Randall And Hopkirk Deceased - The Complete Series 1 [2000]

On the DVD: the DVD includes a lively behind-the-scenes documentary (broadcast at the beginning of the series), an unfunny collection of outtakes and a rather better music video which comes on like Blue Velvet "re-imagined" by Cubby Broccoli.--Roger Thomas

When originally broadcast the series had a fantastic cinematic quality, largely helped by being presented in widescreen. The DVD however is not widescreen, instead the picture has been VERY badly cropped, leaving every episode looking very cramped, with characters and important information being cut out of the frame. To say its been Pan and Scanned, implies someone has taken the trouble to make the best of the picture, but that clearly is not the case here.

Had the DVD been in widescreen with its picture intact, I would have given this four stars. Instead, due to the severly compromised picture I find the disc largely unwatchable (apart from the extra's), and can only give it one star.

I suggest waiting for it to be rereleased in widescreen before buying.


Good - but why not widescreen?   November 6, 2001
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

I really enjoyed this DVD being a fan of the series and of Vic and Bob, but why oh why did they make the DVD in the 4:3 format instead of the broadcast widescreen version. At times it really shows with faces barely appearing on screen or people half off the picture. I have awarded this DVD 4 stars because I have knocked one off for the screen size not being the same as the broadcast version - its only a small gripe but important (in my humble opinion)


Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) is alive and kicking   October 7, 2001
Beej (richard.rahl@deathsdoor.co.uk) (UK)
13 out of 17 found this review helpful

Whats this? A remake which surpases the original? Oh yes.

Combining the writing talents of Charlie Higson with the acting talents of Reeves and Mortimer, and of course the rather nice Emilia Fox, has created this. A wonderful drama with lashings of comedy.

This double DVD set has done this first series proud, with an excellent crisp and clean image for the episodes, along with well focused remastered 5.1 sound.

A lot of people are more than happy to ignore extras, but in this case it would mean missing out on the lovely Nina Person music video, which looks and sounds wonderful and a well made 'making of' documentary, as well as a few others.

And, as an added bonus, the case is nice too. What more could you possibly want?


Nice package, but with one glaring mistake.............   November 5, 2001
john@jaduncan.freeserve.co.uk (Edinburgh, U.K.)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

The previous reviewer has summed up this release nicely, but fails to highlight one quite awful mistake on the part of whoever was responsible for the release. The one indisputable fact about the remake of Randall & Hopkirk is how good it looked on screen. Wonderful special effects and great use of the widescreen format..........so why on earth is this DVD released in 4:3 ratio?!?!? As the owner of a widscreen TV who has watched every episode on BBC Digital, this renders the whole thing virtually unwatchable. An absolutely unforgiveable error.


Easy viewing.   November 9, 2001
P. Clarke (Folkestone)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Bob Mortimer and Vic Reeves slide into the roles of Jeff Randall and Marty Hopkirk with the ease of a hot Fry and Laurie into a PG Wodehouse made entirely of butter. Or something.

Not to give too much away, but Marty (Vic) dies horribly in the first episode, and the remainder of the series is Jeff (Bob) coming to terms with life without Marty, life with Marty's ghost, and life with Marty's ghost's ex-fiance-to-be. And they have madcap primetime off beat detective style adventures too.

A fabulous range of guest stars in this, including Charles Dance, Charlie Higson, Martin Clunes, Charlie Higson, The League of Gentlemen and many more...

Bonus material includes bloopers and a "making of" features, better than nothing.

The worst features are the dubbing, it's out of sync all over the show. Also there's no scene selection.

Effortless and entertaining viewing for everyone.