Rumpole of the Bailey: The Complete Series Megaset
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Actor: Albert Welling, Leo McKern, Peggy Thorpe-Bates, Robin Halstead, Shelagh StephensonBrand: A&E
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 2100 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-02-28
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Model: AAE-74624
Studio: A&E Home Video
DVD Reviews of Rumpole of the Bailey: The Complete Series Megaset
DVD Review: Some of Leo McKern's Best Surviving Work
Summary: 5 Stars
I first encountered the fascinating Rumpole Series quite by accident---my own lawyer, Otto, was a huge fan when the series played on PBS originally in the 1980s. He got me started on it. While I did enjoy the occassional episode I saw while visiting him at his home, I confess I never really understood the show all that much. You know, British law---it seems a bit odd to an American, I admit. And I swear, if you blink or step out for a snack--you will miss quite a bit of what's going on. So, do try to focus when watching, it really helps with the show's subtleties and distinctive British colloquialisms. But I now know what I was missing: simply the best written and performed legal drama of the last century---bar none. Not even the late, great Charles Laughton, in--Witness for the Prosecution--could hold a candle to Leo McKern when he's on one of his thunderous rolls before the bench of justice.
Now the deal you get here for your money is actually a good one: All the original episodes--but one--the Lost Episode--is included. And while I think the quality of the production was fairly good for the period---please remember we're talking British Television of some 20-30 years ago---it was a taped show...Thank God for the digital revolution.....Just think: those original tapes might have mouldered away by now if they hadn't been digitized and preserved.
The scripts and plots do appear as relevant today as they ever were. There may be mild language issues and a bit of tasteful nudity included which might offend some households--but you know who you are.
Horace Rumpole is a truly original character and John Mortimer was an extremely clever writer who appears to have cooked up the perfect role for Leo McKern. He's an old avuncular kind of guy who has lent enormous dignity to every role he's played.
While I might criticize the lack of foreign language options--it's english or nothing, folks--but to me, the deal is still a good one. The boxed set is attractive enough on a shelf. The disks were totally without defects and play well enough. The cast is first rate--Patricia Hodge, Peter Bowles, and Jonathan Coy all shine in their performances as well. And Abigail McKern--Leo's own daughter, also acquits herself nicely a bit later in the show as Rumpole's feisty and formidable junior lawyer. All in all, it was a wonderful assemblege of talent that had rare chemistry on the T.V. screen. John Mortimer, the author, was gracious enough to introduce each episode with a brief outline where he offers a few charming insights into the filming of the show.
But I have to tell you it's gratifying simply to have such a large body of Leo Mckern's work available at all. You know, I've looked for copies of some of his early work---for example, his first starring film role---Travelling North--without much success--unless you care for VHS cassettes. Leo seemed to prefer the stage to Television or even movies....His film work almost exclusively casts him in much smaller, though important supporting roles. The Shoes of the Fisherman being my favorite although he also did a very poigniant documentary on the Battle of the Somme--in 1976--if you care to catch a glimpse of old Leo without his stock makeup.
But it is a remarkably short series--sadly, only 44 episodes....Fact is, if you had a chance to see Leo Mckern live onstage, you can count yourself blessed. Because much of his best work apparently was unrecorded as it was in live theater productions--so all we have is the choice bits of film work that he did consent to perform with which to remember the man by.
Not that he didn't perform his few film roles flawlessly, it's just that you'd think Hollywood would have taken adavantage of his potential a bit more than they did. And let's not forget this is a man who suffered from terrible stagefright. It's a wonder he ever went into the profession---given that he was scaring and stressing himself half to death--while delighting his fans---with each and every performance.
So, here's to you, Leo. We clearly took you for granted for far too many years....We all regret that now, I assure you. But we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of your onscreen performances whenever you did manage to pop up....
And you will be sorely missed, you dear old Bailey Hack. But thanks, at least,
for leaving us this smigeon of great performance art to remember you by. I would recommend this collection as a gift to anyone who cherishes short, fat, balding, cigar-chomping men who so audaciously and eloquently defend the rights of common people everywhere--armed only with their wits, a crumpled hat, and their ever trusty umbrella.
Will there ever be another actor like Leo Mckern? Not likely, old darlings. Not in our lifetimes....Which in my view is reason enough to add this unique series to your own fine film collection.
Description of Rumpole of the Bailey: The Complete Series Megaset
An immensely popular series broadcast on PBS from 1978 to 1992, RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY set a new bar for all courtroom dramas to come. Balancing suspense and satire as deftly as the scale of justice, Horace Rumpole tirelessly defends the downtrodden while undressing the upper classes. A timeless mixture of comedy and drama, RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY was one of television's most celebrated courtroom dramas. Flawlessly adapted by John Mortimer from his best-selling Edgar Award-winning novels, and starring the esteemed Leo McKern (A Man for All Seasons), this 14-disc DVD Megaset? includes all 42 episodes from the seven seasons of RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY. DVD Features: Feature-Length Bonus Movie Rumpole's Return; Mortimer's Musings--An Interview with John Mortimer; McKern's Memories with Actress Abigail McKern (Daughter of Leo McKern); Episode Introductions with John Mortimer; Spot the Barrister-Highlighting John Mortimer's Impromptu Appearances; Newspaper Evidence; John Mortimer Biography; John Mortimer Bibliography and Selected Credits; About the Old Bailey; Official Executioners of Newgate Prison; Interactive Menus; Scene SelectionBestsellers in DVD
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