A Picture Of Britain DVD

Advantages: has both series in the one set and an extras section which is hilarious!
Disadvantages: The main menu screne is not very clear - too clever for its own half.

...I recieved this box set for Christmas 05 and watched the whole thing (all 4 DVD's) before the new year. All of the episodes are there but the best thing about this set is it comes with all the bits that were cut out of the TV episodes for whatever reason - usually timing. It also has parts of the recording process and shows the times that things don't go strictly to plan...a hilarious watch. The only negative thing that I can think of about this set is the menu screen. It is not always clear what section you are choosing because it has lots of little Britain pictures in the background so its not always easy to see where the arrow is. Despite this, it is a definate for any Little Britain fan or as a gift to someone that is, either sceptical or doesn't know about it, that you wish to convert into a fan.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Stunning aerial sequences, great score, entertaining account
Disadvantages: Too many cooks

...The 1969 all-star big budget extravaganza 'The Battle of Britain' is recently arrived to DVD, albeit on region 1 only for the moment. Never fear though, it's an MGM release, and region 2 releases are never too far behind. It's arrival on DVD is extremely welcome, as a buffed up widescreen print finally allows one to be totally smitten with the flying sequences. Presented as intended, and making full use of the scope process, the air battles are naturally 'The Battle of Britain's greatest strength. Guy Hamilton (Goldfinger, The Ipcress File) brings the same effortless flow to the film that he used succesfully in his 1964 Bond outing. In recounting the heroic efforts of both the RAF and the Luftwaffe, he never lets the action overwhelm the story, while equally he never lets historical fact bog down a 133 minute production. Wilfred... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Bitter sweet humour, superb acting
Disadvantages: Too much like a TV drama

...Mike Leigh is one of Britains best directors - along with Ken Loach he is the cinematic voice of the working class and the disillusioned mr and mrs suburbia. Though unlike Loach who always portrays the situations with painful realism(Raining Stones), Leigh creates darkly comic adult fables, generally with a liberal dose of warmth hidden somewhere in the despair(such as his brilliant Life is Sweet). I found this to be in a similar vein to that film, but with more talking heads, rather like a television drama than a piece of cinema. I feel it would have worked better on BBC2 than the pictures but there's still plenty of humour and outstanding performances particularly from the underrated Timothy Spall.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful