A Tale Of Springtime DVD

Advantages: Entertaining, informative and educational
Disadvantages: Not the best songs

...For those not familiar with the format, Tractor Ted should not be confused with Tractor Tom (a CGI animated children's cartoon series). The Tractor Ted films feature real life footage from farms and associated locations (in this case a sawmill) introduced and narrated by an animated tractor, Tractor Ted. The Tractor Ted films feature a series of short informative segments about farming and related activities. Some segments just have simple explanatory narration, others feature a catchy song that will soon have the kids singing along, whilst yet others have basic counting games. When new items are introduced there are large bold captions for those getting to grips with reading. Tractor Ted in Springtime features plenty of big machines, but is the one in the series with the most 'aahh' factor having footage of new calves, lambs... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: First rate entertainment
Disadvantages: Not a single one!

...in Canterbury really come to life, especially through the medium of this DVD. The characters are in turns venal, crass, rude, diplomatic, churlish, bombastic, chivalrous, angry and friendly as they each tell their own tales on the long trek that made up the pilgrimage. And they are all vividly and sharply drawn. From life, or so it seems. We both seemed to recognise the characters in people that we know or knew at one time or another. The vocal talents are provided by the crème de la crème of British acting of stage, cinema screen and television. Sean Bean, Richard Griffiths, Robert Lindsay, Tim McInnery, Bill Nighy, Bob Peck, Liz Smith and Imelda Staunton all feature on this superlative DVD. The tales shown on the DVD are: The Squire's tale, the Cannon's Servant's tale, the Miller's tale, The Reeve's tale, The Nun's Priest's tale, The Knight... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good insight into characterisation
Disadvantages: Short clips of the actual play

...This DVD is a very useful resource for anyone studying The Winter's Tale. It is a good way of reminding you that the text was written to be performed and allows you to view the way the actors and director have interpretated the text. Different interpretations of the text are useful from an exam point of view however I would recommend reading the text before watching this DVD because it can be hard to shake this directors interpretations from your mind after watching. The DVD is based around interpretations rather than the actual performance so it isn't very good if you want to actually watch an uninterupted performance. I would highly recommend this DVD for anyone who is studying the play but if it's a performance of The Winter's Tale you're after then I would say this isn't the best choice.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful