Product Description In this hit British drama series, a newly blended family finds common ground in the African bush The Trevanions are middle-aged newlyweds who fell in love after Danny (Stephen Tompkinson, Brassed Off, Ballykissangel) lost his first wife to cancer and Sarah (Amanda Holden, The Grimleys) lost hers “to a nineteen-year-old.” But all is not well in the new household. Trouble simmers between Sarah and stepdaughter Rosie, still hurting from her mother’s death. Danny, a suburban vet, has a better way with animals than he does with stepson Evan. And Sarah’s daughter Olivia, the peacemaking third child, insists on calling Danny “Mr. Trevanion.” Tired of treating pampered pets and seeking escape from domestic woes, Danny takes the family on a trip to Africa. Vacation turns to vocation, however, when they decide to restore a rundown game reserve deep in the African bush. As the Trevanions help the wild animals around them, they begin to heal their own wounds as well. DVD FEATURES INCLUDE production notes and photo gallery. .com The beauty of the African landscape--and the magnificent animals that live there--forms a stellar setting for the warm but realistic family dynamics of the BBC series Wild at Heart. The first episode wastes very little time taking British veterinarian Danny Trevanion (Stephen Tompkinson, Ballykissangel) and his family down to South Africa to return a rescued monkey into the wild. But once they arrive at a run-down yet intriguing game preserve, Danny's wife Sarah (Amanda Holden) sees how life on the savannah might unite their stitched-together family (Evan and Olivia, her young son and daughter from a previous marriage, and Rosie, his teenage daughter who still mourns losing her mother to cancer). They form a partnership with a crusty old Afrikaaner and struggle to turn their small preserve into a thriving destination for tourists and animals in need. Wild at Heart works because it isn't The Brady Bunch--the fractures left by divorce and grief aren't glossed over, and the genuine threats of their new life (from wild beasts, disease, and competition from a rival commercial game preserve) loom on all sides. But watching the Trevanion family bond to each other and to the glories of Africa is warm and satisfying. The cast is charming, particularly Luke Ward-Wilkinson as the sensitive son Evan (Lucy-Jo Hudson, as teenaged Rosie, is a bit irritating at first, but gradually redeems herself). This series--which has several more seasons to follow--skillfully balances adventure and domestic drama and grows more engaging with each episode. --Bret Fetzer
M**O
I Dreamed of Africa....
Wild at Heart is an ongoing British TV drama which is currently broadcasting its fifth season in the UK. The premise is that a veterinarian and his new wife get overwhelmed with big city life in London and jump on an opportunity to move to Africa with their difficult blended family to help establish a wildlife preserve/resort and forge real family bonds while doing so. The vet is played by Stephen Tompkinson, who was the original priest in the very famous Irish series Ballykissangel, and it was as a result of enjoying his other work that we tried out this show. We're very happy that we did. Who hasn't at some time or another fantasized about pulling up roots, leaving your troubles behind, and starting over in some exotic place? Wild at Heart shows the ups and downs, the fantasy and the reality of such an adventure. There are very rewarding aspects of the work but very trying ones as well, and the family has to cope with those as well as the complex issues that any newly blended family faces. The scenery is beautiful, the animals magnificent, the acting excellent, and the stories are absorbing and exciting. This DVD set contains the entire first season, which is six episodes. Unfortunately, no further seasons have been released on Region 1 DVDs. Since we enjoy British television so much, we purchased a region-free DVD player and we ordered all the available seasons of Wild at Heart on Region 2 DVDs from the British Amazon.co.uk website. This has started us exploring a lot of other British televisions shows that have never been shown in the U.S.... We would hate to miss another one as good as Wild at Heart.
J**N
Where's the FIRST episode!?
I have greatly enjoyed this program on Netflix, and highly recommend it. Unfortunately, Netflix cancelled their contract with BBC for this show, so I was looking for the 7th Season on Amazon. No luck with US version, so settled for the first season to view again. Would have given this 5 stars but this series does not have the first episode (Pilot maybe?) that begins in Bristol, England and which sets the whole stage as to how and why the family moved to South Africa in the first place. I think that first episode is so important to understanding all that follows, and am greatly disappointed that this Amazon Instant Video version does not include it. Perhaps BBC is pulling this show out of streaming contracts in order to sell their own DVD's, but since I actually paid for an entire season here, I feel entitled to get all the episodes, especially since the reference to the beginnings in England is made in the synopsis. Great show, shabby sales decision to shortchange the customer on episodes!AMENDMENT: Upgrade rating to Five Stars! The first episode is in fact there, just listed as episode 2 - I expect that Amazon will get that sorted soon enough. I am hopeful that the rest of the seasons will begin to appear soon.
W**Q
Great British TV series
Very good British TV series in US format. Similar to the US TV series Daktari, but more drama and interesting story line. Biggest issue I have run into here in the US, part #1 is a teaser, unable to find the other parts (8 total) compatible with the US Region DVD players.
C**M
Really Wonderful Series
I found this by accident...I was searching for some things done by Hayley Mills, and she was listed as being in this series. Having spent time in Africa and being partial to it, I ordered this hoping to see Hayley as well as just enjoying the beautiful African setting. The story, setting and actors are all absolutely wonderful, and I was hooked immediately...I watched the entire first season (only 6 episodes) over just two days, and now I'm ready for later seasons. I presume Hayley Mills doesn't show up until a later point, perhaps Series 2 or 3?? It's terribly disappointing that only Series One is available to view in the U.S. on our DVD format here. We cannot play the British/overseas versions of Series 2 and beyond. I really hope the rest of the series are prepared for sale here...I will buy them all, as will many others, I'm sure. This series if exceptional family viewing, and it appeals to adults just as much as children.
R**A
Great series!
Great series. Wish I could find the entire series on DVD for region 1
T**T
Good, but would like the rest compatible with region 1
Enjoyed this series 1 - just wish I could find the rest of the series that are compatible with Region 1 (U.S.) n0 do you have the rest available?
J**N
Great Family Show!!
I love Stephen Tompkinson. We just finished watching the Ballykissangel series, and found this one. My 18 and 6 year old love it too. The setting takes place mainly in South Africa. Stephen plays a vet. The family relocates to SA to start a wild animal park. The animals are awesome and it's a lot of fun to watch. It is a great family series, but also enough action for the adults. We finished Series 1, however only to find out that none of the other series are formatted for the U.S. I did end up buying a region free dvd player so that we can order the UK version.
B**E
Good BBC show
Good BBC show. I was expecting more of a kid show, however, but it frequently addresses serious topics. A little girl is bitten by a cobra; the reserve is infected with anthrax and kills many animals; as well as the usual relationship topics.
F**Y
A Gift For My Mother
I bought this as a gift for my elderly mother. She has always loved this series. She told me that she wanted to see it again, so I bought her Series One and I intend to buy her the rest too.She has now watched the whole of Series One and she really enjoyed it again. She said that it is a very pleasant show and well-acted. I haven't seen any of them, as it isn't my cup of tea, but my mother has always enjoyed it. She loves shows like this. She told me to give it the full five stars, so it's five stars from my mother for this superb series!
H**R
Wild at Heart! <3
I brought the Series one-four Wild at heart box set from amazon as I couldn't get hold of it anywhere else, even the the big dvd/music store near me didn't stock it!I am a now a massive fan of Wild at Heart and now I able to watch the episodes/series that I missed when it was shown on the TV! I am amazed at how it first started and every episode i watch leads me to want to watch more and more! Such a great story line and love all the acting!If you loved this last series just shown on the TV then you should defiantly buy the passed series to watch how leopards den came together!The product came in perfect condition, Though it came 2 days late, but it didn't bother me too much as i had multiple products coming together.All in all great buy, Great program. Worth buying!
M**T
Christmas present for granddaughter
Delivered much quicker than has been advised. Was surprise stocking filler gift for 1 of my granddaughter, a childhood, memory favourite, She loves it
L**N
great
this is a great series enjoyed watching it cant wait to get 2nd series
B**M
Great series. fantastic photography
For those who missed this fantastic series when broadcast or simply want to revisit, this is a great DVD set. The location photography is great and the storylines very good.Some of the characters take a bit of getting used to, but well worht the effort.
Trustpilot
2 weeks ago
1 week ago