"Actor: Michael Byrne"

• Sharpe's Enemy | DVD | (15/01/2007) from £4.49   |  Saving you £3.50 (77.95%)   |  RRP £7.99

  Action and romance follow Sharpe as he and his chosen men once again risk their lives on a dangerous and heroic mission.In Sharpe's enemy Sharpe first has to do battle with a gang of deserters led by the evil renegade Sergeant Hakeswill (Pete Postlethwaite).Hakeswill uses hostages including Sharpe's old flame the beautiful Isabella as innocent pawns in his wicked game to win a ransom. This is only the beginning of the problems facing Sharpe. A far greater threat is on the horizon. One where failure would mean the end of the war for the allied armies ....

• The Hornblower Collection (6 discs) | DVD | (10/02/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  Based freely on the classic novels by CS Forester, Hornblower is a series of TV films following the progress of a young officer through the ranks of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars. The series' greatest asset is the handsome and charismatic Ioan Gruffudd in the lead role, surely a major star in the making. For television films the production values are very good, though as Titanic, Waterworld and The Perfect Storm demonstrated, filming an aquatic adventure is a very expensive business, and it is clear that the Hornblower dramas simply make the best of comparatively small budgets. No more faithful to Forester's books than the 1951 Gregory Peck classic Captain Horatio Hornblower, the real inspiration seems to have come from the success of Sharpe, starring Sean Bean, which likewise featured a British hero in the Napoleonic Wars. Nevertheless, while rather more easygoing than the real British navy of the time, the Hornblower saga delivers an entertaining adventure, greatly enhanced by the presence of such guest stars as Denis Lawson, Cheri Lunghi, Ronald Pickup and Anthony Sher. --Gary S Dalkin

• Vampyres | Blu Ray | (30/03/2010) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Saracen - The Complete Series | DVD | (07/06/2010) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Saracen: The Complete Series

• The Medusa Touch | DVD | (29/03/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Richard Burton stars as successful novelist John Morlar who believes he has 'a gift for disaster' - the power to cause death and destruction through unconscious telekinesis. When Morlar is viciously assaulted and left for dead on the night of the Moon Mission disaster and a jet crash police investigating the attack quickly turn to Morlar's mysterious therapist Zonfeld (Lee Remick) in the belief that there is a link between the assault and Morlar's disturbing complex...

• Hornblower - The Even Chance | DVD | (15/07/2002) from £8.54   |  Saving you £4.44 (80.00%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Based freely on the classic novels by CS Forester, Hornblower is a series of TV films following the progress of a young officer through the ranks of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars. The series' greatest asset is the handsome and charismatic Ioan Gruffudd in the lead role, surely a major star in the making. No more faithful to Forester's books than the 1951 Gregory Peck classic Captain Horatio Hornblower, the real inspiration seems to have come from the success of Sharpe, starring Sean Bean, which likewise featured a British hero in the Napoleonic Wars. Nevertheless, while rather more easygoing than the real British navy of the time, the Hornblower saga delivers an entertaining adventure, greatly enhanced by the presence of such guest stars as Denis Lawson, Cheri Lunghi, Ronald Pickup and Anthony Sher. Beginning in 1794 with the 17-year-old midshipman joining the fleet at Portsmouth, "The Even Chance" offers a rather rushed introduction. --Gary S Dalkin

• Ultimate Book Of Spells | DVD | (10/05/2004) from £9.93   |  Saving you £-3.94 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Join Cassy Gus and Verne as they go on amazing adventures with the Ultimate Book Of Spells.... Episodes comprise: 1. Three Is A Charm 2. Man Or Mortie? 3. He Who Laughs Last...

• The Advocates: Series 1 And 2 | DVD | (23/09/2013) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Compelling drama at it's very best. Set in Edinburgh The Advocates contrasts the high powered and respectable world of the lawyers and advocates of the Scottish legal profession with the sleazy and deadly existence of the city's pimps prostitutes and drug addicts. In Series 1 Doctor Joe Sangster suspects foul play when a young prostitute is murdered by a drug overdose. In the growing climate of fear over drugs and AIDS in the city he turns to Greg McDowell a young lawyer-cum-investigator for help. Greg sees this as the perfect opportunity and decides to immerse himself in the gritty Edinburgh underworld in search of justice. Series 2 follows James McCandlish an eminent advocate who is arrested and charged with murdering his wife. Greg McDowell from the struggling law firm run by Katherine Dunbar represents him with the high profile case likely to raise the firm's image. McDowell is upset when Katherine is encouraged to supervise the McCandlish case and things take a turn for the worse when the company is sued for negligence over a different issue.

• Sharpe's Honour | DVD | (15/01/2007) from £4.98   |  Saving you £3.01 (60.44%)   |  RRP £7.99

  Sean Bean stars as the dashing and daredevil Napoleonic hero Richard Sharpe Hero of Wellington's Spanish Army. But Sharpe unwittingly becomes caught up in a French plot; hie is convicted of the murder of a Spanish nobleman and sentenced to death this time he will need more than just his legendary courage to survive. In a desperate attempt to clear his name Sharpe is forced to venture deep into enemy territory to capture La Marquesa a beautiful French spy who alone can prove his innocence.

• Andromeda - Season 1 - Vol. 1 | DVD | (29/04/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Based on an idea by Gene Roddenberry Andromeda confidently wears its debt to Star Trek on its sleeve, recalling the best sci-fi of Roddenberry's heyday. The two-part premiere "Under the Night" and "An Affirming Flame" make for a terrific introduction to the lead character, Captain Dylan Hunt, played by Kevin (ex-Hercules) Sorbo. He's a sympathetically flawed idealist in command of the Andromeda Ascendant, a massive 1.4 km long starship of the now-disbanded Systems Commonwealth. The fall of civilisation has meant that although she ought to be a relic she remains the zenith of technological advancement. In the series opener we see Captain Hunt in battle against 10,000 enemy ships, winning a bout of fisticuffs with a close friend turned enemy traitor, wrestling with the shock of being frozen in time for 300 years and then diplomatically negotiating his way out of a salvage rights battle for his ship. The Andromeda Ascendant's emotionally driven, life-like computer is desired by the Eureka Maru salvage vessel, and feisty Captain Beka Valentine can barely stop her engineer Harper from drooling about tinkering with her. The Maru's shipmates are similarly driven: Rev Bem (from another sworn enemy race) has a spiritual calling, while cutesy-pie Trance Gemini's motivations are part of her winning mysteriousness. One final addition is the show's muscle, Tyr, the enemy with a conscience. But it's Dylan's show all the way, though he's no flawless hero: in "To Loose the Fateful Lightning" he makes a really stupid mistake. On the DVD: the first box set contains the show's first five episodes. From the excellently animated menus there are links to some standard fare: trailers for each of the (uncut) episodes, a Web link, biographies of the seven leading cast and a 16-picture Production Design Gallery of the Andromeda Ascendant. Much more interesting are the mini interviews with Sorbo (nine minutes) and Producer/Writer Robert Hewitt Wolfe (eight minutes), an archive of deleted scenes and audio comments by Sorbo per episode. Picture is standard TV format 4.3 and sound is plain stereo. --Paul Tonks

• Sharpe's Company | DVD | (15/01/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £7.99

  Sean Bean stars as maverick British rifleman Richard Sharpe in this romantic adventure set during the bloody conflicts of 19th Century Napoleonic Spain.Ordered to lay siege to the French stronghold - the walled city of Badajos - Sharpe is torn between overcoming the enemy and rescuing his lover - the beautiful guerrilla fighter Teresa (Assumpta Serna) - now trapped in the city on a secret mission spying for the British.There is one thing Sharpe hasn't counted on the evil presence of his old enemy Hakeswill who is determined to stop him at all costs.

• Hornblower Vol.1 | DVD | (15/07/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

• Andromeda - Season 1 - Vol. 4 | DVD | (26/08/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  No sci-fi show can be without a trial episode accusing someone of past crimes. "Forced Perspective" sees Dylan accused of a 300-year-old war atrocity and having to argue the case from very peculiar perspectives. This episode feels like filler, but the viewer ought to pick up on two important aspects of the show happening on the periphery. What's going on between Tyr and Beka? Even more importantly, what's going on with Trance? An interesting reversal of roles is presented to Dylan when an organised group of machines offer for him to join their Consensus of Parts. Neither is fully willing to join the other however, and so "The Sum of Its Parts" turns out to be less than either hoped for. This episode was another cowritten by a noted science fiction author, and Steven Barnes injects some welcome introspection into the proceeding story arc. "Fear and Loathing in the Milky Way" is experienced by all following the return of the Eureka Maru's original commissioning lowlife, Gerentex ("Under the Night"). Trance's deft sleight of hand helps at the casino tables, while Harper's wisecracking front finally slips to reveal a man capable of action in a tight spot. We also learn exactly how Beka practices Valentineology. At long last we learn Rev's full name (Reverend Behemiel) and get a fuller explanation of his Wayist belief. "The Devil Take the Hindmost" reveals Jesus to be one of the revered Saints too. This was actually one of the first plot lines considered for the show, but caught up with its own internal story arcs, Rev's character has had to wait until now for a proper spotlight. --Paul Tonks

• Andromeda - Season 3 - Vol. 2 | DVD | (03/05/2004) from £4.09   |  Saving you £17.16 (606.36%)   |  RRP £19.99

  C.06 - Slipfighter The Dogs Of War When it becomes clear that the planet Marduk has developed a weapon which can destory stars the ANDROMEDA goes to stop them but vital to the mission is a Tyr who's lost faith in his his abilities... C.07 - The Leper's Kiss Dylan discovers he has only 72 hours to prevent the assassination of a freind and sets off with Tyr and Beka on a chase for the efficient killer. But who or where is 'The Leper'. And can he be found in time? C.08 - For Whom The Bell Tolls After a routine mission Dylan discovers that something has got aboard his ship causing disruptions power failures and even ghostly aparitions - can the ANDROMEDA ascendant really be haunted? C.09 - And Your Heart Will Fly Away When Tyr disappears and the ANDROMEDA comes under attack from a shape-changing force Dylan and friends try to link the two events discovering the story of a lost love and revenge... C.10 - The Unconquerable Man Setting things to rights may be a noble intention but the reality can be somewhat different. Dylan's old colleague Gaheris Rhade is getting a second chance at restoring order to the universe - but at what cost?

• Andromeda - Season 1 - Vol. 5 | DVD | (09/09/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Things never go well when the Andromeda Ascendant takes on passengers. When Dylan agrees to transport the bride of an arranged wedding, "The Honey Offering" is tastes bad from the outset. Kimberly Huie gives a memorable acid-tongued performance as the lady in question. The real clue that things were doomed ought to have been Tyr's reservations over the two rival Nietzschean prides genuinely wanting to heal their breach. "Star-Crossed" is the Series One episode that caused more gossip than any other. Stargate regular Michael Shanks guest stars, falls in love with Rommie on screen (and with Lexa Doig off screen), and then suddenly quits SG-1. There's certainly a spark between them in the show to support the gossip. The secondary cause for talk was its broadcast rescheduling in sympathy with the events of September 11 since it opens with a terrorist attack. As sci-fi show producers realise, they have an ongoing franchise on their hands, one of the contemporary issues to inevitably crop up is drug addiction. Here it's Beka who loses control of her addiction to a substance called Flash, and all she can see is that "It Makes a Lovely Light". Behind this surface narrative is a continued search for Dylan's long-lost home. The point ultimately becomes that he'd rather safeguard his crew than his memories. Criticised in some places for its extreme violence, the season finale "Its Hour Come 'Round at Last" will stay with you one way or another. Maybe for the sight of an alternate Rommie turning uncharacteristically nasty on every one and seriously kicking butt. Or maybe the mind-blowing Magog Worldship, made up of 20 planets and their sun. Or maybe just the seemingly impossible scenario each major character is faced with as the show ends. --Paul Tonks

• Andromeda - Season 1 - Vol. 2 | DVD | (24/06/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Based on an idea by Gene Roddenberry Andromeda wears its debt to Star Trek on its sleeve, recalling the best sci-fi of Roddenberry's heyday. Kevin (ex-Hercules) Sorbo, plays Captain Dylan Hunt, the sympathetically flawed idealist in command of the Andromeda Ascendant, a massive 1.4km long starship of the now-disbanded Systems Commonwealth. The fall of civilisation has meant that although she ought to be a relic she remains the zenith of technological advancement. Episodes on this DVD:Angel Dark, Demon Bright; The Ties That Blind; Banks of the Lethe; A Rose in the Ashes; All Great Neptune's Ocean. "Angel Dark, Demon Bright". Time travel is always a sci-fi series staple, but Andromeda needs it more than any of them. Any method (excuse!) to re-visit Dylan's own time is explored, and "Angel Dark, Demon Bright" is therefore an important episode for two reasons. We see just how badly the Commonwealth had it coming in an enormous space battle; and we also perceive how potentially dangerous Trance is. Pruning the branches of time as easily as her plants, she's clearly a conundrum waiting to explode. "The Ties That Blind". A dual reference to aspects of faith, on the one hand there's Rev's devout following of The Way, which unwittingly obscures certain truths from him; on the other hand there's the belief that blood is thicker than water which severely confuses the relationship Beka has with her long-lost con-artist brother Rafe (Cameron Daddo). There's a lot of art imitating life in this episode, with The Restorian's tactics clearly mirroring contemporary religious conflicts. "The Banks of the Lethe". Proving that all's fair in love and war this episode demonstrates the familial possibilities of syndicated TV. Firstly, Sorbo's real-life wife plays Dylan's fiancée Sara. Secondly, the story was originally touted to Star Trek: Voyager. It's another time travel quickie (told you they were important), in which a touching reunion for the Sorbos is made possible thanks to a botched experiment in Harper's lab. This instalment is also distinguished for featuring some of the most surreal humour in dealing with time travel since Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. "A Rose in the Ashes". Sometimes diplomacy just doesn't work. "A Rose in the Ashes" is sought on planet Arazia where Dylan is imploring their Government to join his Commonwealth. Deemed traitors for suggesting it, he and Rommie's "living doll" incarnation are sent to a harsh prison planet. This was the first show to utilise exterior locations, which makes for a welcome change. The same is also true about seeing Lexa Doig in a leather-studded bikini top and disco pants. "All Neptune's Great Oceans". Paraphrasing Macbeth, this is another spotlight show for Tyr. The endlessly surly muscle man is accused of assassinating a visiting President. The crew sleuth out clues and red herrings, making this a watered-down whodunnit in the now well-established sci-fi tradition.--Paul Tonks

• Andromeda - Season 1 - Vol. 3 | DVD | (05/08/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Based on an idea by Gene Roddenberry, Andromeda wears its debt to Star Trek on its sleeve, recalling the best SF of Roddenberry's heyday. Kevin (ex-Hercules) Sorbo, plays Captain Dylan Hunt, the sympathetically flawed idealist in command of the Andromeda Ascendant, a massive 1.4 KM long starship of the now-disbanded Systems Commonwealth. The fall of civilisation has meant that although she ought to be a relic she remains the zenith of technological advancement. Episodes on this DVD: "The Pearls That Were His Eyes", "The Mathematics of Tears", "Music of a Distant Drum" and "Harper 2.0". "The Pearls That Were His Eyes" was one of the first conceived episode ideas, but was delayed until the availability of a Star Trek regular. That eventually turned out to be John (Q) de Lancie, who gives a brilliant turn as Beka's long-lost Uncle Sid. She really ought to have learned by now that no one is out for completely altruistic goals. An indication of how rotten the galaxy has become is that it can now takes three years for junk mail to reach you. Finding another High Guard ship with a crew looking as it did 300 years ago seems like an awful big coincidence. In "The Mathematics of Tears" Dylan works to stay focused on the enigma at hand. Unfortunately, high-ranking officer Jill Pierce keeps distracting him with red herrings and all-manner of feminine wiles. Did they really stay young from the after-effects of an experimental weapon? Or is there a far more tragic secret to be revealed? When the show focuses purely on Tyr, we can always be sure of certain eventualities. There will be glistening displays of muscle, questioned loyalties and some sort of humbled reconciliation with Dylan. This time his erratic behaviour is influenced by the "Music of a Distant Drum" which takes him to the planet Midden and a family of fishmongers. The episode gets to look at the character from the inside out due to a complete memory loss. Never, never, never pick up a floating life pod. When will characters in SF learn this? The dire result of doing so this time is an impressive "Harper 2.0". Gordon Woolvett hasn't had many opportunities to shine thus far. But here we see him talking in multiple languages and contrasting his general surfer wise-cracking with sharp intellect and a mean streak. We also get a glimpse of what it is that's so feared about the Magog in battle. On the DVD: Andromeda, Season 1 Vol. 3 has the regular extras package, with trailers, deleted scenes and comments from star Kevin Sorbo. This box set also features interviews with Brent Stait (Rev) and make-up effects artist Harlow McFarlane. --Paul Tonks

• Andromeda - Season 3 - Vol. 3 | DVD | (07/06/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  More episodes of intergalactic adventure with the crew of the Andromeda. Episode titles: Delenda Est The Dark Backward The Risk-All Point The Right Horse.

• Andromeda - Season 2 - Vol. 2 | DVD | (14/04/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Further Season 2 adventures with Dylan (Kevin Sorbo) and the crew of the Andromeda Ascendant...

• Andromeda - Season 3 - Vol. 1 | DVD | (29/03/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Episode titles: If The Wheel Is Fixed The Shards of Rimni Mad To be Saved Cui Bono The Lone And Level Sands.