THE HOUSE OF ELIOTT-THE COMPLETE SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

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; ****!

THE BEST OF THE FLIP WILSON SHO TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Rhino Home Video about “The Best of the Flip Wilson Show: The Flip Wilson Show was an instant smash when it premiered on NBC in September 1970, becoming the highest-rated variety program on television. In a bold departure from the standard fare of the time, The Flip Wilson Show did without large production numbers, house band, regular cast, or elaborate sets.

Flip Wilson had a hard upbringing and he was 1 of 18 children. When he was in the Armed Forces his fellow soldiers would always said that he was “Flipped out” so the name “Flip” stuck. Flip performed on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Tonight Show before he had his own show in 1970. His show opened a lot of doors for Black Actors and Actresses and comedians of all types and many big name stars. The show ran for 4 seasons ending in 1974. He died of cancer in 1998 at the age of 64. This 3-disc set includes 6 of the best episodes from the Flip Wilson Show. The Special Features include Episode introductions from Tim Conway and Phyllis Diller and 2 rare Animated TV Specials with the character Clerow Wilson.

VIDEO

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

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. Episode 49-with George Carlin and Joe Namath
2. Episode 65-with Albert Brooks, Bill Russell and Johnny and June Carter Cash

Disc 2-
3. Episode 71-with Ray Charles, Phyllis Diller and the Committee
4. Episode 80-with Red Foxx, Helen Reddy and Joan Rivers


Disc 3-
5. Episode 84-with Richard Pryor and Tim Conway
6. Episode 94-with Tony Randall, Lena Horne and Boy & Ray


Extras


Disc 1- Interview with Producer Bob Henry (09:03)
1972 Animated TV Special-Clerow Wilson and the Miracle of P.S. 14 (25:17)

Disc 2- Introduction to Episode 71 with Phyllis Diller (1:00)
Photo Gallery (36) pictures
1974 Animated TV Special-Clerow Wilson’s Great Escape (24:43)

Disc 3-Portrait Of An Artist- (Text Only)


Verdict

Not a bad compilation of episodes at all! Hopefully they will bring these shows out as Season box sets!


Rating: ****!

SATURDAY MORNING MEMORIES-THE SECRETS OF ISIS-THE COMPLETE SERIES

A blurb from BCI/Entertainment Rights about “The Secrets of Isis-The Complete Series: Now available on DVD for the first time, the entire two seasons of THE SECRETS OF ISIS contains a treasure-trove of special features, and all the super-powered goodness that the heroine represented. Now, you too can be heir to…THE SECRETS OF ISIS!

Oh Mighty Isis! It’s about time that someone finally put the first super heroine of Saturday mornings on DVD! All 22 episodes of both seasons are on the set. One of my favorite show in the mid 70’s was the Shazam/Isis hour, which I watched every Saturday morning. She was also the only pretty woman on the air at the time, well for me anyway. The premise was adequate and the acting was pretty good for a 12 year old which I was at the time. The 3-disc set is quite nice with a lot of extras but not a definitive collection. In the 1990’s, who ever owned the rights to the film negatives for reasons unknown cut out all the “morals” that were at the end of each show, telling the kids what was right & what was wrong. No fault of BCI/Entertainment Rights. BCI found 13 out of the 22 morals from various video sources. I’m glad they did that. There is also interviews spanning 2 hours from Brian Cutler, Joanna Pang and Ronalda Douglas along with the producer and writers of the show, An Audio Commentary on one of the episodes, Rare Commercial bumpers and next week bumpers, photo galleries, Scripts on DVD Rom and a bonus episode from the animated series-Freedom Force.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! The episodes were not digitally remastered but are from good film prints. There is also a Play All feature.

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. “The Lights Of Mystery Mountain”
2. “Fool’s Dare”
3. “The Spots Of The Leopard”-with Lou Frizzell and Debra Lee Scott
4. “The Sound Of Silence”-with Leigh McCloskey
5. “The Outsider”-with Mitch Vogel
6. “Rock Hound Roost”
7. “Lucky”
8. “Big Foot”-with Bill Engesser

Disc 2-
9. “To Find A Friend”-with Michael Lookinland
10. “The Show Off”
11. “No Drums, No Trumpets”-with John Davey (Captain Marvel II)
12. “Funny Gal”
13. “Girl Driver”
14. “Scuba Duba”
15. “Dreams of Flight”*
16. “The Seeing Eye Horse”

Disc 3-
17. “The Hitchhikers”
18. “The Class Clown”
19. “The Cheerleader”-with Laurette Spang and Colleen Camp
20. “Year Of The Dragon”-with Victor Sen Yung (Bonanza)
21. “Now You See It…”-with John Davey and Evan Kim
22. “And Now You Don’t-with John Davey and Evan Kim


Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- Isolated Music and Effects Track for Funny Gal
Audio Commentary for Dreams of Flight

Disc 3- Isolated Music and Effects Track for Now You See It…
Isolated Music and Effects Track for And Now You Don’t
Interview with Lou Scheimer (06:07)
Interview with Richard Resenbloom (06:42)
Interview with Brian Cutler (21:07)
Interview with Joanna Pang Atkins (25:57)
Interview with Rolanda Douglas Lombardo (19:31)
Interview with David Dworski (08:22)
Interview with Michael Reeves (06:36)
Interview with David Wise (06:37)
Interview with Bob Kline (07:15)
Interview with Henry Lange Jr (10:52)
Bonus Episode-Freedom Force-The Plant Soldiers (10:48)
Rare Footage-“Morals”, Commercial Bumpers and Next Weeks
Image Galleries-Promotional-(30) Pictures
Behind The Scenes- (30) Pictures
Memorabilia- (37) Pictures
Legend of Isis-Bluewater Productions Comic Book

Verdict

My only disappointment is that there were not any interviews with Isis herself-Joanna Cameron. Either the DVD team was unable to get an interview with her or she did not want to give one. Pity. Otherwise, a well done set.


Rating: *****!

RED GREEN-1998 SEASON TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about “The Red Green Show-1998 Season”: As Red says, “You Have To Grow Old, but you don’t have to mature”. Eight years into its 15-year run, The Red Green Show showed no signs of maturity. Join Red, Harold, and all the guys at Possum Lodge for a year’s worth of doing what men do when women aren’t around-and some things that are even worse.

My absolute favorite show from the North is the “Red Green Show”! I first saw this show on my local PBS station and fell in love with the goofy character that inhabited Possum Lake. This set is from the 1998 season, 8 years into the run of the show. There are 14 episodes on 4 discs and I loved every minute of it. The set also includes Red and Harold character biographies.

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. “Harold’s Leaving”
2. “House Moving”
3. “Neither Rain of Sheet”
4. “The Cult Visit”
5. “College Life”

Disc 2-
6. “The New Monument”
7. “Free Apricots”
8. “The Mayor Race”
9. “Better to Give Than Receive”
10. “Town Service Contract”

Disc 3-
11. “It’s a Wonderful Red Green Christmas”
12. “Life Cycle”
13. “Mad About You”
14. “Bingo was his Name”


Extras

Disc 1- The Red File (Text about Character Red Green)
The Harold File (Text about Character Harold)

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None


Verdict

A very funny Canadian TV series. One of the best! I highly recommend it!



Rating: *****!

REBUS SET 1-TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Rebus Set 1- Ken Stott (Shallow Grave, Messiah) brings the brooding Inspector John Rebus to life on screen, straight off the pages of Edgar-winning Ian Rankin’s crime novels.

A well-written Drama/Mystery program starring Ken Stott as Detective Inspector John Rebus. There was a first series of Rebus starring John Hannah and then by Ken Stott for the rest of the series run. These stories take place in the seedy underbelly of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. Wonderfully written by Ian Rankin who has penned 15 novels of the Rebus character so far. This set contains the first 2 episodes with Ken Stott. It also contains a trailer for the series, an Ian Rankin Bio and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Digitally remastered.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Falls”-with Richard Johnson

Disc 2- 1. “Fleshmarket Close”-None


Extras

Disc 1: Trailer-Rebus (3:00)
Ian Rankin Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Trailer-Rebus (3:00)
Ian Rankin Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)


Verdict

I’m hooked! Keep me interested all the way through. Come on Set 2!

Rating: *****!

REBUS SET 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Rebus Set 2- 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 Roy Marsden. This set comes with a 48 minute behind the scenes documentary, Cast filmographies and an Ian Rankin Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Digitally remastered.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Black Book”-none

Disc 2- 1. “A Question Of Blood”-None

Disc 3- 1. “Strip Jack”-None

Disc 4- 1. “Let it Bleed”-with Roy Marsden


Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 3: Cast Filmographies-(Text Only)

Disc 4: Rebus-Behind the Scenes Documentary- (47:54)
Trailer-Rebus (3:00)
Ian Rankin Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)


Verdict

Greatly enjoyed it! Extremely well done! Well worth the money!

Rating: *****!

TV PLAY-HEDDA GABLER TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Koch Vision about Hedda Gabler: The Beautiful yet callous Hedda Gabler (Diana Rigg) fells trapped by her stifling marriage. Consumed by her passions and threatened by those around her, she yearns to have power over someone else’s destiny.

Another fine performance comes from the great Dame Diana Rigg with a Henrik Ibsen play entitled “Hedda Gabler”. The main story is about a love triangle between her husband George Tiesman and her friend’s former lover Eilert Lovvberg gets in the way. Hedda is almost played like a female version of “Hamlet”. This was performed as a play
In 1981 for Granada shown on Yorkshire television. The play also stars Denis Lil best known for “Only Fools and Horses” and “The Darling Buds Of May”.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The performance was done on videotape and there are no dropouts of picture and sound. The performance is 78 minutes long.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Hedda Gabler”-Performance

Extras

Disc 1: None

Verdict

A very well acted play. I am a sucker for Diana Rigg. A masterful performance by her. If you’re a fan of British TV. Pick this one up!


Rating: ****!

RISING DAMP SERIES 4 TV DVD REVIEW

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 hear 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; ****!

GHOSTBUSTERS ANIMATED VOLUME 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Entertainment Rights/BCI about Ghostbusters Animated Volume 1: With the rallying cry of “Let’s Go, Ghostbusters! Jake Kong and Eddie Spenser Jr. are following in their father’s footsteps and have teamed-up with the original gorilla sidekick, Tracy, to become the new Ghostbusters!

Its 1986, Two popular Ghostbusters films have been released. Producer Lou Scheimer now regrets giving the theatrical rights to the Ghostbusters name. What a great animated series! Released in 1986, the series is in a way a sequel to the original live-action Ghostbusters TV series that starred Forrest Tucker, Larry Storch and Bob Burns. The animated show uses the sons of Kong and Tracy to carry on the family name. This set comprises the first 33 episodes of the series. The set also contains interviews with the cast & crew of the series along with the promo pilot for the show along with a bonus episode from the live-action series.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes are also uncut.

Audio

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


Disc 1- 1. “I’ll be a Son of a Ghostbuster”
2. “Frights of the Roundtable”
3. “No Pharaoh At All”
4. “The Secret of Mastadon Valley”
5. “The One Who Saved The Future”
6. “Witch’s Stew”
7. “Mummy Dearest”

Disc 2- 1. “Wacky Wax Museum”
2. “Statue of Liberty”
3. “The Ransom Of Eddie Spenser”
4. “Eddie Takes Charge”
5. “The Great Ghost Gorilla”
6. “No Mo’ Snow”
7. “A Friend In Need”


Disc 3- 1. “Prime Evils Good Deed”
2. “Cyman’s Revenge”
3. “The Headless Horseman Caper”
4. “Banish That Banshee”
5. “Rollerghoster”
6. “He Went Brataway”

Disc 4- 1. “The Looking Glass Warrior”
2. “Laser & Future Rock”
3. “Runaway Choo Choo”
4. “Dynamite Dinosaurs”
5. “Ghostbunglers”
6. “My Present to the Future”

Disc 5- 1. “The Beastly Budgy”
2. “Belfry Leads The Way”
3. “The Battle For Ghost Command”
4. “Going Ape”
5. “The Haunting OF Gizmo”
6. “Ghostnappers”

Disc 6-1. Special Features Disc


Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: Interviews with Lou Schimer (02:52)
Robby London (04:23)
Tom Sito (04:06)
Tom Tararanowicz (05:17)
Animated Storyboard for Episode 22
Promo Pilot (08:38)
Bonus Episode Live Action Ghostbusters-Maltese Monkey (22:05)
Anti Drug PSA (0:28)
Images Galleries-Heroes & Allies Model Sheets (21) pictures
Promotional Art (10) Pictures
DVD Rom Content-Scripts


Verdict

A very fun and likable series. Look for Volume 2. I would highly recommend it!



Rating: *****!

GHOSTBUSTERS ANIMATED VOLUME 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Entertainment Rights/BCI about Ghostbusters Animated Volume 2: “Let’s Go, Ghostbusters!” Jake Kong Jr. and Eddie Spenser Jr., the sons of the original Ghostbusters, together with their strong, yet technically minded gorilla Tracy, leap once more into their never-ending battle against Prime Evil and his ghostly allies.

This volume of the animated Ghostbusters concludes the series with the final 32 episodes. The stories are strong and characters are quite good considering that animated shows are not known for their character development. This set contains more interviews from the cast & crew with Audio commentary for the episode “Outlaw in-Laws” along with the unaired presentation for the Ghostbusters series the documentary “The Magic of Filmation” and another bonus episode from the live-action series and much more.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes are also uncut.

Audio

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


Disc 1- 1. “Inside Out”
2. “The Sleeping Dragon”
3. “The Phantom of the Big Apple”
4. “Shades Of Dracula”
5. “Outlaws In Laws”*
6. “Our Buddy Fuddy”
7. “Train To Doom-De-Doom-Doom”
8. “The Princess & The Troll”

Disc 2- 1. “Second Chance”
2. “Tracy Come Back”
3. “Doggone Werewolf”
4. “That’s No Alien”
5. “Scereplane”
6. “The Ghost of Don Quixote”
7. “The White Whale”
8. “Country Cousin”

Disc 3- 1. “Knight Of Terror”
2. “The Girl Who Cried Vampire”
3. “Little Big Bat”
4. “Really Roughing It”
5. “The Bad Old Days”
6. “The Curse Of The Diamond Of Gloom”
7. “The Bind That Ties”

Disc 4- 1. “Like Father, Like Son”
2. “The Fourth Ghostbusters”
3. “Whither Why”
4. “A Cold Winter’s Night”
5. “Father Knows Beast”
6. “Back To The Past”
7. “Pretend Friends”

Disc 5- 1. “The Haunted Painting”
2. “Maze Caves”
3. “The Way You Are”


Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: Audio Commentary on episode “Outlaws In-Laws” with Pat Fraley and Tom Sito
Interviews-Pat Fraley (15:22)
Robert Lamb (08:27)
Michael Swanigan (04:12)
Documentary-“The Magic Of Filmation” (32:40)
Live Action Episode-Dr Whatsisname (22:12)
Original Unaired Presentation 1985-(04:17)
Image Galleries-Villains (65) Pictures
Background and Promo Art (15) pictures
Ghostbusters Anti Drug Spot # 4 (00:20)
DVD Rom Content


Verdict

Volume 2 did not fail to entertain! Go and get it for your Ghostbusters collection!


Rating: *****!

BEST OF BRAVESTARR TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Entertainment Rights/BCI about The Best Of Bravestarr: All legends have a beginning…having escaped the destruction of his home world by the villain Stampede; Marshall Bravestarr is now one of the toughest lawman in the universe. On the planet of New Texas, Bravestarr faces his destiny, and the Prairie People, in a battle to protect the world and its people from the evil Tex Hex and his gang!

You asked for it! You got it! Entertainment Rights/BCI had an online poll for the best 5 most loved episodes of the series and they are on a 2 disc set with loads of extras! Bravestarr was the last animated TV series that Filmation did. I like the show and animation and the show reminded me of “Gunsmoke in Outer Space”! The show had the usual stable of cute cuddly alien characters that had a very cartoon look. This set includes the Theatrical movie-“Bravestarr-The Legend” with audio commentary on the film with the producer, actor and director of the movie. It also has a documentary on the movie with trailer and a whole lot more.
VIDEO

The video quality is great! The discs have a Play All Feature

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Bravestarr-The Legend”-Movie (86 mins)

Disc 2- 1. “Eye of the Beholder”-episode 11
2. “To Walk A Mile” -episode 20
3. “Fallen Idol” -episode 37
4. “Tex’s Terrible Night -episode 46
5. “The Price” -episode 49

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary by Lou Schimer, To Tomtataranowicz and Pat Fraley

Disc 2: Saddling up with Bravestarr the Legend Documentary- (21:56)
Bravestarr the Legend Theatrical Trailer- (02:03)
Promotion Presentation from Bravestarr-the Legend- (12:22)
Live Action Footage for Rotoscoping- (00:51)
Image Gallery (22) pictures
DVD Rom Content-Scripts, Storyboards and Series Bible


Verdict

A very good animated series. The actual series is due out on DVD in the fall of 2007.


Rating: ****!

CHANCER SERIES 1 TV DVD REVIEW

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; ****!

POIROT THE CLASSIC COLLECTION 2 TV DVD REVIEW

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; ****!

PORTERHOUSE BLUE MINI-SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

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: ****!