Location: Home » DVD » Ashes to Ashes: Complete BBC Series 1 [2008] [DVD]

Ashes to Ashes: Complete BBC Series 1 [2008] [DVD]

enlarge

Other Views:

Actors: Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster, Montserrat Lombard
Studio: Contender Entertainment Group
Category: DVD

List Price: ~~£39.99~~
Buy New: £7.99
as of 24/11/2009 04:49 GMT details
You Save: £32.00 (80%)

New (29) Used (6) from £7.99

Seller: drowsygurl
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

91 reviews
Sales Rank: 453

Format: PAL, Surround Sound, Widescreen, Closed-captioned
Language: English (Unknown)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region: 2
Number Of Discs: 4
Running Time: 480 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.6 x 1

MPN: MLT62056
EAN: 5030305620561
ASIN: B001265O6G

Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: May 5, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days

Similar Items:

Ashes To Ashes - Series 2 - Complete [DVD] [2009]

Life on Mars : Complete BBC Series 2 [2007] [DVD]

Life On Mars : Complete BBC Series 1 [2006] [DVD]

The Future of Modern Policing: Ashes to Ashes

State Of Play : Complete BBC Series 1 [2003] [DVD]

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster, Montserrat Lombard

Amazon.co.uk Review
A triumphant return for DCI Gene Hunt, IAshes To Ashes/I takes some of the characters from the superb time-shifting police drama ILife On Mars/I, and moves the action to the early 1980s. So it's out with the Cortina, in with the Audi Quattro, and straight down to some terrific television. P Joining DCI Hunt -- again played with terrific force and stature by Philip Glenister -- is Keeley Hawes, as DCI Alex Drake. Like John Simm's character in ILife On Mars/I, DCI Drake suddenly finds herself in 1981, with no clear reason why. P This provides the platform for another terrific show, the first series of which is fully present and correct here. IAshes To Ashes/I is tonally a little different from ILife On Mars/I, but maintains the wonderful attention to period detail (and a healthy 80s soundtrack to match), and the willingness to mix in some fun alongside the serious business of police work. P IAshes To Ashes/I is some achievement. It grounds out an identify for itself, stepping out of the shadow of IMars/I. And the rapport between Hawes and Glenister is a real highlight. But there's so much to enjoy here, backed up by the promise of another series in the offing. For now, though, there's plenty to get your teeth into here, thanks to a quality, very British drama that's simply compelling television. --IJon Foster/I

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 1-5 of 91

1 2 3 4 5 6 ...19 Next »

Bollinger-Knickers takes on the Gene Genie March 28, 2008
Dr. George L. Sik (Epsom, Surrey)
49 out of 55 found this review helpful

It would be very tempting just to say this isn't quite as good as Life on Mars, but the only thing that's really missing is the originality of the concept. Psychologically-trained copper DI Alex Drake is fully aware of what happened to Sam Tyler in Life on Mars - she's studied his case and she knows all about Gene, Ray, Chris and the rest. She thus enjoys something of a separateness from the action, totally convinced that none of it is real and that those in the 1981 world are 'constructs' created by her, rendering the dreamlike quality much more haunting and niggling this time round. She's also a little smug (Gene calls her Bollinger-Knickers, but clearly fancies this 'posh bird' something rotten). Some female viewers I know find her very annoying - I, like Gene, find her very sexy! br / br /The best episodes are the first and last. In the first, you suspect the writers had a deliberate checklist of things to include to hook Life on Mars fans: an intriguing setup; a new car; the most memorable tunes of the era; Zippy and George from Rainbow (remember Basil Brush and Camberwick Green from Life on Mars?). This may be a little arch, but it's what we viewers want! As for the last episode...no. No clues! br / br /Along the way there is much fun to be had, together with inspired touches like bringing the real Shaw Taylor out of retirement for a Police 5 segment. br / br /It's addictive, it's a winner. Yes, it's a bit uneven, occasionally too tricksy, occasionally historically inaccurate. But knackers to that, as I'm sure Gene himself would say!

5 out of 5 stars

Addictive and sexy July 13, 2008
Heavy Soul (Berlin)
21 out of 23 found this review helpful

Life on mars was fantastic already. I did not get hooked by the first Ashes to Ashes episode but kept watching and got to really love it. Maybe it is because I can relate more to the 80s than the 70s, everytime music starts in ashes to ashes I was going like Uuh I remember that, the same with the fashion and details. The series is perfectly produced and the actors are great. I like how Chris and Ray have developed. And, quite frankly, Gene Hunt becomes one of the most sexiest characters on TV ..... Fire up the Quattro..... Now Bollinger Knickers you can either punch me or kiss me ..... Gene Hunt Chapter 1, Verse 2 .... - just a few of the utterly un-PC scruffy quotes by Gene Hunt. Of course, the female lead, Keeley Hawes, is great too and carries her part tremendously. Ashes to Ashes is very recommendable, either if you know Life on Mars or you dont, Ashes to Ashes stands for itself as well as it does as a follow up.

5 out of 5 stars

Grows on you July 16, 2008
Holly Ford
20 out of 23 found this review helpful

When I first saw the first episode of Ashes, I thought 'this is like a take-off of Life On Mars. I hated Alex with a passion, and thought they'd completly ruined the legacy of Mars. br /However, throughout the series it did grow on me, and when I bought the DVD, I quickly started to love it. Alex went from annoying and snobbish in my mind, to funny and engaging, and I geuinly love her, now. br /The addition of Shaz to the team makes everything that little bit better - she's a real gem. Now, watching old episodes of Life On Mars, I can honestly say that in a lot of ways I actually prefer Ashes to Mars. Everything in Mars just looks so dark and dingey in comparism. br /Give this series a chance, I garentee it'll grow on you.

5 out of 5 stars

Well Let's be honest here... May 16, 2008
Victoria Fletcher (New England)
26 out of 31 found this review helpful

One can say almost without a doubt that yes, Life on Mars was a better show. br /But Ashes to Ashes is entertainment at quite a high. The premise isn't exactly fresh anymore, but they don't treat it like it should be in the show either. You have a main character who knows the premise themselves, which gives it a different air entirely. br /Keeley Hawes takes a few episodes to get used to this, but she does even out after the first couple. And her chemistry on screen with Philip Glenister's Gene Hunt is fantastic, every bit as good as John Simm, although for entirely different reasons. br /We all know how Life on Mars ended, so there seemed to be no surprise waiting for us at the end of this show. We still watched though because it was a welcome break from other shows that seemed to take themselves too seriously. It was also a welcome return of characters we grew to love. And a great soundtrack didn't hurt either (whether or not some of the songs were earlier than 1981... oh dear..). But the suprise was that after 8 episodes what we thought were foregone conclusions, weren't. br / br /So sure it isn't as great as Life on Mars. But then that was the first and those tend to always win out don't they? But this is a bright, flashy, entertaining show, with great acting, a fine on screen chemistry between the leads, one of the best soundtracks ever for a TV show, and some of the greatest dialogue you'll hear since well... Life on Mars. If you liked Life on Mars for the gritty, hard nosed approach, you might not like this latest incarnation... but otherwise most should be pleased enough. And it likely will attract a larger audience.

5 out of 5 stars

The Manc Lion Returns with a Roar June 9, 2008
Mrs. Ann M. Dawson (Rossendale, Lancs.)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

After much anticipation the Manc Lion returned. The Gene Genie returned more mature and more laid back. Philip Glenister's on screen chemistry with Keeley Hawes works well, and the storylines have been excellent - and Gene's one-liners have been up to scratch from "Life on Mars". The music has been brilliant and the DVD is now well watched. I look forward to the next and final series with bated breath. Just keep up the good work, writers, actors and BBC. br / br /Thanks for a very good spin off series.

Showing reviews 1-5 of 91

1 2 3 4 5 6 ...19 Next »

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à.r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.