The 1980s enjoys a privileged, some might even argue inflated position in the sci-fi pantheon. In the US, it was the decade that gave us two thirds of the original Star Wars trilogy, Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Terminator and Tron. In TV land, Star Trek got a brand new Generation, Quantums Leapt, Knights Rode, and of course, Alf.
But on the other side of the pond, British science fiction television was doing things the way we British always have – for less money, and a bit more bleak. But it wasn’t all creepy John Wyndham adaptations and hostile alien invasions, the 1980s also delivered a couple of British space comedy classics, along with the most underrated series in sci-fi history.
The Day of the Triffids (1981)
Stream on: purchase-only on Sky Store, Google Play, Amazon (UK); disc import only (US)
For our money, still the only decent adaptation of John...
But on the other side of the pond, British science fiction television was doing things the way we British always have – for less money, and a bit more bleak. But it wasn’t all creepy John Wyndham adaptations and hostile alien invasions, the 1980s also delivered a couple of British space comedy classics, along with the most underrated series in sci-fi history.
The Day of the Triffids (1981)
Stream on: purchase-only on Sky Store, Google Play, Amazon (UK); disc import only (US)
For our money, still the only decent adaptation of John...
- 2/2/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
The heart of London, small-town Wales, or beautiful Florence— the world is your oyster with BritBox! The best-of-British media streamer has announced its August 2023 slate with plenty of diverse titles to choose from— from the classic satirical comedy series “Rumpole of the Bailey,” the critically acclaimed Welsh drama “The Museum,” the beloved 1980s romantic drama “A Room with a View,” and more.
Here are the top five titles coming to the platform we are most excited about at The Streamable!
7-Day Free Trial $7.99 / month via Amazon Prime Video What Are the Best Shows and Movies Coming to BritBox in August 2023? “A Room with a View” | Aug. 17
New to BritBox this month, the beloved British drama “A Room with a View” stars Helena Bonham-Carter as Lucy Honeychurch, a young Englishwoman touring Italy with her older cousin (Maggie Smith). While at a hotel in Florence, Lucy meets the charming, free-spirited George Emerson...
Here are the top five titles coming to the platform we are most excited about at The Streamable!
7-Day Free Trial $7.99 / month via Amazon Prime Video What Are the Best Shows and Movies Coming to BritBox in August 2023? “A Room with a View” | Aug. 17
New to BritBox this month, the beloved British drama “A Room with a View” stars Helena Bonham-Carter as Lucy Honeychurch, a young Englishwoman touring Italy with her older cousin (Maggie Smith). While at a hotel in Florence, Lucy meets the charming, free-spirited George Emerson...
- 7/28/2023
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Peter Bowles, the British star of shows including “To The Manor Born” and “Rumpole of the Bailey,” has died. He was 85.
Bowles died from cancer, according to his agency Gavin Barker Associates.
The agency said in a statement: “The actor Peter Bowles has sadly passed away at the age of 85 from cancer. Starting his career at the Old Vice Theatre in 1956, he starred in 45 theatrical productions ending at the age of 81 in ‘The Exorcist’ at the Phoenix Theatre. He worked consistently on stage and screen, becoming a household name on TV as the archetypal English gent in ‘To The Manor Born,’ ‘Only When I Laugh,’ ‘The Bounder’ and ‘Lytton’s Diary,’ which he devised himself. He leaves his wife of over 60 years, Sue, and their three children Guy, Adam and Sash.”
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A post shared by Gavin Barker Associates (@gavinbarkerassociates)
Bowles was best known for his...
Bowles died from cancer, according to his agency Gavin Barker Associates.
The agency said in a statement: “The actor Peter Bowles has sadly passed away at the age of 85 from cancer. Starting his career at the Old Vice Theatre in 1956, he starred in 45 theatrical productions ending at the age of 81 in ‘The Exorcist’ at the Phoenix Theatre. He worked consistently on stage and screen, becoming a household name on TV as the archetypal English gent in ‘To The Manor Born,’ ‘Only When I Laugh,’ ‘The Bounder’ and ‘Lytton’s Diary,’ which he devised himself. He leaves his wife of over 60 years, Sue, and their three children Guy, Adam and Sash.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Gavin Barker Associates (@gavinbarkerassociates)
Bowles was best known for his...
- 3/17/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
This Quiz review contains spoilers.
Quiz episode 3
Quiz might be set in the early 2000s, with all the bootcut jeans, Sugababes and Sir Trevor Macdonald that entails, but it’s a drama about now. Not now-now, but the last existential crisis before this one – or maybe two ago, before climate catastrophe and Coronavirus – the one about the truth.
When James Graham’s play was being written, one consequence of the reality TV boom, fact-adjacent Facebook ads and interbreeding in the worlds of advertising, celebrity and politics was moving its furniture into the White House. The UK had watched a referendum campaign fought by mostly shrugs on one side and custom bus decals on the other. People were sick of experts. News was fake. It was the post-truth era.
That’s the context for episode three, which is mired in the trickiness of facts vs lies. ‘The bottom’s falling out of the truth market,...
Quiz episode 3
Quiz might be set in the early 2000s, with all the bootcut jeans, Sugababes and Sir Trevor Macdonald that entails, but it’s a drama about now. Not now-now, but the last existential crisis before this one – or maybe two ago, before climate catastrophe and Coronavirus – the one about the truth.
When James Graham’s play was being written, one consequence of the reality TV boom, fact-adjacent Facebook ads and interbreeding in the worlds of advertising, celebrity and politics was moving its furniture into the White House. The UK had watched a referendum campaign fought by mostly shrugs on one side and custom bus decals on the other. People were sick of experts. News was fake. It was the post-truth era.
That’s the context for episode three, which is mired in the trickiness of facts vs lies. ‘The bottom’s falling out of the truth market,...
- 4/15/2020
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Downton Abbey and Baby Driver star Lily James is to front an Emily Mortimer-penned and directed adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s classic novel The Pursuit of Love for BBC One.
The British public broadcaster has ordered a three-part series based on the 1945 book from BBC Studios-backed Moonage Pictures and Open Book, the Charles Collier-founded joint venture between BBC Studios, Original Talent and Tavistock Wood.
The Pursuit of Love is the first book in a trilogy about an upper-class English family between the First and Second World Wars. The comedy deals with issues of growing up and falling in love among the privileged and eccentric.
The Pursuit of Love follows the travails of the Radlett family, focusing on Linda, the most beautiful and wayward Radlett daughter, played by James, who falls first for a stuffy Tory politician, then an ardent Communist, and finally a French duke named Fabrice,...
The British public broadcaster has ordered a three-part series based on the 1945 book from BBC Studios-backed Moonage Pictures and Open Book, the Charles Collier-founded joint venture between BBC Studios, Original Talent and Tavistock Wood.
The Pursuit of Love is the first book in a trilogy about an upper-class English family between the First and Second World Wars. The comedy deals with issues of growing up and falling in love among the privileged and eccentric.
The Pursuit of Love follows the travails of the Radlett family, focusing on Linda, the most beautiful and wayward Radlett daughter, played by James, who falls first for a stuffy Tory politician, then an ardent Communist, and finally a French duke named Fabrice,...
- 12/9/2019
- by Peter White and Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Laurence Harvey in The Running Man (1963) will be available on Blu-ray June 18th From Arrow Academy
Over a decade after redefining the thriller with The Third Man, director Carol Reed returned to the genre with The Running Man. Reuniting with that film s cinematographer Robert Krasker (BAFTA-nominated for his work here), Reed goes in the opposite direction visually, framing the twisty plot in sun-kissed widescreen color.
Rex Black has successfully faked his death in a plane crash and escaped to sunny Málaga under a new identity, waiting for his wife Stella to arrive with £50,000 of life insurance money. It s the start of a blissful, trouble-free new life for the couple until Stephen, the insurance agent in charge of investigating Rex s death, suddenly arrives in town. Is he just holidaying in Spain, as he claims, or is he on assignment to foil Rex s scheme?
Adapted by John Mortimer...
Over a decade after redefining the thriller with The Third Man, director Carol Reed returned to the genre with The Running Man. Reuniting with that film s cinematographer Robert Krasker (BAFTA-nominated for his work here), Reed goes in the opposite direction visually, framing the twisty plot in sun-kissed widescreen color.
Rex Black has successfully faked his death in a plane crash and escaped to sunny Málaga under a new identity, waiting for his wife Stella to arrive with £50,000 of life insurance money. It s the start of a blissful, trouble-free new life for the couple until Stephen, the insurance agent in charge of investigating Rex s death, suddenly arrives in town. Is he just holidaying in Spain, as he claims, or is he on assignment to foil Rex s scheme?
Adapted by John Mortimer...
- 5/21/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Emily Mortimer is to reboot classic British series Rumpole of the Bailey – the legal drama originally created by her father John Mortimer.
The Newsroom and Mary Poppins Returns star is in the early stages of development with the remake, which will be produced by her own indie King Bee and eOne.
The series, which ran on ITV predecessor Thames Television between 1978 and 1992, starred Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an elderly barrister in London who defended a weird and wonderful mix of clients. It started as a radio play on the BBC before making the move to television.
The reboot was revealed at a Deadline-moderated Banff Connect event in London by Polly Williams, eOne’s head of scripted development in the UK. The Designated Survivor studio has a first-look deal with Mortimer’s company, which she runs with her husband Alessandro Nivola.
Williams told Deadline that Mortimer has “reimagined” the series...
The Newsroom and Mary Poppins Returns star is in the early stages of development with the remake, which will be produced by her own indie King Bee and eOne.
The series, which ran on ITV predecessor Thames Television between 1978 and 1992, starred Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an elderly barrister in London who defended a weird and wonderful mix of clients. It started as a radio play on the BBC before making the move to television.
The reboot was revealed at a Deadline-moderated Banff Connect event in London by Polly Williams, eOne’s head of scripted development in the UK. The Designated Survivor studio has a first-look deal with Mortimer’s company, which she runs with her husband Alessandro Nivola.
Williams told Deadline that Mortimer has “reimagined” the series...
- 3/7/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
During the three-season run of “The Newsroom,” Emily Mortimer was a standout among the ensemble cast. Now, the English actress, who appeared in “Shutter Island” and “Hugo,” is returning to the big screen in the adaptation of Penelope Fitzgerald’s 1978 novel, “The Bookshop.”
What’s your background with literature?
My dad [“Rumpole of the Bailey” creator John Mortimer] was a novelist and playwright and I grew up surrounded by books. I studied English literature and Russian literature at Oxford. As I got older and started having kids, books sort of faded for a while. When you’re raising kids, it’s an achievement to just get your teeth brushed by the end of the day, let alone read a book. It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve come back to reading again.
Is there a favorite genre or author?
I love Dickens. My dad was a big Dickens fan.
What’s your background with literature?
My dad [“Rumpole of the Bailey” creator John Mortimer] was a novelist and playwright and I grew up surrounded by books. I studied English literature and Russian literature at Oxford. As I got older and started having kids, books sort of faded for a while. When you’re raising kids, it’s an achievement to just get your teeth brushed by the end of the day, let alone read a book. It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve come back to reading again.
Is there a favorite genre or author?
I love Dickens. My dad was a big Dickens fan.
- 8/2/2018
- by Ellis Clopton
- Variety Film + TV
Emily Mortimer is finding a big personal benefit to being in "The Newsroom."
The London-native actress is learning ever more about America from working on creator-producer Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama. With the series launching its second season Sunday, July 14, she says such upcoming topics as antiterrorism strategies and the 2012 presidential election are increasing her knowledge and understanding of life in the United States.
Mortimer tells Zap2it she finds the Supreme Court -- which made major news last week with its rulings on gay-rights issues -- "particularly" interesting. "Those people can't be voted out once they're there, and it's a wonderful system in a way, but there's also room for questioning it.
"It's unlike anything we've experienced at home [where the British Parliament can remove Supreme Court justices]. These are appointed judges who make extremely important decisions about things that affect all of us forever. There are definitely different interests that you really have to think about.
The London-native actress is learning ever more about America from working on creator-producer Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama. With the series launching its second season Sunday, July 14, she says such upcoming topics as antiterrorism strategies and the 2012 presidential election are increasing her knowledge and understanding of life in the United States.
Mortimer tells Zap2it she finds the Supreme Court -- which made major news last week with its rulings on gay-rights issues -- "particularly" interesting. "Those people can't be voted out once they're there, and it's a wonderful system in a way, but there's also room for questioning it.
"It's unlike anything we've experienced at home [where the British Parliament can remove Supreme Court justices]. These are appointed judges who make extremely important decisions about things that affect all of us forever. There are definitely different interests that you really have to think about.
- 7/1/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Cameron K McEwan Aug 16, 2016
Cameron sings the praises of 25 classic and modern Doctor Who adventures that went underappreciated. See what made the cut below...
Doctor Who fans can be an odd bunch at times (and by that I mean all the time), what's gold to one is dross to another. And when you think everyone is agreed on a genuine stinker (Timelash, for example), you'll find it has admirers in abundance. But what's here are some of the stories that, for whatever reason, get overlooked, underseen and, perhaps, undervalued - in no particular order.
The Awakening
Two-parters often get forgotten about (in classic Doctor Who at any rate) and this Peter Davison story, whilst perhaps best known to Who fans for a famous blooper featuring a horse, has some tremendous imagery and beautiful location shooting. Best of all is the villain of the piece, The Malus, who put the willies...
Cameron sings the praises of 25 classic and modern Doctor Who adventures that went underappreciated. See what made the cut below...
Doctor Who fans can be an odd bunch at times (and by that I mean all the time), what's gold to one is dross to another. And when you think everyone is agreed on a genuine stinker (Timelash, for example), you'll find it has admirers in abundance. But what's here are some of the stories that, for whatever reason, get overlooked, underseen and, perhaps, undervalued - in no particular order.
The Awakening
Two-parters often get forgotten about (in classic Doctor Who at any rate) and this Peter Davison story, whilst perhaps best known to Who fans for a famous blooper featuring a horse, has some tremendous imagery and beautiful location shooting. Best of all is the villain of the piece, The Malus, who put the willies...
- 4/25/2013
- Den of Geek
Feature Cameron K McEwan 26 Apr 2013 - 07:00
Cameron sings the praises of twenty-five classic and modern Doctor Who adventures that deserve more love. See what made the cut below...
Doctor Who fans can be an odd bunch at times (and by that I mean all the time), what's gold to one is dross to another. And when you think everyone is agreed on a genuine stinker (Timelash, for example), you'll find it has admirers in abundance. But what's here are some of the stories that, for whatever reason, get overlooked, underseen and, perhaps, undervalued - in no particular order.
The Awakening
Two-parters often get forgotten about (in classic Doctor Who at any rate) and this Peter Davison story, whilst perhaps best known to Who fans for a famous blooper featuring a horse, has some tremendous imagery and beautiful location shooting. Best of all is the villain of the piece, The Malus,...
Cameron sings the praises of twenty-five classic and modern Doctor Who adventures that deserve more love. See what made the cut below...
Doctor Who fans can be an odd bunch at times (and by that I mean all the time), what's gold to one is dross to another. And when you think everyone is agreed on a genuine stinker (Timelash, for example), you'll find it has admirers in abundance. But what's here are some of the stories that, for whatever reason, get overlooked, underseen and, perhaps, undervalued - in no particular order.
The Awakening
Two-parters often get forgotten about (in classic Doctor Who at any rate) and this Peter Davison story, whilst perhaps best known to Who fans for a famous blooper featuring a horse, has some tremendous imagery and beautiful location shooting. Best of all is the villain of the piece, The Malus,...
- 4/25/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
News Louisa Mellor Feb 6, 2013
Robin Sachs, the English actor known and loved for roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Galaxy Quest, and Babylon 5 has passed away...
Inspiring warmth and devotion from viewers on the basis of just four appearances in a television programme is quite something, and that’s exactly what Robin Sachs was to fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
In the role of Buffy’s Ethan Rayne, Rupert Giles’ mischievous, dark arts-dabbling friend from his ‘Ripper’ days, Sachs made such an impression that many of the tributes following the news of his death have focused disproportionately on the role. It’s hard not to. It would however, be selling Sachs’ extremely short not to place those four episodes of Buffy in context of a forty-year screen and stage career.
Working backwards, Sachs spent much of the last decade providing voices for video games for franchises including Star Wars,...
Robin Sachs, the English actor known and loved for roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Galaxy Quest, and Babylon 5 has passed away...
Inspiring warmth and devotion from viewers on the basis of just four appearances in a television programme is quite something, and that’s exactly what Robin Sachs was to fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
In the role of Buffy’s Ethan Rayne, Rupert Giles’ mischievous, dark arts-dabbling friend from his ‘Ripper’ days, Sachs made such an impression that many of the tributes following the news of his death have focused disproportionately on the role. It’s hard not to. It would however, be selling Sachs’ extremely short not to place those four episodes of Buffy in context of a forty-year screen and stage career.
Working backwards, Sachs spent much of the last decade providing voices for video games for franchises including Star Wars,...
- 2/6/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Amazon has released their early Black Friday Deals Week schedule beginning Monday, November 19 and running through Monday, November 26 and I have added the entire list in its state below and will be updating as more and more titles are added it to it and considering the limited number of Blu-ray titles included I have to assume this thing is going to get beefed up. There are some notable titles beginning with the Gold Box Deal on Saturday, November 24 where the Blu-ray edition of the recently released amazon asin="B006U1J5ZY" text="Bond 50: The Complete 22 Film Collection" will be on sale. The price has not yet been announced, but as of right now it sits at $149.99 and I wouldn't be surprised if it drops under $100 on that day so stay tuned. Additional titles on sale throughout the eight day sale include X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: The Last Stand,...
- 11/17/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The Sinking of the Laconia
Kieran Kinsella
August will be an exciting month for fans of British TV as Acorn Media are set to release the critically acclaimed BBC Two production of The Sinking of the Laconia. The drama is based upon real events that occurred during World War II when a German U-boat torpedoed a British ship that was transporting civilians and Italian POWs off the coast of Africa. Having initially mistaken the Laconia for a military vessel, the commander of the U-boat was mortified to discover that he had in fact sunk a civilian boat. Breaking with orders from high command, the German commander began orchestrating a massive rescue operation designed to get the survivors to the relative safety of the West African shoreline. The real-life drama doesn’t end there but I don’t want to give the whole plot away so you’ll just have to...
Kieran Kinsella
August will be an exciting month for fans of British TV as Acorn Media are set to release the critically acclaimed BBC Two production of The Sinking of the Laconia. The drama is based upon real events that occurred during World War II when a German U-boat torpedoed a British ship that was transporting civilians and Italian POWs off the coast of Africa. Having initially mistaken the Laconia for a military vessel, the commander of the U-boat was mortified to discover that he had in fact sunk a civilian boat. Breaking with orders from high command, the German commander began orchestrating a massive rescue operation designed to get the survivors to the relative safety of the West African shoreline. The real-life drama doesn’t end there but I don’t want to give the whole plot away so you’ll just have to...
- 8/4/2012
- by Edited by K Kinsella
I remember being vaguely aware of Ace Attorney, the unlikely basis for Takashi Miike's latest mainstreamer, but never realized the game series had such a huge following. How huge, you ask? We're talking over 4 million units sold. That's a lot of cheddar for what's essentially a Japanese style RPG of Rumpole of the Bailey. I was skeptical whether a game where you find clues and argue in court would translate well to the big screen or not. Would the end result be a Super Mario Bros. sized turd? Or would we get the nameless opposite? (Nameless because I can't think of one videogame movie that was actually any good. Can you?) One thing's for sure, there'll be no shortage of bad legal puns in...
- 7/9/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Cinema Retro has received the following press release:
The leading ‘Best British TV’ streaming service Acorn TV is now streaming full seasons of several popular British mystery and drama series, along with two critically acclaimed Canadian series. This week Acorn TV also has a special Memorial Day Weekend Midsomer Marathon with the first 22 episodes of its best-selling series,Midsomer Murders, and the U.S. debut of John Nettles final episodes.
Acorn TV is currently streaming a full season of Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect; the final seasons of the universally acclaimed Canadian dramedy Slings & ARROWSand Derek Jacobi’s mystery series Cadfael; the U.S. debut of the newest season of Murdoch Mysteries; Lynda La Plante’s Trial & Retribution; John Mortimer’s Under The Hammer; the final episodes of WWII drama Wish Me Luck; Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter) in Pie In The Sky; and John Nettles final episodes with Midsomer Murders,...
The leading ‘Best British TV’ streaming service Acorn TV is now streaming full seasons of several popular British mystery and drama series, along with two critically acclaimed Canadian series. This week Acorn TV also has a special Memorial Day Weekend Midsomer Marathon with the first 22 episodes of its best-selling series,Midsomer Murders, and the U.S. debut of John Nettles final episodes.
Acorn TV is currently streaming a full season of Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect; the final seasons of the universally acclaimed Canadian dramedy Slings & ARROWSand Derek Jacobi’s mystery series Cadfael; the U.S. debut of the newest season of Murdoch Mysteries; Lynda La Plante’s Trial & Retribution; John Mortimer’s Under The Hammer; the final episodes of WWII drama Wish Me Luck; Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter) in Pie In The Sky; and John Nettles final episodes with Midsomer Murders,...
- 5/24/2012
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
The daughter of celebrated actor and lawyer Sir John Mortimer of Rumpole of the Bailey fame, Emily Mortimer enjoyed the quintessential upper-crust upbringing. Raised between Chelsea and the Chilterns, she attended St Paul's Girls School before reading Russian at Oxford where she performed on stage. Today, she leads a remarkably different life, fully immersed in her adopted Us homeland and living with her American husband and their two children in Brooklyn.
- 7/14/2011
- The Independent - Film
DVD Playhouse—November 2010
By Allen Gardner
Paths Of Glory (Criterion) Stanley Kubrick’s 1957 antiwar classic put him on the map as a major filmmaker. Kirk Douglas stars in a true story about a French officer in Ww I who locks horns with the military’s top brass after his men are court-martialed for failing to carry out an obvious suicide mission. A perfect film, across the board, with fine support from George Macready as one of the most despicable martinet’s ever captured on film, Ralph Meeker, and Adolphe Menjou, all oily charm as a conniving General. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Audio commentary by critic Gary Giddins; Excerpt from 1966 audio interview with Kubrick; 1979 interview with Douglas; New interviews with Jan Harlan, Christiane Kubrick, and producer James B. Harris; French television documentary on real-life case which inspired the film; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
Winter’S Bone (Lionsgate) After her deadbeat father disappears,...
By Allen Gardner
Paths Of Glory (Criterion) Stanley Kubrick’s 1957 antiwar classic put him on the map as a major filmmaker. Kirk Douglas stars in a true story about a French officer in Ww I who locks horns with the military’s top brass after his men are court-martialed for failing to carry out an obvious suicide mission. A perfect film, across the board, with fine support from George Macready as one of the most despicable martinet’s ever captured on film, Ralph Meeker, and Adolphe Menjou, all oily charm as a conniving General. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Audio commentary by critic Gary Giddins; Excerpt from 1966 audio interview with Kubrick; 1979 interview with Douglas; New interviews with Jan Harlan, Christiane Kubrick, and producer James B. Harris; French television documentary on real-life case which inspired the film; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
Winter’S Bone (Lionsgate) After her deadbeat father disappears,...
- 11/6/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
After a decade of reissues, rereleases, and just plain hernia-inducing box collections, the phrase ‘DVD megaset’ shouldn’t really mean a lot, but it is an apt summarization of this complete set of Rumpole of the Bailey, the courtroom drama that broadcast intermittently on PBS between 1978 and 1991. Spread out across 14 discs, this set collects all seven seasons of the show, as well as a good deal of bonus features (each episode features an introduction with series creator John Mortimer), but this is, in all likelihood, a set that was meant to rally old fans rather than attract new ones. Even within the time-frame of the series, Rumpole shows its considerable age, with its commitment to showing social ills only accentuating how stubbornly quaint the show really is.
Horace Rumpole (Leo McKern) is a barrister at the Old Bailey, the central criminal court of London. A lover of the courtroom (as...
Horace Rumpole (Leo McKern) is a barrister at the Old Bailey, the central criminal court of London. A lover of the courtroom (as...
- 10/20/2010
- by Anders Nelson
- JustPressPlay.net
After a decade of reissues, rereleases, and just plain hernia-inducing box collections, the phrase ‘DVD megaset’ shouldn’t really mean a lot, but it is an apt summarization of this complete set of Rumpole of the Bailey, the courtroom drama that broadcast intermittently on PBS between 1978 and 1991. Spread out across 14 discs, this set collects all seven seasons of the show, as well as a good deal of bonus features (each episode features an introduction with series creator John Mortimer), but this is, in all likelihood, a set that was meant to rally old fans rather than attract new ones. Even within the time-frame of the series, Rumpole shows its considerable age, with its commitment to showing social ills only accentuating how stubbornly quaint the show really is.
Horace Rumpole (Leo McKern) is a barrister at the Old Bailey, the central criminal court of London. A lover of the courtroom (as...
Horace Rumpole (Leo McKern) is a barrister at the Old Bailey, the central criminal court of London. A lover of the courtroom (as...
- 10/20/2010
- by Anders Nelson
- JustPressPlay.net
Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at Fred. Every week, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!
In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Benny Hill: The Complete Megaset on DVD.
In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Rumpole Of The Bailey Megaset on DVD.
In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Great Detectives Anthology on DVD.
In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Empires Megaset on DVD.
In conjunction with Klutz, we’re giving away three (3) copies of The Klutz Book Of Animation.
In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Benny Hill: The Complete Megaset on DVD.
In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Rumpole Of The Bailey Megaset on DVD.
In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Great Detectives Anthology on DVD.
In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Empires Megaset on DVD.
In conjunction with Klutz, we’re giving away three (3) copies of The Klutz Book Of Animation.
- 10/14/2010
- by UncaScroogeMcD
In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Rumpole Of The Bailey Megaset on DVD.
Contest ends at 11:59pm Est on Wednesday, November 3rd.
Enter the contest! Email: First name: Last name: Street Address: Address Line 2 (if needed): City: State/Province/Whatever: Zip Code/Postal Code: Country: Birth Month: JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember Birth Day: 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031 Birth Year:
Official Rules
No member of Fred Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.
No Purchase necessary to win.
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
One entry per day, per person.
All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm Est on Wednesday, November 3rd.
The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.
Contest ends at 11:59pm Est on Wednesday, November 3rd.
Enter the contest! Email: First name: Last name: Street Address: Address Line 2 (if needed): City: State/Province/Whatever: Zip Code/Postal Code: Country: Birth Month: JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember Birth Day: 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031 Birth Year:
Official Rules
No member of Fred Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.
No Purchase necessary to win.
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- 10/14/2010
- by UncaScroogeMcD
Most people know the late John Mortimer as the creator of the beloved Rumpole of the Bailey novels and series. He also wrote an intriguing and complex family drama novel which was made into the series Paradise Postponed and a sequel Titmuss Regained. If you are not familiar with this story, and have not seen this production, now through Acorn Media you may have the complete saga in one very fine collection. Set in Britain just after the second World War, this multipart drama is primarily the story of Leslie Titmuss a young man of humble beginnings who dreams of rising to the heights of society. Not only does he aspire to greatness, but Titmuss is prepared to do...
- 10/26/2009
- by June L.
- Monsters and Critics
DVD Playhouse—September 2009
By
Allen Gardner
The Human Condition (Criterion) Masaki Kobayashi’s epic (574 minutes) adaptation of Junpei Gomikawa’s six-volume novel was originally made and released as three separate films (1959-61), and is rightfully regarded as a landmark of Japanese cinema. Candide-like story of naïve, good-hearted Kaiji (Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp supervisor, to Imperial Army solider, to Soviet Pow, and Kaiji’s struggle to maintain his humanity throughout. Unfolds with the mastery of a great novel, beautifully-shot, and a stunning example of cinematic mastery on the part of its makers. Four-disc set bonuses include: Interview with Kobayashi; Interview with Nakadai; Featurette; Trailer; Essay by critic Philip Kemp. Widescreen. Dolby 3.0 surround.
State Of Play (Universal) Russell Crowe stars as a veteran Washington D.C. political reporter investigating the murder of an aide to a rising congressional star (Ben Affleck), who also happens to be an old friend.
By
Allen Gardner
The Human Condition (Criterion) Masaki Kobayashi’s epic (574 minutes) adaptation of Junpei Gomikawa’s six-volume novel was originally made and released as three separate films (1959-61), and is rightfully regarded as a landmark of Japanese cinema. Candide-like story of naïve, good-hearted Kaiji (Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp supervisor, to Imperial Army solider, to Soviet Pow, and Kaiji’s struggle to maintain his humanity throughout. Unfolds with the mastery of a great novel, beautifully-shot, and a stunning example of cinematic mastery on the part of its makers. Four-disc set bonuses include: Interview with Kobayashi; Interview with Nakadai; Featurette; Trailer; Essay by critic Philip Kemp. Widescreen. Dolby 3.0 surround.
State Of Play (Universal) Russell Crowe stars as a veteran Washington D.C. political reporter investigating the murder of an aide to a rising congressional star (Ben Affleck), who also happens to be an old friend.
- 9/26/2009
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Popular British dramatist and author Sir John Mortimer has died, aged 85, following a long illness.
Mortimer, who started his career as a barrister, passed away at his home in Turville Heath, near Oxford, England on Friday morning.
He was a prolific writer and best known for creating popular 1970s British TV show Rumpole of the Bailey, about an ageing London barrister who defends any and all clients.
He was knighted in 1998. His daughter is the actress Emily Mortimer.
Mortimer, who started his career as a barrister, passed away at his home in Turville Heath, near Oxford, England on Friday morning.
He was a prolific writer and best known for creating popular 1970s British TV show Rumpole of the Bailey, about an ageing London barrister who defends any and all clients.
He was knighted in 1998. His daughter is the actress Emily Mortimer.
- 1/16/2009
- WENN
Rumpole Of The Bailey creator Sir John Mortimer has passed away, aged 85. The writer, whose daughter is actress Emily Mortimer, died after a long illness, reports the BBC. Mortimer, who began his career as a barrister in the 1940s, was a prolific author and dramatist. His first radio play was in 1957, while his last TV script was for 2001's romantic drama In Love And War. His best-known work was the ITV drama Rumpole Of The Bailey, which starred Leo McKern in the lead role between 1978 and 1992. He also penned the ITV's 1981 11-part serial Brideshead Revisited and drama Paradise Postponed, which featured actor David Threlfall playing obnoxious MP Leslie Titmuss. BBC (more)...
- 1/16/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
LONDON -- ITV said Friday it is planning a two-hour film titled After Morse in order to revisit the territory of Inspector Morse, one of the network's most popular characters, and also has new versions of Rumpole and Sharpe in the works. Inspector Morse, starring John Thaw, started in 1987 and ended with Thaw's death in 2000. Morse author Colin Dexter and Thaw's widow, actress Sheila Hancock have signed off on a new treatment that will center on Kevin Whately playing Morse's sidekick, Sergeant Lewis. Granada drama chief Michele Buck and many of the team who made the original shows, including executive producer Ted Childs and producer Chris Burt, will be involved. BAFTA-winner Albert Finney will take over as author John Mortimer's colorful barrister Rumpole following the death of Leo McKern in 2002. Sean Bean will return as soldier Sharpe in an original story based on the character created by novelist Bernard Cornwell.
- 7/16/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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