"Actor: George Webster"

• Straw Dogs | DVD | (07/10/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £7.99

  According to critic Pauline Kael Straw Dogs was "the first American film that is a fascist work of art". Sam Peckinpah's only film shot in Britain is adapted from a novel by Gordon M Williams called The Siege of Trencher's Farm which Peckinpah described as a "lousy book with one good action-adventure sequence". The setting is Cornwall, where mild-mannered US academic David Sumner (Dustin Hoffman) has bought a house with his young English wife Amy (Susan George) in the village where she grew up. David is mocked by the locals (one of whom is Amy's ex-boyfriend) and treated with growing contempt by his frustrated wife, but when his house comes under violent siege he finds unexpected reserves of resourcefulness and aggression. The movie, Peckinpah noted, was much influenced by Robert Ardrey's macho-anthropological tract, The Territorial Imperative. Its take on Cornish village life is fairly bizarre--this is a Western in all but name--and many critics balked at the transposition of Peckinpah's trademark blood-and-guts to the supposed peace of the British countryside. A scene where Amy is raped caused particular outrage, not least since it's hinted she consents to it. Not for the first time in Peckinpah's movies there are disquieting elements of misogyny, and it doesn't help that the chemistry between Hoffman and George is non-existent. (Impossible to believe these two would ever have clicked, let alone married.) But taken as a vision of irrational violence irrupting into a civilised way of life Straw Dogs is powerful and unsettling, and the action sequences are executed with all Peckinpah's unfailing flair and venom. Oh, and that title? A quote from Chinese sage Lao-Tze, it seems, "The wise man is ruthless and treats the people as straw dogs." The film was long withheld from home viewing in Britain by nervous censors, but this release presents it complete and uncut. --Philip KempOn the DVD: Straw Dogs is as jam-packed a disc as is possible for a film made before the days of obligatory "making of" features. Both the sound and visuals have transferred well, and, like the script, have aged well. There's a bumbling original interview in the style of Harry Enfield's Mr. Cholmondley-Warner, along with stills and original trailers. The new material includes a feature on the history of the film's censorship and commentaries by Peckinpah's biographers musing over interesting fan-facts (though none of the speakers have any first-hand experience of the making of the film). However, Katy Haber's commentary, and interviews with Susan George and Dan Melnick, offer a much more in-depth and intimate portrayal of the man and the making of the film. --Nikki Disney

• Minder: The Complete Collection | DVD | (17/09/2018) from £11.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Box set containing all 107 episodes of the BAFTA award-winning Thames TV comedy drama series starring Dennis Waterman and George Cole. The set also includes the 1985 feature-length special 'Minder On the Orient Express'. Series 1 episodes comprise: 'Gunfight at the OK Launderette', 'Bury My Half at Waltham Green', 'The Smaller They Are...', 'A Tethered Goat', 'The Bounty Hunter', 'Aces High - and Sometimes Very Low', 'The Bengal Tiger', 'Come in T-64, Your Time Is Ticking Away', 'Monday Night Fever', 'The Dessert Song' and 'You Gotta Have Friends'; Series 2 episodes are: 'National Pelmet', 'Whose Wife Is It Anyway?', 'You Lose Some, You Win Some', 'Don't Tell Them Willie Boy Was Here', 'Not a Bad Lad, Dad', 'The Beer Hunter', 'A Nice Little Wine', 'All Mod Cons', 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Worst Enemy', 'The Old School Tie', 'All About Scoring, Innit?', 'Caught in the Act, Fact' and 'A Lot of Bull and a Pat On the Back'; Series 3 episodes comprise: 'Dead Men Do Tell Tales', 'You Need Hands', 'Rembrandt Doesn't Live Here Anymore', 'Looking for Micky', 'Dreamhouse', 'Another Bride, Another Groom', 'The Birdman of Wormwood Scrubs', 'The Son Also Rises', 'Why Pay Tax?', 'Broken Arrow', 'Poetic Justice, Innit?', 'Back in Good Old England' and 'In'; Series 4 episodes are: 'Minder's Christmas Bonus', 'Rocky Eight and a Half', 'Senior Citizen Caine', 'High Drains Pilferer', 'Sorry Pal, Wrong Number', 'The Car Lot Baggers', 'If Money Be the Food of Love, Play On', 'A Star Is Gorn', 'Willesden Suite', 'Windows', 'Get Daley!' and 'A Well Fashioned Fit-Up'; Series 5 episodes comprise: 'Goodbye Sailor', 'What Makes Shamy Run?', 'A Number of Old Wives' Tales', 'The Second Time Around', 'Second-Hand Rose', 'Ride to Scratchwood', 'Hypnotising Rita', 'The Balance of Power' and 'Around the Corner'; Series 6 episodes are: 'Give Us This Day Arthur Daley's Bread', 'Life in the Fast Food Lane', 'The Return of the Invincible Man', 'Arthur Is Dead, Long Live Arthur', 'From Fulham With Love', 'Waiting for Goddard' and 'Minder On the Orient Express'; Series 7 episodes comprise: 'It's a Sorry Lorry Morrie', 'Days of Fine and Closures', 'Fatal Impression', 'The Last Video Show', 'Fiddler On the Hoof' and 'The Wrong Goodbye'; Series 8 episodes are: 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Entrepreneur', 'A Bouquet of Barbed Wire', 'Whatever Happened to Her Indoors?', 'Three Coins Make a Mountain', 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?', 'The Last Temptation of Daley', 'A Bird in the Hand', 'Him Indoors', 'The Greatest Show in Willesden', 'Too Many Crooks', 'The Odds Couple' and 'The Coach That Came in from the Cold'; Series 9 episodes comprise: 'I'll Never Forget Whats 'Ername', 'No Way to Treat a Daley', 'Uneasy Rider', 'Looking for Mr Goodtime', 'Opportunity Knocks and Bruises', 'Gone With the Winchester', 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Retiring', 'The Roof of All Evil', 'Last Orders at the Winchester', 'Cars and Pints and Pains', 'The Great Trilby', 'A Taste of Money' and 'For a Few Dollars More'; Series 10 episodes are: 'A Fridge Too Far', 'Another Case of Van Blank', 'All Things Brighton Beautiful', 'One Flew Over the Parents' Nest', 'The Immaculate Contraption', 'All Quiet On the West End Front', 'The Great Depression of 1994', 'On the Autofront', 'Bring Me the Head of Arthur Daley' and 'The Long Good Thursday'.

• Boys on Film 24: Happy Endings | Blu Ray | (15/04/2024) from £10.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  The final edition of Peccadillo Pictures' long-running series of the best new gay short films.

• Classic Minder: The Complete Series | DVD | (16/03/2009) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £129.99

  The legendary George Cole plays Arthur Daly a man synonymous with dodgy goods and shady deals and who knew a 'nice little earner' when he saw one hires Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman) to be his 'Minder' to protect him from other small time crooks. Rediscover all 10 series of this fantastic classic British comedy series in all its glory.

• Boys on Film 24: Happy Endings | DVD | (15/04/2024) from £10.35   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Minder: The Complete Collection | DVD | (14/08/2017) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  The legendary George Cole plays Arthur Daley, an entrepreneur and king of the dodgy deal. If there's money to be made Arthur's interested! Arthur needs a bodyguard enter Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman); just out of prison and in need of work, Terry becomes Arthur's business associate and Minder . Drinking in the Winchester Club run by Dave The Barman Harris (Glynn Edwards), driving the Capri and chatting up the ladies, Arthur and Terry cook up one half-baked scheme after another and their relationship strains to the limit, but ultimately they remain the best of friends. When Terry finally tires of Arthur and escapes to Australia, Arthur takes his nephew Ray Daley (Gary Webster) under his wing, and so begins a whole new chapter of wheeling and dealing the Arthur Daley way! The most entertaining, tightly scripted, inventively comic and sharply directed drama series of all time. SPECIAL FEATURES: Five Series Specials: Minder On the Orient Express, Christmas Bonus, Around the Corner, An Officer and a Car Salesman, The Cruel Canal Photo Gallery Interview with George Cole

• Minder: The Complete Collection | DVD | (20/05/2024) from £54.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Minder - Series 10 | DVD | (04/06/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Minder came to an end with Series 10 in 1994 as the Thames Television franchise moved to Carlton. The final series smashes through the 100 episode mark with more of the raw-edged humour and gritty realism that it was famous for. Episodes Comprise: Episode 1 - A Fridge Too Far Episode 2 - Another Case Of Van Blank Episode 3 - All Things Brighton Beautiful Episode 4 - One Flew Over The Parents' Nest Episode 5 - The Immaculate Contraption Episode 6 - All Quiet On The West E

• Minder - the Specials | DVD | (20/08/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  With a unique blend of raw edged humour and gritty realism these Specials present comedy drama at its finest and are a perfect companion to the Minder Series releases. Also included is the two-hour feature-length episode Minder On the Orient Express.

• Tripped - Series 1 | DVD | (25/01/2016) from £16.98   |  Saving you £3.00 (20.01%)   |  RRP £17.99

  Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners) stars as Danny, an average 24-year-old who has been friends with stoner Milo (George Webster) since they were kids. But life seems to be pulling them apart. While Danny decides it's time to grow up, and is on the verge of marrying long-term girlfriend Kate (BAFTA winner Georgina Campbell), Milo continues to focus on getting high. One day they suddenly find themselves transported to a parallel universe where they quickly discover they are being hunted by assassins and must fight for their lives. While Danny is desperate to get back to Kate, Milo is having the time of his life as the pair embark on a series of crazy and comic adventures travelling from one universe to another hoping the next one is the one they call home. Will Danny and Milo's friendship survive their adventure in the multiverse, and will Danny manage to return to his reality in time to get married to his original Kate?

• The Hawk | DVD | (10/03/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  The last person you want to suspect. The last person you want to trust. Near the suburban home of housewife Anne Marsh and her young family a series of savage sexual murders are being investigated by the police. The killer is known only to them as 'The Hawk' owing to his trade mark of gouging out the eyes of his victims bodies. Gradually certain thingsd begin to trouble Anne about her husband's behavior - his frequent business trips a missing hammer a casual remark - could her Stephen be the killer? Her suspicions turn to cold fear when ore and more occurences seem to link her husband to the murders but Anne can not be sure whilst the shadows of her past continue to haunt her: is her mind playing tricks on her?

• Minder - Series 10 - Parts 1 To 3 | DVD | (21/03/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £34.99

  Featuring all the episodes of series 10. Episodes comprise: 1. A Fridge Too Far 2. Another Case of Van Blank 3. All Things Brighton Beautiful 4. One Flew Over the Parents' Nest 5. The Immaculate Contraption 6. All Quiet on the West End Front 7. The Great Depression of 1994 8. On the Autofront 9. Bring Me the Head of Arthur Daley 10. The Long Good Thursday

• The Brighton Mob | DVD | (13/07/2015) from £4.98   |  Saving you £15.01 (301.41%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Ryan a well-intentioned young police officer with a troubled past is just out of training when a Senior Officer singles him out as a perfect candidate for an undercover sting. Ryan is transformed into Max a young criminal with a force-ten temper who infiltrates a notorious gang of bank robbers headed by the enigmatic and elusive master-thief known only as ‘the Monopoly Man’. Struggling with his own identity Ryan is drawn closer to the gang and finds himself crossing the line to the point of no return as he takes part in their biggest heist yet. When the gang are caught and locked together in a cell with rumours of a “snitch” in their midst Ryan must maintain his criminal persona just to stay alive.

• Minder - Series 9 - Parts 1 To 4 (Box Set) | DVD | (06/09/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  The ninth series of the classic TV series which features Arthur Daley, a small-time conman, who employs a minder to protect him from other crooks.

• Minder - Series 8 - Parts 1 To 4 | DVD | (05/07/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  The eighth series of comic episodes featuring dodgy car dealer Arthur Daley (George Cole)... Episodes comprise: 1. The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Entrepreneur 2. A Bouquet Of Barbed Wire 3. Whatever Happened To Her Indoors? 4. Three Coins Make A Mountain 5. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner 6. The Last Temptation Of Daley 7. A Bird In The Hand 8. Him Indoors 9. The Greatest Show In Willesden 10. Too Many Crooks 11. The Odds Couple 12. The Coach That Came In From The Cold

• Minder - Series 10 - Part 1 Of 3 | DVD | (21/03/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Part One of the final series of Minder starring Arthur Daley (George Cole) and nephew Ray Daley (Gary Webster).

• Minder - Series 8 - Part 4 Of 4 | DVD | (05/07/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Episodes comprise: Series 8 Part 4: Episodes 10-12 Episode 10 - Too Many Crooks Episode 11 - The Odds Couple Episode 12 - The Coach That Came In From The Cold

• Minder - Series 10 - Part 3 Of 3 | DVD | (21/03/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Part Three of the final series of Minder starring Arthur Daley (George Cole) and nephew Ray Daley (Gary Webster).

• Minder - Series 10 - Part 2 Of 3 | DVD | (21/03/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Part Two of the final series of Minder starring Arthur Daley (George Cole) and nephew Ray Daley (Gary Webster).

• Straw Dogs | DVD | (22/09/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  According to critic Pauline Kael Straw Dogs was "the first American film that is a fascist work of art". Sam Peckinpah's only film shot in Britain is adapted from a novel by Gordon M Williams called The Siege of Trencher's Farm which Peckinpah described as a "lousy book with one good action-adventure sequence". The setting is Cornwall, where mild-mannered US academic David Sumner (Dustin Hoffman) has bought a house with his young English wife Amy (Susan George) in the village where she grew up. David is mocked by the locals (one of whom is Amy's ex-boyfriend) and treated with growing contempt by his frustrated wife, but when his house comes under violent siege he finds unexpected reserves of resourcefulness and aggression. The movie, Peckinpah noted, was much influenced by Robert Ardrey's macho-anthropological tract, The Territorial Imperative. Its take on Cornish village life is fairly bizarre--this is a Western in all but name--and many critics balked at the transposition of Peckinpah's trademark blood-and-guts to the supposed peace of the British countryside. A scene where Amy is raped caused particular outrage, not least since it's hinted she consents to it. Not for the first time in Peckinpah's movies there are disquieting elements of misogyny, and it doesn't help that the chemistry between Hoffman and George is non-existent. (Impossible to believe these two would ever have clicked, let alone married.) But taken as a vision of irrational violence irrupting into a civilised way of life Straw Dogs is powerful and unsettling, and the action sequences are executed with all Peckinpah's unfailing flair and venom. Oh, and that title? A quote from Chinese sage Lao-Tze, it seems, "The wise man is ruthless and treats the people as straw dogs." The film was long withheld from home viewing in Britain by nervous censors, but this release presents it complete and uncut. --Philip KempOn the DVD: Straw Dogs is as jam-packed a disc as is possible for a film made before the days of obligatory "making of" features. Both the sound and visuals have transferred well, and, like the script, have aged well. There's a bumbling original interview in the style of Harry Enfield's Mr. Cholmondley-Warner, along with stills and original trailers. The new material includes a feature on the history of the film's censorship and commentaries by Peckinpah's biographers musing over interesting fan-facts (though none of the speakers have any first-hand experience of the making of the film). However, Katy Haber's commentary, and interviews with Susan George and Dan Melnick, offer a much more in-depth and intimate portrayal of the man and the making of the film. --Nikki Disney