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Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways (TV)
R2 - United Kingdom - Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (22nd June 2014). |
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The Show
 ***This is a technical review only. For reviews on the show from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** This new series sees TV legend Chris Tarrant embark on a string of adventures as he travels around the globe to experience the world's most extreme trains. Chris is thrown in the deep end, as he finds himself stuck in the heart of an African jungle, crossing the Australian outback, and exploring the Monsoon Coast of India by train. Chris meets the drivers, the engineers, local characters, and of course his fellow passengers as he finds out how these extreme railways were built, how they're kept running, and how they change the lives of the local people they connect to civilisation. But most of all he experiences full on the highs and lows of some unforgettable journeys. Join Chris as he travels on these magnificent railways!
Video
Independent British distributor Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, have released the Channel 5 show "Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways" in the original broadcast ratio of 1.78:1. The transfer is in PAL format, and has been anamorphically enhanced. It looks just like you expect a reasonably new television show to look. All three episodes take place in very different environments, and with that, each episode utilises different colours. From the various greens of the Congo jungle, through to the sandy and dusty yellows and oranges of the Australian outback, the colours pop when required, and never look overly dull. On occasion, blacks are not quite as deep as they could be, but it isn't much of an issue. Details are generally good, especially on items in the background when Chris Tarrant is in the train carriages, and shadow details are adequate. There were some very minor compression issues at times in the Indian episode, but they were barely noticeable, and some slight banding in the Australian skyline was also forgiveable. Overall, it's a clean transfer, which likely matches the original broadcast in every way. Far from reference quality, but very solid.
Audio
Unfortunately, there is just a single English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo track. Although this is par for the course for television, I think some of the shots and environmental noises of the various locations, could have sounded fantastic as part of an engrossing 5.1 track. As it is though, the stereo track is more than acceptable and has zero issues. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand at all times, whilst volume levels are always consistent. There are no signs of damage to the track such as drop outs of scratches, and I noticed no background hiss. No subtitles have been included.
Extras
Just a selection of outtakes: - Play All (5:47) - "Congo's Jungle Railway" (1:25) - "Australia's Outback Railway" (2:44) - "India's Monsoon Railway" (1:37) Now, here is something I find annoying. Whoever is responsible for authoring this disc, needs to learn the difference between an outtake and a deleted scene, as there are no outtakes here. In fact, it's a pleasant surprise to get some additional scenes for each episode instead, especially Chris Tarrant discovering a 'graveyard for trains'. Well worth viewing if you enjoyed the show, but don't expect bloopers!
Overall
An essential purchase for train fans, but for people like me, a worthy watch for the travel aspect.
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