Bruce

There have been several excellent plays on TV over the past three years or so, which have still not made it to DVD. Just a few examples:

A Very Social Secretary
The Government Inspector
Shipman
The Deal
This Is Personal

I'm wondering why there is an apparent reluctance to release such plays onto DVD. Any theories?

sippog

The choice of single dramas released on DVD seems to be based on production values and someone's idea of their "populist" appeal. Mini series and costume dramas are more likely candidates; especially if they include a name actor.

The examples you've given are very British in their content. Most likely DVD producers have an eye on the US and international markets.

A real pity though. Certainly repeat and royalty fees are not the obstacle they once were; since most actors have to sign "buy-out" contracts these days.

FYI: "The Deal" is currently available to view (but not download) on the trial BBC Archive site for anyone who has access.

mushy747

Hello
There are quite a few of these i would like to see again. I popped into our local Sainsbury's last year to find they had a stand full of one off drama's possibly because they sponser ITV Drama Premiere and they were only £4.99 each.
I bought Dirty Filthy Love , Lenny Blue, Diamond Geezer , Wall of Silence and Ghostboat.
Needless to say they soon disappeared and i haven't seen any there since which is a shame.
Just to let you know i do have Shipman and This is Personal but these were recorded from the TV.
Lyn

batman

This Is Personal is one of the best TV dramas of the last ten years with a staggeringly good performance from Alun Armstrong. It really deserves a DVD release and I cannot think of one good reason what it hasn't had one.

Bats.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

Dame Starry

I think that Alun Armstrong is one of our 'elite' older actors who always gives no less than an A* performance. I have a Top Ten of them which includes James Bolam, Geoffrey Bayldon and George Cole - but Bats knows who my 'Number One' is!

Starry x.

The Christmas countdown has begun - don't leave it all until the last minute!

Harleybloke

I trust Ben Kingsley and David Suchet are on the list..................?

.....You couldn't hear it, if they were shooting at me with howitzers!

batman

Would that be the Suchet of The Way We Live Now or the Suchet of Executive Decison ..... and that's Sir Ben Kingsley to you .

Bats.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

Dame Starry

Sorry, Harleybloke, but I'm not a fan at all of Ben (call me Sir) Kingsley. I do, however like David Suchet and I think he's a very versatile actor - not to mention that he did a lovely programme about pandas (I think) for the BBC which doesn't appear to be listed on Imdb for some reason.

Starry x.

The Christmas countdown has begun - don't leave it all until the last minute!