Network DVD - Deal Of the Week.

[John Johnson]

Man of the World: The Complete Series.

Michael Strait is a high-flying photo-journalist whose business takes him into every corner of society - from the glamour of the catwalk to political hot spots the world over. With an eye for trouble, his job gives him licence to go wherever there’s a story - he is truly a Man of the World!

Not seen since the 1960s, Man of the World is much sought-after by ITC aficionados and fans of action-based television the world over. Starring Craig Stevens (Peter Gunn) as Michael Strait, every 50-minute episode contains mystery, danger, daring antics and the quirky humour much loved by fans of other ITC shows such as The Saint, The Persuaders! and Danger Man.

Featuring performances from many high-calibre guest stars (including Alfred Burke, Anthony Quayle, Warren Mitchell, Patrick Troughton, Derren Nesbitt and Patrick Wymark), the stories are tightly plotted by writers Brian Clemens (The Avengers, The Professionals), Tudor Gates (The Sweeney), Michael Pertwee (The Saint), Julian Bond (Tales of the Unexpected) and Marc Brandel (Danger Man). Amongst the directors are feature-film directors Charles Crichton (The Lavender Hill Mob) and Charles Frend (The Cruel Sea). This five-disc set contains all 20 episodes in production order.

Special Features:
• Colour version of Masquerade in Spain - though transmitted in black and white, this pilot episode was filmed in colour and on location in Spain, rather than the backlot. It is a brand new transfer from the original 35mm film elements and has never been seen before in this format
• Extensive image galleries (all discs)
• PDF material (disc three)


Catalogue Number: 7952183
Classification: TBC
Picture: 1.33:1 / Black and White / Colour
Subtitles: None
Time: 1000 mins approx
Barcode: 5027626218348
Number of Discs: 5
Sound: Mono / English
Region: 0 / PAL


http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... cts_id=929

[John Johnson]

Gideon's Way The Complete Series (New Packaging).

John Gregson stars as Commander George Gideon, CID in GIDEON’S WAY – a classic ITC crime thriller series based on the books by John Creasey. Extensively shot on location, the documentary style of the direction lends itself wonderfully to fast-paced, thrilling action stories with outstanding performances from guest stars such as Gerald Harper, Alfie Bass, George Cole, Ray McAnally, Rosemary Leach, George Baker and Gordon Jackson.

This rarely seen series is presented here, with all 26 episodes being complete and uncut. It will appeal to people who like ITC film series and cop shows (it was described as "The Sweeney of its day".

This complete series comprises the following episodes:

• State Visit
• The ‘V’ Men
• The Firebug
• The Big Fix
• The Housekeeper
• The Lady-Killer
• To Catch a Tiger
• Big Fish, Little Fish
• The White Rat
• How to Retire Without Really Working
• Subway to Revenge
• The Great Plane Robbery
• Gang War
• The Tin God
• The Alibi Man
• The Wall
• The Thin Red Line
• A Perfect Crime
• The Millionaire’s Daughter
• Morna
• Boy With Gun
• Fall High Fall Hard
• The Prowler
• The Reluctant Witness
• The Rhyme and the Reason
• The Nightlifers

This release also includes:

• image gallery
• variant US titles on four episodes
• clean title sequences
• incidental music compilation


Current Reviews: 1
Catalogue Number: 7952572
Time: 1300 mins
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: 4:3 / Black and White
Number of Discs: 7
Classification: PG
Barcode: 5027626228248

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... ucts_id=99

[John Johnson]

Bless Me Father The Complete Series.

When a newly ordained young priest, Neil Boyd, comes to the parish of St Jude's, he discovers that nothing in the seminary could have prepared him for Father Duddleswell - a robust and cheerful eccentric, who has been the parish priest for many years. Neil is befuddled when Duddleswell insists that as well as the usual virtues of patience, love and charity, a parish priest must have sagacity, and both the reserve and resourcefulness of a poker-player. His confusion increases when Duddleswell and his housekeeper of twenty years start hurling insults at each other...

Fresh from his success in Dad's Army, Arthur Lowe chalked up another success as the mischievous Father Duddleswell, a Catholic priest incumbent in the London parish of St. Jude's. With subtle and witty scripts from Peter de Rosa (based on his xperiences as a novice curate), Bless Me Father is a gem of a comedy programme, with Arthur Lowe at his best.


Catalogue Number: 7952726
Time: 525 mins approx
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: 4:3 / Colour
Number of Discs: 3
Classification: PG
Barcode: 5027626272647

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... cts_id=442

[John Johnson]

Sergeant Cork: The Complete Series 1.

John Barrie is Sergeant Cork, one of the early members of London’s Metropolitan Police C.I.D. - plain-clothes detectives tasked with maintaining law and order in the seething metropolis of Victorian London. Assisted by Bob Marriott (William Gaunt) from his attic office at Old Scotland Yard, Cork has to contend with the heavy crimewave created by the massive population boom, industrial expansion and an ever-widening gap between the rich and poor.

Created by Ted Willis (Dixon of Dock Green) and produced by Jack Williams (Within These Walls, New Scotland Yard), Sergeant Cork features inventive scripts from Willis, Richard Harris (Man in a Suitcase), Julian Bond (The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes) and Bruce Stewart (Timeslip), among others. Unseen since the sixties, this set contains all thirteen episodes of the first series.


Catalogue Number: 7953176
Time: 650 mins approx
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: 1.33:1 / Black and White
Number of Discs: 4
Classification: TBC
Barcode: 5027626317645

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... cts_id=953

Some info about Sergeant Cork.

http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/sgtcork.htm

[John Johnson]

Sapphire and Steel The Complete Series (New Packaging).

Set in a world in which the future and past collide and time overturns reality, Sapphire and Steel captures your consciousness and takes you to altered states. Eerie, frightening forces are at work and Sapphire and Steel have been assigned... Only Sapphire and Steel (Joanna Lumley and David McCallum) can stop the strange events and restore natural order to the universe. Two superhuman agents assigned to safeguard the structure of Time - using their uncanny powers they protect the present from invading evils of the past and future.

Thought-provoking, unsettling and powerful drama with a supernatural twist, Sapphire and Steel built up a massive cult following during its initial transmission nearly thirty years ago and still remains highly popular to this day.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Brand new documentary featuring series stars David McCallum and Joanna Lumley, with series creator P.J. Hammond and director/producer Shaun O'Riordan
• Commentaries on the first and last episodes with P.J. Hammond and Shaun O'Riordan
• Extensive image galleries
• Original, PR paperwork and script PDFs
• Original Designer’s floor plans in PDF format

Current Reviews: 1
Catalogue Number: 7952836
Time: 850 mins approx
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: 1.33:1 / Colour
Number of Discs: 6
Classification: PG


http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... cts_id=500

[John Johnson]

Piece of Cake: The Complete Series

For the twelve young pilots of RAF Hornet Squadron, September 1939 brings the moment they have been waiting for; Britain has entered the War, and they prepare to leave for France with the prospect of flying beautiful aircraft in perfect formation, ready for any adversary. Eventually, they will be called upon to engage an enemy that is better trained, better armed and more experienced than they are. But life is still for living, and as they endure the mounting anticipation of the ‘phoney war’, the young novices – some still teenagers – are determined to sample the delights that France has to offer.

Tim Woodward (Wings), Neil Dudgeon (Life of Riley), Nathaniel Parker (Bleak House) and Jeremy Northam (The Tudors) star in this acclaimed LWT drama series, based on the novel by former RAF fighter plotter and Booker Prize nominee Derek Robinson. Meticulously researched combat scenes feature restored period aircraft – with former Red Arrows aerobatic team leader Ray Hanna as chief pilot – and are enhanced by stunning aerial photography and special effects. Piece of Cake also emphasises the fallibility and vulnerability of the pilots, offering rounded characterisations of the young heroes of the Battle of Britain – many of whom will make the ultimate sacrifice.

Catalogue Number: 7953177
Time: 310 mins approx
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: 1.33:1 / Colour
Number of Discs: 2
Classification: 12

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... cts_id=955

[John Johnson]

Capricorn One

The mission was a sham. The murders were real.

The whole world is watching the first manned flight to Mars, but its three astronauts are plunged into a hair-raising battle for survival within a clandestine operation involving intrigue and murder.

The astronauts are removed from their spacecraft to an abandoned desert hangar and told that their life support systems have malfunctioned. They are ordered to participate in an elaborate charade, simulating a Martian landing as cameras roll and with the entire world as an audience. The astronauts have no choice but to co-operate. Not only does the director of NASA inform them that their mission’s success is crucial to the future space programmes but threatens their families’ lives as well.

On a nearby sound stage, a simulated walk on Mars is set. As the flight apparently proceeds on schedule, a NASA technician notices a discrepancy in a computer read-out. Receiving no co-operation from his supervisors, he casually mentions the incident to his friend, reporter Robert Caulfield. Intrigued with the possibility of a government cover-up, Caulfield and a colleague search for the truth. After news reaches the captive astronauts that their rocket disintegrated upon re-entry and the world believes them dead, they know their very existence poses a threat to national security. The three astronauts escape and separate, hoping that one of them will live to expose the sensational fraud.

This classic sci-fi/conspiracy film stars Elliot Gould, James Brolin, Sam Waterston, Brenda Vaccaro, O.J. Simpson and Telly Savalas.

This movie has been sourced from a new, digitally restored High Definition transfer. It also includes:

• the original theatrical trailer
• What If…? The Making Of “Capricorn One”
• Location Report (Desert Filming)
• Location Report (Studio Filming)

Catalogue Number: 7952294
Time: 123 mins
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Stereo / English
Picture: 2.35:1 / Colour
Number of Discs: 1
Classification: PG

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... cts_id=131

[John Johnson]

Red Balloon (The) - including White Mane (Blu-ray)

The Red Balloon and White Mane remain timeless and wonderful children’s classics. Unseen for years, these award-winning short films have been recently restored so as to present them in the best possible picture quality. The two films were both directed by the award-winning Albert Lamorisse, a man who the New York Times has described as “...a remarkable artist: one of the cinema’s best poets and a fearless explorer of the scary and exhilarating outbacks of the imagination.”

THE RED BALLOON
The award-winning and critically acclaimed fantasy short film directed by Albert Lamorisse follows the relationship between a little boy and a red balloon with a mind of its own that he befriends on the Parisian streets. Widely recognised as one of the most important films in children’s cinema, this 1956 classic is the only dialogue-free film to win an Oscar for Best Screenplay.

WHITE MANE
The 1953 French classic and winner of the Palme D’Or at Cannes tells the tale of a boy who tames a wild stallion called White Mane. Filmed in the marshes of the Camargue in south-west France, White Mane is a beautiful journey into the wilderness that remains a groundbreaking work of children’s cinema to this day.

Special Features (SD):


[] Mon Père était un Ballon Rouge - documentary on Albert Lamorisse
[] L’enfant Qui Ne Souriait Pas - documentary on the main actor of Crin Blanc


Catalogue Number: 7957005
Time: 71 mins approx
Region: B
Subtitles: English
Sound: Mono / French
Picture: 1.33:1 / Black and White / Colour
Number of Discs: 1
Classification: PG
Barcode: 5027626700546

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... ts_id=1009

[John Johnson]

Buccaneers (The) The Complete Series (New Packaging)


Famous movie-star Robert Shaw stars in the fondly-remembered 1950s swashbuckler series – The Buccaneers. Set in the early 1600s on the exotic Caribbean island of New Providence, Captain Dan Tempest (Shaw) is a reformed pirate who rallies to the flag to serve his King, defending the island against the enemy in the war with Spain. Presented here is the entire series of 39 action-packed episodes of this top-rated show.

This thrilling adventure series will appeal to people who enjoyed Network’s previous releases of The Adventures of Robin Hood and archive television fans.

• Blackbeard • The Raiders • Captain Dan Tempest • Dan Tempest’s War With Spain • The Wasp • Whale Gold • The Slave Ship • Gunpowder Plot • The Ladies • The Surgeon of Sangre Rajo • Before the Mast • Dan Tempest and the Amazons • Articles of War • The Hand of the Hawk • Marooned • Gentleman Jack and the Lady • Mr Beamish and the Hangman’s Noose • Dead Man’s Rock • Blood Will Tell • Dangerous Cargo • The Return of Calico Jack • Ghost Ship • Conquistador • Mother Doughty’s Crew • Conquest of New Providence • Hurricane • Cutlass Wedding • Aztec Treasure • Prize of Andalusia • Dan Tempest Holds an Auction • Spy Aboard • Flip and Jenny • Indian Fighters • Mistress Higgins’ Treasure • To the Rescue • The Decoy • Instruments of War • Pirate’s Honour • Printer’s Devil


Catalogue Number: 7952534
Time: 975 mins
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono/English
Picture: 4:3 / Black and White
Number of Discs: 5
Classification: PG
Barcode: 5027626253448

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... ucts_id=16

[John Johnson]

Whiplash: The Complete Series

The only law a gun, the only shelter wild bush…

In August 1851, the discovery of gold in Ballarat, Australia, sent shockwaves across the world. Hordes of adventurers flocked to the new land of the golden dream, encountering a harsh, frequently violent land. Despoiled by bushrangers, brutalised by the old convict system and torn by class conflicts, it took a certain kind of settler to rise to the challenges of the new country. Boston-born Christopher Cobb is one of those people. Seasoned with experience gained in the Californian gold rush, Chris’s job is to find rights of way through the arid terrain of New South Wales, survey new lines of communication, and secure lucrative contracts for his expanding stagecoach business. He is a gentleman, yet no stranger to violence, and possesses an inherent hatred of injustice in any form - a trait that leads him into highly dangerous situations. In a land that has no sympathy for weaklings, Chris becomes whatever man he needs to be to.

American actor Peter Graves (Mission: Impossible) brought his sun-bleached good looks to this joint venture between ATV/ ITC and the Australian Seven Network, with input from an American production crew and writers, Whiplash transposed the frontier drama of the classic western to the heat and dust of the bush and Cobb defended himself with a bullwhip rather than a pistol. First broadcast in the UK in 1960, Whiplash features fast-moving scripts, including several by future Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, and a memorably rousing theme composed by Edwin Astley and sung by international star Frank Ifield. This complete series is released here for the very first time.

Special Features:

[] Extensive Image Galleries
[] PDF material


Catalogue Number: 7953152
Time: 850 mins approx
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: 1.33:1 / Black and White
Number of Discs: 5
Classification: TBC
Barcode: 5027626315245

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... ts_id=1015

[John Johnson]

Thriller The Complete Series

Something wicked this way comes…

Legendary scriptwriter Brian Clemens is probably most well- known for his work on THE AVENGERS and THE PROFESSIONALS, but arguably his best work is THRILLER - a series he made for Lew Grade in the mid-70s. THRILLER is an anthology series of single plays – some horrific, some terrifying – but always with a singular twist in the tale. Highly-popular and very critically acclaimed in its time, THRILLER attracted a high calibre of stars – Robert Powell, Jeremy Brett, John le Mesurier, Patrick Troughton, Helen Mirren, Diana Dors, Charles Gray, Denholm Elliott and Brian Blessed to name a few. With tales ranging between foreign agents and time-bending serial killers (and all points inbetween!), THRILLER set a new benchmark for quality horror in the 70s.

This set contains the complete of run of 43 episodes (six series):

• Lady Killer • Possession • Someone At The Top Of The Stairs • An Echo Of Theresa • The Colour Of Blood • Murder In Mind • A Place To Die • File It Under Fear • The Eyes Have It • Spell Of Evil • Only A Scream Away • Once The Killing Starts • Kiss Me And Die • One Deadly Owner • Ring Once For Death • K Is For Killing • Sign It Death • A Coffin For The Bride • I'm The Girl He Wants To Kill • Death To Sister Mary • In The Steps Of A Deadman • Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are • The Next Scream You Hear • Screamer • Nurse Will Make It Better • Night Is The Time For Killing • Killer With Two Faces • A Killer In Every Corner • Where The Action Is • If It's A Man - Hang Up! • The Double Kill • Won't Write Home Mom - I'm Dead • The Crazy Kill • Good Salary - Prospects - Free Coffin • The Next Voice You See • Murder Motel • Sleepwalker • The Next Victim • Nightmare For A Nightingale • Dial A Deadly Number • Kill Two Birds • A Midsummer Nightmare • Death In Deep Water

This set also contains the following special features:

• Extended version of If It's a Man - Hang Up!
• US Credits
• Stills Gallery
• Original Set Designs
• Restoration featurette
• Script PDFs

This release will appeal to Brian Clemens fans, horror aficionados (especially of the Hammer and Amicus variety) and archive television fans.

Catalogue Number: 7952967
Time: 2150 mins
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: 4:3 / Colour
Number of Discs: 16
Classification: 15
Barcode: 5027626227647


http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... cts_id=109

[John Johnson]

Network DVD have announced the UK DVD release of Callan: The Monochrome Years on 22nd February 2010 priced at £29.99 RRP. The late Edward Woodward (The Wicker Man) stars as a reluctant professional killer working for British Intelligence in this series created by James Mitchell (When the Boat Comes In).

This four-disc set contains:
Original Armchair Theatre pilot play, “A Magnum for Schneider”
Remaining black and white episodes from Series One and Two unseen in nearly forty years and available for the first time in any format.
“The Worst Soldier I Ever Saw” transformed from an unedited recording block that has been re-edited into its proper transmission format for this DVD release.

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content/id/72 ... ruary.html

[John Johnson]

A rather interesting take on Sherlock Holmes. A Thames TV series from 1971-1973.

Based on the best-selling anthologies of Victorian and Edwardian detective fiction, The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes features the world-famous consulting detective’s fictional rivals in the fog-shrouded crime capital of London.

Set in the three decades before the Great War, each story dealt with an individual and perplexing case (and a different detective). This top-flight, BAFTA-winning series attracted an incredible array of talent, including John Neville, Robert Stephens, Peter Vaughan, Roy Dotrice, Donald Pleasence, Ronald Hines, Peter Barkworth and Donald Sinden.

This set contains the 13 high quality episodes that made up the complete first series.



Catalogue Number: 7953005
Time: 650 mins approx
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: 1.33:1 / Colour
Number of Discs: 4
Classification: TBC
Barcode: 5027626300548


http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... cts_id=905

Some background information on the series.

http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/rivals.htm

The second series is now available from Network DVD at a reduced price.


Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (The): The Complete Series 2

Based on the best-selling anthologies of Victorian and Edwardian detective fiction, The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes showcases the world-famous consulting detective’s fictional rivals in the fog-shrouded crime capital of London.

Set in the three decades before the Great War, each story dealt with an individual and perplexing case (and a different detective). This top-flight, BAFTA-winning series attracted an incredible array of talent, including John Thaw, Derek Jacobi, Joss Ackland, Jean Marsh, Michael Sheard and Richard Beckinsale.

This set contains 13 high-quality episodes, comprising the complete second series.

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... ts_id=1029

The complete first series has also been released on Region 1.

http://acornonline.com/index/p/14414/

[John Johnson]

Their fates entangled once more, the rapacious pirate Long John Silver and ex-cabin boy Jim Hawkins - now having graduated from Oxford University - are caught up in the search for even more treasure still buried on the infamous Treasure Island...


Starring Brian Blessed (Flash Gordon, I, Claudius) as Long John Silver - a part he was surely born for - and Christopher Guard (Poirot) as the plucky Jim Hawkins, this continuation of Robert Louis Stevensonís classic tale is written by John Goldsmith (Return of the Saint) and directed by the BAFTA-winning Piers Haggard (Pennies from Heaven).


The Map - Part One
The Map - Part Two
Island of the Damned
Jamaica
Manhunt
The Crowís Nest
Fugitives
In Chains
Treasure Island - Part One
Treasure Island - Part Two


Catalogue Number: 7952796
Time: 500
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: Colour
Number of Discs: 3
Classification: PG

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... cts_id=599

[John Johnson]

Fury is a horse that no-one has yet been able to tame, a magnificent, fiery black stallion with a temper as hot as the desert sun. Joey Clark is a young orphan, a boy with no ties to anyone or anything, who finds himself dogged by accusations of wrongdoing wherever he goes. Thrown together on the ranch owned by widower Jim Newton, they share a rebellious spirit, and together forge a bond of trust that no man can break.

Set amid the rugged range country of California and featuring action-packed storylines that always emphasised the importance of doing the right thing, this much-loved series for younger viewers was a huge success on both sides of the Atlantic. Fury was the first series produced by the newly created TPA (Television Programs of America) in association with ITC. The series starred Peter Graves (Whiplash, Mission: Impossible) as Jim Newton, alongside newcomer Bobby Diamond as Joey. But the undeniable star of the series was Fury, registered as ‘Highland Dale’ but also credited as ‘Beauty’ and ‘Gypsy’, and known to the crew and cast simply as ‘Beaut’ - the highly intelligent and charismatic American Saddlebred stallion whose other famous credits include Giant and Gypsy Colt. Impeccably trained by owner Ralph McCutcheon, ‘Beaut’ was insured for more than a quarter of a million dollars; he won several Patsy awards - the animal equivalent of the Oscars, established by the American Humane Association - and scores of devoted admirers worldwide.

This release contains 30 classic early episodes of Fury, the majority unseen for many years, and includes the pilot episode which first aired in the UK in 1957.


Catalogue Number: 7953157
Time: 750 mins approx
Region: 2 / PAL
Subtitles: None
Sound: Mono / English
Picture: 1.33:1 / Black and White
Number of Discs: 4
Classification: TBC

http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info. ... ts_id=1090