The original BBC radio adventures of Arthur Dent (an ape-descendant whose anger at the apparently inexplicable destruction of his home planet Earth, situated in an obscure corner of the outer spiral arm of the galaxy, is expressed in frequent irritation at friendly automatic doors and vending machines) and his travelling companions, Ford Prefect (an itinerant towel-carrying hitch-hiker originally from a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse), Zaphod Beeblebrox (the notorious ex-Galactic President and patron of Eccentrica Galumbits, the triple-breasted whore of Eroticon Six) and Marvin the Paranoid Android (who's still suffering from that terrible pain in all the diodes down his left side) proved to be such a success for the BBC that its transition to TV was (almost) inevitable. In 1981 several key members of the radio cast made the move to the small screen. Simon Jones' bewildered Arthur Dent remains the central character, shambling around in his dressing gown (a fact easy to forget on radio); Mark Wing-Davey's Zaphod Beeblebrox is the same as his boastful radio persona, even if the second head utterly fails to convince. Unfortunately, newcomers David Dixon (as Ford Prefect) and the irritating Sandra Dickinson (as Trillian) are no match for their radio predecessors.The problem here is not so much the low-budget look as the script itself, which is lovingly faithful to the radio series in a way that Douglas Adams' novels aren't. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was a lucid, satirical, occasionally profound, utterly unique comic invention on radio. As such, it has nothing to gain from TV. The script needs no visual elaboration--that's best left to the listener's own imagination. Only the animated renditions of the Guide itself enhance Peter Jones' wonderfully dry narration; otherwise--paradoxically, perhaps--by supplying images the concept is oddly diminished here.On the DVD: A suitably eclectic not to say eccentric collection of extra features makes this a wholly satisfying two-disc set, neatly packaged in a fold-out slipcase. On the second disc there's an hour-long "making of" documentary from 1992 featuring contributions from the cast and crew, including Douglas Adams; and then there's even more in a 20-minute section entitled "Don't Panic!". A fascinating behind-the-scenes peek at filming as the clock runs out on studio time and a look at the recording of the original radio series complete the first part. Then navigate to the "Outer Planets" to find outtakes, a deleted scene, Zaphod's animatronic second head on Tomorrow's World and Peter Jones's witty and shambolic introduction to the first episode, plus more besides. The series itself is presented in standard 4:3 ratio and Dolby stereo. --Mark Walker
WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAY is a hilarious journey through an unforgettable family holiday as a couple attempt to keep their impending divorce secret from their extended family. Doug and Abi and their three children travel to the Scottish Highlands for Doug’s father Gordie’s birthday party where it’s soon clear that when it comes to keeping their secret under wraps their children are their biggest liability. From 9 year old Lottie’s notebook to keep track of the lies so she remembers which ones to tell to 4 year old Jess’s perverse attachment to a brick named Norman signalling her maladjustment a mile off the parents are kept on tenterhooks and a week has never seemed such a long time. But it’s middle child Mickey and his granddad’s shared passion for Vikings which gives rise to the most far-reaching and unexpected consequences when a day at the beach turns to tragedy and the children take matters into their own hands.
Wallow in the nostalgia of the 1950s as Britain's best loved family are back in this celebration of love family life and romance in the idyllic British countryside. Loveable rogue Pop Larkin (David Jason) Ma (Pam Ferris) and their six children including the stunning Mariette (Catherine Zeta Jones) radiate happiness with hardly a care in the world! Whilst Pop's unconventional money making schemes bubble along Ma nurturers and the family from the warmth of her busy kitchen and life continues in a paradise of sunshine and happiness. Episodes Comprise: Series 1: 1. The Darling Buds Of May 2. When The Green Woods Laugh 3. A Breath Of Fresh Air 4. Christmas Is Coming Series 2: 5. Oh! To Be In England 6. Stranger At The Gates 7. A Season Of Heavenly Gifts Series 3: 8. The Happiest Days Of Your Life 9. Cast Not Your Pearls Before Swine 10. Climb The Greasy Pole 11. Le Grand Weekend
This new Disney animated feature is set in a mythical South American land and tells of an arrogant emperor who learns a valuable lesson about life when an evil sorceress plots to take over his empire.
The story of two sisters who saved a stranger, and the stranger who stole their hearts.
David Suchet stars as Agatha Christie's enigmatic eccentric and extremely intelligent detective Hercule Poirot. From England to the Mediterranean accompanied by his elegant and trustworthy sidekicks Captain Hastings Chief Inspector Japp and Miss Lemon Poirot pits his wits against a collection of first class deceptions. Includes all 70 episodes plus many extras.
Experience Disney's outrageously funny modern classic The Emperor's New Groove presented for the first time ever on Blu-ray with perfect picture and sound. Featuring an all-star cast and the Academy Award - nominated song 'My Funny Friend and Me' (Best Music Original Song Sting and David Hartley 2000). The young and spoiled Emperor Kuzco (voiced by David Spade) is transformed into a llama as part of a plan by his advisor Yzma and her henchman Kronk (Patrick Warburton) to overthrow Kuzco's reign on the kingdom. Unwillingly paired with a peasant named Pacha (John Goodman) the ruler must set aside his difference in order to assume his place in the kingdom once again. Special Features: Behind the Scenes: The Research Trip Character Voices Creating Computer Generated Images Deleted Scenes: Destruction of Pacha's Village Pacha's Family Original Kuzcotopia Ending My Funny Friend and Me' Music Video Performed By Sting
Set in Cambridge University Porterhouse Blue centres around the fictional Porterhouse College whose genially eccentric Fellows are the proud guardians of six centuries of tradition in which oar-pulling prowess and gourmet cuisine have taken priority over academic achievement. However the arrival of a new master threatens the old established order and events take a number of unexpected not to mention explosive turns...
Come Rain Come Shine
Fast paced and edgy this mini-series (first shown on BBC3) alternates between the gripping love triangle involving the young Casanova Henriette and her husband Grimani and the swan song of the world's most notorious lothario! Written by Russell T. Davies creator of 'Queer As Folk' and the scribe behind the new 'Doctor Who'.
When Del finds out just how much bottles of mineral water sell for he decides to ""discover"" his own spring on Grandad's old allotment. It's not long before business is booming in Peckham Spring Water and the Trotters have money rolling in. But how long will it be before anyone realises that it's only really tap water? Not long... there's a chemical leak in the local reservoir. Blimey!
After following Commander Michael Burnham into a wormhole, the U.S.S. Discovery lands in an unrecognizable world 1,000 years in the future. With Starfleet and the Federation on the brink of collapse due to a catastrophic event known as The Burn, the Discovery crew, with the help of new and mysterious allies Book (David Ajala) and Adira (Blu del Barrio), must uncover what caused The Burn and restore hope to the galaxy. Bonus Features Deleted Scenes Writer's Log: Michelle Paradise Star Trek: Discovery: The Voyage of Season 3 Stunted Being Michael Burnham Kenneth Mitchell: To Boldly Go Bridge Building Gag Reel and more!
After a violent shipwreck, onetime billionaire Oliver Queen (series star STEPHEN AMELL) was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the North China Sea. He returned home to Star City, bent on righting the wrongs done by his family and fighting injustice. As the Green Arrow, Oliver successfully saved his city with the help of his team including former soldier John Diggle (series star DAVID RAMSEY), computer-science expert Felicity Smoak (EMILY BETT RICKARDS), former protégé Roy Harper (COLTON HAYNES), street-savvy Rene Ramirez (series star RICK GONZALEZ), metahuman Dinah Drake (series star JULIANA HARKAVY), brilliant inventor Curtis Holt (ECHO KELLUM) and Earth-2 Laurel Lance (series star KATIE CASSIDY). Following the untimely arrival of godlike being The Monitor (series regular LaMONICA GARRETT), Oliver Queen left his home, his family, and his team behind to take on his most challenging battle yet, knowing the cost may be his life. But this time it's not just his city he's seeking to protect it's the entire multiverse: everything that ever was or ever will be. In ARROW's eighth and final season, Oliver's quest will send him on a journey where he is forced to look back at his years as the Green Arrow and confront the reality of the ultimate question: what is the true cost of being a hero?
No Income Tax! No VAT! - and certainly no guarantee of anything but great sales AGAIN. His enthusiasm for fatherhood and domesticity having palled Del is determined to escape from the pipe-and-slippers atmosphere of Nelson Mandela House and put in some serious drinking time. But will Raquel let him? It's left to Rodney who's suffering his own problems with Cassandra's insistence that they start a family to try and talk sense into his brother. This special feature length Christm
'I Saw The Light' is the story of the legendary country western singer Hank Williams, who in his brief life created one of the greatest bodies of work in American music.
The residents of a rural mining town discover that an unfortunate chemical spill has caused hundreds of little spiders to mutate into the size of SUVs...and they're hungry.
After being marooned for five years on a remote island, billionaire Oliver Queen returns home with a mysterious agenda and a lethal set of new skills that he uses in a war on crime in this hard-hitting action series. Reinventing the DC Comics character for a modern-day audience, the Arrow is not a superhero ... but a hero -- every bit as dangerous as the criminals he's hunting. After suffering unimaginable ordeals on the island, the Oliver returns to Starling City a new man -- determined to right the wrongs of his father and sworn to bring justice to those who've corrupted his city. But Oliver finds his crusade complicated by his friends and family. Overjoyed by his miraculous return, the Queen family nevertheless still trades on secrets that conflict with the Arrow's agenda. Oliver's return also affects his best friend, Tommy Merlyn, who will ultimately travel down a dark path; and the love of his life, Laurel Lance, who must somehow forgive Oliver before she can ever love him again. A dark and dangerous crime procedural with edge, intrigue and action, Oliver's story will be told from three perspectives: the Queen family, Oliver's harrowing ordeal on the island and the Arrow's adventures in Starling City. Showing all facets of the mysterious loner, this action drama follows the Oliver that disappeared, the one that returned and the one known as Arrow.
The 1991 Christmas Special of the best-loved UK sitcom of its time, Only Fools and Horses: Miami Twice is a two-parter which takes Del Boy and Rodney on a transatlantic jaunt that turns out to be more than the jolly boys' excursion they'd bargained for. The action begins in Peckham, with the christening of Del's recently born child Damien. Never without an eye for the main chance, Del takes the vicar aside and outlines a scheme to save "vicar hours" and get a "nicker and a bit ahead" by "pre-blessing" lorry loads of Romanian wine he's arranged to be imported, selling them on to other clergymen. Rodney, meanwhile, has received a pensions fund rebate and Del unscrupulously engineers it so that the pair of them jet off to Miami where he looks forward to showing off his leopardskin trunks. The first part of Miami Twice is classic stuff, featuring the familiar ensemble with some vintage idiocy from Trigger and some hilarious farce involving a baby intercom. The second part, however, set in America, is a let-down, involving as it does a rather lame and far-fetched plot in which Del turns out to be the double of a local Don (an excuse for David Jason to deliver a hackneyed Godfather impersonation). A cameo from Richard Branson feels like product placement and generally the Trotters feel all at sea when off their home turf. A Christmas audience, stuffed with pudding, would have indulged this over-rich fare but there's no reason to come back for seconds. Still, it's worth it for the first 50 minutes. On the DVD: Only Fools and Horses: Miami Twice has no special features on DVD but holds up well visually, albeit unable to rid the original of blights such as a distracting burst of studio light in the first part. --David Stubbs
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