Maelstrom (BBC 1985) – Dutch DVD release

[silverwhistle]

There is now an official Dutch DVD release of M J Bird's 1985 BBC serial Maelstrom, with removable subtitles. Since the Dutch have already released Who Pays the Ferryman?, one can only hope that the other major Bird serials will follow. Copies can be found on eBay. I don't recall much about this one, only that the home of my then-dentist's Norwegian in-laws featured in it!

Also see the Michael J Bird Tribute Site.

[Joe Fraguela]

Originally Posted by silverwhistle There is now an official Dutch DVD release of M J Bird's 1985 BBC serial Maelstrom, with removable subtitles. Since the Dutch have already released Who Pays the Ferryman?, one can only hope that the other major Bird serials will follow. Copies can be found on eBay. I don't recall much about this one, only that the home of my then-dentist's Norwegian in-laws featured in it! Also see the Michael J Bird Tribute Site.

I remember watching this when they first televised it in the mid-1980's. It was very atmospheric and spine chilling, set in Norway. I also remember it starred Ann Todd. Another one to add to the ever growing list of DVD's to buy.

[DoctorWho]

This is great news, I too remember watching Maelstrom, and the mystery surrounding a padded cell/room, but I remember little else. Can anyone here advise how we in the UK can obtain a copy?

Many thanks,

Peter.

[Joe Fraguela]

Originally Posted by DoctorWho This is great news, I too remember watching Maelstrom, and the mystery surrounding a padded cell/room, but I remember little else. Can anyone here advise how we in the UK can obtain a copy? Many thanks, Peter.

If you have a look on Ebay UK you can find a copy. That's where I'll be buying it from in due course.

[Maralyn]

Didn't Ann Todd appear in this BBC production? I remember seeing the first two episodes then for some reason it wasn't on or I missed it or something?

Maralyn

[silverwhistle]

Originally Posted by Maralyn Didn't Ann Todd appear in this BBC production? I remember seeing the first two episodes then for some reason it wasn't on or I missed it or something? Maralyn

Yes, Ann Todd is in it, as a retired schoolteacher with a secret (or several). It's more like Ferryman than Aphrodite or Dark Side: 'family Gothic', as opposed to 'supernatural Gothic'.

My copy arrived from a Dutch eBay shop today. The quality is pretty good, on 3 discs (2 episodes per disc): no extras, and removable subtitles.

I've e-mailed the company who've released it and Ferryman (Memphis Belle) to see if they plan to release the others in the near future. Bird's BBC work was apparently very popular in the Netherlands. I'd love an official release of Dark Side…

[silverwhistle]

Originally Posted by DoctorWho This is great news, I too remember watching Maelstrom, and the mystery surrounding a padded cell/room, but I remember little else. Can anyone here advise how we in the UK can obtain a copy? Many thanks, Peter.

eBay has various sellers who stock it, or you could try direct from Memphis Belle, the Dutch company who released it. It's a good idea to compare prices and p&p rates.

[Maralyn]

Originally Posted by silverwhistle Yes, Ann Todd is in it, as a retired schoolteacher with a secret (or several). It's more like Ferryman than Aphrodite or Dark Side: 'family Gothic', as opposed to 'supernatural Gothic'. My copy arrived from a Dutch eBay shop today. The quality is pretty good, on 3 discs (2 episodes per disc): no extras, and removable subtitles. I've e-mailed the company who've released it and Ferryman (Memphis Belle) to see if they plan to release the others in the near future. Bird's BBC work was apparently very popular in the Netherlands. I'd love an official release of Dark Side…

Thanks Silverwhistle

I thought dear old Ann was in it a much under used lady in her later career!

Maralyn

[silverwhistle]

Originally Posted by Maralyn Thanks Silverwhistle

My pleasure. Bird's work was a strong presence on TV in my teens. It's been fun to rediscover it. It's variable, but even when there are flaws and plot-holes, they tend to stimulate the imagination, and make you think of alternative resolutions.

Have you checked out the official M J Bird tribute site? There's a monthly newsletter for which you can sign up, to be informed re: releases.

I e-mailed Memphis Belle to ask re: any of the other serials coming out, and they did respond, but said they couldn't say for certain.

I thought dear old Ann was in it a much under used lady in her later career!

Yes! She's good in this.
I have a vague memory that the exterior of her character's house may have been the one that belonged to my former dentist's in-laws.

[Maralyn]

Originally Posted by silverwhistle My pleasure. Bird's work was a strong presence on TV in my teens. It's been fun to rediscover it. It's variable, but even when there are flaws and plot-holes, they tend to stimulate the imagination, and make you think of alternative resolutions. Have you checked out the official M J Bird tribute site? There's a monthly newsletter for which you can sign up, to be informed re: releases. I e-mailed Memphis Belle to ask re: any of the other serials coming out, and they did respond, but said they couldn't say for certain. Yes! She's good in this. I have a vague memory that the exterior of her character's house may have been the one that belonged to my former dentist's in-laws.

Was it the one by a riverside? A typical scandinavian holiday home? Thanks for the tip re the website address,

Maralyn

[silverwhistle]

Originally Posted by Maralyn Was it the one by a riverside? A typical scandinavian holiday home? Thanks for the tip re the website address, Maralyn

Quite a wide-fronted, white house, I think.
The mysterious house on the island was a set built especially for the programme.