WGBH Boston

Masterpiece Theatre: Northanger Abbey

MASTERPIECE THEATRE - NORTHANGER ABBEY (DVD MOVIE)

Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre, 2006)

After a wretched childhood orphaned Jane Eyre yearns for new experiences. She accepts a governess position at Thornfield Hall where she tutors a lively French girl named Adele. She soon finds herself falling in love with the brooding master of the house - the passionate Mr. Rochester. Jane gradually wins his heart but they must overcome the dark secrets of the past before they can find happiness. When Jane saves Rochester from an eerie fire she begins to suspect that there are many mysteries behind the walls of Thornfield Hall. Her fears are confirmed when Rochester's secret past is revealed destroying her chance for happiness and forcing Jane to flee Thornfield. Penniless and hungry she finds shelter and friendship in the shape of a kind clergyman and his family. But she is soon shocked to uncover the deeply hidden truth of her own past. This lavish and sensual new version of Charlotte Bronte s classic novel is modern and moody timeless and romantic. Starring Toby Stephens as Mr. Rochester Ruth Wilson as Jane and Francesca Annis as Lady Ingram.System Requirements:Run Time: 240 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: UNRATED UPC: 783421416192 Manufacturer No: WG41619

You may think the world doesn't need another adaptation of Jane Eyre--but you're wrong. This new and wonderfully lush Masterpiece Theatre version, directed by Susanna White (who directed the equally sumptuous miniseries of Bleak House starring Gillian Anderson), contrasts Jane Eyre's vivid inner life with the harshness of her outer life; both Georgie Henley (The Chronicles of Narnia) as the young Jane and newcomer Ruth Wilson express the inner vitality of the outcast orphan girl whose spirit captures the heart of the rough, charismatic landowner Mr. Rochester (Toby Stephens, Die Another Day). Stephens, it must be said, is far too conventionally handsome for the part, but he makes up for it by capturing Rochester's abrasive and mercurial temperament. (Wilson's looks are perfect; at one moment she seems awkward and homely, at another utterly luminous.) Jane Eyre is so often remade because the story is so potent; this production brings all of the novel's juice and passion to the fore, emphasizing the characters' sensual experience while staying true to the restrictions and mores of the period. All in all, exceptional. --Bret Fetzer

Masterpiece Theatre: Mansfield Park

MASTERPIECE THEATRE - MANSFIELD PARK (DVD MOVIE)

Casanova (Masterpiece Theater)

Casanova (David Tennant Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Bright Young Things) takes us from the decadent streets of the 18th Century Venice to the salons of pre-revolution Paris and on to the London courts of George III until a trip to Naples finally breaks Casanova s heart. In the Age of Reason and Science gambling and gallantries of pleasure and entertainment Casanova has it all does it all. In turn he is a violinist a priest a gambler a lottery director and intellectual. He is both peasant and nobleman rich and poor. But he is one thing above all others a lover. Sex is Casanova s lifeblood. But he is never casual nor flippant. He loves with total commitment and total sincerity however temporarily. He sleeps with courtesans actresses and even a nun. His life is dedicated to pleasure. But one thing eludes him throughout his life perfect happiness with his one true love Henriette (Laura Fraser Vanilla Sky A Knight s Tale). 44 years later Casanova (Peter O Toole Troy Gulliver s Travels) a librarian in a castle fare exiled from Venice is dying. Into his life comes Edith (Rose Byrne Troy I Capture the Castle) a young parlour maid. Something in Edith ignites the old passion in Casanova and he finds himself regaling her with tales of his adventures. Through Edith he learns to love the old Casanova again and sends out messengers in search of Henriette. It is one last desperate attempt to see the woman he loves before he dies System Requirements:Run Time: 174 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 783421414198 Manufacturer No: WG41419

And now for something completely randy and ribald from Masterpiece Theatre. This re-telling of the Casanova legend is a thoroughly modern romp with rollicking escapades, a sly anachronistic tone, and wardrobe malfunctions. More, it is graced with a poignant performance by Peter O' Toole (Lawrence of Arabia, My Favorite Year) as the aged lothario. Toiling in obscurity as a count's librarian, he regales an appalled, yet intrigued, parlor maid (Rose Byrne) with the story of his eventful life. David Tennant (Doctor Who) stars as the opportunistic, charming, and indefatigable young Casanova, illegitimately born to a neglectful actress mother. He becomes a scholar and sets about reinventing himself (as lawyer, doctor, and astrologer) to gain entry into Venice's noble circles. Here, he meets the enchanting Henriette (Laura Fraser), his one true love, but who is determined to marry for money and security. The first of Casanova's two parts is the most fun. Our tireless heroes' prodigious sexual exploits are rendered more comic than carnal. From two sisters (simultaneously!), he learns the secret of seducing women: "Just listen." Nina Sosanya (Love, Actually) costars as Bellino, a castrato, who presents Casanova with a Victor/Victoria-like conundrum. Casanova cannot keep up the pace of the cheeky first half as the stakes get higher in his pursuit of the elusive Henriette. He runs afoul of her jealous and powerful fiancé, Count Grimani (Rupert Penry-Jones), setting the stage for an ultimately heartbreaking love story that will span a lifetime. Casanova is as smart, seductive, and sad as its hero. As one character tells Casanova before a Bellino performance, "You are in for a treat." --Donald Liebenson

NOVA - Physics: The Elegant Universe and Beyond

Based on Brian Greene's book, this three-part Nova program should do for physics what Cosmos did for astronomy. Greene hosts the program on the relative new concept of String Theory, a potential (and explosive) answer to the Holy Grail of science: a single, ultimate theory for everything. Part of Greene's (along with filmmakers Julia Cort and Joseph McMaster) genius is the ability to explain complex issues with ease thanks to a generous helping of graphics and humor. It starts with a perplexing anecdote: Einstein died trying to figure out if there could be an ultimate theory. His General Theory of Relativity brought order to the laws of large objects, but could not explain the chancier world of Quantum Mechanics (which deals with atomic particles). String Theory tries to marry the two. Greene and many colleagues give us a history of the quest and how String Theory was "discovered" in the 1980s. The formula has a lot of quirks, the most dazzling being the insistence there's 11 dimensions in the universe. Greene is not as natural as Cosmos creator/host Carl Sagan, but he is certainly friendly and encouraging (albeit it's quite odd for the host to be interviewed at various times in the program). Because it's a three-part show, there is some overlap at the start of hours 2 and 3. --Doug Thomas

The Elegant Universe Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory Join host Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University and the best-selling author of The Elegant Universe, for an in-depth exploration of the groundbreaking new string theory that will excite scientists and non-scientists alike. If string theory proves correct, the universe we see obscures a reality that is far richer and more complex than anyone ever imagined--a universe with numerous hidden dimensions, a universe in which the fabric of space can rip and tear, a universe that may be but one of many parallel universes

Beginning with simple and clear explanations of major concepts of physics, including gravity, electromagnetism, and relativity, The Elegant Universe illuminates how string theory proposes that the fundamental ingredients of nature are inconceivably tiny strands of energy, whose different modes of vibration underlie everything that happens in the universe. If proven correct, this theory of "everything" would unite the laws of the large--general relativity--and the laws of the small--quantum mechanics--breaking a conceptual logjam that has frustrated scientists for nearly a century.

Einstein's Big Idea Everyone's heard of it, but what does E=mc2 really mean? With brilliant period recreations, discover how an obscure patent clerk, Albert Einstein, came up with his shattering 1905 discovery that the realms of matter and energy are inescapably linked. Starring Aidan McArdle (Ella Enchanted) as Einstein, and Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones's Diary) as Einstein's first wife, Mileva Maric.

Einstein Revealed Journey into the mind of a genius in this penetrating profile of the world's most renowned physicist, who contributed more than any other to our modern vision of physical reality. Andrew Sachs (Fawlty Towers) stars as Albert Einstein.

Yoga for the Rest of Us - Back Care Basics

Ease your back and improve your posture! Just as Peggy Cappy has modified yoga poses in her earlier videos Yoga for the Rest of Us and More Yoga for the Rest of Us to make yoga accessible to every body Peggy now turns her attention to stretches and exercises that are most beneficial to back care. Strong healthy back muscles provide support for your spine and result in more energy and vitality in everything you do.Peggy shows you the right exercises and yoga poses to protect your back and improve your posture. These simple but powerful exercises stretch and strengthen back muscles and can alleviate back pain caused by muscular tension. And with regular practice they can keep back pain from returning.Peggy has designed this program in six easy-to-use segments including leg and back stretches performed while positioned on your back on your side or on your belly. By using the exercises that work best for you in no time at all you will experience the difference that Back Care Basics can make.Bonus Segment! Let Peggy show you two restorative poses where with the aid of a chair pillows or the wall you simply relax and let gravity work for you bringing comfort to your body and peace to your mind.System Requirements:Running Time: 123 minFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/WGBH BOSTON UPC: 783421415393 Manufacturer No: WG41539

World War II: The Epic Battles

This 3-dsic DVD set includes:

Finest Hour The Battle of Britain (previously unreleased) - With the same combination of flawless research and extraordinary narrative that has earned Stephen Ambrose universal acclaim, Finest Hour recreates the tensions and uncertainties of the events of 1940...months when the fate of the world truly did hang in the balance. This film combines more than 100 original interviews and literally thousands of primary contemporaneous documents with a fresh and often controversial account of the swirling political intrigues and betrayals of the period.

Battle of the Bulge - An examination of the biggest and most bloody battle ever fought by American soldiers as seen through the eyes of the soldiers and combat officers charged with holding the line and closing the bulge. In their own words, they describe the events leading up to the attack , the unpreparedness and surprise of the Allied forces, the grueling physical and psychological conditions under which they fought, and the memories that still haunt them.

Iwo Jima - Red Blood, Black Sand - Transforming scenes from over 40 reels of combat footage into a timeless tribute for all veterans who fought during World War II, Iwo Jima: Red Blood/Black Sand brings the bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history to life. For the veterans who survived the ordeal, the memories are painful. In Iwo Jima: Red Blood/Black Sand, many talk for the first time about a battle that has haunted them for almost half a century.

Julia Child - The French Chef

Three servings of practical cooking advice per one serving of nostalgia is the recipe for this 18-episode culinary collector's item. The French Chef with Julia Child, the pioneering public television series which premiered in 1962, brought French cuisine to American kitchens without a dash of pretension. Child (1912-2004), a cooking legend and cultural icon with her 6'2" commanding-yet-self-deprecating presence, leads viewers through some of her favorite and classic recipes with requisite humor and congeniality. The three-disc compilation is divided into Starters and Side Dishes; Main Courses; and Desserts and Other Classics, and includes several printable recipes from each category. In vintage black and white, the collection begins with "The Potato Show" and Child's sage counsel, "When you flip anything you must have the courage of your convictions," before she flips half of her sautéed potatoes onto the stovetop. Peppered throughout the collection are such reminders of why Child was so endearing: she let the camera roll through all her culinary disasters. In another show, "To Roast a Chicken," Child lines up five headless poultry as if arranging for a family photo, while earnestly discussing the differences between a fryer and a roaster, the "full glory of its chickendom." Even non-gourmands will find themselves captivated by such vintage entertainment, while passionate epicureans will relish step-by-step demonstrations of wonders such as boeuf bourguignon (from her debut show), salad Nicoise, bouillabaisse a la Marseillaise, and mousse au chocolat. (All ages) --Lynn Gibson

Cooking legend and cultural icon Julia Child, along with her pioneering public television series, The French Chef, introduced French cuisine to American kitchens. In her passionate and sometimes breathless way, Julia forever changed the way we cook, eat, and think about food.

Entertaining, fun, and real in a way that influenced every television cooking program that followed, The French Chef embraced Julia's passion for food and teaching and reflected her joie de vivre: "If I can do it, you can do it...and here's how to do it!"

Now chefs of all ages and abilities can share Julia's love of fine French food and learn to cook some of her most-loved dishes with this special collection of 18 episodes from her original 1960s series, The French Chef. In her signature style and with bloopers intact, Julia demonstrates such classic recipes as boeuf bourguignon from her debut show, salade Nicoise, bouillabaisse a la Marseillaise, mousseline au chocolat, and many more delicious dishes.

Bon appetit!

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Set 5

Detective Inspector Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) and Detective Sergeant Havers (Sharon Small) Elizabeth George s crime-cracking duo from opposite sides of the track are back in four intriguing new mysteries. The fifth series begins with Lynley suspended from duty for alleged police brutality and Havers with a new boss. Can they still function as a team now that they re apart?Natural CausesWhile Lynley is suspended pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing Havers teams up with a different Detective Inspector Fiona Knight to investigate the drowning of a young woman in her car. But things aren't as simple as they seem and Lynley can't resist lending a hand to reveal a new lead in the case.One Guilty DeedLynley is reinstated and he Havers and colleague Detective Constable Winston Nkata are trying to catch a crime boss. But when their star witness is found shot dead at Havers' childhood holiday retreat she becomes convinced that cracking a twenty-year-old unsolved murder involving a local child will provide answers to both murders.Chinese WallsLynley and Havers are catapulted into the bizarre world of Internet vice when they investigate the brutal death of Emily Proctor a young barrister who had been moonlighting for her sister s online porn site. Meanwhile Lynley rekindles his relationship with his estranged wife Helen.In the Blink of an EyeLynley and Havers investigate the death of paparazzi photographer Peter Rooker who is found beaten and shot in London s Soho neighborhood. The mystery leads them all the way to a 1995 massacre in Bosnia and brings tragedy for Lynley when Helen gets involved in the investigation.System Requirements:TRT: 344 minFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/WGBH BOSTON UPC: 783421421295 Manufacturer No: WG42129

NOVA - The Elegant Universe

Based on Brian Greene's book, this three-part Nova program should do for physics what Cosmos did for astronomy. Greene hosts the program on the relative new concept of String Theory, a potential (and explosive) answer to the Holy Grail of science: a single, ultimate theory for everything. Part of Greene's (along with filmmakers Julia Cort and Joseph McMaster) genius is the ability to explain complex issues with ease thanks to a generous helping of graphics and humor. It starts with a perplexing anecdote: Einstein died trying to figure out if there could be an ultimate theory. His General Theory of Relativity brought order to the laws of large objects, but could not explain the chancier world of Quantum Mechanics (which deals with atomic particles). String Theory tries to marry the two. Greene and many colleagues give us a history of the quest and how String Theory was "discovered" in the 1980s. The formula has a lot of quirks, the most dazzling being the insistence there's 11 dimensions in the universe. Greene is not as natural as Cosmos creator/host Carl Sagan, but he is certainly friendly and encouraging (albeit it's quite odd for the host to be interviewed at various times in the program). Because it's a three-part show, there is some overlap at the start of hours 2 and 3. --Doug Thomas

One of the most ambitious and exciting scientific theories ever posed—one that may be the long-sought "Theory of Everything"—gets a masterful and lavishly animated explanation that will excite scientists and non-scientists alike. Beginning with simple and clear explanations of major concepts of physics, including gravity, electromagnetism, and relativity, The Elegant Universe illuminates one of the most revolutionary theories in physics today.

Known as string theory or superstring theory, this startling idea proposes that the fundamental ingredients of nature are inconceivably tiny strands of energy, whose different modes of vibration underlie everything that happens in the universe. The theory attempts to unite the laws of the large—general relativity—and the laws of the small—quantum mechanics—breaking a conceptual logjam that has frustrated scientists for nearly a century.

If string theory proves correct, the universe we see obscures a reality that is far richer and more complex than anyone ever imagined—a universe with numerous hidden dimensions, a universe in which the fabric of space can rip and tear, a universe that may be but one of many parallel universes.

Join host Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University and the best-selling author of The Elegant Universe, for this exciting and in-depth exploration of this groundbreaking new theory.

Special DVD features include: bonus video—how the animation was created; Multidimensional Math activity; The Making of The Elegant Universe activity; printable materials and activities for educators; link to The Elegant Universe Web site; excerpt from the best-selling book The Elegant Universe; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

On two DVD9 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.

On two DVD9 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.