Z Cars question

[fintytin]

Im a HUGE John Thaw fan and was wondering if any of the Z Cars episodes he was in still exist ??- i know that the beeb wiped a lot of the B/W stuff.

[cornershop15]

name='fintytin']Im a HUGE John Thaw fan and was wondering if any of the Z Cars episodes he was in still exist ??- i know that the beeb wiped a lot of the B/W stuff.

Hello Finty,

I have mostly good news for you. Three of John's four appearances in Z Cars DO exist: A La Carte, Light The Blue Paper and Hide - And Go Seek. Tragically, the one that's lost is A Quiet Night. I didn't know until just now that he played a regular character (Detective Constable Elliot). Maybe this is what gave him the leading role in Redcap?

[fintytin]

name='cornershop15']Hello Finty,

I have mostly good news for you. Three of John's four appearances in Z Cars DO exist: A La Carte, Light The Blue Paper and Hide - And Go Seek. Tragically, the one that's lost is A Quiet Night. I didn't know until just now that he played a regular character (Detective Constable Elliot). Maybe this is what gave him the leading role in Redcap?

Ta very much there



Good to know at least some of the eps still exist

[James Fox]

I've only seen a few eps of this show, but enjoyed it very much. Am very fond of cop shows in general ("Dragnet," "Hill Street Blues," "NYPD Blue"), so would love to see "Z Cars" get a dvd release someday.

[shonokin]

Just wondering... does anyone know why Z Cars, or what remains of it, has never been put out on DVD? BBC has made an effort to put out incomplete serials (Lost in Time for instance) of Doctor Who, so I'm puzzled as to why this hasn't happened with this classic and popular show.

[cassidy]

I think you'll find that it has been put on DVD.

Just wondering... does anyone know why Z Cars, or what remains of it, has never been put out on DVD? BBC has made an effort to put out incomplete serials (Lost in Time for instance) of Doctor Who, so I'm puzzled as to why this hasn't happened with this classic and popular show.

[shonokin]

Let me clarify. Does anyone know why the BBC's DVD publishing entity has not officially and legitimately put Z-Cars on DVD. If they have it doesn't seem to be advertised anywhere that I could find.

[Nimuae]

All I can find on Amazon is VHS.

[didi-5]

There has never been an official DVD release, which I agree is odd for such a high-profile programme.

[cassidy]

5 050582 261103 34 Classic Episodes.

[didi-5]

A bootleg, I believe, cassidy. Not available in any of the usual outlets.

[cassidy]

I dont think so from the cover, I was only given it recently and haven't had a chance to watch it yet. It's Region Free and has a Parental Guidance warning on it.

A bootleg, I believe, cassidy. Not available in any of the usual outlets.

[shonokin]

I should think it'd be fairly simple to tell if it is an official release from the BBC. Shouldn't it say so on the packaging, like on the upper left or lower right of the cover? Also I'm fairly certain official BBC DVDs are not going to be region free. Googling that number comes up with nothing. Do you have a link? it's not on amazon, bbcshop (2 Entertain), network, etc. Though there is an article about Z Cars at BBC.co.uk their series listings do not even show it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/programmes/a-z/by/z A search of ebay shows a few bootlegs and the VHS. But to yet again refine what I'm asking: I'm just simply curious as to why the BBC hasn't endeavored to make it available.

[shonokin]

Well I decided why not go straight to one of BBCs production sources and emailed 2 Entertain's dvd department. Who knows, maybe we will hear back from them.

[Steve Crook]

I should think it'd be fairly simple to tell if it is an official release from the BBC. Shouldn't it say so on the packaging, like on the upper left or lower right of the cover?

Lots of bootleggers put official logos on their products

Steve

[Gerald Lovell]

Lots of bootleggers put official logos on their products

Steve

Plus put copyright declarations at the start of the programme

[cassidy]

I must say the cover looks the business but you're right, there is nothing to say that it's a BBC production.

[shonokin]

I actually got a response from BBC and here is what they say:

Thank you for your recent communication regarding the availability of the above programme on DVD.

I am sorry to have to disappoint you but upon investigation I can confirm that we have no immediate plans to clear and release this title on DVD. I’m unsure as to the reason, I expect it’s due to the low expectations we have at it being a successful DVD in the current market. However your correspondence will be kept on file as each quarter we review public enquiries and often revisit titles which are frequently requested.

We appreciate all of the feedback that we receive from the viewing public, so thank you again for your correspondence.

So if this is something you want to see ever hitting the light of day, it may only come from audience requests. If you want to see it happen spread the word and have your friends, and friends of friends contact the BBC and let them know!

Contact them at http://www.bbcworldwide.com/contact-us.aspx#dvd
The direct email addy is DVDenquiryline@bbc.com

To forum Mods, possibly this information should be stickied?

[didi-5]

What a pathetic response. 'Low expectations' indeed. It sounds as if the writer can't be bothered and probably doesn't even know what Z Cars is.

If this was ITV not BBC Network would have put this out by now. I've no idea if the majority of their titles even break even but at least they take the chance, and I suspect have had some surprising successes.

I suppose the fact you got a response in in their favour but the BBC track record of releasing their iconic series of the past has been pitiful. And as is clear in this case also allows bootleggers to flourish.

[Moor Larkin]

That is so pathetic that I felt the neeed to crosspost to another Forum, even moor keenly interested in such things.

http://www.mausoleumclubforum.org.uk...ge=3#pid326434