Heat of the Sun Boxed Set (Private Lives / Hide in Plain Sight / The Sport of Kings) (1999) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I first saw this on PBS's Mystery series a couple of years ago and loved it. I was able to tape two of the episodes on a repeat, but I'm holding out hope (most likely in vain) for a DVD release. And Diana Rigg's introductions on the Mystery version add lots of background and period information about some of the real people some of the characters resemble. I assume that this comentary is not included on the VHS release (?).
Police Superintendent Albert Tyburn has left England and Scotland Yard for the East African colony of Kenya. He left under a cloud and rumours about why have followed him all the way to Nairobi. He's to head up the newly created Criminal Investigations unit that pompous snob and windbag Police Commissioner Burkitt feels is entirely unnecessary. For Tyburn, "crime is crime" and people are people and his determination to treat the natives with respect along with his refusal to show his "betters" proper deference is a continual irritant to his often lofty suspects. He's also constantly irritating his superior, Burkitt who loathes Tyburn and tells him "you're not one of us and you never will be" - for which Tyburn is eternally grateful! Trevor Eve is fantastic as Tyburn - smart, sexy, wry and sardonic he has no qualms about being unpopular as long as the criminals pay.
Then there's aviatrix Emma Fitzgerald (played by the terrific Susannah Harker) an independent woman on the fringe of "polite society" who pilots her own plane for safaris and supply runs. She and Tyburn meet when her sister is murdered in episode one. Their mutual respect and friendship evolves into one of the most understated (but sweet) romances I've ever seen!
Great, tight stories, an authentic period atmosphere and wonderful supporting characters in Dr Mueller, Inspector Valentine, Corporal Karendi, Governor Rex Willoughby, decadent party-boy Chico DeVille and the sleazy and villainous Max Van der Vuerst all add up to intelligent and enjoyable viewing. Highly recommended!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Heat of the Sun Boxed Set (Private Lives / Hide in Plain Sight / The Sport of Kings) (1999)

A tangled web of blackmail, murder, passion, and more awaits former Scotland Yard detective Albert Tyburn (Trevor Eve from The Politician's Wife) when he arrives in Nairobi. He has been sent to head up a new criminal investigation unit under the command of pompous local police commissioner Ronald Burkitt (Michael Byrne). In these three mysteries: Private Lives, Hide in Plain Sight and The Sport of Kings, Tyburn uses his cunning, courage and headstrong policing style to battle arson, drug-dealing, murder and the creeping colonialism of Kenya's hedonistic expatriate community. Special DVD features include: link to the Mystery! Web site; scene selections; and closed captions.On three DVD5 discs.Region coding: All regions.Audio: Dolby stereo.Screen format: Letterboxed.

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Heat of the Sun Boxed Set (Private Lives / Hide in Plain Sight / The Sport of Kings) (1999)

Waking the Dead: The Complete Season One and Pilot Episode (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I first saw this show on BBCAmerica about 6 years ago and was instantly a fan. I am a fan of shows such as CSI:, CSI:Miami, and had seen some of the Cold Case episodes. I do agree with the reviewer above that the episodes are a little slower than the shows here in the US, but Waking the Dead has such great actors and the characters really drive the storylines. Trevor Eve and Susan Johnston play off each other very well. Claire Goose, Will Johnston and Holly Aird who make up the rest of the team are equally compelling. Looking forward to more of this series making it to DVD here in the states. A little disappointed that there were no commentaries or extras but I'm not going to complain because it seem to take forever for British shows to make it on to Region 1 DVDs. Hopefully BBC/BBCAmerica can make that happen a bit more quickly.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Waking the Dead: The Complete Season One and Pilot Episode (2002)

The Cold Case Unit, led by quick-tempered, no-nonsense copper DS Boyd (Trevor Eve), have assembled to re-examine "unsolvable" crimes with cutting-edge detection techniques. But the pressure is on for this mix of forensics, psychology and detective investigation to yield results.

Get 50% OFF

Click here for more information about Waking the Dead: The Complete Season One and Pilot Episode (2002)

Waking the Dead: The Complete Season Four (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As my title indicates, I gave up on waiting for this to come out in the US and ordered the series from the UK a year or so ago. I have a multi-region player, so it was a no-brainer. Waking the Dead is probably one of my favorite crime dramas of all time and this final season with all of the original cast is really stellar. Series 4, originally broadcast in the summer of 2004, consists of 6 two-part episodes (really 12) and there isn't a dud among them. "In the Sight of the Lord" involves the investigation of the unsolved murder of a WWII conscientious objector. The motive behind this murder is a rather gut-wrenching crime. "False Flag" involves the team investigating the unsolved murder of an Irish terrorist missing since 1981. A bit tedious at times but still quite good and better than almost anything out there. In "Fugue States" the team is handed the case of a set of twins missing for 13 years until one of them shows up in an ER after a car accident. The side story here really starts to develop the character of Mel Silver as she searches for her biological mother. The two parter "Anger Management" has the team investigating a suicide at a half-way house with the kicker involving the weapon used. The side story here is a lot of fun as the perennially angry Boyd is forced to take anger management counselling, the effects of which his team find disturbing. In "The Hardest Word" the team is called in when two males are found with the word "sorry" carved into their backs. There is an organized crime tie-in so another team is brought in to help solve the case, creating tension and providing a female of interest for Boyd. The final set "Shadowplay" is really wonderfully done but has a truly heart-wrenching ending. The series was never quite the same after, although still good. This final season with all members of the original cast is extra special, maybe because it is the last, but most probably because the stories told are just that good.
I wish it didn't take so long to get these released over here. If you have a multi-region player, you can get series 4 from Amazon UK for £10.98 which is roughly about $19.00. I have never been charged over $5 or $6 to ship things here and if you get a few other dvds, it might be worth it to order from Amazon UK--the conversion rate is quite good right now. Series 5 and 6 have been available since 2007/2008 in the UK. I also recommend the British series Silent Witness. Fans of WTD will probably enjoy it too.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Waking the Dead: The Complete Season Four (2009)

Season Four of Waking the Dead, a British CSI, arrives on DVD 1/19! Chief Inspector Boyd and his team are back to reopen the files of more cold cases. A spectral leader, calling himself "The Shepherd," is incitivulnerable women to commit murder; a sadomasochistic killer is counting off his victims, leaving the word "sorry" carved into their skiand the discovery of an unexploded bomb threatens to bring unforeseen upheaval to the team. Meanwhile, Boyd's visiting a shrink to deal with his anger management, while an apparently mild-mannered ex-con starts to reveal signs that he's actually well connected in a sinister crime ring. Whatever happens, whatever the result, Boyd is determined to get to the bottom of every crime, even if he must examine his own ways of working to unravel the truth. But the final case of the season brings a shocking turn of events that shakes the team to its core.

Get 44% OFF

Click here for more information about Waking the Dead: The Complete Season Four (2009)

Waking the Dead: The Complete Season Three Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Despite my obsessive dvr-ing of Waking the Dead on BBCAmerica, I somehow missed season three. All I have to say is "Wow!" This is such a fantastic season of this series. There isn't an "off" episode in season three. I will agree with a previous reviewer that the two-part episode "Walking on Water" is just outstanding; probably my favorite so far, maybe ever. I really recommend Season Three if you haven't seen it. This show is just fantastic.
As a (hopefully) helpful aside for fans of this series: Further seasons of this great series aren't currently available from the US Amazon, but you can get Seasons Four, Five, and Six from Amazon.co.uk. The prices on entire seasons are currently ?11 ($16)-?12 ($17) each, which is pretty fantastic. Shipping wasn't too bad either. With the pound being weaker against the dollar, now might be the time to order. If you haven't ever ordered from Amazon.co.uk, your same log-in and password will work. You will need a multi-region player as these are Region 2 and will not play on standard American players. Amazon carries some Phillips brand multiregion players for anywhere from $50-$75, right now. I hope this information is helpful to other fans of this fantastic show!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Waking the Dead: The Complete Season Three

A stylish, contemporary thriller series. The Cold Case team is a crack squad of police investigators who reopen unsolved murder cases, using new technology to re-examine evidence that hopefully will lead to the killer. They are at the cutting edge of modern police investigation, but they have been given just one year to prove their worth.

Get 44% OFF

Click here for more information about Waking the Dead: The Complete Season Three