Jekyll : Complete BBC Series 1 [2007]
RRP: £29.99
Our Price: £3.97 (subject to change)
Reworking really Works
Review date: 2008-09-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
i originally watched this on BBC and sat opened mouthed after every episode as i tried to digest what i had just seen.
for anyone who doesn't know this is a modern reworking of the Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde tale. but leave what you thought you knew about the story behind as you follow Dr Jackman into the dark unknown.
Nesbitt plays Hyde brillantly, almost to distraction as this larger than life character hits the screen decalring a passion for disney songs, drink, women and violence.
the dvd is well worth the money, though there seemed to be an increased in 'bad language' or maybe i jut didn't notice before? the special features aren't really that great so don't expect deep insight into the making of. two featurettes is all you get.
all in all a great little set that is worth the money just to watch then end episode (my favourite) over and over..... the word is hyde
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Reviews
BEST TV SERIES SHOWN IN 2007!!! LIKE DR WHO ?? YOU WILL LIKE THIS!!Review date: 2008-07-06 Rating: 10 out of 10I'd never rated James Nesbitt until I saw this - in fact I couldn't stand him! This series totally changed my views on him , to the extent that I look forward to his possible taking on of The Doctor role from David Tennant! Nesbitt is excellent here, in a demanding dual role as Jekyll and Hyde, playing both with sympathy for the tormented Dr Jackman(Jekyll) and empathy for the psychopathic Hyde. A strong supporting cast helps as well! Especially Dennis Lawson in a rare villainous role, and Gina Bellman as Jackman's beleaguered (and gorgeous) wife.
Special FX are cleverly restrained, with subtle make up work to achieve the transformations (no falling behind a desk, after drinking a potion here!). The series is serious in tone, despite it's fantastic premise, but there is a strong dose of very black humour whenever Hyde appears. There's some strong violence at times, and a disturbing scene of Hyde torturing a security guard - the assault isn't actually shown but there is a graphic description of the aftermath. Hyde is empowered with
supernatural senses, and strengths, and also a deeply twisted sense of morality, that counteracts well with the good Dr Jackman.
There is a Science Fiction as opposed to occult/supernatural explanation for the premise, and often a feel of the current Dr Who (albeit this is for a more mature audience and a LOT darker). This is down to Steven Moffatt as writer who has worked on some of the better Who episodes (Blink), and it's great news that he is taking over as exec producer and head writer for Dr Who's next full series.
Have to say, while this isn't exactly a gorefest, it's not what you call family viewing and definiteley not suitable for young children.
Lots of twists, great writing, plenty of horror, adult & credible scifi elements, some good action scenes, and great performances make this a winner.
Could there be a follow up? Not sure after the final, shocking scene - but it's not impossible, and I really hope so.
Chuckle and Hyde.Review date: 2008-06-20 Rating: 4 out of 10There's a lot of Doctor-Who-related stuff I could type about Stephen Moffat, but I'll just cut right to the chase.
Jekyll is terrible.
The plot is a silly, poorly-written mess. The dialogue is horrible, chock full of action movie clichés and supposedly scary/clever scenes that just look spoofy. The characters are mostly woefully underwritten or intensely irritating, and the acting - particularly Gina Bellmont as Mrs Jackman - is seriously dodgy, featuring a couple of smirksome "American" accents and two skin-crawlingly annoying lesbian detectives who are obviously *meant* to be funny, but simply aren't. James Nesbitt is a watchable Jekyll/Hyde, but his evil alter ego has been reimagined and simplified as Jekyll's id; it's just Hannibal Lecter crossed with The Mask. What could be an intriguing story about Jackman's struggle to reconcile his double-life is instead a disappointing would-be thriller about trying to escape from lots of silly bad guys while endlessly pouring over the backstory of the original book. You'll guess the so-called twists several episodes in advance. Is this honestly the best idea they could think of?
It's not looking good for Moffat's Doctor Who if the worst thing about all this is his writing.
It's clumsy, ridiculous and predictable; sometimes it's so bad you'll swear it's all an elaborate joke. (But alas, it's not funny even when it's trying to be, so we know that's not the case.) Avoid.the doctor is backReview date: 2008-04-30 Rating: 10 out of 10a six part series, each episode running for one hour, that is both a modern day retelling and updating of the story of doctor jekyll and mister hyde. Ie: it retells the story in a present day setting but ties it into the original as well.
And it's superb television.
James Nesbitt turns in a stunning dual performance in both the lead roles, there's an interesting supporting cast of well acted characters, and the plot twists and turns so many times that I won't say any more about it. you'll thank me for not giving anything away. The show considers the dilemma of the modern man: being a gentleman whilst trying to suppress your baser instincts, and it's food for thought in that respect.
There are some adult scenes and situations and it's a bit violent at points so the 15 certificate is about right.
The dvd contains two discs. the first contains episodes one to three. they have direct scene access and english language subtitles. There is a commentary from the producer, director, and writer on episode one. And a fifteen minute documentary showing how a scene at a zoo involving lions was filmed. it's interesting stuff.
disc two contains episodes four to six, direct scene access, english language subtitles, and a commentary on episode six from two of the crew and one of the cast. there's also a decent thirty five minute long feature on the genesis and making of the show. it doesn't touch on the production side too much, but it's a good documentary and worth a look.
Great show. good dvd. Reminds me of Saturday morning pictures!! Review date: 2008-03-02 Rating: 4 out of 10Would this even be story without the eerie sounds and persistent loud noises? Or perhaps they distract so much from the story line I could not identify it.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Denis Lawson
James Nesbitt
Meera Syal
Michelle Ryan
Gina Bellman
Creators:
James Nesbitt (Primary Contributor)
Michelle Ryan (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: Contender Entertainment Group Manufacturer: Contender Entertainment GroupEAN: 5030305105280Binding: DVDNumber of items: 2Format: Box set, Colour, PAL, Release date: 2007-07-30Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and overRegion code: 2Running time: 340 minutesTheatrical release date: 2007Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Original Language)