Inspector George Gently: Series One [DVD]

I doubt I can add much to what others have said, but these are excellent programmes. They try to be thought-provoking (though perhaps a little too hard sometimes, since Gently's analyses of underlying social concerns are often too profound to be contemporary ones). But this is only to be expected; after all, everyone concerned with the production has necessarily acted with the benefit of hindsight. It is right that we all realise just what has led to our present set of values, and although these are fictional dramas - with all the distortions for dramatic effect that that implies - they do deal very well with real issues. The settings are authentic in conjuring up the period, although I wish I could keep my car looking as good as every single vehicle in the series! I have just one new comment to make, and that concerns the references to and showing of hangings. Yes, people could be hanged for murder in 1964 (two were) but only one of the three executions shown in Series 1 or 2 could possibly have taken place: that shown in the pilot episode. And it is unlikely that even that one would have happened. This is not just an 'anorak' point, but is fundamental to the programme's accuracy. The law about murder was regulated at the time (1964) by the Homicide Act 1957, which had created the division between capital murder (carrying the death penalty) and 'ordinary' murder, which did not. Capital murder was confined to killing by firearms or explosives, killings in the course of theft, the killing of police or prison officers, killings during attempts to escape, and killing on a second separate occasion. More than 60 death sentences were passed under the act and 29 carried out, the last in August 1964. Therefore, the second and third executions we see in Gently were illegal - the murderers had not committed capital murder. The first we see might be capital because of the killing of more that one person, but the killer would need to have been convicted of both murders (at two separate trials) no later than about four weeks before the general election in October, for there were no executions after it. This would have been unlikely. It is right that we appreciate the special dynamic that capital punishment brought to murder cases before 1965, but these slips dent the authenticity of an excellent series. It still warrants five stars, though.

We've known Martin Shaw from other British TV productions, e.g., P.D. James, and he is good. This made it a potentially worthwhile purchase. We weren't wrong and the DVD even has subtitles. The whole production is excellent and we've preordered Series two. For those of you who read this who live in Region 1 (NTSC) let me encourage you to buy a multi-region DVD player - Amazon U.S. has them - so you can enjoy these Region 2 (PAL) DVDs some of which are only available at Amazon UK. You may even find that the costs of buying them from Amazon UK and having them shipped to your US address via Royal Mail is cheaper than buying them in the US.

This is a high quality British television crime drama series from the BBC. It is set in the 1960s and loosely based on some of the Inspector Gently novels written by Alan Hunter. The costumes and sets and haircuts are so authentic that you would think it was made in 60's apart from the colour and higher quality. The stories and the characters are great. This really is great British drama.

This was to replace my original DVDs which had been damaged. George Gently has to be one of the very best detective series recreating accurately the attitudes of the 1960s and with very believable characters. I think the first episode in particular is essential to understand what happens next.

The George Gently series are excellent, in mu opinion one of the best detective/police series of recent years. Martin Shaw as always delivers a first class performance and is backed by a solid cast. I hope that there will be a new series each year for years to come. I was there and remember the era well, it is pure nostalgia.... my grand daughter tells me it is history!

I did not really know what to expect from this series, but as Martin Shaw is so good in anything he does I bought it. Having only watched the first two episodes I can saw I like the series and the characters, but that I have not been taken into their lives. They still seem as strangers to me, which I hope will change as the series progresses. The types of crime committed are of a different variety to the usual detective story in that they seem genuinely real and show the deeper side of malice and conspiracy that most people would like to pretend is not there. The George Gently charater seems to be able to solve them without too much trouble, as his experience of this type crime quickly directs him to the correct path to solve each one. By the end of the series I hope to have found out who George Gently really is.

The first series of George Gently, based on the books of Alan Hunter, consists of the pilot episode and the episodes The Burning Man and Bomber's Moon. The script is great, and the characters of DCI Gently and DS Bacchus are very well being played by Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby. Subtitles are available for the hard-of-hearing and the non-native speakers.

Recived two of these and neither of them were sealed, the DVDs were all loose in the box so scratched. Over £11 is expensive for second hand DVDs

Alle Episoden waren schön. Man konnte die Filme gut ansehen. Die englische Sprachweise hat meine Frau aber nur mit Untertiteln verstanden. Das lag aber am Dialekt. Sie übt sich.

I loved this show, very accurate in reconstructing the age it depicts, not only by costumes, cars and music but also by atmosphere. The actors are all very good.

It would not play on my Panasonic DVD player. The only way we could watch it was on my pc. I would not recommend purchasing a dvd from a supplier from the U.K.

Bei diesem Video mit dem Hinweis UK Import, war nicht eindeutig zu erkennen, dass keine Sprachauswahl ( z.B. Deutsch ) möglich ist.