Just William – Volume One (1977 – 1978/Network U.K./Region Two/2/PAL DVDs)
Picture: C Sound: C+ Extras: C- Episodes: C+
PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on
machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Two/2/PAL format
software and can be ordered from our friends at Network U.K. at the website
address provided at the end of the review.
Running only two seasons over two years, the children’s
drama/comedy Just Williams from 1977
to 1978 is here in a new Network DVD set that mixes episodes out of broadcast
order. Purists will not be happy, but
the show was revived later and many have not seen the older version. Combining The Little Rascals/Our Gang
and Dennis The Menace, the series is
set in the period of the 1920s to the 1930s and in an interesting move, has no
laugh track. It is a child-friendly show
and holds up very well.
This set
offers 13 entertaining half-hours with Adrian Dannatt in the title role, Diana
Fairfax as his mother, Simon Chandler as his brother Robert and a cast of
usually recurring characters. Guest
stars on this set of shows include Diana Dors & John Stratton in
semi-recurring roles, Freddie Jones, Ronald Lacey, Simon MacCorkindale, Paul
Hardwick, Julian Fellowes, Richard Pearson, David Langton, Richard Pearson and
John Rhys-Davies. A smart show that does
not talk down to its audience, it is not the most complex show, but it is still
quality TV that is entertaining and deserves to be rediscovered.
The 1.33
X 1 color PAL image is a bit on the soft side throughout, though this looks
like a little better for its age and is a good transfer of what is early color
PAL material. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
is better, though has the usual harmonic distortion and sonic limits TV audio
at the time (especially for videotaped shows) that TV on both sides of the
Atlantic suffered. The only extra is a
silent series of stills.
As noted above, you can order this PAL DVD import
exclusively from Network U.K. at:
www.networkdvd.co.uk
or
http://www.networkdvd.net/
- Nicholas Sheffo