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Grange Hill : Complete BBC Series 1 & 2 Box Set


RRP: £28.99
Our Price: £15.84 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Tucker Jenkins? Benny Green? Trisha Yates? If these names mean nothing to you, then you’ve missed out on a hugely influential part of British childrens’ television programming. Fortunately, the release of Grange Hill Series 1 & 2 on DVD gives a whole new generation the chance to see where the enduring drama all began.

Set in a fictional London comprehensive school, Grange Hill was, from the off, a gritty and down-to-earth programme, far out of keeping with the childrens’ shows of the time. Introducing pupils such as those mentioned back at the start (and not for nothing is Tucker regarded as the first ‘hero’ of the show), they were matched by a now-legendary roster of teachers: who can forget Mr Baxter the PE teacher, for instance?

The secret to Grange Hill’s success is inherent in these two maiden series. And it was the marrying up of a terrific cast of characters to storylines that felt real, without any attempt to gloss anything up. Plus, while it’s Tucker and his gang that are at the centre of much of the drama, there’s plenty going on in the background too to hold your attention. Nostalgics may be surprised at just how much they remember!

But does it all hold up today? Absolutely. This is Grange Hill arguably at its rawest, and it’s all the better for it. And while controversial storylines would really push things out in the years to follow, it’s surprising just how well these early episodes have endured. Whether you’re new to Grange Hill or not, this DVD set is a real treasure from the archives, and a long overdue release. --Simon Brew

Editorial
DVD Description

To celebrate Grange Hill's 30th anniversary, the BBC releases the first four series of Grange Hill.

This DVD box set contains the trailblazing series 1 and 2 of this ever-popular BBC teen drama set in the fictional comprehensive of Grange Hill. With its wonderful mix of actors and actresses and entertaining coverage of teen issues, Grange Hill has become an institution. The show is one of the longest running on British television.

Originally broadcast between 1978 and 1981, the original four series revolve around Tucker Jenkins and his motley crew, his rivalry with Benny Green and run-ins with the staff and school bullies. During this time, the show's creator Phil Redmond was also its executive producer before moving on to set up Brookside in 1982. Colin Cant directed the first nine episodes in 1978 and produced series 3 and 4.


Banow bow bow...
Review date: 2008-05-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

Surely one of the longest-awaited DVD releases of the last fifteen years, the seminal school drama created by Phil Redmond is a nostalgic treat for anyone of a certain age - even those whose parents wouldn't let them watch the first time around! The first few bars of the iconic theme tune (in all its quirky glory) set the tone, and you are instantly transported back to the fag-end of the 1970s when Thatcher first set out her stall, Punk was in its prime and Tom Baker was saving the universe as Doctor Who.
Series one looks and feels fairly dated but despite this the context is recognisable to anyone who has ever started secondary school and to the legions of bullies' victims and angst-ridden pubescents down the ages (so basically most people over eleven!) The fashions, transport and mannerisms may be archaic but Peter `Tucker' Jenkins, Benny Green, Alan Hargreaves (later Humphries), Trisha Yates and Justin Bennett are, and always have been, in every school throughout the land. The series' first proper bully - the odious Michael Doyle - wheedles and whines his way throughout, whilst the teachers are also well-represented by the legendary `Bullet' Baxter, too good to be true form master Mr Mitchell and soppy music teacher `Sooty' Sutcliffe. Other notable characters from the first series are the hilarious Hughes, prototype-Imelda Davies Jackie Mann and thoroughly wet girls Ann Wilson and Judy Preston, both with RP accents to die for. Interestingly, seemingly key characters have been weeded-out by the second series; sadistic games master `Doctor' Foster and sensitive art teacher Mrs Preston disappear without mention whilst Judy moves to Brookdale and Ann is dismissed by Trisha as having `moved away' during half-term. Original headmaster Mr Starling is replaced by Mr Llewellyn and Tucker's sidekick Watson also just fades away. This is one of the things that kept the programme fresh and by the end of the second series Grange Hill was clearly here to stay.
Playground `high-jinks' are mixed with more serious issues such as racism and theft, generally in a non-patronizing way and with all credit to the raw cast. Series 2 is definitely more confident in its approach and gives Tucker and co. less exposure in favour of other characters such as the dull Andrew Mann and half-Greek Antonio. Cathy Hargreaves and Suzi McMahon are brought on board to replace Ann and Judy and Justin is gradually relegated to a supporting role, dozy Simon Shaw rising to prominence in his stead. Series 2 focuses on the new Head and his controversial timetable reforms as well as bringing tragedy and pyrotechnics to `The Hill' in what would set the tone for series' to come.
Overall this is a great buy and I can't wait to get hold of series 3 & 4. Let's just hope that further series are forthcoming on DVD with the anticipation of Gripper, Roland, Zammo and Precious Matthews lying tantalisingly around the corner...


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Reviews


Full marks for this!
Review date: 2008-03-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

It's great to have this released on DVD at last - I was only thinking last year how good it would be to see this classic series again from the start.

Like other reviewers, I too could relate to the characters in this first season as I too had just started 'big' school back when this was first broadcast!
It all looks happily dated now - and I've lost count at the amount of times I've laughed out loud at the accuracy of some of the scenarios portrayed here that brought memories flooding back.
Great to see the classic characters of Tucker and his gang, and all the other pupils that made up the mixed bag of a Grange Hill - just like a comprehensive school would have been.

And a final note - top marks to whoever had the inpspired idea of transferring the original videotape onto film for this DVD release. The filmed inserts of the original (some showing interiors of the real school location used - plus all exterior shots)now look more integrated with the studio footage, and it has given the episodes a filmic sheen that improves them tremendously.
A pity there are no extras or commentaries though!


Nostalgia at its best, but the transfer to DVD is a joke!
Review date: 2008-02-21 Rating: 6 out of 10

A technique known as Reverse Vidfire has been employed in the process of transferring this classic series to DVD. This means that all of the "studio scenes" that were originally shot with video cameras, have been processed to give them a "filmed look", a technique which betrays the way in which these programmes were originally transmitted.

So called creative licence has been taken too far in terms of destroying the original technical integrity of these programmes.

Whoever authorised this travesty should be sacked on the spot.

Grange Hill - without doubt the greatest acted kids TV show
Review date: 2008-01-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

Being of 1981 vintage, I'd never seen episodes of Grange Hill this far back - Tucker and Pogo were names banded around on nostalgia websites for those of us who remember the Bronson era of Grange Hill. I liked it then, and I still like it now. Well written with great humour and sadness in measure. I view Grange Hill as the Sweeney of kids tv - a show that took the rule book and tore it up. Ok fashions have changed and production budgets have increased, but shows that broke the mould and for that remain favourites. Every episode see's poor Tucker in more trouble, but then along would come an episode where Tucker is the real hero and saves the day, in a moment that cant fail to put a smile on your face. The only downside I see is the akward boxes, I struggle to get the discs out without a fight!

TUKKKKKKKKA!!!!!!!!!!
Review date: 2008-01-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

great stuff. finally get to see this mega show on dvd
ive got series 1-13 on vhs copy from way back when
brings back tons of memories.
cooooooooool


Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Todd Carty

Creators:
Todd Carty (Primary Contributor)
Phil Redmond (Producer)

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503240820
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 5
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-11-12
Audience rating: To Be Announced
Region code: 2
Language: English (Original Language)

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