Tales Of The Riverbank DVD

Advantages: Timeless magic and fantastic dance
Disadvantages: No speech at all, which might be off-putting

...and leaps across the lily pads to sit and fish. He gets a bite on his line and a tussle ensues between him and the fish, which ends up with poor Jeremy being pulled into the water. A simple enough tale but add in a dancer leaping a good 3ft up in the air repeatedly and it's breathtaking. This DVD is a great choice for anyone who appreciates ballet, those who love Beatrix Potter stories, and children, who will be spellbound I'm sure (I was when I first saw this on tv aged about 5) and probably won't actually notice that there are no words at all. No extras apart from scene selection on the DVD.... Read review

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Advantages: Quirky and funny version of original classic
Disadvantages: Not completely true to the book

...I must say, most guiltily, that I've never read the 'Wind in the Willows'. Yet here I am to pay homage to one of the funniest DVD's I've ever seen. Looking at a few reviews on different websites the general consensus seems to be that, while not quite true to the book, this is still a hilarious and cheering film for both adults and children (it's rated 'Universal'). However, I've also read some very negative reviews from people brought up on the classic children's story, who find that this film unnecessarily deviates from material so good it should never have to be changed. As a newcomer to the story I was able to appreciate the wonderful story irrespective of faithfulness to the original. It is still, in my opinion, extremely funny and has a tranquil atmosphere of English countryside, riverbanks and country homes. I'm a huge fan... Read review

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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

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