"Actor: Tim Preece"

• Ivanhoe - The Complete Series | DVD | (18/09/2017) from £7.25   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Simply Media are delighted to announce the release of BBC's Ivanhoe: The Complete Series. Originally shown on BBC One in 1970 as ten episodes, the complete series is now available on DVD for the first time 18th September 2017. Remembered fondly by those who used to watch the Sunday tea-time series, BBC's Ivanhoe is a faithful and captivating adaptation of the classic novel by Sir Walter Scott. Set in the romanticised world of Medieval Britain, filled with knights, chivalry, grand tournaments and sieges, where dispossessed Saxons are pitted against their Norman overlords. Scott's novel became a celebrated influence on modern-day popular perceptions of iconic British characters such as Richard the Lionheart, King John and Robin Hood. Adapted by acclaimed author and screenwriter Alexander Baron (City from the Plough) and directed by renowned BBC sci-fi director/producer David Maloney (Doctor Who / Blake's 7) the series proved to be a firm family favourite, and an easily accessible venture into Scott's intricate novel. Ivanhoe, a noble 12th century knight, returns home after being banished to the Holy Land by his Father for wanting to marry against his wishes. He comes back England after fighting alongside Richard the Lionheart in the crusades, only to find his country under the domination of corrupt King John, the true King's tyrannical brother. Ivanhoe must fight not only against King John, but also to keep his beloved Lady Rowena safe from the clutches of his arch nemesis, Brian de Bois Gilbert. The series stars actor and singer Eric Flynn (Empire of the Sun) in the title role as Ivanhoe. Flynn is also backed-up by a fantastic supporting cast, including his alluring and forbidden love interest Rowena played by Clare Jenkins (Doctor Who), the formidable Sir Brian de Bois Guilbert played by Anthony Bate (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979)), and an appearance from Peter Dyneley, the voice of Jeff Tracy in Thunderbirds.

• The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin | DVD | (27/04/2009) from £15.99   |  Saving you £14.00 (87.55%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Adapted by David Nobbs from his novel The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin brilliantly captured the mid-1970s zeitgeist. It opened each week with a naked Reggie walking out into the sea to end it all before rapidly rethinking the whole idea and told the story of a man desperate to escape his loving but dull marriage disappointing offspring and the daily grind of his job. The first series - while hilariously funny - was incredibly dark focusing on a man in nervous breakdown. Each week Reggie's behaviour becomes more erratic his excuses to his secretary for lateness weirder and weirder (22 minutes late Joan: a badger ate a junction box at New Malden) and his fantasies of seducing her more vivid. The mere mention of his mother-in-law is enough to send an image of a hippo lumbering through his head and each episode ends with Reggie screaming in frustration. Ultimately he fakes his own death but is reunited with wife Elizabeth when he attends his funeral in disguise and can't resist wooing her all over again. Reggie returned a year later bent on setting up a new business Grot selling useless goods. It was of course a massive success leaving Reggie trapped back in the rat race. For the third less successful series he abandoned wage-slavery again this time setting up a commune for his former co-workers. A brilliant satire the programme will also be remembered for its catchphrases including Reggie's boss CJ's I didn't get where I am today by... and Reggie's brother-in-law Jimmy constantly cadging food on the basis of a bit of a cock-up on the catering front. Above all there was Leonard Rossiter's brilliant performance as Reginald Iolanthe Perrin. RIP to both.

• The Ghost | Blu Ray | (20/09/2010) from £6.99   |  Saving you £16.00 (228.90%)   |  RRP £22.99

  From acclaimed director Roman Polanski and resonating with topical themes, this atmospheric and intriguing political thriller charts one man's determination to discover the truth and to tell it, if necessary, from beyond the grave.

• The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin - The Complete First Series | DVD | (21/10/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Boasting a virtuoso comic performance from Leonard Rossiter The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976-79) remains one of the greatest of all television sitcoms. Writer David Nobbs combined the surrealist absurdity of Monty Python with an on-going story line that unfolded through each of the three seasons with a clear beginning, middle and end; a ground-breaking development in 70s TV comedy. The first and best season charts middle-aged, middle-management executive Reginald Perrin as he breaks-down under the stress of middle-class life until he informs the world that half the parking meters in London have Dutch Parking Meter Disease. He fakes suicide and returns to court his wife Elizabeth (Pauline Yates) in disguise, a plot development that formed the entire basis of Mrs Doubtfire (1993). Series Two is broader, the rapid-fire dialogue still razor sharp and loaded with caustic wit and ingenious silliness, as a now sane Reggie takes on the madness of the business world by opening a chain of shops selling rubbish. The third season, set in a health farm, is routine, the edge blunted by routine sitcom conventions. At its best The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin is hilarious and moving, its depiction of English middle-class life spot on, its satire prophetic. Reggie's visual fantasies hark back to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) and Billy Liar (1963), and look forward to Ally McBeal (1997-2002) and are the icing on the cake of a fine, original and highly imaginative show. On the DVD: Reginald Perrin's discs contain one complete seven episode season. There are no extras. The sound is good mono and the 4:3 picture is generally fine, though some of the exterior shot-on-film scenes have deteriorated and there are occasional signs of minor damage to the original video masters. Even so, for a 1970s sitcom shot on video the picture is excellent and far superior to the original broadcasts. --Gary S Dalkin

• The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin - The Complete Second Series | DVD | (21/10/2002) from £9.23   |  Saving you £6.76 (73.24%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Boasting a virtuoso comic performance from Leonard Rossiter The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976-79) remains one of the greatest of all television sitcoms. Writer David Nobbs combined the surrealist absurdity of Monty Python with an on-going story line that unfolded through each of the three seasons with a clear beginning, middle and end; a ground-breaking development in 70s TV comedy. The first and best season charts middle-aged, middle-management executive Reginald Perrin as he breaks-down under the stress of middle-class life until he informs the world that half the parking meters in London have Dutch Parking Meter Disease. He fakes suicide and returns to court his wife Elizabeth (Pauline Yates) in disguise, a plot development that formed the entire basis of Mrs Doubtfire (1993). Series Two is broader, the rapid-fire dialogue still razor sharp and loaded with caustic wit and ingenious silliness, as a now sane Reggie takes on the madness of the business world by opening a chain of shops selling rubbish. The third season, set in a health farm, is routine, the edge blunted by routine sitcom conventions. At its best The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin is hilarious and moving, its depiction of English middle-class life spot on, its satire prophetic. Reggie's visual fantasies hark back to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) and Billy Liar (1963), and look forward to Ally McBeal (1997-2002) and are the icing on the cake of a fine, original and highly imaginative show. On the DVD: Reginald Perrin's discs contain one complete seven episode season. There are no extras. The sound is good mono and the 4:3 picture is generally fine, though some of the exterior shot-on-film scenes have deteriorated and there are occasional signs of minor damage to the original video masters. Even so, for a 1970s sitcom shot on video the picture is excellent and far superior to the original broadcasts. --Gary S Dalkin

• Feast Of July | DVD | (05/04/2004) from £16.62   |  Saving you £1.36 (9.98%)   |  RRP £14.99

  An acclaimed story of secrets passion and betrayal based on the novel by H.E. Bates.... A compelling tale of passion's dark secrets - critics applauded Feast Of July as one of the best films of the year! A mysterious young beauty Bella Ford searches hopelessly for the lover who betrayed her. Weary and alone she is offered shelter by the Wainwright family who help her find new hope ... and whose three handsome sons battle for her affections! But just when she is ready to begin h

• Brimstone And Treacle | DVD | (25/10/1999) from £10.95   |  Saving you £-0.96 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  In Dennis Potter's Brimstone And Treacle Sting delivers one of his finest performances as Martin Taylor a mysterious stranger who arrives on the doorstep of the Bates household and soon worms his way into their lives. Mr and Mrs Bates (Denholm Elliott and Joan Plowright) soon grow to trust Martin but his intentions are less than honourable when it soon becomes clear that he is lusting after their comatose daughter...

• Midsomer Murders - A Tale Of Two Hamlets | DVD | (08/08/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £16.99

  Nothing is as it seems behind the well-trimmed hedges of the picturesque cottages in the idyllic English county of Midsomer. Beneath the tranquil surface of sleepy village life exist dark secrets scandals and downright evil. John Nettles stars as the humorous thoughtful and methodical Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby. The Smythe-Websters are a rich family whose wealth and power dominate the two local villages of Upper and Lower Warden Manor. The Head of the Manor's nephew Larry i

• Shadowlands | DVD | (06/03/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

• My Uncle Silas - The First Complete Series | DVD | (27/01/2003) from £24.99   |  Saving you £-5.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Adapted from H.E. Bates' novel My Uncle Silas is set at the turn of the last century and stars Albert Finney as the country-living womanizing rogue Uncle Silas. The series tells of what happens when Silas' townie nephew (Joe Prospero) comes to stay with him. Co-stars Lynda Bellingham and Sue Johnston.