Shelley – The Complete Fourth Series (Network U.K./Region Two/2/PAL DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: D 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.
A bizarre hit for six seasons between 1979 – 1983, Hywel
Bennett is the lazy, do-nothing husband Shelley,
where he does everything to avoid work and the early Thatcher/Neo-Conservative
era somehow made this last longer than it otherwise should have. Was it because it was the opposite of those
who really needed jobs and were suffering, therefore, they liked the character
and found this funny? The cast is good,
but the six half-hour episodes here did not make me laugh once, though I was
surprised to see an unemployment office in this latter season.
U.S.
viewers would skip it with the usual “I don’t understand British humor” excuse,
but this writer does and had never seen or heard of the show until
recently. While I was not amused, its
success was definitely a reflection of how viewers were toughing out an
unfortunate economic era that only collapsed in 2009. That likely makes it an interesting revisit
for those who saw it in its first broadcasts.
Others should start from the beginning or skip it altogether. Brenda Sinclair also stars.
The 1.33
X 1 color PAL image is a bit on the soft side throughout, looking a bit softer
for its age than it should be despite an otherwise good transfer of what is midway
color PAL material. The Dolby Digital
2.0 Mono is also an issue with lower volume levels, harmonic distortion and
sonic limits TV audio at the time (especially for videotaped shows) that TV on
both sides of the Atlantic suffered.
There are no extras.
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
