Bergerac - Series 4 [1981]

Customer Reviews:

A classic fourth series.......2007-09-04

The fourth series is Bergerac marks a distinct improvement on the last 3 series. This series is alot less dated than the other three with better written and generally made episodes. This series also introduces us to Susan Young played by the lovely Louise Jameson (who played Leela in Doctor Who). The great Terrence Alexander returns as Charlie Hungerford who is the funniest character in the series. He never seems to come out on top but is worth every penny paid for the dvd alone. Also included on this dvd set in the Christmas special Fires In The Fall which was the very first episode I watched and is one of the best, if not the best episodes in the entire series. The only slight pain is the lack of special features - it would have been nice to have John Nettles do some episode commentary like on the first season dvd set. Well I guess you can't have everything. All in all a great fourth series and the fifth series is even better and is also available on dvd. So if you enjoy classic BBC crime series then Bergerac series 4 is for you.

Jersey: crime capital of Europe.......2007-08-16

There is an unintentionally hilarious moment on this DVD when a mainland politician claims he has come to Jersey to learn from it's low crime rate and high quality policing. Obviously the reports have been doctored to disguise the fact that there are only about 5 policemen on the island, of whom only one ever works nights, and both serious crime and police brutality are so rife that every week several murders/banks robbers/blackmailers end up getting beaten up or killed by local policemen. Either that or, compared to everywhere else in Britain in the 80s, this isn't bad going...

Although it's the fourth series, this seems to be the one where the producers finally realised how much potential the show had and injected some real money and writing talent into the mix. The plots, always ambitions, are more fun and tightly scripted. There is a good balance of seriousness and comedy (not least the inimitable Charlie Hungerford, seemingly the friend of every criminal on the island and both witting and unwitting source of humour). The writers also seem to have figured out what they want to do with Jim's love life. Moody but loyal estate agent Susan will be with us for the next 2 series and spars cattily with Jim's ex-wife Deborah Hungerford. And just to throw a bit of frisson into the mix, attractive jewel theif Philippa Vale returns to the island to put our hero through his paces.

The budget hike is obvious in a few set pieces such as the use of a navy helicopter and lots of car/boat chases. The sets and costumes also benefit from the cash injection however, adding a realistic element of materialism to this heady mix of 80's capitalism on an offshore tax haven. Diamante Lil has swapped the Royal Barge for the more appropriate Lil's Place, seemingly the only night club on the island and haunt of police and vicious criminal gangs alike. Pay particular attention to Jim's clothes horse ex-wife Deborah, a regular customer who changes costume even more often than she changes boyfriend and is usually to be seen dancing with the villain of the week. It's like Dallas but with potatoes instead of oil...

Of particular note on this box set is the inclusion of the baffling and genuinely creepy Christmas special 'Fires in the Fall' - apparently it attracted some of the highest viewing figures of the 80s when first aired. The only disappointing feature is that all the episodes have been shortened for syndication and there are some rather obvious misssing scenes. But with plots this labarinthine, it doesn't set you back too much.

Overall, a good companion if you're looking for a weekend of retro-cheese.

UK DVD:

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