Monarch of the Glen - Series One
by A.J. Quinn, Edward Bennett
Our Price: $24.67
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $21.70 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alastair Mackenzie, Alexander Morton, Anna Wilson-Jones, Lorraine Pilkington, Richard BriersDirector: A.J. Quinn, Edward Bennett
Brand: Warner Brothers
Producer: Barbara McKissack
Producer: Douglas Rae
Writer: Compton MacKenzie
Writer: Michael Chaplin
Writer: Niall Leonard
Writer: Patrick Wilde
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 400 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-09-16
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Model: E1811
Studio: BBC
Movie Reviews of Monarch of the Glen - Series One
Movie Review: Charming, Sentimental, Inspiring!
Summary: 5 Stars
Television shows that can truly warm the heart are hard to find nowadays yet, thanks to the BBC, we now have a stunning example of one that most certainly can. Monarch of the Glen, whilst technically a drama, is actually most memorable for its clever humour, not the American sit-com style (no offence), but rather that distinctly British, charming comedy, with ready wit and an acute sense of irony. This style of comedy is Britain's gift to the world, and is in stark contrast to many American comedies which, though amusing in their own way, tend to be more formulaic than the subtle word-play inherent in the British, Irish and Australian sense of humour. Nevertheless, the show is very well written, and its comic undertones should easily be spotted by most viewers.
The show itself centres around Archie MacDonald, Laird of Glenbogle (and, in the second series, Chief of Clan MacDonald), who abandons his London lifestyle to return to his ancestral home in the West Highlands of Scotland. This lifestyle change forms the basis of this first season and, although Archie ultimately chooses to stay with his kinsmen in the glen, he at times seems to yearn for his former life on the Thames. This homesick-whist-at-home contradiction serves to make Archie a complex yet accessible character, at times unsure of where he truly belongs. Add a dash of romance and some memorable and truly lovable support characters, and you have in essence the simple brilliance of this show. Of these characters, for me the standouts must surely be the ever bushy-tailed Lexie, the delightfully dotty Molly (Susan Hampshire at her most winsome), and that dependable old highlander, 'Golly' McKenzie.
As a series, Monarch of the Glen possesses a genuine character rarely found in modern television and, whilst the mood is for the most part light and humerous, some scenes are surprisingly moving. The emphasis on clanship, ancestry, and the call of the homeland are unashamedly sentimental, and the ruggedly beautiful highland landscape is simply breath-taking. Conversation between the characters is cleverly constructed and, beneath the pleasantries and somewhat misleading appearance of landed gentry, viewers glimpse the reality of a simple, kind-hearted folk, bound together by loyalty and love for one another.
A witty, charming, and heart-warming show, Monarch of the Glen stands as a rare gem in comparison to the rigidly structured nature of modern television. It is also presented here on a brilliant DVD, with the flawless widescreen transfer showing the vast landscape of the Scottish Highlands in all its haunting beauty. The Dolby Stereo soundtrack is also well mastered and proves more than adequate - as well as being a vast improvement over the audio transfer on the original UK Disc.
Summary of Monarch of the Glen - Series One
Meet handsome Archie MacDonald, a reluctant young Scottish laird torn between his trendy London life and the call of his wild Highland ancestry. You'll be seduced by breathtaking scenery, marvelously original and amusing scripts, and eccentric, thoroughly lovable characters. This 4-VHS set of the BBC America hit includes all eight captivating episodes of the first series!Similar DVD Movies
Ballykissangel: Complete Series TwoWarner Brothers; Release date: 2010-12-14; DVD
Best price: $14.46
Price in other shops:
Doc Martin: Series 1Image Entertainment; Release date: 2007-06-12; DVD
Best price: $9.49
Price in other shops:
Monarch of the Glen: Complete Series 3Warner Brothers; Release date: 2010-12-14; DVD
Best price: $18.99
Price in other shops:
Monarch of the Glen - Series SixWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-05-15; DVD
Best price: $34.50
Price in other shops:
Ballykissangel: Complete Series OneWarner Brothers; Release date: 2010-12-14; DVD
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
Monarch of the Glen - Series FiveWarner Home Video; Release date: 2006-10-24; DVD
Best price: $34.30
Price in other shops:
Monarch of the Glen - Series FourWarner Home Video; Release date: 2006-05-16; DVD
Best price: $31.45
Price in other shops:
Monarch of the Glen - Series ThreeWarner Brothers; Release date: 2005-05-17; DVD
Best price: $23.28
Price in other shops:
Monarch of the Glen: Complete CollectionWarner Brothers; Release date: 2010-12-14; DVD
Best price: $143.15
Price in other shops:
Monarch of the Glen: Complete Series 2Warner Brothers; Release date: 2010-12-14; DVD
Best price: $10.99
Price in other shops: