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Blackpool


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Outstanding TV
Review date: 2007-10-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

TV drama at its best, and clever into the bargain.

I only rented this because I wasn't sure, from what I had read, what I would make of it.

Now I've added it to my wishlist!

It's a bit of an odd concept - gritty northern drama meets musical meets murder investigation meets comedy - but it's very very well done, with a brilliant cast.

Morrissey is, as someone else has said, born to play this role; sleazy but compelling, by halfway through the first episode I very much wanted to see how he would turn out. A performance that makes what could have been a bit of a one-trick-pony character into a complex and interesting man, for whom, in spite of everything, one still has compassion. An outstanding performance.

Parish and Tennant are the heart of the drama, at turns heartbreaking, beautiful, and sexually charged.

Tennant in particular shines as the disciplined policeman falling into potential corruption and having his life turned upside down. Fascinating performance to watch and impossible to take your eyes off him in so many scenes. Compelling.

All the supporting cast are strong, down to workers at the amusement arcade, Ripley's family, the religious "nut" outside the front door (fantastic - better known as Filch in the Harry Potter movies but a brilliant cameo in this role) and, possibly a personal favourite, DCI Carlisle's (Tennant) sidekick Blythe.

Impeccable. Watch it.

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Reviews


Blackpool David Tennant
Review date: 2007-07-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

brilliant first time seeing blackpool 3 dvds in one box. its good to watch if you like thriller-drama-comdey or big david tennant fans it good for birthdays,xmas pressie oh yeah get to see david tennant taking his * kit off*
toned abs. rufferly hair. eyes . even that firm bum of his !!

i give it a

5*s

A+



Psychology with singing
Review date: 2006-12-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

Now I do like this. And I can say that being someone who blatently fails to understand Musicals which involve drama - the idea of people killing each other one minute then singing duets the next is lost on me. But you get used to it here, as the stronger elements of plot and character come through.

A small-scale plot somehow retains your interest, as the writers have opted for intricate detailings of family life and break-up rather than desperate sub-plots and off-shoots. In this way it's rather reminiscent of Keeping Up wit the Braithwaites of some years ago.

But the performances steal it. Morrisey is brilliant as Ripley: a revolting monster whose currency is all that is foulness, disrespect and selfishness, Morrisey somehow makes you feel sorry for him later on as he starts to realise he can and just might lose for once. You find yourself hoping his business picks up and that the sounds of slot machines failing to pay out will soon once again make Ripley smile. Tennant, for his part, is a great counterweight who glides nimbly around compared to Ripley's bullish, physical aura, which makes for some compelling chemistry between the two. Mention should also go to the religious protester camped outside Ripley's arcade, an ironic role which contextualises much of what's happening and isn't quite the cause of Ripley's downfall that one might have expected during the first few episodes.

Whether Blackpool is demonised or promoted by this is debatable, but it certainly provided a good setting for one of the most original bits of TV for a while.

Blackpool is enormous fun
Review date: 2006-11-21 Rating: 8 out of 10

It had to be exceptionally good to follow in the footsteps of the great Dennis Potter, and it is. The music adds surreal excitement to a top quality thriller-mystery.

The box says "For clearance and contractual reasons, certain edits have been made." Does anyone know what was edited?

An outstanding T.V show
Review date: 2006-09-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a tightly written, brilliantly acted, addictive T.V show. As well as the singing, which is perfectly timed and often very funny, the storyline is complex and absorbing. During the course of watching it your sympathies change from Tennant's character (the policeman) to Morrisey's. As Tennant becomes more corrupt, Morrisey seems increasingly moral. Although the acting is generally very good, Morrisey steals the show. He is the most at ease in breaking into song (and is by far the best dancer!). I would certainly recommend it - if you haven't already seen it you are in for a treat. Altough the BBC comes in for a lot of critisism, some of which I agree with, this show demonstrates that it still has a major contribution to make.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
John Thomson
Georgina Taylor
David Morrissey
David Tennant
Sarah Parish

Creators:
David Morrissey (Primary Contributor)
Sarah Parish (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503173821
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-08-01
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 360 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Original Language)

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