compared to TG show this is dribble and lacking in all entertainment

I like top gear and indeed Clarkson, but left alone for these income christmas churn and burn dvd's the script reviews and content is lacking....

I have purchased all his prev xmas editions/books etc etc , but after wasting money on this DVD...never again...

Jeremy you need a better producer, a decent script and production values that dont make your dvd's look like you and a mate went wild with a vidcam one friday arvo in order to make a bit of xmas coin for the clarkson household again.....

v lazy Jeremy

What an amazing series!

Wow, what a fantastic series! And to see our planet from such a different view!

First of all, I am not one for watching nature documentaries, (can't stand all that blood and gore when a prey is caught and torn to bits) but I caught a glimpse of this series, when previewed on Oprah, and thought my hubby would like it, and got it for him. All I can say is that I was the one who devoured every minute of it. There was no gut-churning bloody imagery, so it was right up my alley and I was riveted.

Every episode is packed with images so beautiful and breathtaking that it will leave you speechless by the splendor of it all. All I can say, if you're like me, give this a chance and watch it. You won't make a mistake. It will bring tears to your eyes to see what a wonderful and amazing planet we live in.

Sublime

This is the only version of Pride and Prejudice worth watching so far, and I can't imagine it being bettered. The casting of the actors is perfect, the writing is as true to the book as is possible and it has been immaculately researched, resulting in excellent, believable sets and locations. Don't waste your money on Hollywood productions. This is produced by Sue Birtwhistle, also responsible for Cranford. That should say it all.

The spirit of Venice is woven into Francesco's soul!

The best reviews are always those whose author is well versed in the subject ~ seemingly an obvious point but something that is all too often ignored ~ and if the reviewer also loves his or her subject matter with a passion, so much the better.

It would be hard to find a more poetic, seductive reviewer than this super sexy man, who is clearly first a Venetian and second an Italian! Francesco draws the viewer in like an angler teasing a fish until you are well and truly hooked!

I had visited Venice briefly, many years ago but at the wrong time of year ~ high summer (definitely not recommended) without undertaking any pre-visit research (definitely another big mistake ~ it is preferable to research any country but essential in order to really 'get' Venice) and for far too short a time to really form an intelligent opinion on this unique city.

This year, I had the opportunity to return with a group of girlfriends to watch our daughters' choir perform over 4 days. Apart from the concerts/masses in which they were performing, our time was our own. Despite it being mid-May, the weather was atrocious ~ horizontal rain on one day, with only one hot sunny day which, fortunately, was the day we visited the Island of Murano.

Despite all this, having watched Francesco's Venice, I felt, so prepared, so well versed in the city's foundations, history and character, that the weather became (almost!) unimportant.

I would not hesitate to recommend, no insist, as I did with my accompanying girlfriends, that this DVD is a pre-requisite for any visitor to this amazing city. It would certainly be no penance for any woman to watch Francesco da Mosto for 4 hours but I would defy anyone, male or female, young or old, not to be drawn in by his amazing story-telling ability.

Here is Venice during its times of triumph and disaster, health and sickness, all enthralling and captivating to the viewer with Francesco as an attentive and informative guide. Because of his transparent love for his home city, the viewer too, gets drawn into this love affair that is still ongoing.
The mixture of fact and inserts of historical drama, add to the intrigue and, in the best way possible, we begin to understand Francesco's great love of his place of birth.

Only one word of warning, it is rated a 15 for a reason! Pre-vet before showing to any young children as it is pretty sexually explicit in parts!

Enjoy!
Dx

Complete Charley

Unlike most reviews for this thusfar I thought I'd wait to see the whole series. How can you really comment if you haven't?

Before I start my review of the series I'd say that watching this on DVD is the way to go. This kind of adventure should seem epic and long, put it on and watch 3 episodes back to back. Not in a weekly form. I found Long Way Down much better on DVD than on TV due to this. Oh and one more thing, it's not as good as Ewan McGregor And Charley Boorman - Long Way Round [Special Edition] [2004], few shows are, so don't expect it to be.

So, it's Charley on his own, but not for the first time. Charley Boorman - Race to Dakar follows Charley as he and his team enter the infamous Dakar Rally. In this Charley has to show his abilities as a Biker and presenter, good training for By Any Means.

By Any Means is a different adventure altogether. Gone are the BMW motorbikes, replaced by over 100 different types of transport as Charley goes from Ireland to Australia 'by any means'. Really this is one big, nerdy transport documentary, showing how people move around the world, talking more about machines than cultures. This isn't a documentary about soaking up cultures as per the previous outings. Things get trickier as the series goes on, climaxing in a some dangerous events in the last episode.

Charley does well, he's obviously a good guy and is willing to show all to the camera (literally). This is more like your mate going on an adventure than a TV/Film star, which is By Any Mean's charm.

I've enjoyed it on TV and I'll do even more so again on DVD.

Truly amazing

It is difficult to praise this series too highly. The photography, whether at the ocean's surface or in its depths, is stunning. The presentation is straightforward and free from glitz and gimmicks - no loud music or zoom shots, no endless repetition of the best bits. The presenter himself is as professional as ever, combining authority with friendliness, and without those annoying"we're now flying to our next location, here is some footgae of me in the plane to fill in time and let you know how important I am, and that we're spending money going to various places" scenes that characterise all too many documentaries. When David Attenborough is facing the camera he has somehting worthwhile to say. We learn from this series, as well as being entertained and inspired, not least because of the use made of new technology to push back the frontiers of what can be filmed.
So is there anything to complain about? Just one thing - once it has hooked you there just isn't enough of it. Oh to have had another episode or two......

Its Only RocknRoll But I Like It

I managed to miss this in the cinema and waited a long time for it to turn up on DVD.
Its a great DVD, the sound is good quality, the video shots are superb the atmosphere is electric.
Its really nice the way Jagger comes across a bit tongue in cheek and the band don't seem to take it all too seriously.
The Stones aren't the best band ever but they have a long list of rock songs which deliver and have delivered constistently since 1960. Its all good fun.
Charlie Watts does a great job holding the rest of the band together, literally. And Jagger is still mesmeric to watch.
I saw them once in Croydon in the '60's with Brian Jones, only for the sound to be obliterated totally by screaming girls.
So it was nice to get to hear them in concert at last.

Simply the best!!!

This is the best made documentary I've ever seen. It's not just about the extremely beautiful country, but the lovely people and the way they get along with nature. The music is wonderful. I really, really enjoy watching it. Definitely an item for collection. In fact, I'm going to buy some as a gift for my Chinese friends. They would have the chance to watch it but do not necessarily without TV commercials, which would ruin it.

One word - Incredible!

Well, the BBC did it with the updated Dr. Who and now they've gone and done it again. This is a terrific show and a wonderful update on the old 'cops on the box' action drama.
The basic premise is intriguing - is the hero in a coma, back in time, crazy - but it's the 1970s feel that gives it the biggest kick, and that's especially down to the big shoes filled by Gene Hunt. What a wonderful creation. A man so desperately wrong, in so many ways, yet a man who's basic instincts are often so right -- to get the scum off the streets at any cost. (Hunt - a nice play on words, too!)
This is an intelligently scripted show, that leaves you guessing as to what really is going on with regards to Sam Tyler, the hero, and the 2000s vs 1970s comparisons are often cringingly, but humorously, spot on. It's one of those shows you hope will never end.
Hunt and Tyler are the main characters, both wonderfully fleshed out. The supporting roles are adequately filled, but nothing special, but then they don't have to be as the show stands up so strongly on the interplay of the two main characters alone. Of course, there are the nods to 70s classics like The Sweeney, right down to the colour of car they drive and even some of the camera angles at particular moments (though that could be pure fluke).

A hugely entertaining series.

Fascinating and real value for money

David Dimbleby takes you around Britain using paintings to track the landscapes. He eloquently and charmingly explores not only the landscape with the people who live there. It gave me an excellent insight into parts of Britain I know little of. Maybe next time I am there, I will try to find some of these beautiful and interesting places.
Sometimes the background music dominates the programme (especially in the fifth episode - The Home Front). It is quite annoying when music is playing at the same time as David is trying to speak, and the use of odd noises really is distracting. I can see no point in playing music over the sound of crashing waves when it drowns out the natural sounds of the sea.
However, a great series of programmes that are pleasant to watch, and presented brilliantly. As an addendum - David I loved your boat, it is just like the one I want!

It's what it says on the tin: THE SECRET. Revealed to all who care to watch!

Chances are this is going to make you feel uneasy. You may want to throw it out as New Age.

I suggest you watch it, out it aside, and then one day watch it again. I PROMISE you this will CHANGE YOUR LIFE, if you care to give it a chance.

It's working for me! :-)

Planet Earth (Buy it)

Don't rent this title, splash the £40 and buy it. It's almost 10 hours of beautifully (patiently) short footage of poor critters that the human race will probably have wiped out in the next decade. I've only seen 3 episodes so far, but the baby bear and the birds that glide over the mountain are awesome, nature and the natural world at its very best.

But where is the Deathday incident?

Kidding, i made that up, my Mrs loves Top Gear and is IN love with Clarkson so for that end i won't apologise for shamelessly promoting my debut novel Deathday by Eugene Bruce - I'd very much appreciate you checking it out that's DEATHDAY by EUGENE BRUCE - It does not have cars in it but it does have a lot of deaths for you to laugh about!

Excellent for all audiences

Certainly one of the best accounts from the infantryman's point of view. Great for training too, at least in terms of putting people in the picture. The case specifies that subtitles are available. Why then is it impossible to activate this most useful feature?

Witty, whistlestop tour of the States

The BCC made two documentary series about the USA this year. This one is the light-hearted, fast-paced one, which sees Stephen Fry gallop about the country in a black cab stopping for short segments in different states, trying to convey a flavour of America rather than the detailed historical persepctive of Simon Schama's alternative series (see Simon Schama's The American Future: A History

Stephen Fry in America is very entertaining, always presented with a wry smile and a witty comment. It contains some stunning photography of the landscape and some interesting interviews with local characters as well as Fry's two-minute historical overview of the area.
The programmes cover the West, the Mountains and Plains, the Deep South, New England, the Missisipi and the Pacific. Memorable moments include his visit to Morgan Freeman's blues bar and seeing the reality of Angola prison, going to the civil war battlefield and going underground into a missile base. Even milking sheep!

However, this programme really does try to cram too much stuff into too little time. It would have been so much better as 12-part series. Most of the interviews just get going and -- wallop! -- you have to gallop onto the next bit. Some states don't even get a look in (and some of the editing choices are bizarre. There's a lot of time spent gawping at the voodoo ritual, for instance, and Fry has plenty of time to make smart-alec jokes about sheep's private parts but barely a moment to discuss how the cheese is actually made...).

Overall though this is entertaining and informative, if rarely revelatory. It offers a window through which we can understand American culture a little better.
7/10

most haunted series 10

i bought this for my wife and she was absolutely transfixed some scary moments even for her a most avid viewer, well worth buying

Watch this series and gain insight into how people have lived for the majority of the past 200,000 years plus of the human race

This series is very exiting to watch (enhanced especially for those who dabble in bushcraft) but for me it is more important than simply giving viewing pleasure). It has given me insight into the past that i would value at much more than 30 quid - try something in the region of priceless.

Bruce Parry visits tribes across the whole length and breadth of the world visiting tribes that vary greatly and so are unique. His attitude is such that he is immediately likable. He is very humble even at the end of his journey when he has achieved so much. What he must have learnt on the way- truely remarkable. I could not do it, most could not do it.

There are those i believe that would like others to believe that history proper began in the 20/1st century and that anything before that can be classed as a time of barbarism, squalor etc. The complexity,love,respect,multi-facetted nature of the people revealed in these short programmes (it is fair, i think, to say that some of the tribes have been left in such a state as for their ways to be little changed through time) are the same as us - a wise man in one episode is able to reveal the oneness of the human race and indeed of everything.

I hear people here call members of tribes animalistic: we are animals, they in the episodes are animals, but as the West moves towards a more destructively unsustainable path perhaps we leave the animal kingdom and become as parasites. Perhaps they are better than us. I do not have the answer but perhaps you can find one in these programmes.

Finally I would say that people who would get upset at the destruction of a culture before their very eyes should not watch certain of the episodes - The Penan tribe.

Alasdair Robertson

Incomparable...

Incomparable. Moving. Poignant. Horrific. There are not enough superlatives for this series. If it was up to me, I'd make every teenager in the Uk watch it - just to make them realise what sacrifices our ancestors had to make so that they can enjoy their much taken for granted freedom.

Very, very disappointing

Sadly yet another example of BBC"dumbing down".

Each episode starts with an over-long, American style introduction with over-loud music and this sets the tone for the whole. This is a double shame because the producers are trying to handle a very big story in quite a short time slot and every second should be precious to the story-telling.

Huge stretches of coast are covered at a time, but largely ignored with just a few places being mentioned and even then only in passing. In the first episode, for example, whcih starts at Dover, there is nothing at all on Rye with its beautiful old town and its litererary associations, ditto Hastings Old Town, nothing about Brighton's history and the Royal Pavilion, etc.

The real problem is that the"coast" of the title is simply being used as a device to segue, as the media folk say, from one bleeding chunk to another. The bleeding chunks in question are contributed by a miscellaneous bunch of presenters who each have their own story to tell. Thus it feels like four or five different series cobbled together in parallel, which is very disjointed.

The"natural world" bits are good and well presented, but surely merited a series of their own rather than being squeezed into this. Most of the other bits are pretty purile. The history is all human interest, for example, with no real history at all. Did it not seem strange to the producers to tell the story of the English Channel without describing how the Spanish Armada was defeated, or where William the Conqueror came ashore?

I was very disappointed by this offering as there is potentially a great story to tell here. The BBC had the oportunity to do so, but have totally messed it up. At best, this might be of interest to 11 year olds, but as adult info-tainment it is a sad and total failure. One shudders to think what would happen if the BBC were to re-make something like Civilisation today.