"Actor: Brian Blessed"

• I, Claudius - The Complete Series | DVD | (17/04/2023) from £14.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Starring Brian Blessed as Augustus, John Hurt as Caligula, Derek Jacobi as Claudius, Sian Phillips as Livia, David Robb as Germanicus, Patrick Stewart as Sejanus and Fiona Walker as Agrippina. "I'll put it all in here, my story, my history of the family, yes, and the end of the Republic, yes, and when I've finished, I'll seal it up and bury it where no one will find it...not for 1900 years or more..." I CLAUDIUS tells the Emperor Claudius' epic story spanning the annals of Roman history, from the mighty Augustus, through to the madness of Caligula, as it echoes down through the centuries.br/

• Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves | DVD | (01/06/2006) from £10.73   |  Saving you £8.26 (76.98%)   |  RRP £18.99

  Kevin Costner's lousy English accent is a small obstacle in this often exciting version of the Robin Hood fable. That aside, it's refreshing to have a preface to the old story in which we meet the robber hero of Sherwood Forest as a soldier in King Richard's Crusades, coming home to find his people under siege from the cruelties of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman). After Robin and his community of outcasts and fighters take to the trees, director Kevin Reynolds (Fandango, 187) is on more familiar narrative ground, and he goes for the gusto with lots of original action (Robin shoots two arrows simultaneously from his bow in two directions). Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as Marion, makes a convincing damsel in distress and Morgan Freeman brings dignity to his role as Robin's Moor friend. Alan Rickman, however, gets the most attention for his scene-chewing role as the rotten sheriff, an almost campy performance that is highly entertaining but perhaps a little out of sorts with the rest of the film. --Tom Keogh

• Much Ado About Nothing | DVD | (01/10/1999) from £6.89   |  Saving you £9.10 (132.08%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Kenneth Branagh's 1993 production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is a vigorous and imaginative work, cheerful and accessible for everyone. Largely the story of Benedick (Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson)--adversaries who come to believe each is trying to woo the other--the film veers from arched wit to ironic romps, and the two leads don't mind looking a little silly at times. But the plot is also layered with darker matters that concern the ease with which men and women fall into mutual distrust. Branagh has rounded up a mixed cast of stage vets and Hollywood stars, among the latter Denzel Washington and Michael Keaton, the latter playing a rather seedy, Beetlejuice-like version of Dogberry, king of malapropisms.--Tom Keogh

• Star Wars Prequel Trilogy Box Set Blu-ray (Episodes 1-3) | Blu Ray | (02/05/2022) from £22.80   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Star Wars: The Phantom Menance See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker. Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn rescue Queen Amidala, ruler of a peaceful planet invaded by dark forces. On their escape, they discover nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker, a child prodigy who is unusually strong in The Force. Star Wars: Attack of The Clones Watch the seeds of Anakin Skywalker transformation take root. When Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect Senator Padmé Amidala, he discovers his love for her and his own darker side. Obi-Wan Kenobi uncovers a secret clone army as the galaxy marches towards full-scale war. Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith Discover the true power of the dark side. Clone Wars rage across the galaxy. The sinister Sith Lord seizes control of the Republic and corrupts Anakin Skywalker to be his dark apprentice, Darth Vader. Obi-Wan Kenobi must confront his fallen friend in an epic lightsaber duel. Product Features Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Filmmaker And Cast Audio Commentary Cast And Crew Archival Audio Commentary Conversations: Doug Chiang Looks Back Discoveries From Inside: Models & Miniatures Documentary: The Beginning Extended And Deleted Scenes And Much More! Star Wars: Attack of The Clones Filmmaker And Cast Audio Commentary Cast And Crew Archival Audio Commentary Conversations: Sounds In Space Discoveries From Inside: Costumes Revealed From Puppets To Pixels: Digital Characters In Episode II Cast And Crew Interviews Extended And Deleted Scenes And Much More! Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith Filmmaker And Cast Audio Commentary Cast And Crew Archival Audio Commentary Conversations: The Star Wars That Almost Was Discoveries From Inside: Holograms & Bloopers Within A Minute: The Making Of Episode III Filmmaker And Cast Interviews Extended And Deleted Scenes And Much More!

• Flash Gordon | Blu Ray | (27/09/2010) from £16.99   |  Saving you £10.00 (66.71%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Flash - a-ah - he'll save every one of us! Ming the Merciless is out to destroy the Earth and only one person can stop him! Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones) is zapped from Earth into a sci-fi adventure on planet Mongo with his beautiful companion Dale (Melody Anderson). In an attempt to put an end to Ming the Merciless' plans to destroy the Earth Flash battles Ming's goons and declines the advances of the luscious Space Princess Aura (Ornella Muti). With the help of Prince Barin (Timothy Dalton) and Prince Vultan (Brian Blessed) Flash Gordon takes the Ming empire by storm...

• Flash Gordon | DVD | (04/08/2008) from £9.66   |  Saving you £3.33 (34.47%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Flash - a-ah - he'll save every one of us! Ming the Merciless Emperor of planet Mongo has begun his plan of destruction for planet Earth. Zarkov a mad scientist detects the signs of an intergalactic assault and forces Flash Gordon star football player and the beautiful Dale Arden to board his rocket and save the human race from the evil Emperor. Can Flash save the universe?

• Much Ado About Nothing | DVD | (09/05/2018) from £8.99   |  Saving you £16.00 (177.98%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Kenneth Branagh's 1993 production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is a vigorous and imaginative work, cheerful and accessible for everyone. Largely the story of Benedick (Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson)--adversaries who come to believe each is trying to woo the other--the film veers from arched wit to ironic romps, and the two leads don't mind looking a little silly at times. But the plot is also layered with darker matters that concern the ease with which men and women fall into mutual distrust. Branagh has rounded up a mixed cast of stage vets and Hollywood stars, among the latter Denzel Washington and Michael Keaton, the latter playing a rather seedy, Beetlejuice-like version of Dogberry, king of malapropisms.--Tom Keogh

• I Claudius - Complete BBC Series (5 Disc Box Set) | DVD | (30/09/2002) from £28.99   |  Saving you £-19.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.98

  Originally transmitted in the autumn of 1976 I Claudius redefined the boundaries of television with an epic story spanning the annals of Roman history - from the mighty Augustus to the madness of Caligula. One of the jewels in the crown of BBC historical drama this timeless classic features inspirational performances by an all-star cast. This five-disc box set contains all thirteen 50 minute episodes: 1. A Touch of Murder 2. Waiting in the Wings 3. What Shall We Do About Claudius? 4. Poison is Queen 5. Some Justice 6. Queen of Heaven 7. Reign of Terror 8. Zeus By Jove! 9. Hail Who? 10. Fool's Luck 11. A God in Colchester 12. Old King Log

• Henry V | DVD | (10/08/2015) from £5.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Very few first-time film directors would have been capable of making such a triumphant adaptation of Henry V; but a still-youthful Kenneth Branagh's years of stage experience paid off handsomely and his 1989 version qualifies as a genuine masterpiece, the kind of film that comes along once in a decade. He eschews the theatricality of Laurence Olivier's stirring, fondly remembered 1945 adaptation to establish his own rules: Branagh plays it down and dirty, seeing the Bard's play through revisionist eyes, framing it as an anti-war story in contrast to Olivier's patriotic spectacle. Branagh gives us harsh close-ups of muddied, bloody men, and of himself as Henry, his hardened mouth and wilful eyes revealing much about the personal cost of war. Not that the director-star doesn't provide lighter moments: his scenes introducing the French Princess Katherine (Emma Thompson) trying to learn English quickly from her maid are delightful. What may be the crowning glory of Branagh's adaptation comes when the dazed leader wanders across the battlefield, not even sure who has won. As King Hal carries a dead boy (a young Christian Bale) over the hacked bodies of both the English and French, a panorama of blood and mud and death greet the viewer as Branagh opens up the scene and Patrick Doyle's rousing hymn "Non nobis, Domine" provides marvellous counterpoint (like the director, the composer was another filmic first-timer). A more potent expression of the price of victory could scarcely be imagined. --Rochelle O'Gorman, Amazon.com

• As You Like It | DVD | (25/02/2008) from £6.19   |  Saving you £11.80 (190.63%)   |  RRP £17.99

  Director Kenneth Branagh brings together a star studded cast for this Shakespeare comedy.

• The Sweeney: The Complete Series | DVD | (06/10/2014) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £49.99

  Sweeney, The - Complete

• Tarzan | DVD | (15/04/2013) from £4.82   |  Saving you £0.17 (3.53%)   |  RRP £4.99

  After watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Some 60 years later, the tale is finally told with brilliant design work that looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have been at the heart of its recent hits. Disney's Tarzan doesn't wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation. Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film, creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter entertainment, Tarzan makes a pretty good treat. --Doug Thomas

• Blake's 7 - Series 1 | DVD | (01/03/2004) from £17.03   |  Saving you £32.96 (193.54%)   |  RRP £49.99

  Blake's 7 was the hit BBC space opera launched in the wake of Star Wars, though with a grittier sensibility and produced on a fraction of the budget. Over 13 episodes the first series introduced freedom-fighter Blake (Gareth Thomas) as he escaped from the Orwellian Federation, gathered a crew of low-life rebels, salvaged an alien starship called the Liberator, and began striking back against the forces of Supreme Commander Servalan (sultry Jacqueline Pearce). The effects were cheap, and alien planets were represented by a disused quarry or an industrial complex, but the strong characters and cynical storylines created by Doctor Who veteran Terry Nation remain involving. The perfect foil for Blake was Paul Darrow's Avon, a near psychopathic criminal mastermind who only fought to save his skin. The cowardly Vila (Michael Keating) was almost as memorable, while the female leads were Jenna (Sally Knyvette), a smuggler and pilot, and determined Auron telepath Cally (Jan Chappell). Also on board was Gan (David Jackson), inhibited from violence by a brain implant. With even the good guys being criminals, including murderers, this was a galaxy far, far away from previous screen space opera. Though undeniably dated, the show is still vintage TV SF, right from the opening three-parter "The Way Back / Spacefall / Cygnus Alpha" to the cliff-hanging shocker "Orac", which introduces the final member of the un-magnificent seven. On the DVD: Blake's 7, Series 1 presents the 13 episodes across five DVDs so as to maximise picture quality. Following the BBC's Doctor Who DVDs the 4:3 images are as strong as one could expect from a 1970s TV show shot partly on video (interiors) and 16 mm film (exteriors). Film shots have some grain and vary considerably in quality while the video material shows occasional minor tearing and flaws in the tape. Otherwise these are as good as Blake's 7 is ever going to look. The same is true of the mono sound, which is clear and undistorted. Each DVD is introduced with a CGI reincarnation of the series' famous logo and three episodes are offered with a commentary. These are "Spacefall" (Sally Knyvette, Michael Keating and producer David Maloney), "Seek-Locate-Destroy" (Keating, Jacqueline Pearce and Stephen Greif) and "Project Avalon" (Knyvette, Pearce and Greif). The chat ranges from high-school reunion playfulness, including singing the title music, to some more serious insights into making the show, to an amusing running debate as to whether Glynis Barber appears in "Project Avalon". Other extras are "2 out takes, a missing scene, 1 robot, 2 flat feet and a blooper". These are exactly what they say: an extract from Blue Peter in 1978 with Lesley Judd making a Blake's 7 bracelet; nine clip compilations introducing the main characters; a synopsis for each episode; and a trailer for the Series 2 DVDs. --Gary S Dalkin

• The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists | Blu Ray | (10/09/2012) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Hugh Grant stars as Pirate Captain - a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. And he has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award.

• My Family And Other Animals | DVD | (18/09/2006) from £8.79   |  Saving you £11.20 (127.42%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Adapted from Gerald Durrell's bestselling autobiography this much-loved classic tells the story of the naturalist's childhood years spent on the island of Corfu. A new world of freedom and adventure opens up to young Gerald when his somewhat eccentric family decide to leave the grey skies of England behind and start a new life. He soon discovers the wonder of nature in this sun-drenched environment and into the lives of the family come a succession of colourful characters including larger-than-life taxi-driver Spiro who helps them move from one villa to the next. An acclaimed BBC series with wonderful performances by Hannah Gordon and Brian Blessed.

• Doctor Who - The Trial Of A Timelord | DVD | (29/09/2008) from £14.99   |  Saving you £35.00 (233.49%)   |  RRP £49.99

  The Mysterious Planet: The TARDIS is drawn to a space station where the Doctor is subjected to a Time Lord inquiry into his behaviour presided over by an Inquisitor. The prosecuting counsel the Valeyard presents the first piece of his evidence which consists of a recording played back on a screen linked to the Matrix. It concerns a visit by the Doctor and Peri to the desolate planet Ravolox which turns out to be a future Earth shifted light-years through space. The court watches as the pair get caught up in a conflict between the surface-dwelling Tribe of the Free led by Queen Katryca and the planet's other inhabitants a group of subterranean technocrats and their robotic ruler Drathro. Mindwarp: The Valeyard's second segment of evidence relates to the planet Thoros-Beta. Here the Doctor and Peri meet their old adversary Sil and others of his Mentor race whose leader Kiv is awaiting an operation from a scientist named Crozier to transplant his brain into another body. They also form an uneasy alliance with a kidnapped Krontep warrior King Yrcanos and encounter a group of resistance fighters. Terror Of The Vervoids: The distraught Doctor gives the court his evidence for the defence. He chooses an incident from his own future in which he and his companion Mel arrive on the space liner Hyperion III in response to a distress call. The Ultimate Foe: With the evidence complete the Doctor learns that the Master has gained illicit access to the Matrix in his TARDIS.

• Return To Treasure Island - Series 1 - Complete | DVD | (26/05/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Their fates entangled once more the rapacious pirate Long John Silver and ex-cabin boy Jim Hawkins - now having graduated from Oxford University - are caught up in the search for even more treasure still buried on the infamous Treasure Island... Starring Brian Blessed (Flash Gordon I Claudius) as Long John Silver - a part he was surely born for - and Christopher Guard (Poirot) as the plucky Jim Hawkins this continuation of Robert Louis Stevenson''-s classic tale is written by John Goldsmith (Return of the Saint) and directed by the BAFTA-winning Piers Haggard (Pennies from Heaven). Episodes Include: 1. The Map - Part One 2. The Map - Part Two 3. Island of the Damned 4. Jamaica 5. Manhunt 6. The Crow''-s Nest 7. Fugitives 8. In Chains 9. Treasure Island - Part I 10. Treasure Island - Part II

• Doctor Who - The Collection - Season 23 | Blu Ray | (04/10/2021) from £39.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Build Your Own Doctor Who Archive With This Collectors' Set! The Trial Of A Time Lord The Epic Season-long Adventure All 14 Episodes Newly Restored For Blu-ray And Packed With Bonus Material Including: Extended Edits Of Every Episode Terror Of The Vervoids Standalone Special Edition Immersive 5.1 Surround Sound & Isolated Scores On All 14 Broadcast Episodes Behind The Sofa New Episodes With Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Bonnie Langford, Frazer Hines, Mark Strickson & Matthew Waterhouse The Writers' Room Eric Saward, Philip Martin, Christopher H Bidmead & Wally K Daly Discuss The ˜lost' Season 23 The Doctor Who Cookbook Revisited Brave Cast Members Tackle Recipes From The 1985 Official Cookbook The Doctor's Table Join Colin Baker And Friends For Dinner In Conversation Matthew Sweet Chats To Companion Bonnie Langford Unseenstudio Footage Rare Archive Discoveries Blu-ray Trailer Colin Baker On Trial PDF Written Archive Scripts & Rare Archival Material This Set Also Features Extensive Special Features Previously Released On DVD Including: Making-of Documentaries, Featurettes, Deleted Scenes, Audio Commentaries, Info Text And Much More. Starring Colin Baker And Nicola Bryant With Bonnie Langford

• The Last Valley | DVD | (02/04/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  James Clavell's The Last Valley is a heartfelt film of paradise found and lost in the midst of the bloody Thirty Years War, a senseless religious conflict long since degenerated into a rabble of looters preying on peasants. It's also a triumph of passion over style. Michael Caine stars as the Captain, a happily tolerant leader whose army of mercenaries--a mix of Protestants and Catholics--murders, pillages and rapes side by side for whichever faction is paying more at the time. Omar Sharif is Vogel, a lone refugee whose flight from the marauding band leads them all to a beautiful village in the mountains. The Captain and Vogel make an unlikely pair: the shrewd mercenary with the dream of peace, and the philosopher-peasant hanging on to his own life in the face of certain death--and their alliance to preserve this Eden and her people stands in contrast to the soldiers who soon become splintered by greed, lust and religious zealotry. Clavell isn't exactly subtle, but his sense of irony is biting: one Christian soldier is ready to lead a mob in righteous battle after a perceived blaspheme, and in the next scene attacks and rapes an innocent Christian maiden he's sworn to protect. The film falters in clumsy battle scenes and awkward dramatic staging, but Caine's complex characterisation of the guarded Captain and Sharif's haunted performance keep the story alive, and the beautiful photography fixes the film like a jewel into its setting. --Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com

• Tarzan / Tarzan 2 / Tarzan And Jane | DVD | (26/10/2009) from £12.97   |  Saving you £2.02 (15.57%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Titles Comprise: Tarzan: Raised by a family of gorillas including the loving Kala and the wisecracking Terk Tarzan develops all the instincts and prowess of a jungle animal. But with the sudden appearance of Tarzan's own kind including the beautiful Jane two very different worlds are about to become one. Driven by five powerful songs from pop superstar Phil Collins and starring the voice talents of Minnie Driver Glenn Close and Rosie O'Donnell Disney's Tarzan delivers incredible adventure as well as important reminders about acceptance and family! Tarzan 2: Before he was King of the Jungle Tarzan was an awkward young kid just trying to fit in. When one of his missteps puts his family in jeopardy Tarzan decides they would be better of without him. His thrilling new journey brings him face-to-face with the mysterious Zugor the most powerful force in the land. Together Tarzan and Zugor discover that being different is not a weakness and that friends and family are the greatest strength of all. Tarzan & Jane: As Tarzan and Jane's first year in the jungle approaches Jane searches for the perfect gift for Tarzan. Enlisting the help of her hilarious gorilla and elephant pals Terk and Tantor they remind her what an exciting year it's been... from outsmarting prowling panthers to surfing lava down an erupting volcano! But that's nothing compared to what Tarzan has in store for Jane- a surprise that'll show her just how much he understands her world.