The Rosamund Pilcher's Shell Seekers DVD

Advantages: Fantastic cast, very engaging story - all-round good 2-part tv drama
Disadvantages: Emily Mortimer, some dubbing

...Please note, I have the VHS edition of it so am only reviewing the main feature itself, not any extras etc. which may be on the DVD. Coming Home is a truly excellent ITV two-part drama. It is a dramatisation of the book with the same name by Rosamunde Pilcher (which I haven't read - sorry!) The drama is set in 1930s/1940s Cornwall, and centers around Judith Dunbarr (Keira Knightly and Emily Mortimer). Her family move to Singapore when she is 11 or 12 and she is left in England going to boarding school, staying with her aunt Louise (Penelope Keith). There, she meets her best friend Loveday Carey-Lewis (Katie Ryder Richardson), whose (Joanna Lumley) own a lush stately home in the countryside - and have lots of money. The plot then leads on to Judith and Loveday growing up, switching actresses and living through World War II, but fighting... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: reflections of great pop concert fm the 1970s
Disadvantages: not long enough!

...For all that some people class this era of vocal singing as smatlz and europop etc., many of today's wannabes should sit down and watch this dvd & see how five talented people could stand on stage and entertain with a slick/polished show. The 70s were a time when pop singers could deliver a perforamnce without backing tracks blaring to cover the flaws in the singing. They did not need to have earplugs glued into their ears to keep them in tune. In this dvd it shows how the New seekers stood on stage at the Albert Hall and sang their hits with just the boys on guitar. They delivered their hits impeccably with a slick show, a little injection of humour, but it had all been timed to perfection. No fancy light shows, no big band & no other backing singers etc. For the diehard fans the dvd is a rare treat and brings back memories... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Charming with excellent acting and beautiful locations
Disadvantages: Not suited to adrenalin junkies.

...This is a wonderful adaptation for one reason. It doesn't rely on spectacular special effects, nor on CGI. It is simply filled with great acting and beatiful locations which make it a hit. Keira Knightley is a wonderfully stubborn, headstrong and independant Elizabeth Bennet, opposite a perfectly cast, deep voiced Matthew Macfadyen as Darcy. The chemistry the share when together is perfect, and embodies the feelings the characters have for each other and yet are determined not to show. Rosamund Pike is an ethereal beauty as Jane, yet somehow makes her character seem slightly inverted and therefore doesn't overwhelm Jane's insecurities over Bingley. Donald Sutherland triumphs with his English accent, and he and Brenda Blethyn work together wonderfully to show us the loving, yet constantly bickering Mr and Mrs Bennet. The locations... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful