THE SWEENEY:THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES

A short blurb from International Voyage about The Sweeney Season 1:” Britain’s first hard hitting, police based television series delves deep into the gritty encounters of the “Flying Squad “ (nicknamed “The Sweeney”), the elite investigation unit of London’s Police Force and the seedy underworld of organized crime.

The Granddaddy of all cop shows that showed gritty realism was “The Sweeney”. The Sweeney was one of the toughest units that London ever had. Another word for the Sweeney was “The Flying Squad” named for this highly mobile force of top London crime-busters whose job was to fight major crimes and its masterminds. Running for 4 seasons and 53 episodes this show was at the time extremely violent, nothing compared with today’s shows but kept you interest all the way through. It also had catchy theme music and closing credits music. On this season 1 set includes the first 13 episodes with introductions on selected episodes but the guest stars of that particular episode. There are 5 audio commentaries on selected episodes from the stars and crew of the series. There is also a photo gallery and a featurette about the success of UK crime dramas.


VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Taken straight from the 16 mm negatives, the picture quality is quite clear. There is also a Play All Feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is quite clear.

Disc 1- 1. “The Ringer” with Ian Hendry and Brian Blessed
2. “Jackpot” with Sally Faulkner
3. “Thin Ice” with Peter Jeffrey
4. “Queen’s Pawn” with Tony Selby and Julian Glover

Disc 2- 1. “Jigsaw”
2. “Night Out” with TP McKenna
3. “The Placer” with John Forgeham
4. “The Cover Story” with Prunella Gee

Disc 3- 1. “Golden Boy” with Tony Jay and Peter Miles
2. “Stoppo Driver” with Aubrey Morris and Bill Murray
3. “Big Spender” with Warren Mitchell and Catherine Schell
4. “Contact Breaker” with Warren Clarke, Tony Anholt and David Jackson

Disc 4-1. “Abduction” with Wanda Ventham

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary on The Episode-“The Ringer” with Dennis Waterman
Audio Commentary on The Episode-“Thin Ice” with Ted Childs
Introduction to episode “Queen’s Pawn” by Tony Selby

Disc 2: Audio Commentary on The Episode-“Night Out” with David Wickes
Audio Commentary on The Episode-“Night Out” with Ted Childs
Introduction to episode “The Placer” by John Forgeham
Introduction to episode “The Cover Story” by Prunella Gee

Disc 3: Introduction to episode “Golden Boy” by Dudley Sutton
Introduction to episode “Stoppo Driver” by Billy Murray
Introduction to episode “Big Spender” by Warren Mitchell

Disc 4: Audio Commentary on Episode of-“Abduction” with Dennis Waterman
Introduction to episode “Abduction” by Wanda Ventham
“London Beat Featurette” (11:22)
Photo Gallery
Interview with Creator Ian Kennedy-Martin (11:58)


Verdict

I would highly recommend buying this set! The picture and audio quality are fantastic. The extras are very nice and the audio commentaries are interesting about the workings of the show. Bring on Season 2. I can hardly wait!


Rating; *****!

THE BILL:THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

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; ****!

THE LAST DETECTIVE SERIES 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about The Last Detective Series 1: He’s gentle, old-fashioned, and decent; nice even when he’s drunk. But these qualities only earn Detective Constable “Dangerous” Davies (Peter Davison, CAMPION, DOCTOR WHO) the scorn of his fellow detectives in a small London police station.

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). This set has the feature length pilot and 3 episodes running about 69 mins each. There is also Cast Filmographies and a biography of the Author that the show was based on.
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)


Extras

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

Disc 2: None


Verdict

A nice quirky Comedy Drama that is funny and sad at the same time. There is more with Series 2. Great for any fan of Crime Drama.


Rating: ****!

THE LAST DETECTIVE SERIES 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about The Last Detective Series 2: As disrespected, disheveled, and endearingly dedicated as ever, Detective Constable “Dangerous” Davies (Peter Davison, Doctor Who, All Creatures Great & Small) return to solve four new, full-length mysteries, His wife left him, his coworkers sarcastically dubbed him “Dangerous” and his boss called him the “Last Detective” expected to crack a big case. He even listens to advice from his kooky chum Mod (Sean Hughes, The Commitments).

Continuing the legacy of “Dangerous Davies” is another 4 stories that tend to get better as the series itself progresses. There are some Dr Who alumni in the show with David Troughton and Lynda Bellingham. Again the episodes are just short of feature length and are quite enjoyable. This set has the same special features as series 1.
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. “Christine”
2. “The Long Bank Holiday” with Lynda Bellingham

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


Extras

Disc 1: Cast filmographies
Photo Gallery (27 Pictures)
Leslie Thomas Biography (Text Only)

Disc 2: None


Verdict

A great second season of a very good show. Season 3 is on the way!


Rating: ****!

THE LAST DETECTIVE SERIES 3 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about The Last Detective Series 3: Beleaguered by life and belittled by his colleagues, “Dangerous” Davies (Peter Davison, DOCTOR WHO, ALL CREATURES GREAT & SMALL) cracks four all-new cases in the detective series that has delighted legions of loyal fans.

Four more great stories arrive in this set for series 3. The relationship between Davies and Mod has grown more in a platonic way and Davies is still trying to have a relationship with a lady while solving crimes to his boss’s bewilderment! The special features are the same as series 1 & 2.
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. “Friends Reunited” with David Calder
2. “Tow Paths Of Glory”

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


Extras

Disc 1: Cast filmographies
Leslie Thomas Biography

Disc 2: Cast Filmographies


Verdict

I really enjoyed this series. I believe there is at least one more series to be released. I’m looking forward to that!


Rating: ****!

PREHISTORIC PARK:THE COMPLETE TELEVISION EVENT

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: *****!

HERO HIGH:THE COMPLETE SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Entertainment Rights about “Hero High: The Complete Series: Welcome to Hero High, an institute of super learning for teenage heroes and heroines in training! These students aren’t always in control of their super powers, leading to hilarious misadventures. In 1981, Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam! Combining live-action skits, comedy, and songs with the animated adventures of Hero High and Shazam!

In 1981, The Kids Super Power Hour with Shazam! premiered on NBC. It was a combination of live action footage of the Hero High characters dressed up as to the parts they played and would also do the voices as well. Then they would show an episode from Hero High and an episode from the animated series of Shazam! The show lasted just one season and was one of the last true Saturday morning Children’s show before syndication took over because sadly in my opinion, there is no more Saturday Morning TV. As usual, my hats off to Entertainment Rights to put out a packed full product. This set has all 26 episodes of the series along with Audio Commentaries on 1 episode and the live action footage. There are also interviews with the actors and crew from the series.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The episodes were digitally remastered. There is also a Play All feature.

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. “Boo Who”
2. “Starfire, Where Are You?”
3. “The Art Of Ballot”
4. “The Captives”
5. “Do The Computer Stomp”
6. “A Fistful Of Knuckles” *
7. “ Rat Finx Rex”
8. “High Rise Hijinx”
9. “Off Her Rocker”
10. “A Clone Of His Own”
11. “Follow The Litter”
12. “Game Of Chance”
13. “Malt Stop Mayhem”
14. “The Umpire Strikes Back”


Disc 2-
15. “The Not So Great Outdoors”
16. “Track Race”
17. “Cover Twirl”
18. “The Human Fly”
19. “My Job Is Yours”
20. The Big Bang Theory”
21. “What’s News”
22. “He Sinks Seaships”
23. “Girl Of His Dreams”
24. “The Blow-Way Blimp”
25. “Jog-A-Long”
26. “Law Of The Pack”

Extras

Disc 1- None

Disc 2- Spotlight Interview with Lou Scheimer (02:19)
Spotlight Interview with John Berwick (12:40)-“Rex Ruthless”
Spotlight Interview with Johnny Venokur (12:42)-“Punk Rock”
Spotlight Interview with Tom Ruegger (07:08)
Spotlight Interview with Robby Landau (05:27)-Writer
Spotlight Interview with Michael Swanigan (05:16)-Storyboard Artist
Spotlight Interview with Darrell McNeil (06:47)-Storyboard Artist
Kids Super Power Hour-Live Action Footage with Wraparounds (20:00) *
Image Gallery (15 pictures)
DVD Rom-Scripts in PDF format

Verdict

A fun animated series that I really liked. This was one of the last Saturday Children programs before everything went to syndication. Well worth the buy!



Rating: ****!