Colditz - The Complete BBC Collection [DVD] [1972]

I was only 6 years old when this show first aired in 1972, and so my memories were more about the music, and my father and grandfather praising it years after. In the 80s I saw the first season episode Tweedledum as part of TV50 - the golden anniversary BBC celebration. The quality of that episode stayed with me and when I saw that the series was reduced to just under £20.00 I decided to take the plunge.I wish I had bought it upon release. I cannot praise this series enough. I demolished the box set in a week watching several epsiodes each night and a marathon at the weekend. Like others I was soon sucked in by the superb writing, excellent acting and the sympathetic portrayal of the German captors at the castle. The first season - with its American financial backing - is larger in scope but it is the second claustrophobic series that brings home the nature of imprisonment.The picture quality is first rate throughout (aside from a few grading incosistencies of the filmed sequences) and the mono soundtrack is clean an hiss free. I was surprised by the great condition of the episodes (one or two have momentary mastertape faults and one eisode has print damage on the filmed sequences - which as part of the master VT would have been there in the 70s).There are a couple of minor quibbles - firstly in that secondary characters come and go with no explanation - and those who appear to look like emerging major characters actually only appear in "their" episode before never being mentioned again. As episodic TV this is understandable and more noticeable watching the shows in quick succession. Secondly and most regretably, there are hardly any extras. One solitary instalment of "six from Colditz" is included and its very interesting indeed. A few cast commentaries would have been appreciated although with many of the stars now residing in that great German Castle in the sky which nows no escape and others working in the US it may have proved sifficult.On the plus side the main cast including David MaCullum, Bernard Hepton, Hans Meyer and, sporadically, Robert Wagner are never short of excellent. Anthony Valentine's portrayal of the wounded hero turned second in command is subtle (from his stiffness in sitting to the frozen expression on his face) and his change in the episode Chamelon is wonderfully played as are the reactions of those around him. The set in which the castle grounds were filmed is brilliant and I am sure many at the time would have thought it was the original location and not a film studio.Though not always factually correct, the series is never dull and only one or two faux German accents are apparent. On the whole the ensemble cast is first rate.I think you should buy this set if you enjoy 70s TV drama, good writing and acting or are simply looking to be entertained. Its a series I hope to revisit over the years and look forward to revisiting my old chums in the British Contingency.

I bought the Colditz box set for my husband for Christmas 2012 because after watching the Colditz film he kept going on about how much he loved the series years ago. As the daughter of a WWII soldier captured at the Bridge of Arnhem I was weaned on war films, I've seen most of them at least a thousand times, but this series I actually missed. I was only ten when it ended. I'm sure Dad watched it though because I remembered David McCallum was in it.I understand from the die hard historians that there were no Americans in Colditz. I can't account for why the programme introduced them other than the fact that it was a part BBC and part Universal Studios production. Maybe it was a condition of them stumping up the money that Americans got a piece of the action.Colditz ran for two series between 1972-1974. It is the story of a real life prisoner of war camp at Colditz Castle in Germany for allied officers who are persistent offenders in escaping in other camps. The castle is designed to be escape proof. Edward Hardwick (later Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes) plays the lead role as the escape officer and the author of the book, Pat Reid, who later manages to escape himself. The story is mainly told from the British POW point of view but there is also insight into the escape attempts of the Polish, Czechs, Dutch and French prisoners, as well as an insight into their German captors. I was impressed by the acting, particularly by Jack Hedley as the commanding British officer and Bernard Hepton as the Kommandant, who comes across as a fair man. Anthony Valentine's Major Mohn is a character you love to hate. David McCallum (known for The Man From UNCLE, various films, and most recently NCIS) is moody and difficult as the RAF flying officer who takes over as escape officer, probably because of his loveless marriage. A lot of the escape plans are clever but mostly futile. The box set includes an interview with Major Reid who reports that were were about 500 escape attempts and about 10 British made a 'home run', but in the series only two British attempts are reported as successful, Robert Wagner's Phil Carrington character is later recaptured, and no one knows what has happened to the Briton he escaped with. According to a documentary I saw about the glider built in the attic more non-British escaped than British, but this is not alluded to in the series because more emphasis is placed on the day-to-day relationships between the prisoners and their captors.My only gripe with the series was that certain events seem to be conveniently forgotten, for example, when Major Mohn knows the Germans are losing the war he goes AWOL in one episode, but in the next episode he isn't mentioned by either the prisoners or the Germans.It was fun seeing well-known actors pop up unexpectedly. Willie Rushton puts in an appearance, as does Denis Waterman (Sweeney, Minder, New Tricks) as a very young gestapo officer, also the guy who played Dr Legg in Eastenders years ago. All in all a highly enjoyable series.

Ordered used from the UK. Arrived ahead of schedule in perfect condition. Great seller

This has to be the best series that we have watched.

Merci.dvd en bon état

Entertaining

My item arrived early and more than exceeded my expectations it really was worth the purchase as the series is excellent to watch