and the 3 women are wanting to get away and start there lives on their own. One dreams for acting in films the other sells corsets, but one runs the household because their mother passed away. This miniseries is quite good, sometimes realistically brutal in depicting the harshness and poverty of England just after the First World War. The miniseries is filmed entirely in Northern Ireland. The set includes a behind the scenes look at Lilies, a photo gallery and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

There are no problems with the video quality.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. Episode 1-"The Chit Behind"
2. Episode 2-"The Thunderbolt"
3. Episode 3-"The White Charger"

Disc 2-
4. Episode 4-"The Tally Man"
5. Episode 5-"The Seal"
6. Episode 6-"The Release"

Disc 3-
7. Episode 7-"The Serpent"
8. Episode 8-"The Reckoning"

Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-Lilies-Behind the Scenes Documentary (15:33)
Photo Gallery (24) pictures
Cast Filmographies

Verdict

A coming of age series that looks at the struggle of family life in the 1920's Liverpool.

Rating: ****!

LORD PETER WIMSEY MYSTERIES-SET 1

The first Set of Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries are now available from Acorn Video. Ian Carmichael plays the title character, an aristocratic amateur sleuth just like Miss Marple is in The Agatha Christie mysteries, is Dorothy Sayers creation! The series of stories were shown by the BBC from 1972 to 1975, which the first two stories were shown in 1972. The first story on this set are "Clouds Of Witness" in which Wimsey and his trusty butler, Bunter found out that Wimsey's future Brother in Law is murdered and the main suspect is Wimsey's brother, Gerald! The second story is "The Unpleasantness of the Bellona Club" where a member of the club dies on the same day as Wimsey's sister and Wimsey must figure out who will inherit the fortune. The special features on these discs are two video interviews with the star Ian Carmichael in late 2000 and a text biography of Dorothy Sayers. This particular set was previously released by Acorn Video over 4 discs for the two stories in 2001 and 2002. If you enjoy Miss Marple, you will like Lord Peter Whimsey!

VIDEO

The video quality is pretty good! All the episodes are on videotape with all outside scenes on grainy 16 mm film, which was typical for the time the shows were made.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Clouds of Witness" Episodes 1-3-with Glyn Houston, Mark Eden, George Coulouris and Frances De Wolff (131 mins)

Disc 2- 1. "Clouds of Witness" Episodes 4 & 5-with Glyn Houston, Mark Eden, George Coulouris and Frances De Wolff (90 mins)

Disc 3- 1. "The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club" (4 Episodes)-with Donald Pickering, Derek Newark and Phyllida Law (177 mins)

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: Ian Carmichael Interview 09/04/2000-(07:41)
Ian Carmichael Biography-(Text Only)
Dorothy L Sayers Biography-(Text Only)
Production Notes-(Text Only)

Disc 3: Ian Carmichael Interview-Pt 2 09/04/2000-(05:57)

LOVEJOY SEASON 1

A roguish antique collector with a sense of adventure is the series "Lovejoy"! Starring Ian McShane the show premiered in 1986 with 10 episodes. The show was on "Mystery here in the states but the second season did not show up for another 5 years in 1991. His business partner and good friend Tinker would get into all sorts of trouble and a Lady Felsham who is also Lovejoy's love interest is always their to help him financially with any of his exploits! The show is played like a comedy drama. All the episode sans the last two episodes are self-contained stories. The series was done on film but was transferred to videotape and does not show well for the production is 22 years old and video technology has gotten a lot better. Audio is Mono. The only extra is a short interview with Ian McShane done in 2004. All and all a great 1st season!

VIDEO

The video quality is fairly good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is adequate considering the age of the film.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Firefly Cage"-with Ronald Fraser
2. "The Axeman Cometh"-with Zienna Merton
3. "The Sting"-with Peter Tuddenham
4. "Friends, Romans and Country Men"

Disc 2- 1. "The Judas Pair"-with Anthony Valentine
2. "To Sleep No More"
3. "The Real Thing"
4. "The March Of Time"-with Lysette Anthony

Disc 3- 1. "Death and Venice" Pt 1-with Steve Pacey
2. "Death and Venice" Pt 2-with Fulton Mackay

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: Interview with Ian McShane Pt 1-(07:54)

Verdict

A very good enjoyable series. The second season is due out soon! I recommend it!

LOVEJOY SEASON 2

The second season of the loveable roguish antique collector is now on DVD! This time the season starts when Lovejoy is let out of jail and with flashbacks how he go into this predicament. His group of friends and cohorts are still with him. The series was done on film and holds up better than the first season with the video quality. Audio is Mono. The extras are the 2nd part of a 2-part interview with Ian McShane done in 2004 and a BBC Interview done in 1991. A great second season!

VIDEO

The video quality is fairly good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is adequate considering the age of the film. There is also a Play All Feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Just Desserts"-with Anthony Valentine
2. "The Italian Venus"-with Ian McNeice
3. "Bin Diving"-with Warren Clarke
4. "Montezuma's Revenge"

Disc 2- 1. "Who Dares, Sings"
2. "One Born Every Minute"-with Tom Wilkinson and Jennie Linden
3. "National Wealth"-with Ronald Fraser and Tenniel Evans
4. "Sugar and Spice"-with John Cater

Disc 3- 1. "Raise the Hispanic"-with Frank Windsor, Catherine Schell and Tony Selby
2. "Lily's Pearls" Pt 2-with Fulton Mackay
3. "Riding In Rollers"-Brian Blessed, Mako and Linda Gray
4. "Black Virgin of Vladimir"-Aubrey Morris and Tom Adams

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: Interview with Ian McShane Pt 2-(09:34)
BBC Chat Show Interview-1991- (11:47)

Verdict

A very good enjoyable series. The third season is due out soon! I recommend it!

LOVEJOY SEASON 4

A roguish antique collector with a sense of adventure is the series "Lovejoy"! Starring Ian McShane the show premiered in 1986 with 10 episodes. The show was on "Mystery here in the states but the second season did not show up for another 5 years in 1991. His business partner and good friend Tinker would get into all sorts of trouble and a Lady Felsham who is also Lovejoy's love interest is always their to help him financially with any of his exploits! The show is played like a comedy drama. All the episodes are self-contained stories. The series was done on film but was transferred to videotape and does not show well for the production is 22 years old and video technology has gotten a lot better. Audio is Mono. The only extra is a short interview with Ian McShane done in 2004. All and all a great 4th season!

VIDEO

The video quality is fairly good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is adequate considering the age of the film.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Napoleonic Commode"-with Julie Walters and Colin Jeavons
2. "The Ring"
3. "Second Fiddle"
4. "The Colour Of Money"-with Martin Clunes

Disc 2- 1. "Fly The Flag"-with Michael Horden and Elizabeth Spriggs
2. "Judgement of Solomon"-with Peter Jeffrey and Cyril Shaps
3. "The Galloping Major"-with Leslie Phillips
4. "God Helps Those"-with Ronald Pickup

Disc 3- 1. "They Call Me Midas"-with Richard Griffiths and Dinsdale Linden
2. "Irish Stew"-with T.P. McKenna
3. "Dainty Dish"-with Don Warrington

Disc 4- 1. "Taking The Pledge"-with Simon Dutton
2. "Lovejoy Loses It"

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: Interview with Ian McShane-(08:53)

Verdict

A very good enjoyable series. The fifth season is due out sometime soon! I recommend it!

MAN ABOUT A HOUSE-SERIES 1 & 2

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Two's Company-The Complete Series: Serving as the inspiration for the widely popular American hit series, Three's Company, Man About the House was a phenomenally successful comedy, running for six series in total, spinning off two further series.

The original "Three's Company" came from this British TV show called "Man About The House". The same story goes that after throwing out a third roommate, Chrissy and Jo found Robin Tripp in their bathroom, hung over. The girls were needing a third person to split the rent, so they had Robin stay. The only way that he could stay and the landlord to let him was to tell him that he was gay. The landlord's wife knew better but kept that a secret. Man About The House premiered in 1973 and ran for six series in a three-year period ending in 1976. A movie produced by Hammer Films in 1974 and 2 spin-offs, George & Mildred and Robin's Nest followed.

In 1977, ABC TV in the United States made a show, called Three's Company based on Man About the House, right down to Robin's last name. Tripp was Robin's last name and Jack's was Tripper. This series also spawned 2 spin-offs The Ropers and Three's A Crowd. This set has the first 2 seasons with such people as Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney) and Bella Emberg (Benny Hill).

VIDEO

The video quality is pretty good! All the episodes are on videotape with all outside scenes on grainy 16 mm film, which was typical for the time the shows were made. All episodes are approx 24 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Three's A Crowd"
2. "And Mother Makes Four"
3. "Some Enchanted Evening"
4. "And Then There Were Two"
5. "Its Only Money"
6. "Match of the Day"
7. "No Children, No Dogs"

Disc 2- 1. "While The Cats Away"
2. "Colour Me Yellow"
3. "In Praise Of Older Men"
4. "Did you ever meet Rommel?" with Dennis Waterman
5. "Two foot Two, Eyes of Blue" with Bella Emberg
6. "Carry Me Back to Old Southampton"

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A very funny series. Hope Seasons 3 and 4 are out soon!

Rating; ****!

MANHUNT-THE COMPLETE SERIES

The epic and somewhat psychological World War 2 series is "Manhunt" now available for the first time in North America, the complete series on DVD from BFS Entertainment! Starring Alfred Lynch (Doctor Who), Cyd Hayman (The Two Ronnies) and Peter Barkworth (The Power Game, Doctor Who). The basic plot of the series is about a downed British Pilot Jimmy Porter (Alfred Lynch) running from the Nazis. He meets up with a young woman Nina (Cyd Hayman) who happens to be a part Jewish agent that has to get information back to England. They are helped by another agent Vincent (Peter Barkworth). All three are being chased by two Nazi SS Officers Lutzig (Phillip Madoc) and Gratz (Robert Hardy) the latter being far more than the stereotypical Nazi character. The series consisted of 26- 50 minute episodes that were shot in color and on videotape except for 1 episode that was shot on film. The series was shown on London Weekend Television which was a division of ITV in 1970. Other shows that dealt with the Nazis at the time were Secret Army, Enemy At The Door and on a more humorous note, Dad's Army. The video and audio are very good considering the age and source material of the videotapes. Guest stars that were in this series were Andrew Keir (Quatermass), Richard Hurndall (Doctor Who), Julian Glover (For Your Eyes Only), Iain Cuthbertson (Children of the Stones), George Sewell (UFO, Special Branch), Ian McCulloch (Survivors 1975) and Paul Darrow (Blakes 7). There are no extras on this set. Find Manhunt and many other shows on www.bfsent.com

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Some episodes are somewhat grainy but overall, very good.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Fare Forward, Voyagers"-with Andrew Keir & Yootha Joyce
2. "Break-Up"-with T. P. McKenna & Derek Newark
3. "Only The Dead Survive"-with Richard Hurndall
4. "What Did You Do In The War, Daddy?"

Disc 2- 5. "One More River"-with Jerome Willis and Milton Johns
6. "Open House"
7. "Better Doubt Than Die"
8. "A Different Kind Of War"-with Julian Glover

Disc 3- 9. "Betrayal"
10. "With A Sort Of Love"-with Iain Cuthbertson
11. "The Price of Resistance"
12. "The Enemy You Know"

Disc 4-13. "A Way To Die"
14. "One Way Home"-with George Sewell
15. "Little Man, Big Gun Pt 1"
16. "Little Man, Big Gun Pt 2"-with Ian McCulloch

Disc 5- 17. "The Ugly Side Of War"
18. "Confessional"
19. "The Death Wish"
20. "Machine"

Disc 6- 21. "Degrade and Rule"-with George Innes
22. "Intent To Steal"
23. "The Train May Be Late"
24. "Little Man, What Next? Pt 1"

Disc 7- 25. "Little Man, What Next? Pt 2"
26. "The Losers"-with Paul Darrow

Extras

Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None

Disc 4- None

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- None

Disc 7- None

MELISSA

A blurb from Acorn Media about Melissa: Written by famed English crime writer and dramatist Francis Dunbridge, this PBS Mystery classic stars Peter Barkworth, Ronald Fraser and Moira Redmond.

A classic BBC murder mystery has premiered on DVD with the miniseries called "Melissa" staring Peter Barkworth as Guy Foster an unemployed Fleet Street reporter that has a new career as a novelist. Everything changes when his wife Melissa is murdered and all the clues point to Guy and he goes on a journey to clear his name. The movie also stars Ronald Fraser. The movie was based on the works of Francis Durbridge who wrote many episodes of the Paul Temple TV series. The miniseries spans 3 episodes. The disc also includes cast filmographies and a biography of the author Francis Dunbridge. The episodes were filmed the standard BBC way where all inside shots were shot on videotape and the outdoor shots were done on grainy 16 mm film. No fault of Acorn.

VIDEO

The video quality is not that bad! The performance is 150 minutes long. There is also a Play All Feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Melissa"-with Peter Barkworth and Ronald Fraser

Extras

Disc 1: Francis Dunbridge Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

An entertaining whodunit with a good supporting cast. I would recommend it!

Rating: ***!

MIDSOMER MURDERS-THE EARLY CASES

At first I didn't get the Midsomer Murder series but the more I watched, I was hooked and to have the first 18 feature length episodes of the series that fleshes out the main characters and the extraordinary villains of each show makes you want to keep watching! This collection is also in original UK broadcast order. The series is still in production with more than 60 episodes! This set also includes a text essay by actor John Nettles, A midsomer map, production notes, a behind the scenes featurette with a Caroline Graham text biography and Cast Filmographies. There is also a 19th disc with a 47-minute documentary called Super Sleuths.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are shot on film. Each episode runs approx 101 mins

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1- "The Killing at Badger's Drift"-with Julian Glover

Disc 2- 2- "Written In Blood"-with Una Stubbs and David Troughton

Disc 3- 3- "Death of a Hollow Man"-with Angela Pleasance

Disc 4- 4- "Faithful Unto Death"

Disc 5- 5- "Death In Disguise"-with Geoffrey Beevers

Disc 6- 6- "Death's Shadow"-with Richard Briers

Disc 7- 7- "Strangler's Wood"-with Frank Windsor and Phyllis Logan

Disc 8- 8-"Dead Man's Eleven"-with Robert Hardy

Disc 9- 9- "Blood Will Out"-with Phyllida Law

Disc 10- 10-" Death of a Stranger"-with Richard Johnson

Disc 11- 11- "Blue Herrings"-with Geoffrey Bayldon, Cyril Shaps and Caroline John

Disc 12- 12- "Judgment Day"-with Hannah Gordon, Orlando Bloom and Timothy West

Disc 13- 13- "Beyond the Grave"-with Prunella Scales

Disc 14- 14- "Garden of Death"

Disc 15 15- "Destroying Angel"-with Samantha Bond and Robert Lang

Disc 16 16- "The Electric Vendetta"-with John Woodvine

Disc 17-17- "Who Killed Cock Robin?-with Ian McNeice and George Innes

Disc 18-18- "Dark Autumn"

Disc 19-Bonus Disc-Super Sleuths-Documentary-(47 Mins)

Extras

Disc 1- Production Notes-Text Only
Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 3- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 4- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 5- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 6- Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies

Disc 7- Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies

Disc 8- Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies
Production Notes-Text Only

Disc 9- Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies

Disc 10- Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies
Production Notes-Text Only

Disc 11- Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies

Disc 12- Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies

Disc 13- Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography
Cast Biographies

Disc 14- "The Inside Story-Midsomer Murders"-(8:23)
Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography
Cast Filmographies
Production Notes-Text Only

Disc 15- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 16- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 17- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 18- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Verdict

I greatly enjoyed this set! My only disappointment with the set is the packaging. With most big sets, the DVD holders make it almost impossible to remove the discs easily.

MIDSOMER MURDERS-BARNABY'S CASEBOOK

Acorn Video has now come out with the second collection of past Midsomer Murders episodes comprising of Series 4 and Series 6 thru 8 which now the first 8 series of the show are now on DVD. The series continuously stars John Nettles as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and Daniel Casey as Detective Sergeant Gavin Troy for the first six series, and then replaced by John Hopkins as Detective Sergeant Dan Scott. In the series, Gavin Troy was promoted to Inspector and was transferred. Presumably Daniel Casey left to pursue other acting avenues. Jane Wymark plays Joyce Barnaby, the long suffering but very patient wife to the Chief Inspector and rounding out the family, Laura Howard plays Cully Barnaby, the daughter of the two. It has been said more than once in interviews over the years that there should be nobody left in Midsomer to police given the high murder rate there! This collection has 17 feature length stories plus 2 bonus discs which the first bonus disc is the same documentary that is in the first collection with the other bonus disc a tour of Midsomer country hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Barnaby themselves! Such notable guest stars in this collection include: Richard Todd(The Dam Busters) , Honor Blackman (The Avengers, Goldfinger), Leslie Phillips, John Sessions, David Calder (Star Cops), William Gaunt (The Champions), Anton Rogers, Wendy Craig, Hugh Bonneville, Isla Blair, Clive Merrison, Ronald Pickup, Anne Reid, David Bradley, Lynda Bellingham, Freddie Jones and Keith Barron. Filming locations are mainly in and around London and the surrounding countryside. An interesting tidbit that I found while researching this set was the opening theme music is partly done on the "Theremin" to give that eerie sound! The "Theremin" was most well known used as the music for the classic Sci-Fi movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still". My only complaint about the collection as before is the packaging. The discs are very hard to get out. Having said that, I have found a way to alleviate that problem. What you do is to pull the disc up and push down on the disc button to release the disc and then at the same time there are plastic "walls" surrounding the disc button that when you bend one of them down and then pull the disc up it usually come out. A good collection all round!

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are shot on film. Each episode runs approx 98 mins

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1- "Tainted Fruit"

Disc 2- 2- "Ring Out Your Dead"-with Hugh Bonneville

Disc 3- 3- "Murder On St. Malley's Day"

Disc 4- 4- "Market For Murder"-with Anton Rogers

Disc 5- 5- "A Worm In The Bud"-with Wendy Craig

Disc 6- 6- "A Talent For Life"-with Honor Blackman

Disc 7- 7- "Death & Dreams"-with Isla Blair

Disc 8- 8-"Painted In Blood"-with Leslie Phillips and John Sessions

Disc 9- 9- "A Tale Of Two Hamlets"-with Ronald Pickup and Anne Reid

Disc 10- 10- "Birds Of Prey"-with David Calder and Richard Todd

Disc 11- 11- "The Green Man"-with David Bradley

Disc 12- 12- "Bad Tidings"

Disc 13- 13- "The Fisher King"-with Lynda Bellingham

Disc 14- 14- "Sins Of Commission"

Disc 15 15- "Ghost Of Christmas Past"

Disc 16 16- "The Maid In Splendor"-with William Gaunt and Freddie Jones

Disc 17-17- "The Straw Woman"-with Keith Barron

Disc 18-18- Bonus Disc-Super Sleuths-Documentary-(47 Mins)

Disc 19- Bonus Disc-Map of Midsomer Murders-(44 Mins)

Extras

Disc 1- Production Notes-Text Only
Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 3- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 4- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 5- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 6- Production Notes-Text Only
Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies

Disc 7- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 8- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 9- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 10- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 11- Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography and Book List
Cast Filmographies

Disc 12- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 13- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Biographies

Disc 14- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 15- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 16- A Conversation with John Nettles-(13:18)
Map of Midsomer Country
Caroline Graham Biography
Cast Filmographies

Disc 17- Map of Midsomer Country
Cast Filmographies

Disc 18- None

Disc 19- None

MIDSOMER MURDERS SET 9

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Midsomer Murders Set 9: The cozy villages of Midsomer County reveal their most sinister secrets in these contemporary British television mysteries.

Midsomer Murders is a British TV Drama about murders that take place in the English countryside of Midsomer. The show focuses on the main character Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby, played by John Nettles (Bergerac, Dickens of London) and his way of solving crimes that afflict Midsomer. The series has been going on since 1997 and is currently in its tenth season. This set is Series 9. One interesting bit about the show is the high volume of deaths in such a small town. Also on this set is a Caroline Graham biography and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is good! All episodes are on film. All episodes are approx 94 minutes each. Episodes are in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Things that go bump in the Night"

Disc 2- 1. "Dead In The Water" with Diana Quick

Disc 3- 1. "Orchis Fatalis"

Disc 4-1. "Bantling Boy"

Extras

Disc 1: Caroline Graham Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Fimographies

Disc 2: Cast Fimographies

Disc 3: Cast Fimographies

Disc 4: Cast Fimographies

Verdict

Interesting Crime drama. Looking forward for Set 10.

Rating; ****!

MIDSOMER MURDERS-SET 10

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Midsomer Murders Set 10: What Evil Lurks Beyond the Well-Trimmed Hedges of Midsomer… The cozy villages of Midsomer County reveal their most sinister secrets in these contemporary British television mysteries.

Midsomer Murders is a British TV Drama about murders that take place in the English countryside of Midsomer. The show focuses on the main character Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby, played by John Nettles (Bergerac, Dickens of London) and his way of solving crimes that afflict Midsomer. This set is the next four feature-length stories that are tremendously popular and which to this day are making new episodes. This set is Series 10. Also on this set is a Caroline Graham biography and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is good! All episodes are on film. All episodes are approx 94 minutes each. Episodes are in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Second Sight"-with Wanda Ventham

Disc 2- 1. "Hidden Depths" with Oliver Ford Davies

Disc 3- 1. "Sauce For The Goose"

Disc 4-1. "Midsomer Rhapsody"-with Trevor Peacock and Christopher Benjamin

Extras

Disc 1: Caroline Graham Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Fimographies

Disc 2: Cast Fimographies

Disc 3: Cast Fimographies

Disc 4: Cast Fimographies

Verdict

Intriguing Crime Series. Looking forward to more sets!

MIDSOMER MURDERS-SET 11

Midsomer Murders is a British TV Drama about murders that take place in the English countryside of Midsomer. The show focuses on the main character Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby, played by John Nettles (Bergerac, Dickens of London) and his way of solving crimes that afflict Midsomer. This set is the next four feature-length stories that are tremendously popular and which to this day are making new episodes. The guest cast in this set includes Joss Ackland, George Baker and Simon Callow. This set is Series 11. Also on this set is a Caroline Graham biography and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is good! All episodes are on film. All episodes are approx 94 minutes each. Episodes are in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "The House in the Woods"-with George Baker

Disc 2- 1. "Dead Letters" with Elizabeth Spriggs

Disc 3- 1. "Vixen's Run"-with Joss Ackland and Sheila Ruskin

Disc 4-1. "Down Amoung the Dead Men"

Extras

Disc 1: Caroline Graham Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Fimographies
Production Notes
Fascinating Facts

Disc 2: Cast Fimographies
Production Notes
Killings At Badgers Drift Commentary-(Text Only)

Disc 3: Cast Fimographies
Production Notes

Disc 4: Cast Fimographies
Production Notes

Verdict

Intriguing Crime Series. Looking forward to more sets!

MIDSOMER MURDERS-SET TWELVE

Midsomer Murders is a British TV Drama about murders that take place in the English countryside of Midsomer. The show focuses on the main character Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby, played by John Nettles (Bergerac, Dickens of London) and his way of solving crimes that afflict Midsomer. This set is the next four feature-length stories that are tremendously popular and which to this day are making new episodes. This set is Series 12. Also on this set is a Caroline Graham biography and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is good! All episodes are on film. All episodes are approx 100 minutes each. Episodes are in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Four Funerals and a Wedding"

Disc 2- 1. "Country Matters"

Disc 3- 1. "Death In Chorus"

Disc 4-1. "Last Year's Model"

Extras

Disc 1: Caroline Graham Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Fimographies
Text Interviews with John Nettles and Jason Hughes

Disc 2: Cast Fimographies
Production Notes

Disc 3: Cast Fimographies
50th episode production notes

Disc 4: Cast Fimographies
Production Notes

Verdict

Intriguing Crime Series. Looking forward to more sets!

MIDSOMER MURDERS-SET THIRTEEN

Midsomer Murders is still going strong with the 13th set out now! They are still making this wonderful stories which if you think about it how can that many murders happen in a small little village of Badger's Drift! This set is the next four feature-length stories that are from the 2006-2007 season. The guest cast in this set includes Richard Johnson, Phillip Madoc and David Troughton. Also on this set is a Caroline Graham biography and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is good! All episodes are on film. All episodes are approx 93 minutes each. Episodes are in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Dance With The Dead"

Disc 2- 1. "The Animal Within" with David Troughton and Richard Johnson

Disc 3- 1. "King's Crystal"-with John Castle

Disc 4-1. "The Axeman Cometh"-with Phillip Madoc

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Fimographies

Disc 2: Cast Fimographies

Disc 3: Cast Fimographies

Disc 4: Caroline Graham Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Fimographies

MIDSOMER MURDERS-SET FOURTEEN

The 14th set of the long running Midsomer Murders is now on DVD from Acorn Video! This set is the next four feature-length stories that are from the 2007-2008 season. "Death In The Dust" starts after a Midsomer Doctor is killed by a hit and run driver and the senior partner in the doctor's office could be the actual target! "A Picture of Innocence" deals with rival photographers one Digital and the other traditional with Inspector Barnaby himself being in the middle of the mess because of a murder. "They Seek Him Here" is about a new filmed version of The Scarlet Pimpernel in Midsomer that the guillotine they used is actually working and people are losing their heads! Lastly "Death In A Chocolate Box" is about a reformed criminal that goes to a halfway house and people in the house starts to go missing which Barnaby investigates. The guest cast in this set includes Stephanie Cole (Open All Hours), Gareth Thomas (Blake's 7), Liza Goddard (Doctor Who) and Chris Barrie (Red Dwarf). Also on this set is a Caroline Graham biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is good! All episodes are on film. All episodes are approx 93 minutes each. Episodes are in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Death And Dust"-with Stephanie Cole and Gareth Thomas

Disc 2- 1. "Picture of Innocence"-with Liza Goddard

Disc 3- 1. "They Seek Him Here"

Disc 4-1. "Death In A Chocolate Box"-Chris Barrie

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Caroline Graham Biography- (Text Only)

MINDER-SERIES 1

The long running and endearing series that was extremely popular in Britain and abroad is now available in North America for the first time thanks to BFS Entertainment! The show is "Minder" starring George Cole (A Christmas Carol 1951) and Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney). The series is about the seedy underbelly of London with a Jack of all trades Arthur Daley (George Cole) an importer, exporter, wholesaler, used car salesman that deals in unscrupulous things and Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman), a honest and quite likeable bodyguard or "Minder" which was a professional boxer that was sent to jail for attempted robbery and went to prison for 5 years and now works for Daley which is basically a middle of the road con man that gets into trouble and has McCann get him out of them. This set consists of the first season of 11 episodes from the 1979-1980 season. The first few series were more dramatic with slight comedic undertones. As the series went on that changed to more comedic episodes. The show was originally tailored for Dennis Waterman, who had just finished a run on "The Sweeney". Dennis also sang the opening theme song "I Could Be So Good For You" which actually charted to number 3 in the UK charts and was co-written by his wife Patricia Waterman. The character actor Ray Winstone played the dim witted mechanic on the series later on in the series run. This show was the type of show that anybody who was anybody wanted to get on the show. Such stars that showed up in the first season were Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius), Marina Sirtis (Star Trek The Next Generation), George Baker, Roy Kinnear (Willy Wonka), Prentis Hancock (Space:1999), Alfred Burke (Public Eye) to name a few. The extras on this set are…

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Gunfight at the O.K. Laundrette"
2. "Bury My Half at Waltham Green"-with Tony Selby & Kenneth Cope
3. "The Smaller They Are"-with David Jackson
4. "A Tethered Goat"-with Michael Sheard

Disc 2- 5. "The Bounty Hunter"-with Derek Jacobi
6. "Aces High-and Sometimes Very Low"-with Marina Sirtis
7. "The Bengal Tiger"-with Graham Stark & Spencer Banks
8. "Come in T64, Your Time is Ticking Away-with Alfred Burke

Disc 3- 9. "Monday Night Fever"-with Brian Croucher
10. "The Dessert Song"
11. "You Gotta Have Friends"-with George Baker and Roy Kinnear

Extras

Disc 1: Photo Gallery

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

MINDER-SEASON 2

The second season of the long running series that was extremely popular in Britain and abroad is available in North America for the first time thanks to BFS Entertainment! The show is "Minder" starring George Cole (A Christmas Carol 1951) and Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney). This set consists of the second season of 13 episodes from the 1980-1981 season. Arthur Daley is still up to his old tricks and Terry is getting him out of trouble. Such stars that showed up in the second season were Ronald Leigh-Hunt (), Lynda Baron (Open All Hours), Peter Jeffrey (Return of the Pink Panther), Tony Selby (Doctor Who) and Michael Robbins (On The Buses) to name a few. There are no extras on this set.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "National Pelmet"-with Liza Goddard
2. "Who's Wife is it Anyway?"-with David Daker
3. "You Lose Some, You Win Some"-with Ronald Leigh-Hunt and Lynda Baron

Disc 2- 4. "Don't Tell Them That Willie Boy Was Here"-with Alfred Marks
5. "Not A Bad Lad, Dad"
6. "The Beer Hunter"-with Brian Glover

Disc 3- 7. "A Nice Little Wine"-with Peter Jeffrey & Burt Kwouk
8. "All Mod Cons"-with Michael Robbins
9. "Diamonds Are A Girl's Worst Enemy"-with Tony Selby and John Ringham

Disc 4- 10. "The Old School Tie"
11. "All About Scoring, Innit?"
12. "Caught In The Act, Fact"
13. "A Lot of Bull and a Pat on the Back"

Extras

Disc 1: Photo Gallery

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

MINDER-SEASON 3

The third season of the continuously funny and well made series that was extremely popular in Britain and abroad is available in North America for the first time thanks to BFS Entertainment! The show is "Minder" starring George Cole (A Christmas Carol 1951) and Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney). This set consists of the third season of 13 episodes from the 1982 season. Arthur Daley is still up to his old tricks and Terry is getting him out of trouble. Such stars that showed up in the third season were George Sewell (UFO), Gareth Hunt (New Avengers), Patricia Quinn (Rocky Horror Picture Show), Russell Hunter (Callan) and Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter, Pie In The Sky) to name a few. There are no extras on this set.

VIDEO
The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks

Audio
Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Dead Men Do Tell Tales"-with Eileen Way
2. "You Need Hands"
3. "Rembrandt Doesn't Live Here Anymore"-with George Sewell and Patricia Quinn

Disc 2- 4. "Looking For Micky"-with Bill Nighy
5. "Dreamhouse"-with Richard Griffiths and Wanda Ventham
6. "Another Bride, Another Groom"-with Warren Clarke

Disc 3- 7. "The Birdman of Wormwood Scrubs"-with Maurice Denham
8. "The Sun Also Rises"-with Gareth Hunt and Alfie Bass
9. "Why Pay Tax"

Disc 4- 10. "Broken Arrow"-with Edward Peel
11. "Poetic Justice, Innit?"-with Bernard Horsfall
12. "Back In Good Old England"-with Pete Postlethwaite
13. "In"-with Frederick Jaeger and Russell Hunter

Extras
Disc 1: None
Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None
Disc 4: None

MISS MARPLE-SERIES 1 (2005)

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Miss Marple Series 1: She's back! Proper, demure, and sharp as a tack, Agatha Christie's beloved Miss Marple returns to the limelight in sparkling new adaptations of four classic Christie novels.

I have been an Agatha Christie fan for many years and the first series of 4 stories are with a new Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan). These stories are slightly different than their predecessors and controversy prevails in the very first story, "The Body In The Library" which they changed the identity of the killer from the original and introduced Lesbianism to the plot where it has been a subtle hint. "The Murder In The Vicarage" delved into Miss Marple's earlier life and in "A Murder is Announced" several characters were cut and added affairs into the story and another lesbian subplot that was minor in the original novel. There are many big names in this first series as guest stars such as Joanna Lumley (AbFab), Derek Jacobi (I Claudius), Ian Richardson (Gormangast) to name a few. This set has a behind-the-scenes featurette on the first series, a Photo Gallery and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All the episodes are on film. All stories are approx 94 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Murder In The Vicarage"-with Tim McInnerny, Mark Gatiss, Robert Powell, Derek Jacobi, Miriam Margolyes and Herbert Lom.

Disc 2- 1. "The Body In The Library"-with Ian Richardson, Joanna Lumley and Simon Callow.

Disc 3- 1. "A Murder Is Announced"-with Zoë Wanamaker and Catherine Tate

Disc 4-1. "4:50 From Paddington" with David Warner and Griff Rhys Jones

Extras

Disc 1: Behind The Scenes Featurette (10:51)
Miss Marple On TV and Film (Text Only)
Agatha Christie Biography (Text Only)
Photo Gallery (20) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Disc 2: Photo Gallery (20) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Disc 3: Photo Gallery (19) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Disc 4: Photo Gallery (19) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Verdict

A very good first series! A good cast and guest stars! How can you miss?

Rating; ****!

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Miss Marple Series 2: Four all new, full-length mysteries bring you a Miss Marple like no other. Geraldine McEwan returns as the spinster sleuth, as shrewd and sagacious as ever.
Miss Marple is back for a Second series of stories from Agatha Christie's best-known sleuth. Four more mysteries for Miss Marple with 2 of them not really Marple stories. The story "By the Pricking of My Thumbs" was originally a Tommy & Tuppence story while "The Sittsford Mystery" was also not a Marple story and the identity of the killer was changed. More big names show up in this series with Sophia Myles (Thunderbirds), Paul McGann (Doctor Who), Dawn French (Vicar of Dibley) and Bonnie Langford (Doctor Who). This set has a behind-the-scenes featurette on the second series, a Photo Gallery and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All the episodes are on film. All stories are approx 94 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Sleeping Murder"-with Sophia Myles, Una Stubbs, Paul McGann, Dawn French, and Geraldine Chaplin.

Disc 2- 1. "By The Pricking Of My Thumbs"-with Anthony Andrews, Clair Bloom, Charles Dance and Bonnie Langford.

Disc 3- 1. "The Moving Finger"-with Frances De La Tour, Sean Pertwee, Harry Enfiled and John Sessions

Disc 4-1. "The Sittaford Mystery" with Timothy Dalton, Robert Hardy, Mel Smith, Rita Tushingham, Patricia Hodge and Michael Brandon

Extras

Disc 1: Behind The Scenes Featurette (16171)
Agatha Christie Biography (Text Only)
Photo Gallery (14) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Disc 2: Behind The Scenes Featurette (16:32)
Photo Gallery (19) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Disc 3: Behind The Scenes Featurette (13:42)
Photo Gallery (15) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Disc 4: Behind The Scenes Featurette (11:41)
Photo Gallery (14) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Verdict

An equally good second series! A good cast and guest stars! The third series is on its way.

Rating; ****!

MISS MARPLE-SERIES 3 (2007)

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Miss Marple Series 3: Though they might be fooled by her delicate exterior, criminals underestimate Agatha Christie's mild-mannered spinster sleuth at their peril!

The final set of 4 stories is in Series 3 of Miss Marple. These four stories have been or soon will be on PBS's "Mystery" program! What is different in this series is that 2 of the stories are not original Marple stories at all. The two stories are "Towards Zero and "Ordeal by Innocence". There are quite a few well-known names in this Third series as guest stars such as Tom Baker (Doctor Who), Richard E Grant (Dr Who-Scream Of Shalka), Peter Davison (Doctor Who) and Jane Seymour to name a few. This set has a behind-the-scenes featurette on the Third series, a Photo Gallery and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All the episodes are on film. All stories are approx 94 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Towards Zero"-with Tom Baker and Julian Sands.

Disc 2- 1. "Nemesis"-with Richard E Grant, Graeme Garden and Anne Reid.

Disc 3- 1. "At Bertram's Hotel"-with Peter Davison and Francesca Annis.

Disc 4-1. "Ordeal By Innocence" with Jane Seymour and Camille Coduri

Extras

Disc 1: Agatha Christie Biography (Text Only)
Photo Gallery (12) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Disc 2: Photo Gallery (15) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Disc 3: Photo Gallery (15) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Disc 4: Photo Gallery (13) pictures
Cast Fimographies

Verdict

A good third series with good stories! For now, this is the last of the series.

Rating; ****!

MISS MARPLE-SERIES 4

What I thought to be the final set is in fact not true. Apparently, Miss Marple has changed faces again and now is in the form of Julia McKenzie better known to viewers as Mrs. Forrester in the series "Cranford". These four stories have been or soon will be on PBS's "Mystery" program! There are quite a few well-known names in this fourth set with such guest stars as Wendy Richard (Are You Being Served) in her final TV performance, Prunella Scales (Fawlty Towers), Tim Brook-Taylor (The Goodies), Ian Ogilvy (Return of the Saint), Samantha Bond (James Bond Movies) and the great Joan Collins (Dynasty) to name a few. This set has a Julia McKenzie Biography, a Photo Gallery and Cast Filmographies. Julia McKenzie holds up well as Miss Marple.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All the episodes are on film. All stories are approx 92 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "A Pocket Full Of Rye"-with Wendy Richard and Prunella Scales

Disc 2- 1. "Murder Is Easy"-with Tim Brook-Taylor and Shirley Henderson.

Disc 3- 1. "They Do It With Mirrors"-with Joan Collins and Ian Ogilvy.

Disc 4-1. "Why didn't They Ask Evans?" with Samantha Bond, Richard Briers and Rik Mayall

Extras

Disc 1: Agatha Christie Biography (Text Only)
Photo Gallery
Cast Fimographies
Julia McKenna Biography (Text Only)

Disc 2: Photo Gallery
Cast Fimographies

Disc 3: Photo Gallery
Cast Fimographies

Disc 4: Photo Gallery
Cast Fimographies

MOBILE COMPLETE MINI SERIES

Mobile was an interesting mini-series about a cell phone terrorist and the effects of radiation from cell phone use. Each episode deals with a different individual and it is all linked to the bombings by cell phone. There is a surprising twist ending that you will not see coming! The series stars Michael Kitchen as a telecom executive that get caught up in the whole situation and Samantha Bond as his wife. The only extra on this set is Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Each episode is approx. 51 mins each. It is presented in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Engineer"
2. "The Soldier"-with Peter Vaughn and Samantha Bond

Disc 2- 1. "The Boss"
2. "The Showdown"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Verdict

An interesting series that wont disappoint!

MONARCH OF THE GLEN-COMPLETE COLLECTION

If you love Scotland or the Scottish Highlands, which have been called "As close to Heaven on Earth" and enjoy great acting, then you will love "Monarch of the Glen"! The series premiered in 2000 and lasted 7 seasons with 64 episodes. The show was loosely based on a set of novels written in the 1930's and 1940's called simply "The Highland Novels". The first book in the series was entitled "Monarch of the Glen". The first 5 seasons starred Alistair Mackenzie as Archie, one of the sons of Hector MacDonald, owner of the castle and land of Glenbogle. Archie gave up a restaurant business in London and left for Scotland to take care of the land that once was home.

The well-known British actor, Richard Briers, plays the father and Susan Hampshire plays the Mother. The show was very close to a "Soap Opera" with the storylines it had. The home and land went through ups and downs with almost losing it all to the bank. At the end of the 3rd season, Richard Briers left the show and at the end of the series, he came back briefly, from the dead! In the beginning of the 6th season until the end of the series, Hectors brother comes to stay at Glenbogle, played by my 2nd favorite Doctor Who, Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee being my first choice! A new Laird comes in and takes over the problems of the family who is the illegitimate brother of Archie's, Paul, played by Lloyd Owen.

This complete set has a nice bit of extras such as an interview with Susan Hampshire, a tour of the estate, a documentary of the Scottish Highlands from Bill Oddie from "The Goodies", a Christmas special and the behind the scenes look at the show with Cast Filmographies and Biographies

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are shot on film. There is a Play All feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- Series 1-Episode 1
Series 1-Episode 2
Series 1-Episode 3
Series 1-Episode 4

Disc 2-Series 1-Episode 5
Series 1-Episode 6
Series 1-Episode 7
Series 1-Episode 8

Disc 3-Series 2-Episode 1
Series 2-Episode 2
Series 2-Episode 3
Series 2-Episode 4

Disc 4-Series 2-Episode 5
Series 2-Episode 6
Series 2-Episode 7
Series 2-Episode 8

Disc 5-Series 3-Episode 1
Series 3-Episode 2
Series 3-Episode 3
Series 3-Episode 4

Disc 6-Series 3-Episode 5
Series 3-Episode 6
Series 3-Episode 7
Series 3-Episode 8

Disc 7-Series 3-Episode 9
Series 3-Episode 10
Series 3-Episode 11

Disc 8-Series 4-Episode 1
Series 4-Episode 2-with Phyllida Law
Series 4-Episode 3-with Leslie Phillips
Series 4-Episode 4

Disc 9-Series 4-Episode 5
Series 4-Episode 6
Series 4-Episode 7

Disc 10-Series 4-Episode 8
Series 4-Episode 9
Series 4-Episode 10

Disc 11-Series 5-Episode 1
Series 5-Episode 2
Series 5-Episode 3
Series 5-Episode 4

Disc 12-Series 5-Episode 5
Series 5-Episode 6
Series 5-Episode 7
Series 5-Episode 8

Disc 13-Series 5-Episode 9
Series 5-Episode 10

Disc 14-Series 6-Episode 1
Series 6-Episode 2-with Tom Baker
Series 6-Episode 3
Series 6-Episode 4

Disc 15-Series 6-Episode 5
Series 6-Episode 6
Series 6-Episode 7-with Anthony Head
Series 6-Epiosde 8

Disc 16-Series 6-Episode 9
Series 6-Episode 10

Disc 17-Series 7-Episode 1
Series 7-Episode 2
Series 7-Episode 3

Disc 18-Series 7-Episode 4
Series 7-Episode 5
Series 7-Episode 6-with Richard Briers

Extras

Disc 1- None

Disc 2- Holiday-A tour of Glenbogle Estate- (06:14)
Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Trailer

Disc 3- None

Disc 4- Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Trailers

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- None

Disc 7- Interview with Susan Hampshire- (09:04)
Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Trailers

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- None

Disc 10- Wildlife in the Scottish Highlands- (29:15) with Bill Oddie
Cast Biographies
Trailers

Disc 11- None

Disc 12- None

Disc 13- Hogmany Special- (59:18)
Cast Biographies
Trailers

Disc 14- None

Disc 15- None

Disc 16- Cast Biographies
Trailers

Disc 17- None

Disc 18-The Last Monarch- (29:11)
Cast Biographies
Trailer

Verdict

What a breathtaking series this is! Without a doubt, worth the buy!

Rating; *****!

THE OMEGA FACTOR

A blurb about Koch Vision set of The Omega Factor-The Complete Series: Department 7 is the top-secret branch of the British government mandated to investigate the supernatural and explore the unexplained. Led by Roy Martindale and Dr. Anne Reynolds with the help of Tom Crane, a journalist with developed psychic abilities-the team confronts bizarre and terrifying situations to fulfill their mission…the discovery of The Omega Factor. One of the BBC's most powerful and controversial science fiction series, The Omega Factor was a primary influence behind some of the most popular series that followed.

I came across this series from a friend years ago that said I would like this but it is a different kind of series. He was right! The Omega Factor was a very rare series to find. It only played once in England and one time at a PBS station in Houston, Texas back in the early 1980's. It hasn't been seen since. When you did find a copy to watch it was many generations down and almost unwatchable. Now for the first time they can be watched a lot clearer!
The show was filmed entirely in Scotland and all on videotape except for the opening credits. The music is quite haunting. The show co-star a companion from the BBC Doctor Who series, Leela played by Louise Jameson. In this she plays Dr Anne Reynolds. The controversial part of the series was that the show was shown in prime time and the show dealt with some adult matters with demons of the mind, people catching on fire and mind control that upset Mary Whitehouse who was at that time a crusader for family television. The series lasted 10 episodes but never went to a second series. The episodes have been kept safely in the BBC Vaults and were not purged during the 70's like so many other of the BBC shows ended up.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! The original videotapes were in great enough shape that restoration was not necessary. They are of quality that the BBC had at the time.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Undiscovered Country"
2. "Visitations"
3. "Night Games"
4. "After-Image"

Disc 2- 1. "Power Of Darkness"*
2. "Child's Play"
3. "St. Anthony's Fire"

Disc 3- 1. "Out Of Body, Out Of Mind"
2. "Double Vision"
3. "Illusions"
Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: Audio Commentary on Power Of Darkness

Disc 3: Inside the Omega Factor-Documentary (24:10)
Photo Gallery-Moving pictures with theme music (0:41)

Verdict

A thinking person's show. Well acted. Very creepy and different! Absolutely worth the buy to get this rare BBC series.

Rating; ****!

ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES-COMPLETE SERIES

One of the most beloved British sitcoms of all time is now out on DVD in a complete series collection. "Only Fools & Horses" is a show about a fast talking Cockney market trader living in an low rent apartment building in south London with his younger brother and their grandfather and later their Uncle while selling low quality & illegal goods. They also have a questionable company that sells on the black market, and most famously they drive a grubby three-wheeled van known as a "Reliant Regal".

The trio also hangs out at a pub called "The Nag's Head". The show lasted solidly from 1981 to 1991 and had Christmas specials off & on until 2003 with 64 episodes produced. They finally became millionaires by the series end and lost it all only to get some of it back before the show finally stopped in 2003. Some well-known actors & actresses graced the show such as Tony Anholt, Jim Broadbent, Roy Marsden, Christopher Ryan, Richard Branson, Barry Gibb and Joan Sims.

The show also won countless Bafta and Comedy awards over the years there has also been a spin off show called "The Green, Green Grass" in 2005 without David Jason & Nicolas Lyndhurst. This set includes all 64 episodes with all the Christmas specials with a making of documentary with photo galleries and trailers for other BBC series.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are shot on videotape with filmed outdoor shots. All episodes run approx 32 mins each except Christmas specials.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1- "Big Brother"-with Roger Lloyd Pack
2- "Go West Young Man"-with Caroline Ellis
3- "Cash & Curry"
4- "The Second Time Around"
5- "A Slow Bus To Chingford"
6- "The Russians Are Coming"-with Derek Newark

Disc 2- 7- "The Long Legs of the Law"
8- "Ashes to Ashes"
9- "A Losing Streak"
10- "No Greater Love"
11- "The Yellow Peril"
12- "It Never Rains"
13- "A Touch of Glass"-with Geoffrey Toome

Disc 3- 14- "Homesick"-with Gilly Flower and Renee Roberts
15- "Healthy Competition"
16- "Friday The 14th"
17- "Yesterday Never Comes"
18- "May The Force Be With You"-with Jim Broadbent
19- "Wanted"
20- "Who's A Pretty Boy"-with David Jackson

Disc 4- 21- "Christmas Crackers" (58:00)
22- "Diamonds Are For Heather" (58:00)
23- "Thicker Than Water" (58:00)

Disc 5- 24- "Happy Returns"
25- "Strained Relations"
26- "Hole In One"-with Colin Jeavons
27- "Its Only Rock and Roll"
28- "Sleeping Dogs Lie"
29- "Watching The Girls Go By"
30- "As One Door Closes"

Disc 6- 31- "From Prussia with Love"
32- "The Miracle Of Peckham"-with Carol Cleveland
33- "The Longest Night"
34- "Tea For Three"
35- "Video Nasty"
36- "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?"

Disc 7- 37- "To Hull & Back"-with Tony Anholt and Jim Broadbent-1985 Christmas Special (90 mins)
38- "A Royal Flush"-with Peter Tuddenham-1986 Christmas Special (76 mins)

Disc 8- 39- "The Frog's Legacy"-with Joan Sims-1987 Christmas Special (59 mins)
40- "Dates"-with Nicholas Courtney (79 mins)

Disc 9- 41- "Yuppy Love"
42- "Danger UXD"
43- "Chain Gang"

Disc 10- 44- "The Unlikely Winner Is…."
45- "Sickness & Wealth"
46- "Little Problems"-with Roy Marsden, Christopher Ryan

Disc 11- 47- "The Jolly Boy's Outing"-with Wanda Ventham-1989 Christmas Special (79 mins)

Disc 12- 48- "Rodney Come Home"-1989 Christmas Special (73 mins)

Disc 13- 49- "The Sky's The Limit"
50- "The Chance of a Lunchtime"
51- "Stage Fright"

Disc 14- 52- "Class Of '62"-with Jim Broadbent
53- "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle"
54- "Three Men, A Woman and a Baby"

Disc 15- 55 & 56- "Miami Twice-The Movie"-with Richard Branson and Barry Gibb-1991 Christmas Special (139 mins)

Disc 16-57- "Mother Nature's Son-1992 Christmas Special (64 mins)
58- "Fatal Extraction"-1993 Christmas Special (82 mins)

Disc 17-59- "Heroes and Villians"-1996 Christmas Special (58 mins)
60- "Modern Men"-1996 Christmas Special (58 mins)
61- "Time On Our Hands"-with Michael Jayston-1996 Christmas Special (58 mi)

Disc 18- 62- "If They Could See Us Now!"-2001 Christmas Special (70 mins)
63- "Strangers On The Shore"-with James Ellis-2002 Christmas Special (73 mi)
64- "Sleepless In Peckham"-2003 Christmas Special (73 mins)

Extras

Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None

Disc 4- Making of "Only Fools… (67 mins)
Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Photo Gallery
Peckham Concise Trotter Dictionary- (Text Only)

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- None

Disc 7- None

Disc 8- Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Photo Gallery
Trailers for other BBC Shows

Disc 9- None

Disc 10- None

Disc 11- Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Trailers for other BBC Shows

Disc 12- Trailers for other BBC Shows

Disc 13- None

Disc 14- None

Disc 15- None

Disc 16- None

Disc 17- None

Disc 18-None

Verdict

An infectious series, when you watch it, you'll get hooked! Lovely Jubbly!

Rating; *****!

OPEN ALL HOURS-COMPLETE SERIES

One of Britain's best loved sitcom comes to DVD here in the States in the complete series of "Open All Hours"! Starring Ronnie Barker (Two Ronnies, Porridge), David Jason (Dangermouse, Rough Diamond) and Lynda Barron. The series plot is simply the trials and tribulations of a often put upon errand boy (Jason) working for his penny pinching uncle Arkwright (Barker) and the perpetual love affair that Arkwright has with Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Barron). The series first started out as a one off play for the BBC series Seven of One in 1973 and started regularly in 1976 and lasted for 26 episodes from the years 1976, 1981, 1982 and 1985. The continuous bane of Arkwright's existence was the dreaded cash register which would just about take you hand off when you tried to put money in it! This complete set includes the pilot episode that started the series.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality. Each episode runs approx. 28 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Full of Mysterious Promise" Series 1-1976
2. "A Matter of Wheels"-with George Innes
3. "A Nice Cosy Little Disease"
4. "Beware of the Dog"
5. "Well Catered Funeral"
6. "Apples & Self Service"

Disc 2- 1. "Laundry Blues" Series 2-1981
2. "The Reluctant Traveller"
3. "For Biscuits and Inspirational Toilet Rolls"
4. "The New Suit"
5. "Arkwright's Mobile Store"
6. "Shedding At the Wedding"-with Stuart Fell
7. "St Albert's Day"

Disc 3- 1. "An Errand Boy By The Ear" Series 3-1982
2. "The Ginger Men"
3. "Duet For Solo Bicycle"
4. "How To Ignite Your Errand Boy"
5. "The Man From Down Under"
6. "The Cool Cocoa Tin Lid"

Disc 4-1. "Soulmate Wanted" Series 4-1985
2. "Horse Trading"
3. "The Housekeeper Caper"
4. "The Errand Boy Executive"
5. "Happy Birthday Arkwright"
6. "The Mysterious Boudoir of Nurse Gladys Emmanuel"

Extras

Disc 1: Original Pilot For Series-(1973)-with Yootha Joyce

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

PIE IN THE SKY-SERIES 1

Richard Griffiths stars in a unique crime series that has a culinary twist to it! Richard plays Detective Inspector Henry Crabbe a 25-year veteran of the police force, which he took a bullet for Queen and Country and thought enough was enough and open his dream restaurant called "Pie in the Sky". He is also still on "retainer" if you will with the Police Department when he is needed. He does get into some bizarre situations along the way! This 3 disc set covers the first season of 10 episodes with an interview with Maggie Steed who plays Henry's wife in the series and a Richard Griffiths Biography. I am looking forward to the next Season set to see what happens next!

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on Film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Best of Both Worlds"-with Michael Kitchen
2. "The Truth Will Out"
3. "An Innocent Man"-with Clive Merrison
4. "Once A Copper"

Disc 2- 1. "A Shot In The Dark"
2. "Undesirable Elements"
3. "Passion Fruit Fool"-with Jim Carter

Disc 3- 1. "A Matter Of Taste"-with Julian Fellowes and Jan Chappel
2. "Who Only Stand And Wait"-with Ian McNeice
3. "Endangered Species"

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: Richard Griffiths Biography (Text Only)
Production Notes (Text Only)
Steak & Kidney Pie Recipe (Text Only)

Disc 3: Maggie Steed Interview (18:06)

PIE IN THE SKY-SERIES 2

The second series of 10 episodes of Pie in the Sky are now available on DVD through Acorn Video. This season we have Henry Crabbe dealing with a prowler fond of old ladies, searching for counterfeit currency, teaming with a psychic to help solve a murder and on a hunt for a serial killer to name a few! The series stars Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter films, Naked Gun 2:The Smell of Fear) as Henry Crabbe, disillusioned about the police force and running his own restaurant but still having to go back and solve crimes per his once and current supervisor Fisher who blackmailed Crabbe to stay. Some notable guest stars that were in this season are: Geoffrey Bayldon (Catweasle), Joan Sims (Carry On films) and Ian McNeice (Dune). The extras on this set include a Richard Griffiths Biography and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on Film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Hard Cheese"
2. "Brown Bread"
3. "The Policeman's Daughter"
4. "The One That Got Away"

Disc 2- 5. "Dead Right"
6. "Black Pudding"-with Geoffrey Bayldon
7. "Swan in His Pride"

Disc 3- 8. "The Mild Bunch"-with Joan Sims
9. "The Mystery of Pikey"-with Ian McNeice
10. "Lemon Twist"

Extras

Disc 1: Richard Griffiths Biography (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

POIROT COLLECTION 2

A blurb from Acorn Media about "Poirot The Classic Collection 2"- As portrayed by David Suchet, Agatha Christie's brilliant Belgian sleuth became the most-watched detective in the history of the PBS Mystery! Series and a hit all over again on A & E. The incomparable Poirot cracks his most challenging cases in these feature-length episodes.

This set is the 9 feature-length episodes from the Poirot TV series. The series has been running for 18 years now since 1989. This show has been a hit on PBS and A & E. There is a 10th disc with a 1-hour documentary on Agatha Christie and her home in the town of Devon, England. One of the episodes also has a young future Doctor Who, Christopher Eccleston. The first collection was 36 1-hour episodes on 12 discs. Great for anyone's collection.

VIDEO

The video quality is superb! It seems that the episodes are not digitally remastered; however the video quality is excellent. Each movie is approx 102 minutes long.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "The ABC Murders"

Disc 2- 1. "Death In The Clouds"

Disc 3- 1. "Dumb Witness"

Disc 4-1. "Hercule Poirot's Christmas"

Disc 5- 1. "Hickory Dickory Dock"

Disc 6- 1. "Murder On The Links"

Disc 7- 1. "The Mysterious Affair At Styles"

Disc 8- 1. "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" with Christopher Eccelston (Doctor Who)

Disc 9- 1. "Peril At End House"

Disc 10- 1. "Bonus Disc"-Agatha Christie's Garden: Murder & Mystery in Devon

Extras

Disc 1-: About David Suchet (Text Only)
The Agatha Christie Connection (Text Only)
Poirot on Mystery (Text Only)
Poirot Trivia (Text Only)

Disc 2- Same as Disc 1

Disc 3-Same as Disc 1

Disc 4-Same as Disc 1

Disc 5-Same as Disc 1

Disc 6-Same as Disc 1

Disc 7-Same as Disc 1

Disc 8-Same as Disc 1

Disc 9-Same as Disc 1

Disc 10-Greenway Garden History (3:03)
Remembering Agatha (3:16)
Agatha's Writing (2:54)
Agatha Christine Biography (Text Only)

Verdict

Poirot at his best! The picture and audio quality are great! This will complete your collection of Poirot. Defiantly get it!

Rating; ****!

POLDARK-SERIES 1

The first series of "Poldark" is finally on DVD here in the States thanks to Acorn Video. The series has been best described as a British version of "Gone with the Wind"! The books that the series was based were originally written by the author Winston Graham which the first 3 books were made into the first series. The part of the hero, Ross Poldark was played by actor Robert Ellis. Before Ellis got the role, Ian McShane and Timothy Dalton were also considered. The series takes place in the late 18th century (The 1700's). The guest cast for the first series was full of the best from the BBC and British TV as well. Such guest stars were John Ringham (Doctor Who), John Forbes-Robertson (Hammer Films), Christopher Benjamin (Doctor Who), Phillip Madoc (Doctor Who) and Judy Geeson (Space:1999). By the end of the first series, the families of the Poldarks and the Warleggans come to a head and what will happen next? Also on this set is a text story about the city of Cornwall and Cast Filmographies. A well acted and well produced series with an actual budget and locations!

VIDEO

The video quality is good! All episodes are on film. All episodes are approx 93 minutes each. Episodes are in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "Part 1"
2. "Part 2"-with Don Henderson
3. "Part 3"-with John Ringham, John Forbes Robertson
4. "Part 4"

Disc 2- 5. "Part 5"-with Milton Johns
6. "Part 6"-with Ralph Bates and Christopher Benjamin
7. "Part 7"
8. "Part 8"

Disc 3- 9. "Part 9"-with Judy Geeson and Michael Gwynn
10. "Part 10"-with Phillip Madoc
11. "Part 11"
12. "Part 12"

Disc 4- 13. "Part 13"-with Barry Jackson
14. "Part 14"
15. "Part 15"
16. "Part 16" -with Peter Miles and Max Faulkner

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Fimographies

Disc 2: Cornwall-A Place Apart-(Text Only)

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

PORTERHOUSE BLUES

A blurb from Acorn Media about Porterhouse Blue: For more than 500 years, Porterhouse College has cherished tradition above all else. Unfortunately, its traditions mostly involve decadent banquets, drunkenness, and undistinguished scholarship. Enter Sir Godber Evans (Ian Richardson), a new master hell-bent on reform. But Head Porter Skullion (David Jason) emerges as Sir Godber's most formidable foe-a self-appointed guardian of Porterhouse's most hallowed traditions, with plenty of tricks up his tweedy sleeve.

A very funny and somewhat sad story from the author Tom Sharpe. The mini-series stars the late Ian Richardson and the very funny David Jason. Along in the cast are Charles Gray and John Sessions. The production was well paced and had a very strong supporting cast. Filmed in 1987 and shot on location at Cambridge University it deals will college traditions and a very British way of life with the new headmaster going against the wishes of the steward of the college. There were 4 episodes produced for Channel 4. There is also an unusual sub plot with a student and a housekeeper that reveals a reverse Rape that is Woman to Man both with an unfortunate end to their lives. There is cast filmographies and a bio of author of the book that the mini series is based on both in text.
VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes run approx 50 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Part 1" with John Woodnutt and Willoughby Goddard
2. "Part 2"

Disc 2- 1. "Part 3" with Charles Grey and Griff Rhys Jones
2. "Part 4"

Extras

Disc 1: Cast filmographies
Tom Sharpe Biography (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A well-acted satirical comedy with the BAFTA Best Actor award going to David Jason. Great stuff!

Rating: ****!

PREHISTORIC PARK

A blurb from International Voyage about Prehistoric Park: In a thrilling new docu-drama series, that is at the cutting edge of technology and creativity, Nigel Marven heads back to prehistoric times to find some of the most magnificent creatures that have ever been on this Earth.

What a wonderful concept for a show! The show is a combination of The Crocodile Hunter, Jurassic Park and Doctor Who! Nigel Marvan goes back in time to the prehistoric era and brings dinosaurs back to the present day to study how we can save the animals on the planet now before its too late! A co-production of Animal Planet and Fremantle Media and narrated by David Jason. The show lasted for 6 episodes and this set has a 27 minute Making of featurette about the show. A well done fun and educational series for the whole family.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes run approx 48 minutes each. The Show is presented in Widescreen.

Audio

Recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound! Sound quality is great!

Disc 1- 1. "T-Rex Returns"
2. "A Mammoth Undertaking"
3. "Dinobirds"

Disc 2- 1. "Saving The Sabertooth"
2. "The Bug House"
3. "Supercroc"

Extras

Disc 1: Stats & Facts
Photo Gallery
Storyboards

Disc 2: Stats & Facts
Storyboards
Making Of Prehistoric Park- (27 mins)

Verdict

A very well done action educational series! I am liking more and more the way that International Voyage has done the programming and the packaging.

Rating: *****!

PRIME SUSPECT 7-THE FINAL ACT

A blurb from Acorn Media about "Prime Suspect 7-The Final Act": Jane Tennison emerges as a deeply flawed but ultimately sympathetic human being-one who accepts responsibility for her choices, knowing full well the price she and others have paid for each.

Ever since 1992, Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison has solved quite a few crimes. But this time the world is closing in on her with one last crime to solve before retiring. Her father is dying, she is becoming an Alcoholic and the looming of forced retirement sets in. This is the last story in a fine long running series, starring Helen Mirren and a fine cast of characters. This set includes a behind the scenes documentary, a photo gallery and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Produced on film.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. The Final Act Part 1 (92 Mins) with Frank Finlay
Disc 2-
2. The Final Act Part 2 (90 Mins) with Frank Finlay

Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- Prime Suspect-Behind The Scenes Documentary (45 Mins)
Photo Gallery (20) pictures
Cast Filmographies-Text Only

Verdict

A fitting last episode for a series. Well acted and paced.

Rating: ****!

THE RACING GAME

The Racing game is based on a Dick Francis Novel "Odds Against" and was produced in 1979 and shown on PBS's "Mystery" program. This series has been sought after as being hard to find. The story is that a jockey who during a race falls off his horse and the horse stomps on his hand forcing him to retire from horse racing. The mini series lasted 6 episodes. Guest stars Gerald Flood, David Calder and Sheila Keith graced the series. This set includes a Dick Francis Biography as text.

VIDEO

The video quality is fairly good! No fault of Acorn but the quality of the film is a little grainy. Each episode is approx. 52 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Odds Against"-with Gerald Flood
2. "Trackdown"-with David Calder
3. "Gambling Lady"

Disc 2- 1. "Horses for Courses"-with Milton Johns
2. "Horsenap"-with Sheila Keith and Ian Cuthbertson
3. "Needle"

Extras

Disc 1: Dick Francis Biography- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A Sleeper of a show. If you're a racing fan, you will like this show!

RAIN SHADOW SERIES 1

A new interesting series from Australia is called Rain Shadow. The series in a nutshell is about after a 10-year drought patience are gone for a small Australian farming town of Paringa when a disease ravages the local sheep. Tough veterinarian Kate McDonald (Rachel Ward) is doing her best in a sea of problems. Filmed entirely on location in a natural rain shadow region in the Adelaide Hills. The extras on this set includes a behind the scene featurette and a Rachel Ward Biography with a text about the music of Rain Shadow.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 55 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "The Long Paddock"
2. "You Can't Eat Scenery"
3. "Paringa Rules"

Disc 2- 1. "Black & White"
2. "The Call of the Wild"
3. "The Soldier's Choice"

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: Behind the Scenes Featurette- (19:28)
Rachel Ward Biography- (Text Only)
The Music of Rain Shadow- (Text Only)

Verdict

A very good series. A second season has been commissioned in Australia.

REBUS SET 3

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Rebus Set 3- Ken Stott (Shallow Grave, Messiah) returns as rumpled, hard-drinking Detective Inspector John Rebus, hero of Ian Rankin's perennially best-selling novels, Rebus bulldogs violent criminals in modern-day Edinburgh, from young toughs and drug dealers to corrupt captains of industry and commerce.
More great stories from the pen for Ian Rankin. Watching these episodes, you get the feeling for the characters and how Rebus catches his culprit. This set contains 4 more episodes with such acting greats as Stella Gonet and Nicholas Farrell. This set comes with Cast filmographies and an Ian Rankin Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Digitally remastered. Episodes are approx 69 mins

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Resurrection Man"-with Stella Gonet

Disc 2- 1. "The First Stone"

Disc 3- 1. "The Naming of the Dead"

Disc 4- 1. "Knots & Crosses"-with Nicholas Farrell

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)
Ian Rankin Biography- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 3: Cast Filmographies-(Text Only)

Disc 4: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

Greatly enjoyed it! Extremely well done! Well worth the money!

RIPPING YARNS-COMPLETE SERIES

A short blurb from Acorn Media about The Complete Ripping Yarns- Monty Python fans rejoice! This Renowned BBC series, created and written by Python stalwarts Michael Palin and Terry Jones, provides more of the same surreal, bawdy, tasteless and absolutely gut splitting hilarity you know and love.

In 1975, Michael Palin and Terry Jones from Monty Python's Flying Circus, co-created a very funny British satire on the Old Boy stories called "The Ripping Yarns". From 1975 to 1979 they made 9 stories ranging from Victorian London, German POW Camps, the Peruvian Andes and the Indian Raj. This set for only 9 episodes is packed with extras! You have which is fairly rare, an Audio commentary on every single episode with Michael Palin and Terry Jones. A laugh track free option is on all episodes except 1 and 4. A deleted scene from "Murder at Moorstones Manor", photo gallery, a 30 minute documentary on Michael Palin called "Comic Roots" from 1983, restoration clips from what was originally shown to brand new with new video technology. A DVD-Rom features all 9 scripts from the show and a commemorative 22-page booklet that contains an in-depth history of the series.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Digitally remastered and restored for the first time on DVD.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Tomkinson's Schooldays"-with Ian Ogilvy
2. "The Testing Of Eric Olthwaite"
3. "Escape From Stalag Luft 112B"-with Roy Kinnear
4. "Murder At Moorstones Manor"
5. "Across the Andes By Frog"-with Denholm Elliott and Don Henderson
6. "The Curse Of The Claw"-with Tenniel Evans and Aubrey Morris

Disc 2- 1. "Whinfrey's Last Case"-with Richard Hurdall and Edward Hardwicke
2. "Golden Gordon"-with Bill Fraser and John Cleese
3. "Roger of the Raj"-with John Le Mesurier

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary on all episodes on this disc with Michael Palin and Terry Jones
Deleted scene from "Murder At Moorstones Manor (04:04)
Audience free track Option for episodes 2,3,5 & 6

Disc 2: Audio Commentary on all episodes on this disc with Michael Palin and Terry Jones
Documentary-Comic Roots: Michael Palin from 1983 (28:55)
Restoration Clips (02:00)
Audience free track for remaining episodes

Verdict

Indeed! Monty Python fans rejoice. A well done and packed 2 disc set with a lot of extras to make any fan of Monty Python happy.

Rating: *****!

RISING DAMP SERIES 1

A short blurb from Acorn Video about Rising Damp-Season 1: In a series called the pinnacle of British comedy, the miserly and mean-spirited landlord of a rundown boarding house is hilariously one-upped by his luckless tenants.

Leonard Rossiter's character Rigsby is a lot like Archie Bunker in All In The Family. His know it all attitude and odious ways play well off the other two characters in the show. The show started off as a play called the Banana Box with most of the original cast from the play going straight to the TV show. Leonard Rossiter plays Rigsby, the loathsome landlord of a rundown tenement in London. Richard Beckinsale from the Porridge TV series plays Alan, a long haired medical student and Don Warrington most recently played the World President in the new Dr Who series episodes The Rise of the Cybermen/Age Of Steel plays Phillip and Frances de la Tour plays Ruth, a love starved woman after Rigsby. The show lasted for 4 seasons and was voted the highest rated ITV sitcom in the top 100 comedy shows of all time. This disc has interesting production notes and cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "The Lodgers" aka Rooksby (Pilot for the series)
2. "Black Magic"
3. "A Night Out"-with Derek Newark
4. "Charisma"
5. "All Our Yesterdays"-with Derek Newark
6. "The Prowler" with George Sewell
7. "Stand Up and Be Counted"

Extras

Disc 1: Production Notes- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

An extremely funny comedy series. Leonard Rossiter's potrayal was sharp and very funny. If you are a fan of British comedy then you need this in your collection.

Rating; ****!

RISING DAMP SERIES 2

A short blurb from Acorn Video about Rising Damp-Season 2: A snooping and sneering landlord and his hapless tenants make comedy magic in one of the most popular Britcoms of all time.

Leonard Rossiter's character Rigsby is defiantly the landlord from hell! In this second season, Ruth has found another man and it leaves Rigsby in a quandary, so he sets his sights on a new tenant, an aritists model named Brenda played by Gabrielle Rose. There is also a special Christmas episode for the season finale. This disc has interesting production notes and cast filmographies. It was not generally known, but because of Richard Beckinsale's character in the show Porridge that he was playing at the same time as Rising Damp he had to wear a long wig to cover up his short hair.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "The Permissive Society"
2. "Food Glorious Food"
3. "A Body Like Mine"
4. "Moonlight and Roses"
5. "A Perfect Gentleman"-with Henry McGee
6. "The Last Of The Big Spenders" with Campbell Singer
7. "Things That Go Bump In The Night"
8. "For The Man Who Has Everything" (Christmas Special)

Extras

Disc 1: Production Notes- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

An extremely funny comedy series. Leonard Rossiter's potrayal was sharp and very funny. If you are a fan of British comedy then you need this in your collection.

Rating; ****!

RISING DAMP SERIES 3

A short blurb from Acorn Video about Rising Damp-Season 3: A Britcom gem form the 1970s, with a main character so loathsome he's irresistible.

In this third season, new tenants include a flamboyant actor (Peter Bowles) and an exotic dancer who tests Rigsby and Ruth coming back from a failed engagement delighting Rigsby to no end! This was the last season for Richard Beckinsale who went on to do other roles. Sadly, in 1979 Richard Beckinsale died of a massive heart attack at the age of 31.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "That's My Boy"
2. "Stage Struck"-with Peter Bowles
3. "Clunk Click"-with Derek Francis
4. "The Good Samaritans"
5. "Fawcett's Python"
6. "The Cocktail Hour"
7. "Suddenly At Home"

Extras

Disc 1: Production Notes- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

If you are a fan of British comedy then you need this in your collection.

Rating; ****!

RISING DAMP SERIES 4

A short blurb from Acorn Video about Rising Damp-Season 4: These six episodes brought to a close one of the best sitcoms ever.

All good things must come to an end and so does Rising Damp! Rising Damp Series 4 concludes the series with the last 6 episodes. Richard Beckinsale did not come back for the forth series and actually succumbed to an untimely death due to a heart attack at the age of 31. Rigsby is still trying to date Miss Jones. It even gets close to marriage but Rigsby backs away just in the nick of time. This set includes cast filmographies of the cast and production notes.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Hello Young Lovers" with Deborah Watling (Doctor Who)
2. "Fire & Brimstone"-with John Clive
3. "Great Expectations"-with Andrew Sachs
4. "Pink Carnations"-with Joan Sanderson
5. "Under The Influence"-with Peter Jeffrey
6. "Come One In, The Waters Lovely"-with Brian Peck

Extras

Disc 1: Production Notes- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

A great conclusion to a brilliantly funny series.

Rating; ****!

THE RIVALS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES-SET 1

A rather intriguing series premiered in 1971 produced by Thames Television for ITV network entitled "The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes". At first I thought that the series was going to be the enemies of Sherlock Holmes only to find out the series is about Sherlock's contemporaries! Sherlock Holmes was not the only game in town! There were quite a few interesting detectives on the case. Dr.Thorndyke (John Neville), Max Carrados (Robert Stephens), Horace Dorrington (Peter Vaughn)-who shows up twice this season!, Simon Carne (played by a humped back Roy Dotrice), Carnacki (Donald Pleasance), Dixon Druce (John Fraser), Martin Hewitt (Ronald Hines)-also shows up twice this season, Lady Molly (Elvi Hale)-the only female sleuth this season, Romney Pringle (Donald Sinden), and Bernard Sutton (Robert Lang). Contemporary writers were used for the stories and not from original writings. Future TV stars were here as well such as Paul Darrow (Blakes 7), Jacqueline Pearce (Blakes 7), John Levene (Doctor Who) and the first TV production of Jeremy Irons! There were 2 seasons made the other showing in 1973. The special features on this set are text writings of The Rivals and their Creators-about the creators of these sleuths and how they came about. I am looking forward to Set 2!

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "A Message From The Deep Sea" with Paul Darrow and John Neville
2. "The Missing Witness"-with Robert Stephens and Christopher Cazenove
3. "The Affair of the Avalanche Bicycle and Tyre Co. LTD"-with Peter Vaughn
4. "The Duchess of Wiltshire's Diamonds" with Roy Dotrice and Paul Whitson-Jones

Disc 2- 1. "The House of the Invisible" with Donald Pleasance and Michelle Dotrice
2. "The Case of the Missing Portugal"-with Peter Vaughn & Jeremy Irons
3. "Madame Sara" with John Fraser, Caroline John and Roger Delgado

Disc 3- 1. "The Case of the Dixon Torpedo"-with Ronald Hines and Jacqueline Pearce
2. "The Woman in the Big Hat " with Una Stubbs and Peter Bowles
3. "The Affair of the Tortoise"-with Peter Barkworth and John Levene

Disc 4-1. "The Assyrian Rejuvenator"-with Donald Sinden
2. "The Ripening Rubies"-with Robert Lang and Richard Hurndall
3. "The Case of Laker, Absconded"-with Peter Barkworth and Ronald Hines

Extras

Disc 1: The Rivals and their Creators-(Text Only)

Disc 2: The Rivals and their Creators-(Text Only)

Disc 3: The Rivals and their Creators-(Text Only)

Disc 4: The Rivals and their Creators-(Text Only)

THE RIVALS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES-SET 2

The second and final Series/Season of the Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is now available through Acorn Video. Like the first series there are more detectives both amateur and professionals solving cases just as good as Sherlock Holmes himself! Produced by the BBC in 1973, these 13 episodes boost the best of British talent at the time such Judy Geeson (Poldark), Richard Beckinsale (Rising Damp), Nicolas Courtney (Doctor Who), Michael Gough (Batman), Charles Grey (Rocky Horror), John Thaw (The Sweeney) and Jean Marsh (Upstairs, Downstairs) to name a few. The special features are the Rivals and their Creators text supplement.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Mysterious Death on the Underground Railway" with Judy Geeson and Richard Beckensale
2. "Five Hundred Carats"-with Patrick Barr and Martin Jarvis
3. "Cell 13"-with Nicholas Courtney, Michael Gough and Donald Pickering
4. "Secret of the Magnifique" with Christopher Neame

Disc 2- 1. "Absent Minded Coterie" with Charles Grey
2. "Sensible Action of Lt. Holst"-with John Thaw & Catherine Schell and Phillip Madoc
3. "The Superfluous Finger" with Mark Eden and Laurence Payne

Disc 3- 1. "Anonymous Letters"-with Frances De Wolff
2. "The Moabite Cipher" with Julian Glover
3. "The Secret of the Fox Hunter"-with Derek Jacobi

Disc 4-1. "The Looting of the Specie Room"-with Ronald Fraser and Jean Marsh
2. "The Mystery of the Amber Beads"-with Joss Ackland
3. "The Missing Q. C's"-with John Barron, Robin Ellis and Jack May

Extras

Disc 1: The Rivals and their Creators-(Text Only)

Disc 2: The Rivals and their Creators-(Text Only)

Disc 3: The Rivals and their Creators-(Text Only)

Disc 4: The Rivals and their Creators-(Text Only)

ROBIN OF SHERWOOD-THE COMPLETE SERIES

Robin Of Sherwood is a show that has been a long time coming to DVD. Robin Of Sherwood is one of the best interpretations of the Robin Hood legend! It started on Showtime here in the states in the late 1980's to early 1990's. Robin Hood was played by Michael Praed before he played the marrying prince in ABC hit "Dynasty". During the third season and final 13 episodes Jason Connery starred as the new leader of the merry group taking over from Michael Praed since he went on to be in the Dynasty TV series. The whole shape of the show changed somewhat when Connery took over and ran rather well to the end of the series. The season kept the mysticism and authentic feel of the time as the first two seasons. What I liked about the show was the mysticism and the gritty realism of the series. The entire 3 seasons have been digitally remastered for the first time on DVD. The complete set covers the entire 26 episodes of the series. This is a 10-disc set with the 5th and 10th disc solely devoted to bonus features. Most TV shows on DVD do not get an extra 2 DVDs for just that. You get 12 Audio commentaries from the creator Richard Carpenter along with directors from the series. There are also 4 retrospective documentaries filmed just a couple of years ago. There is also a behind-the-scenes special with additional hour of unseen footage from the special, outtakes from both seasons and US, French and Textless opening title sequences and Cast Filmographies. What a great set to own and enjoy!

VIDEO
The video quality is superb! Digitally Remastered. There is not a Play All feature. Excellent quality.

Audio
Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.
Disc 1- 1. "Robin And The Sorcerer" Part 1 with Anthony Valentine*
2. "Robin And The Sorcerer" Part 2*
3. "The Witches Of Elsdon"
4. "Seven Poor Knights From Acre"
Disc 2- 1. "Alan A Dale"
2. "The Knight's Fool" with John Rhys Davies*
3. "The Prophecy" with Simon Dutton and George Baker
Disc 3- 1. "The Children Of Israel"
2. "Lord Of The Trees " with Oliver Tobias and Jeremy Bulloch
3. "The Enchantment" with Anthony Valentine and Jeremy Bulloch
Disc 4-1. "The Swords Of Wayland" Part 1 with Rula Lenska*
2. "The Swords Of Wayland" Part 2 with Anthony Steel*
3. "The Greatest Enemy" with Jeremy Bulloch
Disc 5- Special Features Disc
Disc 6- 1. "Herne's Son" Part 1 with Richard O'Brien and George Baker*
2. "Herne's Son" Part 2 with same as above*
3. "The Power Of Albion" with Max Faulkner
4. "The Inheritance" with Cyril Cusack and David Rappaport*
Disc 7- 1. "The Sheriff Of Nottingham" with Lewis Collins*
2. "The Cross Of St Ciricus"
3. "Cromim Cruac" with Richard O'Brien*
Disc 8- 1. "The Betrayal" with Matt Frewer
2. "Adam Bell" **
3. "The Pretender" with Russell Enoch and Patricia Hodge
Disc 9-1. "Rutterkin" with Ian Ogilvy
2. "The Time Of The Wolf" Part 1 with Richard O'Brien*
3. "The Time Of The Wolf" Part 2 with Richard O'Brien*
Disc 10- Special Features Disc

Extras
Disc 1: Audio Commentary on Robin & The Sorcerer Pts 1 & 2

Disc 2- Audio Commentary for The Knight's Fool

Disc 3-None
Disc 4-Audio Commentary on The Swords OF Wayland Pts 1 & 2
Disc 5 : The Making Of Series 1 (1 Hour)
The Making Of Series 2 (41:00)
The Electric Theatre Show-Behind The Scenes Special (24:10)
Series 1 Outtakes (08:26)
Series 2 Outtakes (07:05)
Us Title Sequence (02:39)
French Title Sequence (06:58)
Textless Title Sequence (05:42)
Unseen Footage from the Electric Theatre (Approx 1 hour and 11 minutes)
Cast Filmographies
Disc 6: Audio Commentary on Herne's Son Pts 1 & 2 by Jason Connery and Mark Ryan
Audio Commentary on The Inheritance by Jason Connery and Clive Mantle
Disc 7- Audio Commentary for The Sheriff Of Nottingham by Jason Connery and Mark Ryan
Audio Commentary for Cromin Cruac by Jason Connery and Mark Ryan
Disc 8-Audio Commentary for Adam Bell by Jason Connery and Mark Ryan
Disc 9-Audio Commentary on The Time of the Wolf Pts 1 & 2 by Esta Charkham
Disc 10 : The Making Of Series 3 Pt 1 (39:26)
The Making Of Series 3 Pt 2 (36:04)
Clannad: Scoring Robin Of Sherwood (12:18)
It's Showtime Series Promo (04:36)
Robin Hood 1, 2 3 Screen Swordplay (08:08)
Series 3 Outtakes (13:14)
Us Title Sequence (00:37)
TV-AM Morning Show Feature (04:03)
Cast Filmographies

Verdict
I would defiantly recommend buying this set! The picture and audio quality are great! The extras are phenomenal! Well worth buying!

ROSEMARY & THYME-COMPLETE SERIES

Another great mystery series that stars Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris, green-thumbed sleuths that solved crimes in Britain and around the world. They played Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme respectively. They are in the gardening business together. 23 episodes were produced over 3 seasons and the production company went to Spain and Italy, which the scenes were breathtaking. Some of the guest stars were Anthony Andrews, John Bennett, Jan Chappell and Christopher Benjamin. This set includes and interview with Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris with Cast Filmographies, photo galleries and production notes.

VIDEO

The video quality is wonderful! Most episodes run approx 48 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "And No Birds Sing"
2. "Arabica and the Early Spider"

Disc 2- 3. "The Language of Flowers"
4. "Sweet Angelica"

Disc 3- 5. "A Simple Pet"
6. "The Tree of Death"

Disc 4-7. "The Memory of Water Pt 1"
8. "The Memory of Water Pt 2"
9. "Orpheus in the Undergrowth"-with Phylleda Law and John Bennett

Disc 5- 10. "They Understand Me In Paris"
11. "The Invisible Worm"-with Anthony Andrews
12. "The Gongoozlers"

Disc 6- 13. "The Italian Rapscallion"-with Oliver Ford Davies
14. "Swords into Ploughshares"
15. "Up The Garden Path"

Disc 7- 16. "In a Monastery Garden"-with Jan Chappell
17. "Seeds of Time"-with Christopher Benjamin
18. "Agua Cadaver"

Disc 8- 19. "Three Legs Good"
20. "The Gooseberry Bush"
21. "Racquet Espanol"

Disc 9- 22. "Enter Two Gardeners"
23. "The Cup of Silence"

Extras

Disc 1- Interview with Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris (07:54)
Production Notes- (Text Only)
Photo Gallery- (21 Pictures)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None

Disc 4- Production Notes- (Text Only)
Photo Gallery- (30 Pictures)
Trivia Quiz
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- None

Disc 7- Photo Gallery- (30 Pictures)
Production Notes- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- None

Verdict

A wonderful mystery series with twists and turns and gardening! My only complaint about the set is the DVD sleeve packaging. The release buttons are not that friendly with almost breaking the DVD to get them out!

Rating; *****!

ROUGH DIAMOND-COMPLETE SERIES

I was quite impressed with Rough Diamond, which was actually called "Diamond Geezer" in the U.K. Rough Diamond is about a master thief that in the pilot is a prison inmate that escapes to steal diamonds from a boxing bully in prison. Acting legend Sir David Jason best known for "Only Fools and Horses" and the voice of "Dangermouse" wonderfully plays the master thief. The pilot was shot in 2005 and 3 more episodes followed in 2007. The series for me is a cross between "The Saint" and "The Persuaders". David Jason is such a great actor; you're watching every subtle gesture he makes! There are some great guest stars that are in the series such as Jenny Agutter, George Cole, Mary Tamm, Don Warrington and Simon Williams. The set includes Cast Filmographies and text interviews with the stars.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The pilot runs 93 mins and each episode is approx. 68 mins each. It is presented in Widescreen.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. "Rough Diamond" (93 mins)
2. "A Royal Affair"-with Mary Tamm, George Cole, Jenny Agutter and David Troughton

Disc 2- 1. "Old Gold"-with Roy Marsden
2. "Old School Lies"-with Don Warrington and Simon Williams

Extras

Disc 1: David Jason Interview- (Text Only)
Jenny Agutter Interview- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Don Warrington Interview- (Text Only)
Simon Williams Interview- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

An enjoyable TV Series! Check it out!

Rating: ****!

RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY "LOST" PILOT

A blurb from Acorn Media about Rumpole Of The Bailey-The Lost Episode: Witness the birth of British barrister Horace Rumpole, who emerges in all his claret-quaffing, cheroot-smoking glory in this original BBC television play created three years before the launch of the long-running RUMPOLE series. Hear his first utterances of the wifely sorbriquet "She who must be obeyed" his first recitations of Wordsworth in the loo, and his first cynical musings about the nature of justice-until now lost to television history.

One of my favorite British TV shows was Rumpole of the Bailey. The Great Late Leo McKern played the Wordsworth quoting London Barrister Horace Rumpole and his "She who must be obeyed" wife Hilda. This episode which was the pilot of Rumpole of the Bailey as shown on a program that premiered plays and pilots for TV shows called PLAY FOR TODAY which was shown in 1975, three years before the regular series started that ran from 1978 to 1992. Leo McKern passed away on July 23, 2002. The Play is entitled "Rumpole and the Confession of Guilt". This disc includes the "Lost episode" history, glossary of British legal lawyer terms and cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The episode was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. "Rumpole and the Confession of Guilt"

Extras

Disc 1: "Lost Episode" history- (Text Only)
Glossary of British legal terms- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Verdict

This episode was thought, "Lost" but lucky for us it wasn't. This is the very beginning of the long running Rumpole series. Defiantly get it to complete your Rumpole collection.

Rating; *****!

RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES SET 1

A blurb from Acorn Media about "Ruth Rendell Mysteries Set 1": From cold, rock-strewn moors to comfortable suburban estates, award-winning writer Ruth Rendell explores the dark fissures between friends and family members that motivate murder.

The long running TV series that was based on Ruth Rendell's mystery novels is on this 3-disc box set of the first stories of the series. The Ruth Rendell mysteries play like a Lifetime movie, which is usually geared towards women but better made. Some of the stars also plays like an episode of "Tales of the Unexpected"! "Master of the Moor" with Colin Firth is fantastically creepy and well acted and the "Secret House of Death" is also creepy and seductive. Some known British actors and actresses and in these episodes such as Robert Urquhart, Leslie Phillips, John Gill and Patricia Haynes. The set also includes Cast Filmographies and a Ruth Rendell Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The episodes runs approx 115 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. "Master of the Moor"-with Colin Firth, Robert Urquhart and Patricia Haynes

Disc 2-
2. "Vanity Dies Hard"-with Leslie Phillips and John Gill

Disc 3-
3. "The Secret House Of Death"
4. "The Double"

Extras


Disc 1- Cast Filmographies-Text Only
Ruth Rendell's Biography-Text Only

Disc 2- Cast Filmographies

Disc 3-Cast Filmographies

Verdict

A good series. England's answer to "The Lifetime Movies".

Rating: ****!

RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES SET 2

A blurb from Acorn Media about "Ruth Rendell Mysteries Set 2": In six tales of suspense, award-winning writer Ruth Rendell examines the jealousies, betrayals, and resentments that lead to tragedy.

The next 6 episodes of the long running mystery series that was based on Ruth Rendell's mystery novels is on this 3-disc box set of the second set of stories from the series. This time around we have some really good stories and some really good performances with such luminaries as Richard Johnson, Edward Hardwicke, Don Henderson and Susannah York to name a few. The set also includes Cast Filmographies and a Ruth Rendell Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The episodes runs approx 77 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. "Bribery and Corruption"
2. "Front Seat"-with Richard Johnson and Edward Hardwicke

Disc 2-
3. "A Case Of Coincidence"-with Keith Barron and Don Henderson
4. "A Dark Blue Perfume"-with Susannah York and John Castle

Disc 3-
5. "My & June"
6. "The Orchard Walls"

Extras


Disc 1- Cast Filmographies-Text Only
Ruth Rendell's Biography-Text Only

Disc 2- Cast Filmographies

Disc 3-Cast Filmographies

Verdict

A good series. More episodes to come.

Rating: ****!

RUTH RENDELL SET 3

A blurb from Acorn Media about "Ruth Rendell Mysteries Set 3": In five tales of suspense, award-winning writer Ruth Rendell examines the jealousies, betrayals, and resentments that lead to tragedy.

The next 5 episodes of the long running mystery series that was based on Ruth Rendell's mystery novels is on this 3-disc box set of the third set of stories from the series. This time around we have some really good stories and some really good performances with such luminaries as George Baker, Sadie Frost and David Daker,to name a few. The set also includes Cast Filmographies and a Ruth Rendell Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The episodes runs approx 77 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. "Going Wrong"-with Tenneil Evans

Disc 2-
2. "Harm Done"-with George Baker
3. "The Fallen Curtain"-with David Daker

Disc 3-
4. "The Lake of Darkness"-Sadie Frost
5. "You Can't Be Too Careful"

Extras


Disc 1- Cast Filmographies-Text Only
Ruth Rendell's Biography-Text Only

Disc 2- Cast Filmographies

Disc 3-Cast Filmographies

Verdict

A good series. More episodes to come.

RUTH RENDELL SET 4

Two of the Inspector Wexford mysteries are on this fourth Ruth Rendell Set. This time around we have some really good stories and some really good performances with such luminaries as George Baker and Iris Russell to name a few. The set also includes a documentary called "Super Sleuths" and a Ruth Rendell Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The episodes runs approx 77 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. "Simisola" Part 1
2. "Simisola" Part 2
3. "Simisola" Part 3

Disc 2-
4. "Road Rage" Part 1-with Iris Russell
5. "Road Rage" Part 2
6. "Road Rage" Part 3
7. "Road Rage" Part 4

Extras


Disc 1- Super Sleuths-Inspector Wexford-documentary -(46:58)

Disc 2- Ruth Rendell's Biography-Text Only

Verdict

A good series. More episodes to come.

S - U

THE SANDBAGGERS SET 1
The Sandbaggers series has been best described as the "Best drama show that most people never saw". The show was a Cold War drama set at the same time that the shows were produced. The show also delved into the lives of British and American Intelligence specialists. This show was wonderfully complex in the storylines and was grim but very realistic in the way the British had to deal with defectors, assassinations and going behind the Iron Curtain. The series stars Roy Marsden as Neil Burnside who is Head of Operations of Britain's Secret Intelligence Services (SIS) or otherwise known as MI6. The show was a one point vetoed by the sensors to an episode where it dealt with sensitive information that the Second series of episodes were one short. This set comprises of the first 6 episodes with a never before released episode on DVD. The series was shot in the usual fashion prevalent in the 70's that all outside scenes were shot on usually grainy 16 mm film and all indoor shots were done on videotape.

VIDEO

Videotape portions are just fine. Outdoor scenes were somewhat speckled and dirt on the film portions. No fault of BFS!

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. "First Principles"-with Olaf Pooley
2. "A Proper Function of Government"-with Stephen Grief

Disc 2-
3. "Is Your Journey Really Necessary?"
4. "The Most Suitable Person"-with Stephen Grief and Christopher Benjamin

Disc 3-
5. "Always Glad To Help"-with Peter Miles
6. "A Feasible Solution"
7. "Special Relationship"-Previously Missing Episode