British January-April 2008
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NEWS
String of Austen DVDs complement TV special
Costume dramas are back, particularly those that involve Jane Austen. Full story
UPCOMING TITLES
Acorn
Lillie (four-disc set $59.99) This miniseries traces British actress Lillie Langtry’s rise from a churchman’s daughter to an independent and infamous woman of the world; Tony Robinson’s Cunning Night Out (DVD $24.99) This one-man stage show comes from Robinson, who portrayed the dimwitted Baldrick on the comedy series Blackadder. Both street Feb. 19, prebook Jan. 22
Rough Diamond Sir David Jason brings charm to this series about an aging criminal mastermind who dons disguises to fool the authorities and his marks. Street Feb. 26, prebook Jan. 29; two-disc set $39.99
BBC/Warner
Persuasion This new TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s final novel stars Sally Hawkins, Rupert Penry-Jones and Anthony Stewart Head. Street Jan. 15, prebook now; DVD $19.98
Sense & Sensibility This new adaptation from writer Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice miniseries, Bridget Jones’s Diary) will be released in a set with biopic Miss Austen Regrets. Street April 8, prebook March 4; two-disc set $34.98
State of Play David Morrissey stars as Stephen Collins, an ambitious politician who is drawn into a web of lies and secrets in the wake of two unconnected murders. Street Feb. 26, prebook Jan. 15; two-disc set $34.98
Cinema Epoch/Koch
Gallipoli Jeremy Irons and Sam Neill narrate this historical battle, which began as a demonstration against the Ottoman Empire by Great Britain and her allies. Street Feb. 5, prebook now; DVD $24.98
Genius
The Whitest Kids U’ Know This title features the winners of the Best Sketch Group at the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in 2006. Street Feb. 5, prebook now; DVD $26.95
Hogfather Once a year, he delivers gifts to all the children, but there are others who want to stop him and all humans. Street March 4, prebook Feb. 5; DVD $14.95
Indican
Two Men Went to War The true story of two members of England’s Army Dental Corps, whose dedication to the war effort inspired them to leave their posts and sneak into occupied territory in 1942. Street Feb. 19, prebook now; DVD repriced at $14.99
Pure With the help of local waitress Louise (Keira Knightley), 10-year-old Paul tries to rescue his mom from her boyfriend and her drug dealer. Street Feb. 26, prebook Jan. 25; DVD repriced at $14.99
Koch Vision
Strictly Confidential (two-disc set $29.98) The crime series follows the life of Linda, a bisexual ex-police officer who becomes a sex therapist; Wire in the Blood: Season Four (four-disc set $59.98) A clinical psychologist and a detective inspector solve crimes in this BBC America drama series. Both street Feb. 5, prebook now
MGM/Fox
Death at a Funeral A dignified funeral erupts into chaos when family members are forced to come to terms with each other’s bad behavior. Street Feb. 26, prebook Jan. 30; DVD $29.98
Microcinema
J.M.W. Turner (DVD $19.95) Jeremy Irons narrates this documentary about the great landscape painter, who rendered the subtle effects of light and atmosphere in revolutionary ways; Tim Marlow With Gilbert & George (DVD $29.99) Since meeting at St. Martin’s School of Art in 1967 and resolving to make “art for all,” Gilbert and George have pushed the boundaries of art and society. Both street Jan. 29, prebook now
MPI
The Vice: The Complete First Season Prostitution, pedophilia, mutilation and murder are the chief concerns of the vice unit of London’s Metropolitan Police, who patrol a violent stretch of turf. Street March 25, prebook Feb. 18; three-disc set $39.98
See No Evil: The Story of the Moors Murders This factual drama about child killers Ian Brady (Sean Harris) and Myra Hindley (Maxine Peak) shows how they were finally brought to justice. Street April 29, prebook March 24; DVD $19.98
New Line/Warner
Silk Michael Pitt stars as a married French smuggler whose travels lead him to a strange new world where he is tempted by a beautiful woman (Keira Knightley). Street Feb. 26, prebook Jan. 22; DVD $27.95
Sony
Monty Python’s Life of Brian: The Immaculate Edition Judea 33 A.D.—where Pontius Pilate, ex-lepers, haggling revolutionaries and crazy prophets reign—is presented in a wacky, Monty Python-esque manner. Street Jan. 29, prebook now; DVD $24.96, Blu-ray $28.95
Union Station/Anchor Bay
To Kill a King After three years of civil war, Britain’s King Charles I is at last overthrown and the two conquerors must now reunite their country and its citizens. Street Feb. 26, prebook Jan. 24; DVD $26.97, Blu-ray $29.97
WGBH Boston
Northanger Abbey Felicity Jones plays romance addict Catherine Morland. Street Jan. 22, prebook now; DVD $24.95
MansfieldPark Billie Piper stars as Fanny Price, who goes to live with prosperous relatives and navigates a labyrinth of intrigues and affairs. Street Jan. 29, prebook now; DVD $24.95
—Compiled by Cheryl Biggs
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