The Steve Coogan Collection - DVD Review

By Cyril Pearl -- Video Business, 11/20/2009

BBC/WARNER
Available now
> Mammoth collection of TV material starring the popular British funnyman.

Clocking in at more than 30 hours, The Steve Coogan Collection is overwhelming in its scope. Featuring the complete runs of some half-dozen TV series, as well as a handful of other limited-run entries, this compendium offers not only the most popular entries in the canon of the wildly talented British TV star—namely the two Alan Partridge series and Saxondale—but also such lesser known, never-before-released pieces as the Dr. Terrible’s House of Horrible (2001), Coogan’s homage to Britain’s Hammer Studios horror movies, and The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon (1997), concerning a pompous Eurovision Song Contest winner. It’s all wild, witty and veddy veddy British.

Shelf Talk: The last several years has seen the talented Coogan making substantial noise on this side of the pond via his appearances in such popular films as Tropic Thunder and the Night at the Museum series, as well as the cult hits Hamlet 2 and Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story. Those in the know are probably familiar with Coogan’s Alan Patridge character, but there are plenty of other Coogan creations that they’re sure to enjoy if they’re informed of their existence. As for established fans, this collection (which is expensive but worth it given the extensive contents) would make a perfect holiday gift.

Comedy, color and B&W, NR (some mature themes, language), 1,500 min., DVD $129.98, UPC: 883929092932
Extras: commentaries, featurettes, interviews, bonus clips, more
Directors: various
First Run: British TV, 1993