Goodnight Sweetheart - The Complete Series 1 - 6 (Box Set) (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	It's originality
Disadvantages:	Not applicable

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Goodnight Sweetheart is the popular BBC comedy series, which ran from 1993-1999, which featured Nicholas Lyndhurst, as the time traveller Gary Sparrow, who initially, mistakenly found himself wandering around war-torn london.

What it's all about

Goodnight Sweetheart, is based in both the 90's and the 40's. The series revolves around the life of a middle-aged man, named Gary Sparrow [Lyndhurst] . In the 1990's, Gary is a working man, that being a TV repairman, and is also a happily married man, to Yvonne. However, Gary stumbles upon an alley named 'Duckett's Passage'. This turns out to be extremeley significant in the years to come for Gary Sparrow, as it is his gateway to the past - his gateway to the 1940's.
In the 1940's, Gary meets a lonley barmaid, named Pheobe, played by Dervla Kirwan ( series 1-3), and Elizabeth Carling ( series4-6)., who runs a pub called The Royal Oak. Each series of the programme focuses on a particular year of the war.

Gary eventually ends up finding himself running two lives, 50 or odd so years apart. But for just how long can he keep this up? Find out by buying the complete DVD collection, and I also hope that this review can also motivate you in doing so - it is most definately worth every penny!

Why would I recommend Goodnight Sweetheart?

There are many reasons as to why I would recommend Goodnight Sweetheart ;

* The series is very orignial. The whole concept of a man being able to travel back in time is an incredible idea, and also something that most people living today would love to do.

* As each series progresses, it is increasingly interesting to watch the different relationships develop, in both periods in time. It is also particularly fascinating to watch how each relationship on each end of the 'time portal' seem to mirror each other - as 1990's declines,, the relationship between Gary and Pheobe boom, and vice versa.

* There is a vast range of characters in the show. My noteable favourite is that of PC Reg Deadman, a police officer in the 1940's, who, lets say, isn't the brightest of characters. This certainly adds to the overall humour portrayed in the show.

Aswell as the above, I would most definately recommend Goodnight Swetheart, based on the wide range of storylines it possesses. In some cases, Gary Sparrow's 'Double Life' crosses wires, and in some cases, you just completely wonder how he is going to get out of it. It is difficult to put this accross to you, without actually revealing any key details, so I will leave that to you, when and if you do decide to purchase the DVD. It's great to see how Gary develops as a character aswell, and Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the show's creators certainly succeeded in the characterisation and portrayal of Gary Sparrow - his development was incredible.

Is the boxset good value for money?

Most definately. Included in the boxset is all 6 series of the programmes, spread out over 11 discs. Overall, these discs are over 1'870 minutes long!! Aswell as every episode of the series ever made, there are quite a few extras. Incase the extra's are what usually make up your mind on whether to purchase a DVD, I'll list them here for you!

Series 1

Episode Commentaries by the creators
An Interview with the creators

Series 2

Episode Commentaries by the creators and the writers
An Interview with Christopher Ettridge, who played Reg Deadman

Series 3

An Interview with Dervla Kirwan, who played Pheobe ( Series 1-3)
Epsiode Commentaries by the creators and the writers.

Series 4

An Interview with Emma Amos, who played Yvonne ( Series 4-6)
Commentaries by the creators and the writers

Series 5

Episode Comentaries by creators and writers
An interview with David Benson, who played Noel Coward/

Series 6

Episode Commentaries
An Interview with Elizabeth Carling, who played Pheobe ( series 4-6)

As you can see, there is most definately a great deal of content, definately going to keep you contented!

The Boxset

The boxset is of very good standard. As already most likely guessed, it contains 6 cases, each containing a series of the programme . These are all held in a carboard box, containing the goodnight sweetheart logo, aswell as a picture of Gary Sparrow. Saying that, the packaging may vary.

Final words

I hope I have convinced you enough that this is an absolutely fantastic series, and persuaded you to go get yourself a copy. It is most definately worth the money.

A well deserved 10/10 for me.

Now that I've finished, I'm away to watch another episode :)