Documentary

• Alan Yentob: The Trouble with Tolstoy | DVD | (25/07/2011) from £13.99   |  Saving you £6.00 (42.89%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Alan Yentob presents this two-part BBC documentary tracing the life and work of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, and examining his artistic and political influence on his mother country. The episodes are 'At War With Himself' and 'In Search of Happiness'.

• World War II - German Armour 1939-45 | DVD | (22/02/2010) from £17.79   |  Saving you £-6.80 (-61.90%)   |  RRP £10.99

  This is the story of the German Panzer forces of World War II when these awesome fighting machines came of age. Featuring newsreel footage shot by the German PK (Propaganda Kompanie) and archive film from Allied war sources this is the definitive guide to the German tank and armoured vehicles of the war. From the brutally effective Blitzkrieg tactics to the German disaster at the Battle of Kursk the greatest tank battle in history this DVD covers the highs and lows of German armour in the field of battle. From the early war panzers: the Mark I and II machines which formed the bulk of the Panzerwaffe in the early years of the war. These machines were already considered unfit for service in 1939 but nonetheless had to be pressed into action in Poland France Norway Greece Africa and Russia. Featuring rare footage and incisive commentary this unique film illustrates the follies of war. Also featured is the versatile PanzerIII and how the German medium tanks were forced into action to plug the gaps torn in the Wehrmacht ranks by the T-34.The medium tanks were quickly eclipsed by the superior numbers of tanks fielded by the Red Army but nonetheless had to be kept in service in all theatres until the end of the war. The Tiger was the legendary heavy tank developed by the Panzerwaffein response to the Soviet T-34 and KV1 tanks. This fearsome machine was the equal of any other tank on the battlefield but there were simply never enough to turn the tide which was already flowing against Hitlers Germany.

• Extreme Dreams - Series 1 | DVD | (11/05/2009) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Travel presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle gives four groups each consisting of five members of the public the chance to realise their dreams and conquer some of the world's most extreme environments. Embarking on a voyage of personal discovery each candidate will be tested mentally physically and emotionally on their journey of a lifetime. The challenges the would-be explorers have to face are a gruelling hike to the lost Inca city of Choquequirao in Peru; an exhausting trek through the thickest rainforest during rainy season to the Kaieteur Falls in Guyana; a punishing climb to the peak of the highest mountain in Africa Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; and an arduous voyage across the Arctic to Temple Mountain one of the highest peaks in the region. The groups have to rise above altitude sickness the risk of hypothermia heat stroke unusual cuisine deadly creatures and sheer exhaustion constantly being forced to work as a team to conquer the inhospitable environments. In these unrelenting circumstances will their extreme dreams turn into their worst nightmares?

• Elgar: Enigma Variations | DVD | (02/09/2013) from £17.09   |  Saving you £2.90 (16.97%)   |  RRP £19.99

  BBC Symphony Orchestra - Leonard Bernstein, direction

• Rulers of the Ancient World - Tyrants, Conquerors, Heroes | DVD | (12/11/2012) from £33.73   |  Saving you £-3.74 (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  They are some of the most famous, and infamous, leaders the world has ever known. Cutting-edge technology, dramatic reenactments and expert commentary deliver their stories in vivid detail. We examine some of the most brutal and feared rulers of the ancient world from Attila the Hun to Hannibal and Genghis Khan. We take a close look at the remarkable life and times of Alexander the Great, the King of Macedonia who led a grand army over 20,000 miles to bring all of Asia under his control. Then we travel back to unravel the mysteries surrounding one of the Bible's greatest heroes - King David. Plus, an in-depth look at the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and an exploration of some of history's most decisive battles.

• Beyond Burlesque | DVD | (10/02/2014) from £6.99   |  Saving you £9.00 (128.76%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Beth B takes us into the 21st century underground and reveals a secret world where cutting-edge performers are taking hold of a taboo art form Burlesque and driving it to extremes that most people have never seen. It's satire. It's parody. It's a populist blend of art and entertainment that gives new meaning to the word transgression. Above all it's a lot of fun and it will blow your mind. Beyond Burlesque features performances by Rose Wood Julie Atlas Muz Mat Fraser Dirty Martini Bunny Love Bambi the Mermaid World Famous *Bob* and Tigger! These eight female and male artists use their nakedness to transport us beyond the last sexual and social taboos.

• Churchill's Bodyguard | DVD | (12/12/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £49.99

  In almost any piece of film you'll see of Britain's great wartime leader he is the man in the background anonymous and secret. Until now his critical role in saving the life of Churchill from a series of attacks has been hidden from the wider public. After the war Walter Thompsons censored book told just part of the story. His full memoirs were suppressed even by Churchill himself only now can we recount the number of assassination attempts on Churchill's life. Many foiled by Walter. This series with unique access to these incredible memoirs reveals for the first time the story of Walter's life with Winston. Together they travelled thousands of miles on precarious journeys to meet Stalin and Roosevelt and other world leaders. Together they rode with Lawrence of Arabia dodged German assassins were nearly shot down by enemy aircraft lone gunmen U-boats and IRA hit men. This is a story of the political upheavals of the 20th Century Churchill's constant brushes with death and the role played by an ex post office messenger in preventing an early end to his life..

• Easy Riders, Raging Bulls | DVD | (17/11/2003) from £5.99   |  Saving you £14.00 (233.72%)   |  RRP £19.99

  How the sex drugs and rock 'n' roll generation saved Hollywood. This searing documentary traces the highs and lows the scandals and celebrations the tragedies and the triumphs that shaped this phenomenal period in cinema history. Adapted from Peter Biskind's literary phenomenon the book that blew the lid off both Hollywood and the lives of the infamous celebrated movie makers who came to be known as the 'movie brats'. Contains never before seen fotage shot by the legendary film makers themselves from parties premieres and film sets. Packed with clips from such seminal movies as 'Bonnie And Clyde' 'Jaws' 'The Deer Hunter' 'Star Wars' 'Easy Rider' 'Taxi Driver' 'Shampoo' and 'Chinatown' and featuring all-new interviews with Dennis Hopper Roger Corman Cybil Shepherd Richard Dreyfuss and Peter Fonda.

• Know Your Enemy | DVD | (07/06/2010) from £10.78   |  Saving you £-8.79 (N/A%)   |  RRP £1.99

  Know Your Enemy - Nazi Germany (1941 88 mins) is a set of four Army training films made for British troops as a prelude to their intended invasion of mainland Europe. The four identification films from the archives of the Imperial War Museum each focus on a specific area of threat showing graphically what weapons and munitions the British troops were up against :- German Equipment (Parts One And Two) German Aircraft German Paratroops Preparedness was everything in the face of the onslaught of German armoured cars tanks anti-tank guns close-support guns mountain guns and railway guns - all of which are featured with tactical suggestions as to their weakest points. There is even a warning about German Cycle Squadrons! The Luftwaffe is closely examined and comparisons made between British aircraft and their German counterparts including the Me-109 Me-110 Ju-87B Ju-88 Ju-52 He-111 and the Do-17Z. This examination concludes with a massed bombing raid ove enemy territory followed by the fighters and dive-bombers and then the parachutists and gliders; the message throughout being Think of the enemy above you! Also included is a lesson in how to counter German paratroopers (Fallschirmj''ger) and their equipment and a rather optimistic look at the British weapons that would be used in any counter-attack. For comparison also included as bonus features are the American produced wartime documentaries made for their troops 'Know Your Enemy - Japan' (1945 64 mins) and 'Know Your Ally - Britain' (1943 40 mins)

• Bristol Through The Ages | DVD | (16/05/2005) from £7.29   |  Saving you £8.70 (119.34%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Richard Wyatt and Polly Lloyd present this exclusive look back at the history of Bristol from the early days of Saxon settlement through to the spectacular celebrations as the city welcomed in the new millennium. Featuring an incredible archive of rarely seen material Richard and Polly uncover the magic of Bristol as never seen before. Archive footage includes the Prince of Wales cutting the first sod at Avonmouth Docks in 1902; King Edward Vll officially opening Royal Edward Dock in

• The Greatest/When We Were Kings | DVD | (02/06/2008) from £6.99   |  Saving you £6.00 (85.84%)   |  RRP £12.99

  This boxset contains the following films: When We Were Kings (Dir. Leon Gast) (1996):On September 25 1974 in the wake of one of the greatest political scandals in its history - the ignominious collapse of the Nixon presidency - America was poised to watch a knockout punch that would redefine it as a nation of champions. In the atmosphere of a three-ring circus in Zaire a little known country ruled by a military dictator on the little-noticed continent of Africa two American fighters held the world's attention. One would capture the world's imagination. But four days before the scheduled ""Rumble in the Jungle "" as the heavyweight championship matchup between reigning title holder George Foreman and challenger Muhammad Ali was called the promoters announced that there would be a six week delay. And in that time span as the international media took in the rhythms of the music and the mysterious beauty of the land and as anticipation for the fight mounted an entirely new phenomenon evolved - black Americans saw their own generational crossroads reflected in the contrasting images of the two men who had returned to Africa to fight. The Greatest (Dir. Tom Gries / Monte Hellman) (1977):18 year-old Olympic gold medalist Cassius Clay feels ready to take on the heavyweight championship. In this dramatisation the incredible career of the legendary fighter is portrayed as he gains in stature and power under the guidance of Angelo Dundee Clay takes the heavyweight title away from Sonny Liston. Soon after his victory Clay converted to Islam changing his name to Mohammad Ali and begins a three year court battle to avoid being drafted into the army on religious grounds. This dramatic biography of a legend (starring Ali himself) excuse the pun certainly pulls no punches.

• Great Wall of China & Secrets of the Forbidden City Box Set | DVD | (27/05/2013) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Double bill of documentaries that explore the construction of Chinese landmarks. 'The Great Wall of China' traces the construction of the eponymous wall, arguably one of the greatest engineering feats in human history. 'Secrets of the Forbidden City' explores Beijing's extravagant imperial palace, constructed at the beginning of the 15th century for the Yongle Emperor. The film uses CGI and reconstructions to tell the story of the Forbidden City's creation and the emperor's rise to power.

• Great Migrations | DVD | (07/02/2011) from £17.53   |  Saving you £-4.54 (-34.90%)   |  RRP £12.99

  National Geographic: Great Migrations (3 Discs)

• A Beginner's Guide To Magic Tricks | DVD | (12/11/2007) from £10.55   |  Saving you £5.43 (71.83%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Are you watching closely? Magic is in the air. From the ""Harry Potter Mania"" sweeping throughout the world to the rise of major motion pictures like 'The Illusionist' and 'The Prestige'. This programme is the essential companion for any budding magician - whatever their age the tricks are visually impressive but incredibly easy to learn and perform effortlessly. Matt Lloyd is a young budding actor who appears at Hogwarts in all the Harry Potter movies but on this occasion he takes centre stage to demonstrate how to perform a series of tricks. From the classroom to family dinner parties you will be able to impress with ease. The few simple props needed in this programme can easily be made using items from around the home. We show you how to make most of the props yourself allowing you to perform tricks whenever and wherever you desire.

• The Thin Blue Line | DVD | (07/01/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Errol Morris's unique documentary dramatically re-enacts the crime scene and investigation of a police officer's murder in Dallas. A drifter Randall Adams ran out of gas in Texas and was picked up by a 16-year-old runaway David Harris. Later that night they drank some beer smoked some marijuana and went to the movies. Then their stories diverge. Adams claims that he left for his motel where he was staying with his brother and went to sleep. Harris however says that they were stopped by police late that night and Adams suddenly shot the officer approaching their car. The film shows the evidence gathered by the police who were under extreme pressure to clear the case. It strongly makes a point that the circumstantial evidence was very flimsy. In fact it becomes apparent that Harris was a much more likely suspect and was in the middle of a 'crime spree ' eventually ending up on Death Row himself for the later commission of other crimes. Morris implies that the D.A.'s and judge's desire for the death penalty in this case (which Harris would have been ineligible for due to his youth) made Adams a scapegoat on which to pin this heinous crime.

• Discover England - Dartmoor: Autumn And Winter | DVD | (29/09/2003) from £27.51   |  Saving you £-5.52 (-25.10%)   |  RRP £21.99

  Writer Brian Carter's love and respect for the moor shines through in this beautiful evocative and richly informative film. The cinematography both arial and ground based brings to bear the sheer beauty the sense of timelessness the freedom solitude challenge inspiration and magic of Dartmoor. As autumn rust brown replaces green on the moor and the days shorten the annual 'drift' takes place as men on motorcycles round up the Dartmoor ponies yet the quarry work work at Mer

• European Spiritual Masters | DVD | (10/12/2010) from £11.44   |  Saving you £7.55 (39.80%)   |  RRP £18.99

  -2146826246

• Cane Toads 3D - The Conquest (Blu-ray 3D + Blu Ray) | Blu Ray | (27/02/2012) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Cane Toads is without doubt one of the most unusual, surprising, enjoyable and amusing films of the year. Mark Lewis (Cane Toads: An Unnatural History) explores one of Australia's greatest environmental catastrophes as he follows the unstoppable march of the cane toad across the Australian continent. Despised by many, venerated by some, the toad has occupied a nation's consciousness achieving both cult and criminal status.Despite its international origin the cane toad has become uniquely Australian - yet, for a world wrestling with the idea that we have irretrievably altered our own ecosystem, its story holds universal relevance. Featuring a host of engaging characters as well as thousands of toads, Cane Toads: The Conquest 3D is a humorous yet thought-provoking journey into the issue of invasive species.

• Stop Making Sense | Blu Ray | (26/07/2010) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre in December 1983, filmmaker Jonathan Demme joined creative forces with cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth and Talking Heads ... and miracles occurred. Following a staging concept by singer-guitarist David Byrne, this euphoric concert film transcends that all-too-limited genre to become the greatest film of its kind. A guaranteed cure for anyone's blues, it's a celebration of music that never grows old, fuelled by the polyrhythmic pop-funk precision that was a Talking Heads trademark, and lit from within by the geeky supernova that is David Byrne. The staging--and Demme's filming of it--builds toward an orgasmic release of music, rising from the bare-stage simplicity of Byrne, accompanied only by a boom box on "Psycho Killer" to the ecstatic crescendo of "Burning Down the House", by which time the Heads and additional personnel have all arrived on stage for a performance that seems channelled from heaven for the purpose of universal uplift. (God bless Demme for avoiding shots of the luckiest audience in 80s pop history; its presence is acknowledged but not at the viewer's expense.) With the deliriously eccentric Byrne as ringleader (pausing mid-concert to emerge in his now-legendary oversized suit), this circus of musical pleasure defies the futility of reductive description; it begs to be experienced, felt in the heart, head and bones, and held there the way we hold on to cherished memories. On those three nights in December 1983, Talking Heads gave love, life, and joy in generous amounts that years cannot erode, and Demme captured this act of creative goodwill on film with minimalist artistic perfection. Stop Making Sense is an invitation to pleasure that will never wear out its welcome. --Jeff Shannon

• River Cottage - Game On | DVD | (24/05/2010) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £17.99

  One of the real treats on the River Cottage menu is the fantastic range of wild meat available all year round. And we believe there's no better way to enjoy this fantastic resource than to hunt it butcher it and cook it yourself. This DVD put together by the River Cottage team is a romp through Britain's wild meat menu. Join me and game expert Nick Fisher as we head off into the woods and fields in search of the best game and edible vermin from the humble woodpigeon to the elusive roe deer. Head back to River Cottage HQ where butcher Ray Smith takes you through all you need to know about plucking skinning gutting and butchering your own wild meat. And then tuck in to a feast of new and classic game recipes from Gill Meller and the team in the River Cottage kitchen. Enjoy 68 minutes of brand new footage together with the best game moments from the River Cottage television series.