Grint, Alan

Lost Empires (3 DVD Set)

This extraordinary Masterpiece Theatre featured production based on the novel by JB Priestley, and featuring one of the last performances of Sir Laurence Olivier, takes you to the last days of Britain's innocence and the glamorous, magical world of the great music halls - which once brought entertainment to millions. In 1913, young Richard Herncastle, played by Colin Firth, escapes from a stuffy, provincial English background into the glitter and excitement of the theatre world. Funny, sad, and nostalgic, Lost Empires, follows Richard from his naïve, country upbringing to join his uncle Nick Ollanton, a famous music hall illusionist - known as the Indian Magician, Ganga Dun. The mystery of illusions, on and off the stage, is eventually shattered for Richard, whose dream of becoming a famous painter becomes sidetracked while he contends with men gone nearly insane, the lusts of countless women, and a murder that hangs over his head. As Lost Empires opens, looming on the horizon is World War I, which will destroy so much of Britain's tradition, including the great era of the Empire music hall. Soon the cinema will replace the eccentric and colorful performers whose home is the world of variety.

The Secret Garden

The Catherine Cookson Anthology (8-Disc Set)

Beaten down by years of mistreatment by his abusive father, Charlie McFell's (Lloyd Owen) enduring struggle to overcome his past, live up to his responsibilities, and recognize the depths of his own integrity is not easy, but audiences will find it remarkably rewarding. With all the features of a great television miniseries--murder, blackmail, revenge, heartbreak, betrayal, courage, vindication, and true love--what's remarkable about The Cinder Path is that there's nothing cheesy about it. This high-caliber production features strong acting, well-written characters the audience will care about, amazing Edwardian costumes, vivid western front trench warfare reenactments, Dolby digital sound, and a scene index.

Charlie overcomes a dangerous secret, a hollow marriage of convenience with the haughty Victoria (Catherine Zeta-Jones), the challenge of running his family's Northumberland farm, and finally the rigors of military boot camp as he is called to serve in World War I. He struggles to vanquish his own ghosts and become the man no one thought he could be. Based on the popular novel by Catherine Cookson, this made-for-television production will please a wide variety of viewers, from fans of PBS and BBC-style programming to anyone who likes a love story with a happy ending. --Tara Chace

Filled with romance passion and intrigue this 8-DVD Set features seven lavish costume drama adaptations of Catherine Cookson's best-selling historical novels including: The Cinder Path (as seen on Masterpiece Theatre) Colour Blind A Dinner of Herbs The Girl The Secret The Tide of Life and Tilly Trotter. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS UPC: 741952651192 Manufacturer No: KOC-DV6511

The Sandbaggers Collection Set 1

The Sandbaggers Collection Set 2

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Vol. 1: (A Scandal in Bohemia/ The Dancing Men/ The Naval Treaty/ The Solitary Cyclist)

Four episodes of the acclaimed series together on one DVD. Originally produced by Grenada Television of England this fine dramatic series aired on public television in 1985. Based on the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."A Scandal In Bohemia": This episode finds a man claiming to be the King of Bohemia who enlists the aid of Holmes and Watson in tracking down a photograph which incriminates the King with an American opera star."The Dancing Men": This episode sees Holmes' wits challenged by a cryptic code when a client hires him to decipher what looks like simple drawings of matchstick men."The Naval Treaty": In this episode Holmes is requested to locate a purloined document before an international scandal involving a secret treaty between England and Italy can be revealed."The Solitary Cyclist": In this episode Holmes employs his skills as a tracker to solve a boarding school murder after the music teacher complains of being followed by a man on a bicycle.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MYSTERY/SUSPENSE UPC: 030306706528 Manufacturer No: DVD7065

"A Scandal in Bohemia"
The very first Sherlock Holmes short story (following the detective's introduction in the novels A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of the Four) was also the first Granada Television production in the long-running Holmes series featuring Jeremy Brett's definitive performance as the famous sleuth. No deerstalker cap, cape, curved meerschaum pipe, or Basil Rathbone mannerisms for this Holmes: Brett's portrayal went straight to the heart of the character Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created, with all the manic-depressive, coldly clinical, drug-dependent, and unnervingly focused brilliance intact. Just as on-the-money is David Burke's Dr. John Watson, who is hardly the loyal puppy of widespread assumption but rather a dedicated ally and determined chronicler of the publicity-wary Holmes. "A Scandal in Bohemia," ironically, is one of the few instances of Holmes being bested by an equally intelligent adversary--an actress by the name of Irene Adler (Gayle Hunnicutt), who has threatened to reveal damaging evidence of her own affair with the king of Bohemia (Wolf Kahler), a ridiculous pseudonym invented by Watson to protect the real royal personage in trouble. It's Holmes to the rescue, going undercover in disguise to take away the blackmailer's trump, though it's he whose head will ultimately be turned by the extraordinary Irene. The cast is wonderful (meet Rosalie Williams as Baker Street housekeeper Mrs. Hudson), and the drama is great fun. (For a contemporary movie reinvention of this story, check out the 1998 feature Zero Effect, starring Bill Pullman as a whacked-out variation on Holmes, Ben Stiller as his long-suffering Watson, and Kim Dickens as an updated Irene.) --Tom Keogh

"The Dancing Men"
What is the meaning of the stick figures that appear scrawled one day on the exterior wall of a Northfolk manor? Why do they so terribly upset the American wife (Betsy Brantley) of the gentleman (Tenniel Evans) who lives there? The case proves one of the most tantalizing for Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and his ally and chronicler, Dr. Watson (David Burke). Then it proves among the gravest of Holmes's career when murder enters the picture and the distraught woman is charged with the crime. This is one of those stories from the Holmes canon that practically invites an adaptation; Sherlockians will enjoy seeing the oddly disturbing "dancing men" on screen, while newcomers to Holmes will find the tale particularly compelling. As always, Brett remains the definitive Holmes. --Tom Keogh

"The Naval Treaty"
An old schoolmate of Dr. Watson's, Percy Phelps (David Gwillim), has asked the longtime friend of Sherlock Holmes to intercede on his behalf with the famous detective. Phelps, a member of the Foreign Office, has stolen a copy of a naval treaty with serious international consequences, but the document has been missing for two months. His nerves shattered from worry, Phelps is under the care of his fiancée (Alison Skilbeck), but so far the treaty has not surfaced. Holmes (Jeremy Brett), aided by Watson (David Burke), agrees to take the case, which is handsomely adapted in this episode from the Granada Television series. As usual, Brett is the most fascinating, most complex, and truest of the many Holmes portrayals in film and TV history, Burke is solid as the good doctor, and Rosalie Williams is delightful in her fleeting appearance as the Baker Street housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson. --Tom Keogh

"The Solitary Cyclist"
Sherlock Holmes (the incomparable Jeremy Brett) is unhappily interrupted during a major investigation by the appearance at Baker Street of a young, regal-looking woman named Violet Smith (Barbara Wilshere). Frightened for her safety, Smith tells the busy sleuth and his friend Dr. Watson (David Burke) of her recent life since being left penniless. Employed as a music teacher in the Charlington home of one Bob Carruthers (John Castle)--a man who, along with a quite dangerous and "hideous" fellow named Woodley (Michael Siberry)--knew her late father in South Africa, Smith has lately been harassed by Woodley and followed on bicycle by a mysterious, bearded fellow. Watson is dispatched to look into the matter, but the mystery only deepens and darkens even after the Master finally arrives. One of the strongest episodes in the long-running Holmes series from Granada Television, "The Solitary Cyclist" never lets up its taut suspense. Brett and Burke are magnificent, as always, but even the most loyal fans are taken aback by the rare sight of Holmes throwing punches, as he does in a boxing duel with the beastly Woodley. --Tom Keogh

Sandbaggers Collection Set 3

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Vol. 5 (The Resident Patient / The Red-Headed League / The Final Problem)

In "The Resident Patient," Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) are approached by Dr. Percy Trevelyan (Nicholas Clay), who has been set up in an office by a man named Blessington (Patrick Newell) in exchange for free medical care. Despite several successful years of this arrangement, Blessington is found hanging in his room. This episode from the long-running Granada Television series has the incomparable Brett enact one of Holmes's most dramatic and complex deductions. A terrific show, from the earliest and perhaps best years of the series.

"The Red-Headed League" is based on a truly popular tale from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes canon. The story has a pawnbroker named Wilson (John Woodnutt) hearing from an assistant about a wealthy foundation, the Red-Headed League, dedicated to the "propagation and spread of... redheads as well as [to] their maintenance." Good fun all around, especially for Holmes fans who would enjoy seeing this unique story well adapted for the screen.

In 1893 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's weariness with his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes, led him to write "The Final Problem." The plan was to bring Holmes face to face with his most cunning and vile adversary, Professor Moriarty (Eric Porter), in a showdown that would bring a graceful and ennobling close to the Holmes saga. In time, Doyle allowed popular pressure to change his mind, and he brought back the sleuth, but this engrossing adaptation truly seems like Holmes's last bow and gives no hint of things to come. --Tom Keogh

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Volume 3 (The Blue Carbuncle/The Copper Beeches)

One of the most popular of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, "The Blue Carbuncle" is given exciting treatment in this Granada Television adaptation, featuring Jeremy Brett and David Burke in definitive performances as the famous detective and his ally and chronicler, Dr. Watson. The story concerns the disappearance of a gem called the Blue Carbuncle, which is linked to a terrible history of murders, suicides, attacks, and robberies. The jewel's trail leads Holmes all over wintry London and to a decision that stuns Watson in its legal and ethical implications. Tightly woven and cleverly adapted from the page, "The Blue Carbuncle" is a worthy telling of a classic tale.

Just as Holmes is lamenting the state of his investigation practice, a letter arrives from a Violet Hunter (Natasha Richardson), who seeks advice on whether to accept a position as governess at the Copper Beeches, the home of a genuine oddball named Jephro Rucastle (Joss Ackland) and his equally strange family. This fine adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's clever mystery "The Copper Beeches" is absolutely engrossing, and as usual Brett's performance as the famed detective is flawless and true to Doyle's original vision. Burke does his typically stellar work as Watson, and the addition of one great veteran (Ackland) and one talented then-newcomer (Richardson) to the cast is a real treat. --Tom Keogh

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Vol. 4 (The Greek Interpreter / The Norwood Builder)

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Sherlock Holmes's older brother, Mycroft. One of the most delightful surprises in the Holmes canon of stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle, the introduction of Mycroft is wonderfully realized in this Granada Television adaptation of "The Greek Interpreter." Charles Gray stars as the larger-than-life yet shadowy Holmes sibling, who rarely leaves his beloved Diogenes Club and, in effect, runs the British government with his long memory for policies and details. The case he brings to Sherlock (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) is unnerving in its suggestion of real brutality, and the subsequent investigation runs afoul of some truly nasty people. But before that happens, we're treated to the memorable moment when Sherlock and Mycroft essentially compete in their analysis of an old soldier seen from a window. Great stuff.

In "The Norwood Builder," a young solicitor, McFarlane (Matthew Solon), comes to Holmes begging for help just before being arrested by the sturdy if obtuse Inspector Lestrade (Colin Jeavins) of Scotland Yard. McFarlane is accused of killing a man who not only asked the attorney to draw up his will, but then left all of his possessions to McFarlane. The ingenious solution to the puzzle is only one of the exciting highlights in this episode, featuring the usual sterling work by stars Brett and Burke and a sound character interpretation by Jeavins. --Tom Keogh