"Actor: Jo Mason"

• Studio Classic: Classic War Movies | DVD | (10/10/2005) from £28.33   |  Saving you £6.66 (19.00%)   |  RRP £34.99

  The Longest Day (Dir. Ken Annakin and Andrew Marton 1962): On June 6 1944 the Allied Invasion of France marked the beginning of the end of Nazi domination over Europe. The attack involved 3 000 000 men 11 000 planes and 4 000 ships comprising the largest armada the world has ever seen. Presented in the original black & white version The Longest Day is a vivid hour-by-hour re-creation of this historic event. Featuring a stellar international cast and told from the perspectives of both sides it is a fascinating look at the massive preparations mistakes and random events that determined the outcome of one of the biggest battles in history. Sink The Bismarck! (Dir. Lewis Gilbert 1960): In the Spring of 1941 Nazi Germany's greatest battleship - the Bismarck scourge of Atlantic shipping - is pinned down at her anchorage in Norway. Making a break for freedom and the safety of air cover from the Luftwaffe the great ship is chased by the Royal Navy. Eventually after heavy casualties including the loss of HMS Hood the Bismarck is finally trapped and sunk. Kenneth More stars as Captain Shepherd - the Admiralty's Director of Naval Operations - who embittered by the death of his wife in an air raid is assigned to this post just as the Bismarck makes its escape. The Desert Rats (Dir. Robert Wise 1953): Richard Burton stars in this exciting film about the courageous men who held off notorious German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel despite being hopelessly outnumbered. The year is 1941 and all that stands between Rommel and the Suez Canal is the fortress of Tobruk which is manned only by a small Australian battalion whom Captain MacRoberts (Burton) must whip into shape - fast! James Mason co-stars in a stunning portrayal as Rommel in this stirring action-packed story of the World War II heroes known as the Desert Rats. Twelve O'Clock High (Dir. Henry King 1949): Convinced an Air Force Commander is at breaking point Brigadier General Savage (Gregory Peck) takes over his struggling bomber group. At first resentful and rebellious the flyers gradually change as Savage guides them to amazing feats. But the stress of command soon takes its toll and the weary general reaches his own breaking point. Authentic aerial battle footage and numerous acclaimed performances make Twelve O'Clock High a credible stirring tale of courage and sacrifice. A Farewell To Arms (Dir. Charles Vidor 1957): This dense adaption of Ernest Hemingway's novel features Rock Hudson as American soldier Lt. Henry and his ill-fated love affair with British Nurse Catherine portrayed by Jennifer Jones during World War I. The two lovers will stop at nothing to be together but Lt. Henry's internal struggles ultimately threaten the relationship. Hemingway's theme of questioning the nature of war and fighting is fully recognised under Charles Vidor's direction.

• Cary Grant | DVD | (07/06/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  A hapless New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive

• Arlington Road | DVD | (20/12/1999) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  It's easy to understand why Arlington Road sat on the studio shelf for nearly a year. No, the film isn't awful; rather, it's an extremely edgy and ultimately bleak thriller that offers no clear-cut heroes or villains. In other words, Hollywood had no idea how to sell it. Director Mark Pellington's underrated directorial debut, Going All the Way, suffered the same fate, essentially because the film-maker's presentation of suburban America often shifts dramatically within the same film. Characters are usually miserable and bordering on meltdown, no situation is straightforward and things usually end badly. Arlington Road begins as an astute study of suburban paranoia. Michael Faraday (a face-pinched Jeff Bridges, who spends most of the film on the brink of tears) is a college professor who teaches American history courses on terrorism. He's been a conspiracy freak since his wife, an FBI agent, was killed during a botched raid that feels like a thinly fictionalised reference to the Waco tragedy. After saving the life of his next-door neighbour's child, he initially befriends the family (Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack), but soon believes the husband is a terrorist. The first half of the film mocks Faraday: he has no real evidence and is not the most stable of protagonists. Despite the fact that it was government paranoia that got his wife killed, Faraday repeats the same type of behaviour. Pellington shifts gears in the second half, however, and for a while, it seems that the film has simultaneously sunk into a cheap, high-octane brand of Hollywood entertainment and undermined its own point. But Arlington Road possesses a stunning ending that's a real gut punch, one that may leave you needing a second viewing to catch all of its smartly executed setup. --Dave McCoy

• 3 Classic Westerns Of The SIlver Screen - Vol. 2 - The Painted Desert / Hell Town / Texas Terror | DVD | (10/01/2005) from £4.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

  The Painted Desert: Filmed at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona The Painted Desert follows the lives of two feuding cowboys J. Farrell MacDonald and William Farnum who clash over who will raise an orphaned boy they find at a deserted waterhole. Farnum takes the boy whom he names Bill but several years later the feud continues this time over water their adjacent ranches share. Tension escalates until the grown Bill played by William Boyd must choose between h

• The Complete War Collection (12 Discs) | DVD | (06/11/2006) from £59.99   |  Saving you £20.00 (33.34%)   |  RRP £79.99

  A complete collection of the best of British war movies! Films comprise: 1. The Colditz Story (Dir. Guy Hamilton 1955) 2. The Cruel Sea (Dir. Charles Frend 1953) 3. The Dam Busters (Dir. Michael Anderson 1954) 4. I Was Monty's Double (Dir. John Guillermin 1958) 5. Ice Cold In Alex (Dir. J. Lee Thompson 1958) 6. Went The Day Well? (Dir. Alberto Cavalcanti 1942) 7. The Wooden Horse (Dir. Jack Lee 1950) 8. They Who Dare (Dir. Lewis Milestone 1954) 9. Cross Of Iron (Dir. Sam Peckinpah 1977) 10. The Way Ahead (Dir. Carol Reed 1944) 11. In Which We Serve (Dir. Noel Coward/David Lean 1942) 12. The Battle Of The River Plate (Dir. Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger 1956)

• Elvis Presley Box Set (Volume 1) | DVD | (30/08/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £40.99

  Includes Jailhouse Rock Trouble With Girls Spinout and Double Trouble. Jailhouse Rock: Elvis stars as Vince Everett a small-time convict introduced to the music business by his cellmate a former country music singer who also teaches Vince the guitar. On his release Vince tastes success as a performer but becomes disillusioned by the record industry until he is advised to set up his own label. He is a sensation but now that he is a superstar will he forget the people who

• Alexei Sayle's Stuff - Series 2 | DVD | (23/01/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  This DVD features complete second series of the popular Liverpudlian comedian in his pomp; a winning combination of Pythonesque surrealism and 'alternative' comedy philosophy honed with a satirical edge.

• Pet Shop Boys - Montage - The Nightlife Tour | DVD | (12/11/2001) from £20.00   |  Saving you £-0.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Recorded at various concert venues on their 1999/2000 tour Montage is a live showcase of the Pet Shop Boys' greatest hits, along with selected album tracks. All the Pet favourites are included, ranging from career and concert opener "West End Girls" to more recent tunes like "New York City Boy". Since their first worldwide tour in 1989, Pet Shop Boys concerts have always been rather arty affairs which have ranged from the "shocking" dance routines of the Behaviour tour to their introspective 1997 residence at London's Savoy Theatre. The Nightlife tour was no exception, merging a Zahing Hadid modernist stage set with wacky stage projections and gonk-style wigs and costumes. Artistically though, Nightlife was their best tour yet but this isn't always reflected on this recording. At times the picture quality and the cinematography are poor, resembling a 1980s art student's show reel (but then perhaps that was the intention). However the poor visual recording is redeemed by Tennant and Lowe's excellent performances and the striking special effects. Their rendition of "What Have I Done to Deserve This" including the original vocals of the late Dusty Springfield is particularly moving. The reworked live version of their minor 1991 hit "Was It Worth It?" also deserves a listen. In their own words, "Darling you were wonderful." On the DVD: with the Pet Shop Boys' ultra-modern image you would perhaps expect this DVD to be brimming with extras. Instead you have to make do with the promotional videos of "I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More", "New York City Boy" and "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk", plus an exclusive web-link. As well as being able to view the full concert or individual tracks through the main menu you can also select one of two angles to view the show. The sound recording is excellent with a choice of Dolby Digital Stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound.--John Galilee

• City of Lies | Blu Ray | (08/06/2021) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Barry Welsh Is Coming - The Cream | DVD | (26/11/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £17.99

  Barry Welsh Is Coming--The Cream brings together the highlights of three series from the nightmare spoof TV presenter. Drawn from a fine pedigree--the show was created by the people behind the marvellous Trigger Happy TV and Barry himself is portrayed with cringe-worthy accuracy by John Sparkes from Absolutely--the programme draws much of its humour from the same vein as Steve Coogan's mercurial Alan Partridge creation. Extremely regional in its source humour, other characters featured include Fishguard's own reporter Hugh Pugh, Celtic daredevil Geraint Pillock and Dave, Dave and Dave, the men from Animal Rescue Squad (think about it). It's all very rude, parochial and immature but also often very funny indeed. Those who have come across the TV show and indulged should not hesitate (there is much unbroadcast material), while those without a sensitive nature should certainly give it a thought.--Phil Udell

• Stormbreaker/Dreamer/Lassie | DVD | (22/10/2007) from £19.98   |  Saving you £-4.99 (-33.30%)   |  RRP £14.99

  This box set features the following films: Stormbreaker (Dir. Geoffrey Sax) (2006): After the death of his uncle the 14-year-old hero is forced by the Special Operations Division of Britain's secret intelligence service MI6 into a mission which will save millions of lives... Dreamer (Dir. John Gatins) (2005): Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) was once a great horseman whose gifts as a trainer are now being wasted on making other men's fortunes. Sonador called 'Sonya' was once a great horse whose promising future on the racetrack was suddenly cut short by a career-ending broken leg. Considered as good as dead to her owner who also happens to be Ben's boss Sonya is given to Ben as severance pay along with his walking papers. Now it will take the unwavering faith and determination of Ben's young daughter Cale (Dakota Fanning) to bring these two damaged souls together in a quest for a seemingly impossible goal: to win the breeders' Cup Classic. However the true miracle might be that in helping this injured horse what they are actually healing is their own family... Lassie (Dir. ) (2005): Based on Eric Knight's 1938 novel about the most trustworthy of pooches Lassie Come Home the film is set on the eve of World War II in a Yorkshire mining town in northern England. The Carraclough family fall on hard times and have to sell Lassie to the Duke of Rudling (Peter O'Toole). Transported to the Duke's remote castle in the north of Scotland Lassie is determined to escape from the clutches of the Duke and his evil trainer in an effort to make her way home for Christmas and return to the family she loves...

• Hadleigh - Series 1 | DVD | (25/09/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Meet the most eligible TV bachelor of his time: James Hadleigh. He's charming handsome smart and wealthy - and an irresistible magnet to women. He's also just inherited a considerable fortune and a Yorkshire mansion. But just playing the country squire isn't Hadleigh's style. He's far too restless. In the worlds of high finance and power politics there are risks to be taken and adventures to be had. And of course there's Hadleigh's love for his beautiful native county - and his

• I, Superbiker DVD | DVD | (18/04/2011) from £7.98   |  Saving you £14.00 (233.72%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Feature film for release Spring 2011 following four superbike riders through their dramatic British Superbike Season. They are the new Gladiators, battling at 200mph, riding through torturous conditions and risking life and limb at every race meeting. Only one can be the true champion. Film score by David Vanian of the Damned, music by Phil Collen of Def Leppard and Manraze. Directed by Mark Sloper.

• The Sherlock Holmes Catalogue - The Last Vampyre | DVD | (28/04/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The Last Vampyre is an overblown two-hour adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short story "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire", and was perhaps the most ill-advised of Granada Television's Sherlock Holmes series. Entirely contrary to the tone and spirit of Doyle's tale--which finds Holmes victoriously pitting his well-grounded deductive powers against irrational fears of a rise in blood sucking--The Last Vampyre is something of an embarrassment to the largely wonderful legacy of Granada's earlier efforts. (For the record, most of the creative executives who, along with star Jeremy Brett, had made the beloved series what it was in the 1980s were replaced by 1992, the year of this film.) In this version, Holmes does battle with a Dracula-like fellow who may or may not be the real McCoy. There is a great deal of padding to fill out the story to feature length, and it is mostly silly. So, you ask, is there anything to recommend this? Well, there is the ailing Brett's ever-fascinating performance, which deviates from Doyle's vision of the detective hero toward something darker and more personal. Edward Hardwicke does his usual warm and capable work as Dr Watson. --Tom Keogh

• Nick Drake - Under Review | DVD | (17/09/2007) from £11.89   |  Saving you £1.10 (9.25%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Nick Drake - Under Review attempts to unravel the mystery of this enigmatic singer-songwriter who passed away at the age of just 26. With the aid of those who were close to Nick those around at the time and those who have studied and written about Nick Drake in depth this program discusses dissects and appraises Nick's life music and astonishing albeit short career. The programme includes contributions from Nick's close friend Jeremy Mason; the man who 'discovered' Nick and founded Fairport Convention Ashley Hutchings; Fairport drummer who also drummed on Bryter Later Dave Mattacks; fellow Withchseason artist and founder of the Incredible String Band Robin Williamson; folk-blues guitarist and major influence on Nick John Renbourn; singer/guitarist and contemporary of Nick's Ralph McTell; the only journalist to have interviewed Nick Jerry Gilbert; both Nick Drake biographers Patrick Humphries and Trevor Dann singer-songwriter and Mercury Music Prize nominee Kathryn Willliams and many others.

• More Ripping Yarns | DVD | (27/10/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Three more rollicking good tales starring Michael Palin in various guises. Written by Michael Palin and Terry Jones. 'The Testing Of Eric Olthwaite' 'Whinfrey's Last Case' and 'The Curse of The Claw'. The Testing of Eric Olthwaite: A Ripping Northern Yarn set in the dark days of the depression before Last of the Summer Wine started bringing jobs to the area. Eric's tough mining parents find their son so boring that they run away from home. Eric torn between love for his parents and lack of brain cells becomes involved with a hardened criminal. The rest is history. Whinfrey's Last Case: Dashing Gerald Whinfrey saves his country twice a week but in 1913 a German plot to start the First World War without telling anybody coincides with his holiday. Where do Whinfrey's priorities lie? Has he got any? A knockout tale of international intrigue. If only Dickens could write like this - Mrs Reg Dickens Eltham. The Curse of the Claw: Gothic terror comes to Maidenhead. A timely reminder of what happens when men dabble in the dark world of oriental superstition. Michael Palin aided by inexpensive plastic surgery plays old and young Kevin as well as Kevin's childhood hero Uncle Jack - an enormously cheerful physical disaster area who has every disease known to man usually at the same time.

• Midsomer Murders - Murder On St Malley's Day | DVD | (11/04/2005) from £9.95   |  Saving you £10.03 (144.11%)   |  RRP £16.99

  There is trouble at Devington School in the village of Midsomer Parva. During the annual St. Malley's Day race Daniel Talbot is stabbed. Daniel is a member of The Pudding Club a secret society which comprises of elite students from the school. Who committed the attack? If Barnaby and Troy are to unravel the mystery they must first break the silence that shrouds the club.

• Bugsy | DVD | (01/10/1999) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Bugsy represents an almost miraculous combination of director, writer and star on a project that represents a career highlight for everyone involved. It's one of the best American gangster movies ever made--as good in its own way as any of the Godfather films--and it's impossible to imagine anyone better than Beatty in the movie's flashy title role. As notorious mobster and Las Vegas visionary "Bugsy" Siegel, Beatty is perfectly cast as a man whose dreams are greater than his ability to realise them--or at least, greater than his ability to stay alive while making those dreams come true. With a glamorous Hollywood mistress (Annette Bening) who shares Bugsy's dream while pursuing her own upwardly mobile agenda, Bugsy seems oblivious to threats when he begins to spend too much of the mob's money on the creation of the Flamingo casino. Meyer Lansky (Ben Kingsley) and Mickey Cohen (Harvey Keitel) will support Bugsy's wild ambition to a point, after which all bets are off, and Bugsy's life hangs in the balance. From the obvious chemistry of Beatty and Bening (who met and later married off-screen) to the sumptuous reproduction of 1940s Hollywood, every detail in this movie feels impeccably right. Beatty is simply mesmerising as the man who invented Las Vegas but never saw it thrive, moving from infectious idealism to brutal violence in the blink of an eye. Director Barry Levinson is also in peak form here, guiding the stylish story with a subtle balance of admiration and horror; we can catch Bugsy's Vegas fever and root for the gangster's success, but we know he'll get what he deserves. We might wish that Bugsy had lived to see his dream turn into a booming oasis, but the movie doesn't suggest that we should shed any tears. --Jeff Shannon

• Midsomer Murders - Dead In The Water | DVD | (03/04/2006) from £4.98   |  Saving you £12.01 (241.16%)   |  RRP £16.99

  The villagers of Midsomer are soaking up the sun at the Midsomer Regatta. However the tranquility of the race is shattered when the Veteran's race is interrupted by a body in the water. It is Guy Sweetman Chairman of Midsomer Rowing Club who has been knocked unconscious and drowned. Guy was a serial philanderer who didn't so much play the field as the entire countryside. Was he murdered by a jealous husband or angry ex-girlfriend or was there a more sinister motive? Barnaby and Scot

• Hell Town / Frontier Horizon | DVD | (15/09/2003) from £4.97   |  Saving you £-0.98 (N/A%)   |  RRP £3.99

  In 'Hell Town' a carefree cowhand gets involved with rustlers. Based on a story by Zane Grey. In 'Frontier Horizons' some ranchers are cheated out of their land by three men who in turn have also been misled by others.