Rated: Suitable for 12 years and over
Staring: David Tennant, Shaun Dingwall, Jessica Hynes
Director: Francesca Joseph

Geeks r Us, 2009-04-02
It stars DT, he's brilliant, what else do you need to know? If you are an avid fan this is a great addition to your collection.It's about as different from the doctor as you can get ( the hair especially !!) ENJOY.

Staring: David Suchet, Nicola Redmond, Miriam Margolyes, Ivan Berry, Lesley Dunlop
Director: Michael Kerrigan

The BBC adaption 'made' into a Disney movie & very good, 2006-02-12
This is the BBC adaptation of The Phoenix and the carpet (from 1997). The book was written by Edith Nesbit in 1904. She wrote 44 books including 'The Railway children (1906)' and 'Five Children and It (1902)'. This adaptation has an all star cast: Miriam Margolyes, Jean Alexander, Christopher Biggins, and David Suchet (phoenix's voice). The story is the sequel to 'Five children and it' and does feature it's Psammead (sand fairy) in a guest role. This series was made well after '5 children' so the child actors had to replaced, although as usual for these BBC serials the top notch acting from the kids often upstages the adults. Naturally it's all a bit Edwardian middle class, but this often works to the story's advantage as it means they can wonder about freely in a gang as children used to do in simpler times (with the notion that the older ones are looking after their younger siblings).

Although an excellent adaptation and really enjoyed by my children (boy 9, girl 11), note that this is a 'Disney' offering and so the original 6 episodes at 28 minutes each have been heavily cut and made into a seamless 93 minute movie (still very good). The overall quality of this adaptation is excellent and the special effects are to a high standard (certainly more than adequate). Also it's not available as a complete BBC DVD yet so this is at least a lot better than nothing. Naturally the BBC's 'Five children and it' DVD is a logical pre-view, but it's not essential to the plot (but it is well worth seeing if you have preteen children about). This story is more about adventure and travel than the earlier slightly more moralistic book. There are still 'wishes' to be granted by the carpet though, and the onboard Phoenix adds the wise commentary, largely along the lines of "Actually it would be a really bad idea to do that, oops too late !". Other superb BBC DVD adaptations ideal for preteens are The Shoebox Zoo, The Narnia Chronicles, The Box of delights and The Borrowers.

Rated: Suitable for 15 years and over
Staring: Ben Nealon, Robson Green, Jerome Flynn, Rosie Rowell, Gary Love

Sheer Entertainment, 2001-02-02
Having got extremely bored with Robson Green taking his kit off every time he's on TV these days, it was great to go back to the very first 7 episodes of Soldier Soldier to remember that he really can act. The series focuses on the lives of the soldiers & wives of the Royal Fusiliers, and whilst it's not afraid to tackle some tough issues it strikes a brilliant balance between drama and comedy. The actress who plays Donna Tucker (Robson Greens wife)is just brilliant as a selfish, tactless Geordie trollop - not the most sympathetic of characters on paper but brought to life in such way that you just can't help but like her. The 1st episode sets you up for the harsher realities of army life, and though many of the characters are somewhat stereotypical you can't help but empathise with them all - from the hapless squaddies to the chinless wonders at the top. A million miles from "reality TV" no doubt, but most of the cast are so good that it really doesn't matter. Light entertainment at its best.

Staring: Miriam Margolyes, Shaun DIngwall, Lesley Dunlop, Jean Alexander, Gemma Jones
Director: Michael Kerrigan

An epic adventure filled with magic and wonder for the entire family based on the classic novel by E. Nesbit.
The BBC adaption 'made' into a Disney movie & very good, 2006-02-12
This is the BBC adaptation of The Phoenix and the carpet (from 1997). The book was written by Edith Nesbit in 1904. She wrote 44 books including 'The Railway children (1906)' and 'Five Children and It (1902)'. This adaptation has an all star cast: Miriam Margolyes, Jean Alexander, Christopher Biggins, and David Suchet (phoenix's voice). The story is the sequel to 'Five children and it' and does feature it's Psammead (sand fairy) in a guest role. This series was made well after '5 children' so the child actors had to replaced, although as usual for these BBC serials the top notch acting from the kids often upstages the adults. Naturally it's all a bit Edwardian middle class, but this often works to the story's advantage as it means they can wonder about freely in a gang as children used to do in simpler times (with the notion that the older ones are looking after their younger siblings).

Although an excellent adaptation and really enjoyed by my children (boy 9, girl 11), note that this is a 'Disney' offering and so the original 6 episodes at 28 minutes each have been heavily cut and made into a seamless 93 minute movie (still very good). The overall quality of this adaptation is excellent and the special effects are to a high standard (certainly more than adequate). Also it's not available as a complete BBC DVD yet so this is at least a lot better than nothing. Naturally the BBC's 'Five children and it' DVD is a logical pre-view, but it's not essential to the plot (but it is well worth seeing if you have preteen children about). This story is more about adventure and travel than the earlier slightly more moralistic book. There are still 'wishes' to be granted by the carpet though, and the onboard Phoenix adds the wise commentary, largely along the lines of "Actually it would be a really bad idea to do that, oops too late !". Other superb BBC DVD adaptations ideal for preteens are The Shoebox Zoo, The Narnia Chronicles, The Box of delights and The Borrowers.

Rated: Suitable for 15 years and over
Staring: Robson Green, Nicola Walker, Shaun Dingwall, Adam Kotz

another Robson Green winner, 2010-08-19
Touching Evil in style it is probably the fore runner to Wire in the blood. There are seperate stories interlinked with a common story many ups and downs, a good watch.

Rated: Suitable for 15 years and over
Staring: Ben Nealon, Robson Green, Jerome Flynn, Rosie Rowell, Gary Love

Brilliant heart rending drama,action and comedy all in one!!, 2001-12-08
The new series of Soldier Soldier has proved to be
just as popular as the first four.With B Company of the Queens Fusiliers up to their usual antics.
There are a balanced blend of the more established characters including Paddy Garvey,Dave Tucker and Jeremy Forsythe (whom I have met and is very much a gentleman like the character he portrays)and a few new characters thrown in for good measure.So if you're an avid fan like me or just want to watch something that is in a league of its own,pick this one up now while you still can. (Hope it will be released on DVD soon as my copy is worn out all ready)

Rated: Suitable for 12 years and over
Staring: Ben Nealon, Robson Green, Jerome Flynn, Rosie Rowell, Gary Love

Rated: Suitable for 15 years and over
Staring: Ben Nealon, Robson Green, Jerome Flynn, Rosie Rowell, Gary Love

Good Viewing, 2010-03-03
An excellent portrayal of what was expected of soldiers in the late eighties and early 90's with a little pinch of humour added as well.

Rated: Suitable for 15 years and over
Staring: John Simm, Ian McDiarmid, Shaun Dingwall, Geraldine James, Kate Ashfield
Director: Julian Jarrold

This acclaimed BBC adaptation of Crime and Punishment remains faithful to Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic novel. Set in St Petersburg in the second half of the 19th century, the psychological thriller tells of a desperate young murderer caught in a web of his own guilt. Rodya Raskolnikov is a poverty-stricken student living among the fetid alleyways and crumbling tenements of St Petersburg. Intense and highly intelligent, Raskolnikov believes he is among a class of men destined for greatness and as such is permitted to breach 'normal' moral values. He decides to test his courage and integrity by killing a pawnbroker, a mean old woman whom he is sure nobody will miss. The murder, however, only serves to draw Raskolnikov into a nightmare world in which he is dogged by guilt, paranoia and alienation. Faced with the wily investigator Porfiry, who sets up a complex series of traps, encounters and onversations, can Raskolnikov escape his own conscience or the seemingly inevitable punishment?

Simm’s Raskolnikov is a "truly startling, genuinely mature performance" --The Guardian

RTS awards (2002), winner: Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Tape a...
crime and punishment fantastic, 2010-03-31
I have been waiting to see this for years after missing most of it when it was televised and I was not disappointed.
set in St. Petersburg the scenery is so fantastic.

Rated: Suitable for 15 years and over
Staring: Shaun Parkes, Matt Smith, Shaun Dingwall, Tom Goodman-Hill, Wunmi Mosaku

Moses Jones DVD, 2010-06-13
Great drama , shows a under belly of London not seen before. Looks fantastic with brilliant acting