BENNY HILL-THE COMPLETE MEGASET DVD REVIEW

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 that he is the "Dirty Old Man". 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! 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; *****!

FUTTOCKS END-TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from SRO about Futtock’s End: Futtock’s End is a classic British ‘sound effect’ comedy that stands in illustrious company alongside Peter Sellers’ Running Jumping and Standing Still, Eric Sykes’ The Plank and Ronnie Barker’s A Home of One Own, The Picnic and By The Sea.

I have always been a big fan of the Two Ronnies and with the Silent Comedy shorts they have done together and separate including this one. They did two together that were “The Picnic” and “By The Sea”. This story is about a weekend gathering at a decaying country home called “Futtock’s End” while having saucy mishaps going on between the staff and his guests. This short film stars Ronnie Barker as General Futtock and Michael Horden as his trusty butler with Richard O’ Sullivan (Man About The House). This disc also includes an audio commentary by the director of the film, Bob Kellett.

VIDEO

The video quality is not that bad! There are a few specks and dirt but not bad. The film is 47 minutes long. The film was released in 1969.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Futtock’s End”-with Ronnie Barker, Michael Horden and Richard O’Sullivan

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary by Director Bob Kellett

Verdict

A laugh out loud film! With lots of slapstick! I would recommend it!


Rating: ****!

THE AMAZING MRS PRITCHARD-TV DVD REVIEW

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! It is showing on Masterpiece Theater.

Rating: ****!

MONARCHY-SET 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Monarchy Set 2- With a deft blend of disciplined scholarship and dramatic flair, Dr David Starkey continues his epic documentary on English royal rule.

The documentary series continues from the 1660’s to 1789, going through the plague that swept across Europe with millions of people dead, to the madness of King George III. The set also includes a biography of Dr David Starkey.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Each episode is approx 48 miss each. The show is presented in Wide screen.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Return Of The King”
2. “The Glorious Revolution”
3. “Rule Britannia”

Disc 2- 1. “Empire”
2. “Survival”

Extras

Disc 1: Dr David Starkey Biography- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None


Verdict

Lavishly produced and painstaking researched! Well Done!!!

Rating: *****!

MONARCHY-SET 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Monarchy Srt 1- Eminent scholar and entergetic storyteller Dr David Starkey serves as your guide through nearly 10 centuries of royal rule in England.

Renowned British Academic David Starkey begins the history of the Royal Rule of England from the Dark Ages to 1644. The storytelling is in a way that is not boring to watch. The series has been shown on PBS. This set includes a David Starkey biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Each episode is approx. 52 mins. The show is presented in Widescreen.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Early Kings”
2. “Medieval Monarchs”
3. “A New Dynasty”

Disc 2- 1. “The Imperial King”
2. “A Question Of Succession”
3. “Revolution And The Republic”

Extras

Disc 1: David Starkey Biography-(Text Only)

Disc 2: None


Verdict

A very likable Documentary series. Set 2 is on the way!

Rating: ****!

DOCTOR WHO-ROBOT TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from BBC Warner about Doctor Who-Robot: Mortally weakened by the Spider Queen on Metebelis 3, the Doctor is forced to regenerate. His recuperation is cut short as UNIT investigates a spate of robberies involving components for a top-secret disintegrator gun.

The first story for the fourth Doctor sets off the first of one of the longest running Doctors in the history of the series. Tom Baker played the Doctor from 1974 to 1981. This story was the first story to totally be done on Videotape instead of the tried but true BBC way, which was to have all exterior shots, be done on film and all interior shots be done on videotape. The story in a way plays like King Kong. Plans of a new disintegrator gun has been stolen and it all points to a think tank that has created an Robot to protect the group that are wanting the launch keys for the nuclear weapons they can start World War III. With all of this going on the doctor has ”regenerated” from the 3rd to the fourth doctor, and his facilities are not all there. The Restoration team has done a wonderful job restoring the Video and Audio of this story. The disc also includes an Audio Commentary with Tom Baker and Elizabeth Sladen and Terrance Dicks, a documentary about Tom Baker among other things a photo gallery with production notes on the story.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The performance was done on videotape and there are a few dropouts of picture and sound. The total story is performance is 98 minutes long.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Robot”-with Tom Baker, Elizabeth Sladen and Ian Marter (98 mins)
Part One (24:12)
Part Two (24:59)
Part Three (24:32)
Part Four (24:28)

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary by Tom Baker, Elizabeth Sladen and Terrance Dicks
Are Friends Electric? (38:56)
The Tunnel Effect (13:47)
Blue Peter (02:14) in the Dr who set
Photo Gallery (51) pictures
Radio Times Listing on DVD Rom
Production text notes


Verdict

A great first story for Tom Baker! I had the pleasure of Meeting Elizabeth Sladen back in 1983 at a Dr Who convention in Tampa, Florida and she said that she really liked this story. I would recommend it!


Rating: ***!

YOUNG INDIANA JONES-VOLUME 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Paramount Home Video about “Adventures of Young Indiana Jones Volume 1: From George Lucas comes an all-new, must see 12 disc DVD collection. This first volume of a three volume series contains more than 20 hours of Interactive entertainment that combines real-world history with the boyhood adventures if one of cinema’s greatest heroes: Indiana Jones.

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles was a great TV series that ran from 1992 to 1996. The show entertained as well as educated. The TV series started out as a prequel to the raiders of the Lost Ark series that was done with River Phoenix in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The journeys of this show started in 1908 to 1920. This volume covers 1908 to 0000. Harrison Ford actually showed up in on of the later episodes as a 50-year-old Indiana Jones. The show was originally shot on 16mm but for this release the video and audio was distally reasserted. What is also great about the series is that all of the Historical figures that Indy Jr meets such as Adolf Hitler, Al Capone, Eliot Ness, Ernest Hemmingway, George Patton and Theodore Roosevelt to name a few. This set also is crammed full of documentaries, some which are about Archeology and Slavery with a Timeline and much, much more!

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All episodes are shot on 16mm film but have been Digitally Remastered.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. Egypt 1908-“My First Adventure”-with Tony Robinson (85 mins)

Disc 2- 1. Paris-Kenya 1908-1909-“Passion For Life”-with Lukas Haas (94 mins)

Disc 3- 1. “Passion For Life”-Special Features Disc

Disc 4-1. Florence-Vienna-“Perils of Cupid”-with Max Von Sydow (93 mins)

Disc 5- 1. “Perils of Cupid”-Special Features Disc

Disc 6- 1. Russia-Greece 1910-“Travels With Father-with Michael Gough (92 mins)

Disc 7- 1. Indian-China 1910-“Journey to Radiance” (95 mins)

Disc 8- 1. Princeton-Mexico 1916-“Spring Break Adventure_-with Ed Bishop (95 Mins)

Disc 9- 1. “Spring Break Adventure”-Special Features Disc

Disc 10-1. Ireland-England 1916-“Love’s Sweet Song”-with Vanessa Redgrave (92 Mins)

Disc 11- 1. “Love’s Sweet Song”-Special Features Disc

Disc 12- 1. Bonus Disc

Extras

Disc 1- Archaeology-Unearthing Or Past- (19:17)
Howard Carter and the Tomb of Tutankhamun (36:05)
Colonel Lawrence’s War-T.E. Lawrence and Arabia (24:00)
From Slavery to Freedom (30:07)

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- Theodore Roosevelt & and The American Century (30:51)
Ecology-Pulse of the Planet (24:12)
American Dreams-Norman Rockwell & The Saturday Evening Post (24:16)
Art Rebellion-The Making of the Modern (26:06)?
Edgar Degas-Reluctant Rebel (22:53)
Braque and Picasso-A Collaboration (23:14)

Disc 4- None

Disc 5- Giacomo Puccini-Music of the Heart (25:32)
It’s Opera- (29:02)
The Archduke’s Last Journey-End of an Era (20:56)
Powder Keg-Europe 1900 to 1914 (26:06)
Sigmund Freud-Exploring the Unconscious (21:57)
Carl Jung and the Journey to Self Discovery (19:30)
Psychology-Charting the Human Mind (26:33)

Disc 6- Seeking the Truth-The Life of Leo Tolstoy (31:14)
Unquiet Voices-Russian Writers and the State (26:00)
Aristotle- Creating Foundations- (21:37)
Ancient Questions-Philosophy and our Search for Meaning (23:52)

Disc 7- Jiddu Krishnaruiti-The Reluctant Survivor (26:50)
Annie Besant-An Unlikely Rebel (26:56)
Medicine in the Middle Kingdom (26:49)
Eastern Spirituality-The Road to Enlightenment (29:06)

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- Thomas Edison-Lighting Up the World (26:51)
Invention and Innovation-What’s Behind a Good Idea (22:54)
The Mystery of Edward Stratemeyer (26:15)
Wanted Dead or Alive-Pancho Villa and the American Invasion of Mexico (28:10)
General John J Pershing and his American Army (28:25)
George S Patton-American Achilles (29:34)

Disc 10- None

Disc 11- Easter Rising-The Poet’s Rebellion (25:54)
The Passion of William Butler Yates (27:42)
Sean O’Casey vs. Ireland (25:18)
Ireland-The Power of the Poets (26:53)
Winston Churchill-The Lion’s Roar (33:47)
Demanding The Vote-The Pankhursts and British Sufferage (27:06)
Fighting for the Vote-Women’s Sufferage in America (31:28)

Disc 12- Interactive Timeline (DVD Rom)
Historical Lecture: The Promise of Progress (41:26)
Revolution-Interactive Game (DVD Rom)

Verdict

I highly recommend this set and the other two she liked remainder of the other two!


Rating; *****!

TRAPPED-A COMEDY TRILOGY TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from BFS Video about “Trapped”: From three first-class comedy writers, Jonathan Harvey, Simon Nye and Tim Firth comes this comic trilogy in which obsessive characters-desperate to break free from their self-imposed prisons-face their moments of truth.

Trapped-a comedy trilogy. When I first saw the paperwork for this, I thought this could be fun, and it was! The premise of “Trapped” is 3 stories that find their situations, “Trapped”. One is trapped in an obsessive world of “The Sound Of Music”. The next is trapped in an old family mansion that the occupant just wants to be loved and finally, my personal favorite, trapped on a roof of an appliance store and trying to get away without being electrocuted. The cast is just as good with Caroline Quentin, Martin Clunes, Mark Benton and Richard Wilson. Produced by Granada Television in 2004.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The trilogy runs approx 150 minutes.

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. “Von Trapped”-with Caroline Quentin, Una Stubbs and Jim Carter

Disc 2-
2. “Beauty”-with Martin Clunes and Peter Vaughn

Disc 3-
3. “King Of Fridges”-with Richard Wilson and Mark Benton


Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-None


Verdict

Well-written and out loud funny in places!


Rating: ****!

MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE-SEASON 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Paramount about Mission: Impossible Season 2: “Spoken on a tape that self destructs, these classic words introduce each episode of Mission: Impossible, the highly dramatic adventure series that returns to DVD in a set that includes all 25 second-season episodes.

This season was really the first season I started to watch the show when I was a young kid because in syndication, they usually did not repeat the Steven Hill first season episodes. Peter Graves was my favorite. Nothing was said in the show to explain Dan Briggs departure. Peter Graves seemed to me to be better suited to the series rather than Hill. The formula was set for the series, where Phelps would listen to the recording, then pick his team and then go on the mission. The video quality is stunning considering the age of the episodes and as with season 1 the audio has a 5.1 Dolby Surround mix. This set also comprises the next 25 episodes of the series.

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! Episodes are also uncut. I’ve not seen the show this crystal clear! There is also a Play All feature on each disc.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. But you can switch it to 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound!

Disc 1- 1. “The Widow”-with William Windom
2. “Trek”-with Daniel O’Herlihy, Mark Lenard and Michael Pate
3. “The Survivors”-with Albert Paulsen
4. “The Bank”-with James Daly and Gene Dynarski

Disc 2- 1. “The Slave Part 1”-with Percy Rodriguez, Sid Haig and Warren Stevens
2. “The Slave Part 2”-with Percy Rodriguez, Sid Haig and Warren Stevens
3. “Operation Heart”-with Pernell Roberts and Michael Strong
4. “The Money Machine”-with Brock Peters

Disc 3- 1. “The Seal”-with Darren McGavin and Mort Mills
2. “Sweet Charity”-with Fritz Weaver and Hazel Court
3. “The Council Part 1”-with Vincent Gardenia and Vic Perrin
4. “The Council Part 2”-with Vincent Gardinia and Vic Perrin

Disc 4- 1. “The Astrologer”-with Steve Itlant
2. “The Echo of Yesteryear”-with Eric Braeden and Wilfred Hyde White
3. “The Photographer”-with Anthony Zerbe and John Randolph
4. “The Spy”-with Joseph Campanella and Kate Woodvine

Disc 5- 1. “A Game Of Chess”
2. “The Emerald”-with William Smithers and Michael Strong
3. “The Condemned”-with Peter Donat, Kevin Hagen and Will Kuluva

Disc 6-1. “The Counterfeiter” -with Edmond O’Brien
2. “The Town” - with Will Geer
3. “The Killing”-with Gerald S O’Loughlin

Disc 7- 1. “The Phoenix”-with Mills Watson
2. ”Trial By Fury”-with Victor French, Sid Haig and Paul Winfield
3. “Recovery”

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: None

Disc 7: None



Verdict

There are no special features or Extras on this set. Hopefully, there will be on future releases.



Rating: *****!

THE SEA HUNTERS SET 1-TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about “Clive Cussler’s The Sea Hunters”: Join the bestselling action-adventure author Clive Cussler, renowned maritime archaeologist James Delgado, and their crack team of divers to explore some of the most significant shipwrecks of World War II.

Clive Cussler, best known for his Dirk Pitt novels, comes “The Sea Hunters”, a documentary series that focuses on shipwrecks, maritime disasters and relic from World War 2. This set consists of the first 8 episodes that track things such as an enormous Aircraft carrier made entirely of ice! The team is led by renowned maritime Archaeologist James Delgado, which searches for these relics with submarines, 3-D imaging sonar and the latest mixed-gas dive equipment. The Sea Hunters is currently airing on the National Geographic Channel. This set includes extra footage from each episodes and a Clive Cussler Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The episodes run approx 48 minutes each.

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. “Ship Of Ice”
2. “Diving the V2 Rocket Caves”
3. “Leopoldville/Clayoquot: Death on Christmas Eve”

Disc 2-
4. “Minesweeper Eddy, Heroes of the Night”
5. “The Sinking of the Wilheim Gustloff”
6. “Force Z”

Disc 3-
7. “Juno Beach: D-Day Underwater”
8. “Still on Patrol: The Hunt for Hitler’s U-Boat 215”


Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-Extra Footage from Each Episode
Clive Cussler Biography-Text Only


Verdict

If you’re a fan of WWII and Diving, you’ll enjoy this show.


Rating: ****!

RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES SET 2-TV DVD REVIEW

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 MYSTERIES SET 1-TV DVD REVIEW

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: ****!

JERICHO-SEASON 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Paramount about Jericho-Season 1: Jericho is a drama about what happens when a nuclear mushroom cloud suddenly appears on the horizon, plunging the residents of a small, peaceful Kansas town into chaos, leaving them completely isolated and wondering if they’re the only Americans left alive.

I must admit, I did not watch this show when it first came on and now watching it on DVD, I am now hooked! This show is right up my ally. The series is about a small Kansas town that gets its world turned upside down when a nuclear attack starts and the way they will have to live and deal with humanity when everything is taken away from them. What is neat about the show is that the stories are layered to find out why there is a man that is able to communicate with the outside world when nobody else can. You also see when the US retaliates with missile and the aftermath of that. The first season comprises of 22 episodes and which was nice what they did with this is that there are Extras! There are audio commentaries on 5 episodes and deleted scenes from quite a few episodes with commentary on them as well as behind the scenes footage and a featurette. The stars of the show are Skeet Ulrich (Scream films) with Gerald McRaney (Simon & Simon) plus a lot of new faces.

VIDEO

The episodes are in Widescreen format. Episodes are also uncut.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound!

Disc 1- 1. “Pilot-The First Seventeen Hours”
2. “Fallout”
3. “Four Horseman”
4. “Walls Of Jericho”

Disc 2- 5. “Federal Response”
6. “9:02”
7. “Long Live The Mayor”
8. “Rogue River”-with D. B. Sweeney

Disc 3- 9. “Crossroads”
10. “Red Flag”
11. “Vox Populi”
12. “The Day Before”

Disc 4- 13. “Blackjack”
14. “Heart Of Winter”
15. “Semper Fidelis”
16. “Winters’ End”

Disc 5- 17. “One Man’s Terrorist”
18. “AKA”
19. “Casus Belli”
20. “One If By Land”

Disc 6-21. “Coalition of the Willing”
22. “Why We Fight” -with David Huddleston

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary on “The First Seventeen Days” by Executive Producers Jon Turteltaub & Carol Barbee
Audio Commentary on “Fallout” by Executive Producers Jon Turteltaub & Carol Barbee
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “The First Seventeen Hours” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (05:02)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Four Horsemen” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:48)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Walls of Jericho” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:45)

Disc 2: Audio Commentary on “Rogue River” by Executive Producers Jon Turteltaub & Skeet Ulrich
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “9:02” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:14)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Long Live The Mayor” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:19)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Rogue River” by Jon Turteltaub and Skeet Ulrich (1:00)

Disc 3: Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Crossroads” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:50)
Audio Commentary on “Red Flag” by Carol Barbee & Lennie James
Audio Commentary on “Vox Populi” by Carol Barbee, Skeet Ulrich & Lennie James
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Vox Populi” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:49)

Disc 4: Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Black Jack” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:58)

Disc 5: Deleted Scenes with commentary on “One Man’s Terrorist” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:25)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “A.K.A.” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:34)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Casus Belli” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:57)

Disc 6: Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Coalition Of The Willing” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:49)
Building of Jericho Documentary (24:00)
What If? …(09:12)


Verdict

I am hooked! The response to the show from fans that wanted this show to continue is a lot like Star Trek was in the sixties. The show will be back for a second season. I can wait! This set is worth it to buy.



Rating: *****!

MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE SEASON 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Paramount about Mission: Impossible Season 1: “Be there for the mission that started it all! The original, Emmy-winning series debuts on DVD in a 7-disc set that includes all 28 first season episodes.

A cultural phenomenon started with the landmark TV series “Mission: Impossible”. It has had it imitators, a sequel series and 3 major motion pictures starring Tom Cruise. Mission: Impossible was the dream child of Bruce Geller. He created a series that was innovative and extremely popular. The show started with the Impossible Missions Force or IMF, a group of secret agents employed by the US Government to go on missions that were impossible for any other arm for the government to handle. In the first season, the head of the IMF group was Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill. He was only on the show for the first season. Also in the cast were Martin Landau as Rollin Hand, master of disguise and Barbara Bain as Cinnamon Carter the Femme Fatale and Greg Morris the tech expert Barney and the muscle Willy Armitage played by Peter Lupus. The show had a lot of guest stars over the years, quite a few from the Star Trek series, which was filmed at the same studios. This set comprises of the first 28 episodes and is in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. The audio is first rate and the video has been digitally remastered in crystal clear quality.

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! Episodes are also uncut. I’ve not seen the show this crystal clear! There is also a Play All feature on each disc.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. But you can switch it to 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound!

Disc 1- 1. “Pilot”-with Wally Cox
2. “Memory”-with Leonard Stone and Albert Paulsen
3. “Operation Rogosh”-with Fritz Weaver
4. “Old Man Out Part 1”-with Mary Ann Mobley and Monte Markham

Disc 2- 1. “Old Man Out Part 2”-with Oscar Beregi
2. “Odds on Evil”-with Nehemiah Persoff
3. “Wheels”-with Mark Lenard and Percy Rodriguez
4. “The Ransom”-with William Smithers and Don Marshall

Disc 3- 1. “A Spool There Was”
2. “The Carriers”-with George Takei and Arthur Hill
3. “Zubrovnic’s Ghost”
4. “Fake Out”-with Lloyd Bridges and Sid Haig

Disc 4- 1. “Elena”-with Barry Atwater and Barbara Luna
2. “The Short Tail Spy”-with Eric Braeden
3. “The Legacy”-with Lee Bergere and John Crawford
4. “The Reluctant Dragon”-with Joseph Campanella and John Colicos

Disc 5- 1. “The Frame”-with Simon Oakland
2. “The Trial”-with Carroll O’Connor and Michael Strong
3. “The Diamond”-with John Van Dreelen and Woodrow Parfrey
4. “The Legend”-with Gunnar Hellstrom and Ben Wright

Disc 6-1. “Snowball In Hell” -with Ricardo Montalban
2. “The Confession” - with Pat Hingle
3. “Action”-with J.D.Cannon
4. “The Train”- with William Windom, William Schallert and Richard Bull

Disc 7- 1. “Shock”-with James Daly, Sorrell Booke and Vic Perrin
2. ”A Cube Of Sugar”
3. “The Traitor”- with Eartha Kitt, Malachi Throne and Frank Marth
4. “The Psychic”- with Milton Selzer, Richard Anderson and Paul Mantee

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: None

Disc 7: None


Verdict

There are no special features or Extras on this set. Hopefully, there will be on future releases.


Rating: *****!

BANACEK-SEASON 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Hart Sharp Video about Banacek: Season 1- George Peppard is Thomas Banacek, Boston’s leading freelance investigator. When a crime proves too difficult for insurance investigators to solve, Banacek is called on in this classic TV show form the early 1970s.

One of the better NBC Mystery Movie Series was Banacek! Played by the late George Peppard. It ran on NBC as one of the shows in the rotating umbrella Wednesday Night At The Movies from 1972 to 1974. This show was on in a few that lasted more than one season. The show was well received by critics but never had a great audience. The show was about a Boston-based freelance investigator who solved crimes for insurance companies for usually a fee of 10% of the value of the insured’s property. The series lasted 17 episodes including the pilot movie, which is not in this set. The show was going to go into a third series but at the last minute, Peppard quit the show in order that his ex-wife Elizabeth Ashley would not receive a larger percentage of his earnings to go to their divorce settlement. This 2-disc set also includes a photo gallery and a DVD-Rom feature for TV Guide Crossword Puzzles.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Digitally remastered and restored for the first time on DVD.
All episodes are approx. 73 minutes long,

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Let’s Hear it from A Living Legend”-with Stephanie Powers
2. “Project Phoenix”-with William Windom and Stafford Repp
3. “No Sign of the Cross”-with Broderick Crawford and Victor Jory
4. “A Million the Hard Way”-with Margot Kidder

Disc 2- 1. “To Steal A King”-with Kevin McCarthy and Pernell Roberts
2. “Ten Thousand Dollars A Page”-with Stella Stevens and David Wayne
3. “The Greatest Collection of Them All”-with Mike Farrell and John Hoyt
4. “The Two Million Clams of Cap’n Jack”-with Jessica Walter and David White

Extras

Disc 1: Photo Gallery (29) pictures

Disc 2: DVD-Rom TV Guide Crossword Puzzles


Verdict

A nice series to have. Season Two should be out in January with the pilot movie on the set.

Rating: ****!