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Want Specifics About This Fabulous Show DVD Set? Here's What I Can Tell You From Viewing The Discs
My son recently loaned me "Primeval: Volume 1 (Series 1 and 2)," an amazingly written, directed, acted, and (CGI) visual effects filled British television series. After watching all the episodes, I went on-line to find out if more episodes were available. Much to my surprise, the thirteen episodes (on the four disc DVD set) are actually the first two seasons, and that Season Three will not even air until "Spring 2009" in England. I found no indication of when it will air in the US! (Since I don't have access to cable, I guess I will be waiting a very long time to watch the next (ten) episodes--if they release Season Three separately).
While reading about the DVD set, I also read the "Customer Reviews" and was interested in how many people commented on the lack of information available about the DVDs; that is, there is no separate disc/episode guide or description of the regular and bonus features.
Knowing that I would want to know more about what is on the DVDs, if I did not already have access to them, I decided to write this review to provide some of this information. Therefore, I have listed here, for each of the four discs in the set, the picture on the disc itself, the trailers before the Main Menu, the information on the menu page, the information on the sub-menus for the "Episode Selection" and "Scene Selection" options, and a short description of the bonus materials--including who does the episode commentaries.
Disc 1: Claudia Brown (Actress Lucy Brown) seen through creature's teeth
Trailer for "Planet Earth" DVDs, HDVDs, and Blue Ray
Animated Advertisement for BBC America
PRIMEVAL
DISC 1
PLAY ALL
EPISODE SELECTION
Menu Options:
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
MAIN MENU
SCENE SELECTION
Menu Options:
Episode 1, Scene 1-6, NEXT MAIN MENU
Episode 2, Scene 1-6, NEXT MAIN MENU BACK
Episode 3, Scene 1-6, MAIN MENU BACK
SUBTITLES ON/OFF (English only; in black bar and picture on my set)
Disc 2: Abby Maitland (Actress Hannah Spearritt) reaching up to Rex
Trailer for "Robin Hood - Season Two" DVD set
PRIMEVAL
DISC 2
PLAY ALL
EPISODE SELECTION
Menu Options:
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
MAIN MENU
SCENE SELECTION
Menu Options:
Episode 4, Scene 1-6, NEXT MAIN MENU
Episode 5, Scene 1-6, NEXT MAIN MENU BACK
Episode 6, Scene 1-6, MAIN MENU BACK
BEHIND THE SCENES--45:46 minutes
(FEATURE SUMMARY: Aired 17 March, 2007, narrated by James Murray. Discussions about: creating the show; casting the actors; filming the show; doing blue screen and stunt work; and creating the creatures. Also discussions and personal comments with the cast and crew.)
SUBTITLES ON/OFF (English only; in black bar and picture on my set)
Disc 3: Connor Temple (Actor Andrew-Lee Potts) beating back a Mosasaur
Trailer for "Dr Who" DVDs
Main Menu:
PRIMEVAL
DISC 3
PLAY ALL
EPISODE SELECTION
Menu Options:
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 7 Audio Commentary--with Creator Adrian Hodges, Co-Creator
and episode writer Tim Haines, and Director Jamie Payne
MAIN MENU
SCENE SELECTION
Menu Options
Episode 7, Scene 1-6, NEXT MAIN MENU
Episode 8, Scene 1-6, NEXT MAIN MENU BACK
Episode 9, Scene 1-6, MAIN MENU BACK
THROUGH THE ANOMALY with Andrew-Lee Potts--39:35 minutes
(FEATURE SUMMARY: Aired 23 February 2008, narrated by Andrew-Lee Potts. Andrew-Lee Q & A's the cast and crew, and makes sneak up shots of people. This is interwoven with discussions about: the new stage, A.R.C. (Anomalies Research Centre); actor's comments about their characters, costumes, actions, etc.; crews comments; new characters; how CGI work is accomplished; filming at Port of Ventura; use of steady cam; still pictures and their uses; cast antics on set; re-voicing; and the making of toy figures. Ends with a cast and crew set photograph session.)
SUBTITLES ON/OFF (English only; in black bar and picture on my set)
Disc 4: A Pteranodon chasing Prof Nick Cutter (Actor Douglas Henshall)
Trailer for "Walking With Dinosaurs" DVD
Trailer for " Allosaurus"
Main Menu:
PRIMEVAL
DISC 4
PLAY ALL
EPISODE SELECTION
Menu Options:
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 10 Audio Commentary--with Executive Producer and Co-Creator
Tim Haines, Co-creator and Head Writer Adrian Hodges, and
Director Jamie Payne
MAIN MENU
SCENE SELECTION
Menu Options:
Episode 10, Scene 1-6, NEXT MAIN MENU
Episode 11, Scene 1-6, NEXT MAIN MENU BACK
Episode 12, Scene 1-6, NEXT MAIN MENU BACK
Episode 13, Scene 1-6, MAIN MENU BACK
SUBTITLES ON/OFF (English only; in black bar and picture on my set)
One aspect I found interesting about the show from the commentary is that in the first season the two directors each had 9 weeks to film and 9 weeks post production for three episodes (in comparison to American and Canadian shows that get 7-10 days total for one episode). Given this extraordinary amount of time, I find it hard to believe the number of production errors in the episodes. For example in one shot Stephen Hart (played by James Murray) has a rifle, then he doesn't, then he does, etc. These problems are even pointed out in the commentaries--especially Episode 7. One other aspect I had a problem with was the unnecessary "unrealistic" scenes. For example, there is a scene where Connor Temple (played by Andrew-Lee Potts) is attempting to pull Abby Maitland (played by Hannah Spearritt) up a ledge, the camera zooms in on their hands as they slowly slide apart. With only their thumbs still grasped, Nick Cutter (played by Douglas Henshall) grabs onto Conner's arm and they quickly pull Abby up! (Again, this is laughed about by the commentators of Episode 10 as being ridiculous).
Having said that, I want to reiterate that "Primeval" is a five star television show with amazing visual effects, strong interpersonal relationships, intriguing plot lines, and wonderful editing that keeps you wanting more.
[Wednesday, December 31, 2008]
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Great BBC SCI FI
