Good news for fans of British TV productions (from a press release):
Propelled by a star-studded cast and a brilliant blend of period romance and social satire, akin to the works of Evelyn Waugh, Love in a Cold Climate makes its long-awaited North American DVD debut from Acorn Media on June 26, 2012. Based on bestselling author Nancy Mitford’s wickedly witty novels, Love in a Cold Climate stars Oscar® winner Judi Dench (Iris, Casino Royale, Shakespeare in Love) and Michael Williams (A Fine Romance) in this eight-part series set against a backdrop of the English nobility’s golden age—and a looming world war. Broadcast on Masterpiece Theatre in the 1980s, the series garnered acclaim from critics on both side of the Atlantic. Co-stars includeMichael Aldridge (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), Vivian Pickles (Harold and Maude), and Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). The DVD 3-disc set includes eight gripping episodes ($59.99,www.AcornOnline.com). Linda Radlett (Lucy Gutteridge, A Christmas Carol), daughter of Lord and Lady Alconleigh, follows her heart in and out of adventures, marriages, and dalliances, much to the dismay of her parents. Her dear friend Polly Hampton (Rosalyn Landor, Rumpole of the Bailey) maintains a cooler head (and some say, a colder heart) in her romantic entanglements. In the midst of a looming war that will alter their lives forever, the series seamlessly weaves together the two women’s tangled love affairs. Bestselling author Nancy Mitford’s novels, The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate, draw on her own experiences as a child of Britain’s aristocracy between the two world wars; the series is adapted by Simon Raven (The Pallisers, Edward & Mrs. Simpson).
Street Date: June 26, 2012 SRP: $59.99. DVD 3-Disc Set – 8 episodes – Approx. 405 min., – SDH subtitles
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Representing the finest of the universally acclaimed WWII detective series starring Michael Kitchen and seen on PBS, The Best of Foyle’s War arrives on DVD from Acorn Media on June 26, 2012.Specially selected by Kitchen himself, these six feature-length episodes feature his favorite episodes from the first four years of playing detective chief inspector Christopher Foyle. Featuring fan favorites Honeysuckle Weeks and Anthony Howell, these episodes also include guest stars Rosamund Pike (Pride & Prejudice),Edward Fox (Gandhi), Robert Hardy (All Creatures Great and Small), Amanda Root (Persuasion), Ronald Pickup (The Rector’sWife) and James McAvoy (Atonement, X-Men: First Class, Wanted). The 6-vol. DVD set includes interviews with creator Anthony Horowitz (23 min.), Anthony Howell and Honeysuckle Weeks (14 min.), behind-the-scenes featurette (24 min.) and more ($49.99, www.AcornOnline.com). A new series of Foyle’s War is currently in development and is scheduled to air in 2013. Combining uncompromising historical accuracy with compelling, character-driven murder mysteries, this enormously popular, award-winning British series has won unqualified critical praise and undying viewer loyalty since its premiere on ITV in the U.K. in October 2002 and PBS in February 2003. Foyle’s War was created by Anthony Horowitz (Poirot, Midsomer Murders, Alex Rider series, and the newest Sherlock Holmes novel House of Silk).
The Mysteries
The German Woman (Series 1, 1st episode) —After a gruesome murder, Foyle’s seemingly peaceful town is full of suspects.
Eagle Day (Series 1) —Foyle uncovers a plot to steal art treasures from a local museum.
Fifty Ships (Series 2) —The discovery of a body on a deserted beach puts American aid donations at risk.
Among the Few (Series 2) —The investigation of an illicit fuel racket turns personal for Foyle.
The French Drop (Series 3) —Foyle gets caught up in the rivalry between British spy agencies.
Bad Blood (Series 4) —A biological warfare experiment goes wrong, threatening the life of Foyle’s loyal driver.
BONUS Interviews with Anthony Horowitz (23 min.) and with Anthony Howell and Honeysuckle Weeks (14 min.), behind-the-scenes featurette (24 min.), photo gallery, historical background, cast reflections, and more. Acorn Media released a discounted collection of the first five sets, Foyle’s War: From Dunkirk to VE-Day in September 2009 (19-disc boxed set, Series 1-6), and in June 2010, released Foyle’s War, Set 6 (3-disc boxed set, Series 7).
Street: June 26, 2012 SRP: $49.99. DVD 6-Vol. Boxed Set: 6 mysteries – Approx. 600 min., plus bonus – closed captioned (main program)
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Newly remastered and restored to their original U.K. broadcast order, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Series 5 debuts on Blu-ray and arrives on DVD from Acorn Media on June 26, 2012. David Suchetreturns as Agatha Christie’s peerless Poirot in these eight mysteries from the hit series. The genteel Belgian detective calls upon his famous little grey cells to crack cases that no one else could, aided by cohorts Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser, Sharpe), Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson, Little Voice), and Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran). Brimming with beguiling 1930s period details and pitch-perfect performances, these lavish adaptations look better than ever in this remastered edition. ITV Studios’ Poirot has aired on ITV1 in the U.K. since 1989 and on PBS and A&E in the U.S. Series 5 previously aired in 1993. The 2-disc Blu-ray and 2-disc DVD sets include all eight mysteries from Series 5, now with SDH subtitles ($49.99/$39.99,www.AcornOnline.com). Series 5 guest stars include Anna Chancellor (BBC’s The Hour, Four Weddings and a Funeral), Hermione Norris (MI-5, Cold Feet), and Jeremy Northam (Emma, The Tudors).
THE MYSTERIES
The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb—An archaeological dig turns deadly.
The Underdog—Poirot’s and Hastings’s hobbies lead them to a murder scene.
Yellow Iris—Poirot is haunted by an heiress’s unsolved murder.
The Case of the Missing Will—A revised will goes missing after its author’s sudden death.
The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman—Poirot takes on a case involving an Italian count.
The Chocolate Box—Poirot investigates an old case on a trip home to Belgium.
Dead Man’s Mirror—Poirot wins a new client at an art auction.
Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan—A priceless necklace disappears while Poirot is on vacation.
Street: June 26, 2012
8 mysteries; U.K. broadcast order; SDH subtitles. Blu-ray 2-Disc Set (SRP: $49.99, Approx. 423 min). DVD 2-Disc Set (SRP: $39.99, Approx. 407 min.). Acorn Media previously released Series 1 – 4 on DVD and Blu-ray in 2012.
An interesting book review from