"Actor: Abigail McKern"

• Rumpole Of The Bailey: Complete Boxed Set | DVD | (08/05/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £159.99

  This mammoth of a box set contains every episode from the seven series and the specials of Rumpole Of The Bailey.Leo McKern stars as the eccentric, bibulous Old Bailey defence lawyer Horace Rumpole in the magnificent and hugely popular series written by the barrister/playwright John Mortimer. It's not an easy life for the lawyer as, all the time, Rumpole is trying to stay on top of the day to day shenanigans at chambers whilst constantly endeavouring to pacify wife, she who must be obeyed.Episode listing:1:Pilot: Rumpole Of The Bailey2: Rumpole and the Younger Generation 3: Rumpole and the Alternative Society4: Rumpole and the Honourable Member5: Rumpole and the Married Lady6: Rumpole and the Learned Friends7: Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade8: Rumpole and the Man of God9: Rumpole and the Case of Identity10: Rumpole and the Show Folk11: Rumpole and the Fascist Beast12: Rumpole and the Course of True Love 13: Rumpole and the Age for Retirement 14: Rumpole's Return 15: Rumpole and the Genuine Article 16: Rumpole and the Golden Thread 17: Rumpole and the Old Boy Net 18: Rumpole and the Female of the Species 19: Rumpole and the Sporting Life 20: Rumpole and the Last Resort 21: Rumpole and the Old, Old Story 22: Rumpole and the Blind Tasting 23: Rumpole and the Official Secret 24: Rumpole and the Judge's Elbow 25: Rumpole and the Bright Seraphim 26: Rumpole's Last Case 27: Rumpole and the Bubble Reputation 28: Rumpole and the Barrow Boy 29: Rumpole and the Age of Miracles 30: Rumpole and the Tap End 31: Rumpole and Portia 32: Rumpole and the Quality of Life 33: Rumpole a la Carte 34: Rumpole and the Summer of Discontent 35: Rumpole and the Right to Silence 36: Rumpole at Sea 37: Rumpole and the Quacks 38: Rumpole for the Prosecution 39: Rumpole and the Children of the Devil 40: Rumpole and the Miscarriage of Justice 41: Rumpole and the Eternal Triangle 42: Rumpole and the Reform of Joby Jonson 43: Rumpole and the Family Pride 44: Rumpole on Trial

• The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby | DVD | (13/05/2002) from £39.99   |  Saving you £-20.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  This 2000 television adaptation confirms Nicholas Nickleby's place among television dramatists' favourite Dickens novels. It has all the vital ingredients: a sensitive, intelligent young hero cast by circumstances in the role of everyman whose fortitude is tested at every turn; romance; danger; one of Dickens' richest braces of characters; and a sense of humanity that is, at times, overwhelming. Condensing all this into three hours is no mean achievement. Martyn Edward Hesford's screenplay maintains an impressive balance between dramatic tension and allowing the characters the space they need to reveal their essential qualities. Only in the last 30 minutes does it become something of a gallop to the finishing post. True, the horrors of the boarding school could be more horrific; the grime of Victorian London and its toothless inhabitants could be grimier and less cosmetic. But as always with a superior production of a Dickens novel, the richness and depth of the drama outweigh such minor quibbles. As for the cast, James D'Arcy's Nicholas is pitch-perfect: part cipher for the injustices and despair he encounters, part emblem for the triumph of goodness, an innocent whose eyes are quickly forced open to the darker realities of life. These darker realities are congealed in Charles Dance's relentlessly chilling, heartless Ralph Nickleby. This is a deceptively complex performance; even as we cheer the gathering forces which finally extinguish his increasingly desperate power, the awful tragedy of his end still elicits a discomforting ounce of sympathy. Gregor Fisher as the one-eyed Squeers and Pam Ferris as his fearsomely lascivious wife are outstanding in an ensemble of fine character actors. And Lee Ingleby's Smike gives our tear ducts a good workout while steering just the right side of sentimentality. On the DVD: Nicholas Nickleby is presented in widescreen format with Dolby Digital soundtrack, and has all the technical qualities you might expect from the DVD release of a modern television production. Extras include cast filmographies, a Dickens biography and a list of his work, all of which add to the disc's merits as a literary educational tool. --Piers Ford

• Shakespeare: The Animated Tales, Act 4 (A Midsummer Night's Dream & Richard III) | DVD | (26/02/2007) from £8.08   |  Saving you £-2.09 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Two of Shakespeare's plays are faithfully brought to life through animation in these excellent British/Russian co-productions. A perfect introduction to the world and themes of Shakespeare. Features A Midsummer Nights Dream and Richard III.

• Rumpole Of The Bailey - Series 7 | DVD | (14/06/2004) from £19.18   |  Saving you £8.80 (54.35%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Leo Mc Kern stars as the eccentric bibulous Old Bailey defence lawyer Horace Rumpole in the magnificent and hugely popular series penned by the barrister-playwright John Mortimer. This double DVD includes all the episodes from the seventh and final series of 'Rumpole Of The Bailey'. Episodes Featured Rumpole and the Children of the Devil Rumpole and the Miscarriage of Justice Rumpole and the Eternal Triangle Rumpole and the Reform of Joby Jonson Rumpole and the Family Pride Rumpole on Trial