For just as it did with its updating of Robin Hood for Saturday nights, the legend of Merlin has undergone something of an overhaul here, and sticklers for authenticity will have plenty to pick at. The occasional narrative bumps don’t help, either, and the special effects clearly leave it thirsting for a Doctor Who-like budget.

And yet, warts and all, Merlin really is quite good fun. The BBC has wisely wheeled in some experienced thesps to work alongside the likes of Colin Morgan in the title role, with Richard Wilson and Anthony Head happy to join in the fun. Don’t knock the aforementioned Morgan, though: he carries the show well on his young shoulders, and has a blossoming career ahead of him.

This DVD pack contains the first six episodes of Merlin, and they gradually introduce us to the land of Camelot, and the mysterious characters that lie within. They also offer a solid amount of rounded family entertainment, ...
Merlin in the U.S., 2009-08-09

I started watching this a month or so ago (as it premiered in the U.S.) because summer television here in the U.S. is pure dreck. Well, I'll take that back. U. S. television - at whatever time of year - is pure dreck, generally.

I'm actually not completely sure how I managed to find "Merlin", as what happened was that I turned on my DVR one evening to see what I might have recorded - and "Merlin" was there - much to my surprise, as I honestly do not remember setting my machine to record it.

Perhaps a small instance of Merlin's magic?

For the first few weeks two episodes were shown back-to-back each Sunday evening. I admit that I wasn't too impressed until episode 4, when "The Poisoned Chalice" completely drew me in. By the close of this episode I was well and firmly hooked.

I wanted more.

I came to the Amazon U.K. website to order the 2-set DVD's for the first full season and found that they were in Region 2 PAL format (players in the U.S. generally cannot play PAL disks).

No problem for me, though, as I had purchased a multi-region DVD player back when the Toby Stephens "Jane Eyre" was playing here in the U.S. and I wanted to get the R2 "Eyre" DVD because the R2 had "extras", the U.S. R1 did not.

The region 2 "Jane Eyre" played perfectly for me on my (then) new multi-region DVD player. In case you are interested, a multi-region DVD player can be had starting at about $40.00 U.S. I purchased mine through Amazon U.S.

The ordering process for the "Merlin" DVD's from Amazon UK was quick and easy, the promised delivery date was three weeks from order date, I was pleased to find that the DVD's actually arrived at my home in the U.S. only 5 days post order. Even though I had not requested any special nor accelerated shipping.

The "Merlin" DVD's are a total delight; the video is in the semi-letterbox that I very much prefer, the sound and video quality is beautiful and crisp. There is one full DVD in each set devoted to behind-the-scenes information and "video diaries" (I ordered the two sets, Set 1 is episodes 1-6; Set 2 is episodes 7-13).

I was especially looking forward to the voice-over narration (a special interest of mine, and something that I always enjoy), my only disappointment - and it is a small one - with the DVD's is that there is no voice-over narration for my favorite two episodes, "The Poisoned Chalice" and "Le Morte D'Arthur".

My only other comment - and hope - is that in the second season the writers get a bit away from the "monster of the week" story lines. There are some wonderful stories here, just aching to be told - let's hope that "Merlin" is allowed to tell them.

It would also be nice if the "video diaries" were pared down a bit on the next sets of DVD's in favor of more behind-the-scenes information. I loved the bit where Colin Morgan talks about his enthusiasm in performing his very first ever "stunt". Fascinating stuff.

All in all, I am extremely well pleased with my purchase; especially so since I firmly believe that this series is destined to become a classic.

A side note: I have never before purchased a television show on DVD. This is a first for me. And I am glad that I did. A real quality show, which I am glad to have added to my miniscule DVD library.

Directed with care and diligence by Mark Herman, whose CV includes the excellent Brassed Off! and Little Voice, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas is set during the Second World War, in and around a Nazi concentration camp. It tells its tale through the eyes of two young boys. One is the son of the camp’s commandant, while the other is wearing the striped pyjamas of the title.

The two boys meet and ultimately befriend one another, and The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas tells the difficult story of their companionship. It does it extremely well, too, careful to understate proceedings and demonstrate a restraint that serves the subject matter well. It’s also quite a lean film, and one boasting excellent performances, including David Thewlis as the aforementioned commandant.

If The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas has a problem or two, they pale in com...
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas.., 2010-08-29

A most moving DVD about two small boys who form a friendship this, despite being on "opposite" sides, in the environment of a German Extermination Camp..