|
|
|
Year in Provence (A) (TV)
R2 - United Kingdom - Second Sight Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (19th March 2014). |
|
The Show
 ***This is a technical review only. For reviews on the show from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** Peter Mayle's much-loved best-seller A Year In Provence is brought wonderfully to life in this BBC adaptation, which comes to DVD for the first time in its complete, unedited version as originally broadcast. Starring one of Britain’s most esteemed actors John Thaw (Inspector Morse, The Sweeney, Kavanagh QC) alongside Lindsay Duncan (Oliver Twist, Mansfield Park, Rome), it originally aired to an audience of 14.5 million and now A Year In Provence is available in its original format over 12 episodes, on DVD as a two-disc set. Leaving their jobs and the rat race behind them, the Mayles head off to the South of France, seduced by the prospect of an idyllic rural life in the sun. They soon discover the reality to be somewhat different however, as one outlandish comic situation follows another and a succession of colourful characters constantly interrupt their pan for a quiet life.
Video
This isn't Second Sight's first time releasing this show - they released it back in 2008 also - but they have advertised this as being the first time the show has been released in its unedited broadcast version. The transfer is in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and is unfortunately rather mediocre. The first thing that will strike you about the transfer, is that the colours feel washed out, and are not particularly vivid. Mid-series episodes set in the summer do show a mild improvement when it comes to the greens, but the colours never jump out the screen, giving an overall dull feeling to the proceedings. Detail and clarity is also lacking. Whilst you can make out the detail in clothing, and in faces, they become fuzzy during close-ups, and never become overly clear. Damage wise, there are numerous specks and artefacts on-screen, but never to a degree where it removes enjoyment from the show. Overall it appears as though licensor 2 entertain Video (owned by the BBC), have done no sort of restoration on the show, which is a shame, as it's rather enjoyable. It's not an especially poor transfer, but disappointing, and could certainly be improved upon.
Audio
Like the transfer, it appears as though the audio has also undergone zero restoration. We're provided with a single English Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono track, which, simply put, is flat and uninspiring, yet free of major problems. Dialogue is generally clear, though there are a couple of small occasions where John Thaw's dialogue is slightly mumbled. There were no drop outs in the audio, no scratches, and no background hiss. Second Sight have provided subtitles in English, which are optional. In case you're wondering, the French dialogue is subtitled in French, which remains true to the show of not subtitling the French into English during the original broadcast.
Extras
None.
Overall
|
|||||
|