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Life On Mars : Complete BBC Series 1 [2006] | ![Life On Mars : Complete BBC Series 1 [2006]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518MNSJFC5L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Actors: John Simm, Philip Glenister, Ashley Pharoah, Bharat Nalluri, Claire Parker (iv)
Studio: Contender Home Entertainment Group
Category: DVD
List Price: £39.99
Buy New: £11.99
You Save: £28.00 (70%)
New (19) Used (6) from £9.95
Rating:  45 reviews
Format: Box Set, Closed-captioned, Pal
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Discs: 4
Running Time: 472 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.6 x 1.1
EAN: 5030305103651
ASIN: B000E9X0A4
Theatrical Release Date: May 15, 2006
Release Date: May 15, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: This item is *Brand New* - Well packaged to arrive safely and quickly * Please Check Region Code Before Buying * More CDs More DVDs More Games at Lower Prices - at Morediscs * We ship from the UK in 2
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
How would the modern face of policing cope in the land of The Sweeney? That's the question posed by Life on Mars, as DI Sam Tyler (John Simm) a modern cop transported back to 1973 after a nasty car accident. There, he finds himself dealing with the significantly rougher attitudes and behaviours of "old-school" British policing, as exemplified by his new boss, DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister). It's a fish-out-of-water story, as Tyler attempts to teach his new colleagues some very modern methods, while attempting to get used to sheepskin jackets, wide lapels and man-made fibres. This first series of the hugely successful BBC programme sets the scene and introduces the characters that make up Tyler's new world, but stumbles a bit by trying too hard to explain exactly how he got there (the "coma" subplot just gets in the way). Life on Mars is at its best when Glenister is on screen--he's bigoted, chauvinistic and aggressive, and goes through each episode alternately bellowing or scowling. But he's a product of his times, and in his heart, all he wants is to catch the bad guys. For Tyler, it's all about the means, while for Hunt it's all about the ends. They may not like each other much, but their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and just one of the things that make this excellent series so watchable. --Ted Kord
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| Customer Reviews:
"It's 1973, nearly lunchtime, I'm havin' hoops..." May 13, 2006
John Tansey (UK)
57 out of 59 found this review helpful
With a title borrowed from David Bowie and the presence of John Simm (last seen in the absorbing 'State Of Play'), this wonderfully witty and inventive drama series had me hooked from the moment I saw the advert.
The chemistry between Simm's DI Sam Tyler and Philip Glenister's scene-stealing role as DCI Gene 'The Gene Genie' Hunt (second Bowie reference) is one of the main crux of this show. Their difficult relationship straddles resentment, absolute loathing and complete reliance, resulting in hilarity (such as Glenister's wonderful one-liners) or nail-bitting drama (like Tyler and Hunt's clashes of character).
By blending what could have been just another gritty crime drama with the element of sci-fi and fantasy, the shows creators have made, with the help of a script that's full of wit, warmth and intelligence, a fantastically engaging series. If you missed it when it first aired then I reccommend that you miss out no longer; 'Life On Mars' is proof, along with 'Dr Who', 'Hussle' and 'Cassanova', that the BBC can still make great television when it wants to.
It's also a great DVD package (spanning 4 discs) that shows the producers really care about their series; the two part Making Of documentary (on discs 1 and 2) is insightful and interesting and at about 45mins each, it's not a 15 minute collection of clips and actors telling you who their character is like you don't know. The documentaries about music (disc 3) and production (disc 4) are equally as intriging. I've not experienced the audio commentaries yet but with such a great cast I'm sure they'll be entertaining. Even the imaculately produced packaging shows the care that has gone into this boxed set. Just do yourself a favour and buy it now... my little deputy dawgs.
Absolutely not "A god awful small affair" March 1, 2006
russell clarke (halifax, west yorks)
44 out of 52 found this review helpful
When I first saw the trailers for “Life On Mars”, and let’s be honest everyone with a television must have done, I was intrigued but honestly thought it would be a load of bollocks. WRONG. While never being as empirically riveting as series like “Cracker” or “Between The Lines” this turned out to be top notch entertainment. By turns exciting, funny and occasionally quite moving. All the requisites for quality drama covered there then.
For those who have been ahem, on Mars while this series has been running DI Sam Tyler (John Simm) is hit by a car while out working in Manchester in 2006 and wakes up in 1973 to find he’s been seconded on the squad run by DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) or more pertinently transferred from Hyde. This is to say the least a bit of a shock. The clothes, no computers not the mention the rather robust, gloriously un pc methods that his colleagues utilise in order to fight crime, quite literally most the time. Tyler attempts to integrate some contemporary methods into their investigative process and gains an ally in WPC Annie Cartwright (Liz White) who is refreshingly open to his ideas. So is to a lesser extent young DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) though he finds it a tad confusing at times. As he points out at one juncture “I don’t underestimate you boss, I just don’t understand you.” DS Ray Carling (Dean Andrews) and Tyler don’t see eye to eye and there is much conflict between the two. The relationship between Tyler and Hunt is rather vigorous as well, they seem to spend half their time hitting each other or about to hit each other but a grudging respect for the others method emerges as the series progresses and they learn things from each one another.
So why is Tyler there? Well half the drama from the series comes from Tyler’s attempts to uncover the true reason for his being where he is. As the opening titles say, is he dreaming, in a coma or has he really gone back in time? This multiple strand of possible explanations is similar to the premise of “Lost” except Life On Mars manages to move the narrative forward some what. Tyler is somehow connected to his old existence by the old test card girl, Open University professors amongst others as he hears snippets from his old life/death filtering through to 1973.It, s bizarre but somehow makes sense. He thinks he’s there for a specific reason he just doesn’t know what it is but also has to realise that if indeed he is in 1973 his actions could have serous repercussions in the future.
This thread runs throughout Life On Mars and is resolved to some extent by its conclusion. But not enough so there isn’t a second series in the pipeline. The acting in this series is terrific and a genuinely great new character has been un-earthed in Gene Hunt, the copper who skates dangerously close to criminality but has an un-erring instinct for the job. Much humour is derived from his caustic tongue, (A typical comment: "Tyler what’s up with you? You’re paler than a ginger birds arse”.) But mostly from the misunderstandings and frustrations of someone finding themselves in a technologically and sociologically destitute time relative to what they are used to. Sam at one point enquires as to the where abouts of his P. C. terminal only to be told there is no one with that name in this nick.
The one nagging caveat for me remains the series conclusion. I believe it would have been a more satisfying piece of drama if it had a definitive conclusion. Then perhaps a new series could have centred on a different character in a different time. The possibilities are tantalising. However that’s not the way it works. Life On Mars is a ratings hit and it would be a shame to jettison some of this series characters. Not least the talented and beautiful Joanne Froggat as Sam’s mother.
It has been called “Quantum Leap” meets “The Sweeny” or “Dr Who” lands in an episode of “The Sweeny”. in fact any programme involving time travel and “The Sweeny”. Whatever it’s a clever audacious piece of primetime drama. And like decent haircuts in 1973, there aren’t many of them around.
Nothing Else Like It! September 22, 2006
S. Clark (Los Angeles, CA USA)
40 out of 42 found this review helpful
I live in Los Angeles, California, USA and caught this series when it aired on BBC America here over the past two months. Although it's basically a tried and true setting of a police station, the characters are deep and the acting is spectacular. John Simm is brilliant... Philip Glenister is raw and sensational. It was the one show on any channel (I have 150+) that I not only couldn't wait for the next episode, but that I watched religiously. It's the best show on television... period. It's not perfect, of course, but Sam Tyler and DCI Gene Hunt are pretty close. The writing is solid and witty, the conflicts are realistic, and the juxtaposition between the two worlds is executed more solidly than most anything I've seen. I cannot wait for Season 2.
I purchased the DVD for obvious reasons and as it's not available in the states, I didn't mind paying $50 US for it. It's worth every penny and I would have paid double that.
Writer/Producer David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, The Practice, Boston Legal) has optioned the rights for a US version and although I believe it would be near impossible to carry over the same world and feel to the States... if anyone can do it, David E. Kelley can. He is developing it for next season (Fall 2007-2008).
For the BBC America viewers...you don't know what you are missing!!! August 1, 2006
A Good Film Fan (Pearl City, HI USA)
36 out of 39 found this review helpful
Originally, I started to watch this series on BBC America and was immediately hooked from the very first episode. However, having to wait two months to see all the episodes seemed a bit too long, so I decided to buy it from Amazon...and I am so happy that I did! Apparently, the show had been edited down and the pictures were 'cropped' for broadcast here. The DVD provides a version that can truly do this very imaginative, and well put-together show, justice. Excellent acting, wonderful music selection, and a 'look' that sometimes makes me wish I were back in the seventies. For those of you in America, who have access to a multi-region DVD player, this is definitely worth purchasing!
Outstanding February 7, 2007
ds (Whitby, UK)
35 out of 39 found this review helpful
In a TV landscape filled with third-rate non-entities in desperate career-reviving "reality" shows, came this; this (and doctor Who) is proof positive that it is possible to make intelligent entertaining mass-audience drama in these mutli-channel times.
John Simm has just the right mix of intensity and bewilderment as Sam Tyler, a 21st Century man caught in a very different world, while Phil Glenister must be having a blast (in the TV role of his career) playing Gene Hunt, a mix of all those hard-nosed 70's TV cops. and then, just when you think it's all "so far so, stereotypical", the rug gets pulled from under you and your expectations are totally confounded when characters react in the most unexpected but believable ways.
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