"Actor: Jeffry Wickham"

• Hotel Du Lac | DVD | (26/05/2003) from £12.81   |  Saving you £3.18 (24.82%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Hotel du Lac is an impeccably produced BBC television adaptation of Anita Brookner's Booker Prize-winning novel. Middle-aged writer Edith Hope has fled London and romantic disappointment to find sanctuary at a luxury hotel on a Swiss Lake, but finding no escape from her loneliness must eventually face her past. Edith is played with compassion by Anna Massey, her intellect and wit acting as a defence against her own failings, and support comes from a superb cast including Denholm Elliott, Googie Withers, Julia McKenzie, Patricia Hodge, Irene Handl and Barry Foster. Brookner's apparently slight but multi-layered tale is skilfully crafted by writer Christopher Hampton, who has with such films as Dangerous Liaisons (1988) and The Quiet American (2002) become a master of literary adaptation. Giles Foster's direction focuses on bringing the best from his cast, rather than attempting any sort of cinematic sweep, and Carl Davis' eloquent theme music makes the introspection all the more touching. Ultimately, though, it is Anna Massey's insightful central performance which makes Hotel du Lac such a memorable slice of television. On the DVD: Hotel du Lac is presented in the original TV broadcast 4:3 ratio with a very poor, extremely grainy and soft picture. The sound is reasonable mono, clear and free from distortion though lacking in dynamic range. The only extra, though one well worth having, is a serious and highly informative commentary from Giles, Hampton and producer Sue Birtwistle. --Gary S Dalkin

• Heartless | DVD | (04/04/2005) from £20.00   |  Saving you £-3.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £16.99

  Angus Deayton and Simone Lahbib star in the original director's cut of this heart-warming comedy drama. Harry Holland (Deayton) is a charming yet ruthless and hedonistic barrister. Struck down in the middle of a major trial by a rare cardiac condition he is rushed to hospital where he wakes up three weeks later after a successful heart transplant operation. To Harry's dismay he has changed into a different man questioning the morals of his career and unable to enjoy his old bachelor

• Clarissa | DVD | (19/05/2003) from £29.00   |  Saving you £-14.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  A magnificent drama of seduction and betrayal based on the novel by Samuel Richardson. 'Clarissa' tells of a young heiress who leaves her family after they insist that she marry an undesirable individual for his money. Unfortunatley she runs into a rake who only wants to get her into bed where he finally rapes her...