Network DVD - Your Favourite Shows (2024)

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02/07/09 - 12:26 in UK TV Shows #1

I really like Network, I think they do a great job when releasing old shows and have many favourites they have been responsible for. Do you have any favourite Network DVD releases?

http://www.networkdvd.co.uk

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  • Tabbythecat Posts: 33,953

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    02/07/09 - 12:31 #2

    4444 wrote: »

    I really like Network, I think they do a great job when releasing old shows and have many favourites they have been responsible for. Do you have any favourite Network DVD releases?

    http://www.networkdvd.co.uk

    I wish they brought out The Human Jungle

  • ironjade Posts: 10,033

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    02/07/09 - 12:32 #3

    I have:

    Strange Report

    Ghost Squad

    Gideon's Way

    The Power Game.

    It's sad that time doesn't do video productions any favours and no restoration appears to have been done on them.
    On the upside, the restoration of Strange Report is very good and the film episodes of Ghost Squad look good as new.

  • Tabbythecat Posts: 33,953

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    02/07/09 - 12:34 #4

    ironjade wrote: »

    I have:

    Strange Report

    It's sad that time doesn't do video productions any favours and no restoration appears to have been done on them.

    I got that one too:D
    the restoration work is done by BBC Resources

  • ironjade Posts: 10,033

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    02/07/09 - 13:04 #5

    Tabbythecat wrote: »

    I got that one too:D
    the restoration work is done by BBC Resources

    Didn't realise the BBC had done it, even though the boxset includes a feature on the restoration.
    It seems the BBC will only restore video (probably a much bigger job than with film) if it's Dr. Who.
    Their Vidfire version of "Invasion" was excellent. Somehow I can't see The Power Game getting similar attention.:)

  • [Deleted User] Posts: 1,542

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    02/07/09 - 17:10 #6

    Network are my favourite DVD distributer - they have some of TV's gems & release them quickly and in decent packing, and always try to provide extra features where possible, my list of Network DVDs I own include:

    Dempsey & Makepeace
    London's Burning
    Classic Coronation Street Boxes
    Emmerdale Farm collections
    Spitting Image
    Watching
    On The Buses
    Press Gang
    Mrs Merton
    The Benny Hill Show
    Dame Edna Experience
    An Audience With....
    Outside Edge

    View a full list of their offerings here:

    http://www.networkdvd.net/allprods.php

  • It's a pity they've all been withdrawn from rental though.

    I used to rent them from lovefilm until a couple of years ago. Suddenly they all became 'unavailable'.

    Nobody has ever explained why.

  • [Deleted User] Posts: 344

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    02/07/09 - 19:16 #8

    i have Public Eye and Callan from the late 60's. both excellent series. nothing much made like this on UK tv today.

  • Tabbythecat Posts: 33,953

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    02/07/09 - 20:07 #9

    sculptor wrote: »

    It's a pity they've all been withdrawn from rental though.

    I used to rent them from lovefilm until a couple of years ago. Suddenly they all became 'unavailable'.

    Nobody has ever explained why.

    Coz everyone was copying them

  • klaeresource Posts: 793

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    02/07/09 - 21:01 #10

    Tabbythecat wrote: »

    I wish they brought out The Human Jungle

    The Human Jungle was an ABC programme like The Avengers so Networks current deals with ITV and Fremantle don't cover it

    ironjade wrote: »

    Didn't realise the BBC had done it, even though the boxset includes a feature on the restoration.
    It seems the BBC will only restore video (probably a much bigger job than with film) if it's Dr. Who.
    Their Vidfire version of "Invasion" was excellent. Somehow I can't see The Power Game getting similar attention.:)

    If you check out each and every episode and extra feature on the Strange Report set ( assuming you have the 5 disc version loaded with extras) you will note that each episode appears to begin 30 seconds into the counter time - if you click back on your chapter skip key you will get the BBC Resources countdown clock .
    This also appears on the restored Space 1999 set.

    Many other Network sets also use this option to allow for the original Thames/LWT etc countdown clocks for classic comedies.
    There are lots of the clocks for On the Buses.

    The Dr Who restoration team apparently work for free which is why so much work is done on those dvd's.

    Vidfiring The Power Game without restoring the film prints in the first place would be pointless - and nobody cares enough to do all that for free.

    sculptor wrote: »

    It's a pity they've all been withdrawn from rental though.

    I used to rent them from lovefilm until a couple of years ago. Suddenly they all became 'unavailable'.

    Nobody has ever explained why.

    Many of the Network releases of ITC shows were released long after the shows had been released in America or Australia so many fans only wanted to get the bonus features disc from the Network sets so simply rented those and copied them instead of buying the whole series again.

    So Network stopped allowing Amazon /Lovefilm from renting them and then eventually banned rental for all new titles but I doubt it did them any good and it cost them sales to rental companies

  • Tabbythecat Posts: 33,953

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    02/07/09 - 21:49 #11

    klaeresource wrote: »

    The Human Jungle was an ABC programme like The Avengers so Networks current deals with ITV and Fremantle don't cover it

    Ah so its owned by Canal +Network DVD - Your Favourite Shows (12)

  • REVUpminster Posts: 1,289

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    03/07/09 - 00:28 #12

    Later this year Network are releasing the 30 min danger man hopefully with extras unlike the previous Carlton issue. Also next year at last Whiplash and The Four Just Men.

  • Pacman1854 Posts: 1,385

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    03/07/09 - 09:12 #13

    Their Prisoner DVD set is brilliant. Much better than any previous releases.

    I didn't know they also do audio CD's so I've ordered the Prisoner soundtrack set from them as well.

  • REVUpminster Posts: 1,289

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    03/07/09 - 10:07 #14

    Pacman1854 wrote: »

    Their Prisoner DVD set is brilliant. Much better than any previous releases.

    I didn't know they also do audio CD's so I've ordered the Prisoner soundtrack set from them as well.

    These soundtrack CD's are hard going, This one is interesting as it has the possible alternative themes and they are terrible. Ron Grainer won hands down.

  • martinamerlot Posts: 3,762

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    03/07/09 - 10:19 #15

    Network are the best DVD distributor by a country mile. I own Ace of Wands, a couple of the Armchair Thrillers, Arthur of the Britons, Charley Says 1 and 2, Dick Turpin (all), Harry's Game, Into The Labyrinth, Robin of Sherwood (all), Sky, Space 1999, The Sweeney (all)...and want loads more. They're going to bankrupt me. Network DVD - Your Favourite Shows (17)

    But yes, it's a shame that their titles are unavailable for rental-there are many of their shows from the 60s/early 70s I'd like to see before deciding whether or not to buy them.

  • klaeresource Posts: 793

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    03/07/09 - 21:22 #16

    Tabbythecat wrote: »

    Ah so its owned by Canal +Network DVD - Your Favourite Shows (19)

    Indeed.
    But there is hope.
    Network were releasing a 3 disc set of Mystery & Imagination featuring the 6 plays made by Thames.
    However - they have now changed it to a 4 disc set and it will include the remaining 2 complete episodes made by ABC in 1966 aswell as the only remaining footage from one other -so one must assume they have dealt with Canal+ who are apparently a nightmare to deal with.

    REVUpminster wrote: »

    Later this year Network are releasing the 30 min danger man hopefully with extras unlike the previous Carlton issue. Also next year at last Whiplash and The Four Just Men.

    But what extras will they include?
    Their set of the 1 hour episodes had an interesting book but not a great deal of on disc material.
    Apart from commentaries with Brian Clemens I doubt they will include much extra so you may as well save money and get the US set.
    Network sets often have poor authoring and layer breaks.
    I have the Network sets of Randall & Hopkirk and Jason King (bought for a friend) aswell as the Australian Umbrella sets and the picture quality on the UK sets is quite poor in comparison - the Network sets are far too soft.

    Pacman1854 wrote: »

    Their Prisoner DVD set is brilliant. Much better than any previous releases.

    I didn't know they also do audio CD's so I've ordered the Prisoner soundtrack set from them as well.

    The picture quality on The Prisoner is the best so far - however there are cock ups on the set including missing credit captions within episodes , incorrect credits, incorrect audio and incorrect Number 2 narration on a couple of episodes.
    We hope that the recently announced Bluray for the show has been delayed 3 times because Network are correcting these faults.

    There are cd soundtracks for Randall & Hopkirk, Danger Man ( 2 sets) ,Department S,Jason King,The Champions,Man In A Suitcase and coming soon is The Protectors.

    REVUpminster wrote: »

    These soundtrack CD's are hard going, This one is interesting as it has the possible alternative themes and they are terrible. Ron Grainer won hands down.

    But Ron Grainers original mix of the theme was awful.
    I cant recall who it was , but someone got him to redo it into the version we know - thank god.

    The alternate theme to The Champions is very close to one of the alternate Prisoner themes - Albert Elms did it IIRC

    You have to really love the music in these shows to enjoy the cd's.

    The Prisoner was a bit of cockup as they included far too many tracks of retakes and outtakes.

    The later cd's have mainly stayed only with the final recording rather than the obviously hard going idea of playing half a dozen takes of the same short theme.

  • Tabbythecat Posts: 33,953

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    03/07/09 - 21:36 #17

    klaeresource wrote: »

    But Ron Grainers original mix of the theme was awful.
    I cant recall who it was , but someone got him to redo it into the version we know - thank god.

    Legend has it that the late Patrick McGoohan heard Grainer's original mix and hated it and told him to re-do it adding thunderclaps etc

  • klaeresource Posts: 793

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    03/07/09 - 21:55 #18

    Tabbythecat wrote: »

    Legend has it that the late Patrick McGoohan heard Grainer's original mix and hated it and told him to re-do it adding thunderclaps etc

    I dont think it was thunderclaps that were required - it was the complete arrangement

    Until you hear it you wont believe it .
    Dreadful.

    The 95 minute documentary included on Networks set clears it up but I cant recall whether McGoohan was involved or whether the music editor had a hand in it - he is interviewed on the dvd

  • REVUpminster Posts: 1,289

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    04/07/09 - 08:42 #19

    I don't think you are giving Ron Grainer enough credit. the prisoner theme was an adaptation of one of his themes. I am not sure but one of his rejected themes not on the disc may have been used as the man in a suitcase theme.

  • DavidT Posts: 20,509

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    04/07/09 - 10:34 #20

    I would have to say the vast majority of my DVD collection is from Network.

    Will probably get "The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" next.

    Looking forward to the forthcoming:

    Mind of Mr J G Reeder
    Man of the World
    Mystery & Imagination

    Although as all will be web exclusives for some time to come I will be waiting a while for them to appear on general release and be a bit cheaper.

    I would recommend Gideon's Way, Redcap, Strange Report and Ghost Squad to anyone who likes the more well known Dangerman, Saint, Champions, Man in a Suitcase, Randall & Hopkirk etc. Gideon's Way in particular is superb.

    I also have the swashbucklers such as Adventures of Sir Lancelot, Robin Hood, The Buccaneers, William Tell and Sir Francis Drake all really enjoyable.

  • ironjade Posts: 10,033

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    04/07/09 - 12:42 #21

    It would be great if Network could make a deal with US companies to release some of their long-unseen shows on region 2.
    I've had a hell of a job tracking down:

    Have Gun - Will Travel

    M Squad

    Riverboat

    Surfside 6

    Johnny Staccato

    Bourbon Street Beat

    Glencannon (I've admitted defeat with this one)

    Richard Diamond

    Peter Gunn

    to name but a few.:cool:

  • darnall42 Posts: 4,080

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    04/07/09 - 12:48 #22

    i love network dvd's and i have a good few in my collection -the barron,strange report,the sweeney,dempsey and makepeace,sykes,the dustbinmen,on the buses,the goodies,nearest and dearest,till death us do part and loads others.its a shame that they only now release itv shows and not bbc shows as i would have liked more goodies and alf garnet from them

  • klaeresource Posts: 793

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    04/07/09 - 20:43 #23

    DavidT wrote: »

    I would have to say the vast majority of my DVD collection is from Network.

    Will probably get "The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" next.

    Looking forward to the forthcoming:

    Mind of Mr J G Reeder
    Man of the World
    Mystery & Imagination

    Although as all will be web exclusives for some time to come I will be waiting a while for them to appear on general release and be a bit cheaper.

    I would recommend Gideon's Way, Redcap, Strange Report and Ghost Squad to anyone who likes the more well known Dangerman, Saint, Champions, Man in a Suitcase, Randall & Hopkirk etc. Gideon's Way in particular is superb.

    I also have the swashbucklers such as Adventures of Sir Lancelot, Robin Hood, The Buccaneers, William Tell and Sir Francis Drake all really enjoyable.

    I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the web exclusives to become generally available.

    Many of the current exclusives are very obscure titles and I believe Network have deliberately done this because of poor sales on other titles.

    This way they cut out the middleman and get more per unit.
    Some of the recent Network titles have even included VHS recordings of various episodes where the original broadcast tape was lost or damaged.

    None of the Network range of soundtrack cd's have ever been available from regular retailers.

  • DavidT Posts: 20,509

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    04/07/09 - 21:00 #24

    klaeresource wrote: »

    I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the web exclusives to become generally available.

    Many of the current exclusives are very obscure titles and I believe Network have deliberately done this because of poor sales on other titles.

    This way they cut out the middleman and get more per unit.
    Some of the recent Network titles have even included VHS recordings of various episodes where the original broadcast tape was lost or damaged.

    None of the Network range of soundtrack cd's have ever been available from regular retailers.

    Soundtracks I agree will probably stay web exclusive but the likes of Ghost Squad and some of the Public Eye sets were web exclusives and are now on general sale. So far I think most if not all of the DVDs that were web exclusives have made it to general sale. I know over at Roobarbs most there reckon they will go on general sale down the line.

  • klaeresource Posts: 793

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    04/07/09 - 22:08 #25

    DavidT wrote: »

    Soundtracks I agree will probably stay web exclusive but the likes of Ghost Squad and some of the Public Eye sets were web exclusives and are now on general sale. So far I think most if not all of the DVDs that were web exclusives have made it to general sale. I know over at Roobarbs most there reckon they will go on general sale down the line.

    Yes , but I think Networks recent releases are perhaps too obscure to go on general sale.

    The Crossroads Archive has not and is one that Network have pretty much given up on anyway due to poor sales.

    I think Escape Into Night (all B&W T/R)) along with things like King of the Castle and Sky with their inclusion of VHS episodes might be going a bit too far for Play and Amazon.

    We shall see.

    However - hats off to Network for bringing the stuff out that we thought we would never see.

    Shame The Georgian House is a no hoper

  • ShaunIOW Posts: 11,412

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    04/07/09 - 22:32 #26

    I've got

    The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
    Adventures of Sir Lancelot
    Arthur of the Britons
    Brass
    The Champions
    Dick Turpin
    The Flashing Blade
    The Ghosts of Motley Hall
    Mapp and Lucia
    The New Statesman
    The Persuaders
    Robin of Sherwood
    Shelley
    The Sweeney

    Want to get:

    The Return of the Saint
    Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggat

    and would love them to bring out The Gaffer (Bill Maynard).

«12»

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