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Outnumbered - Series 1 (DVD)
by lyndsey1989 I had heard many people rave about this series but had never actually seen any myself so therefore when I caught the end of one of them on tele I decided to see if I liked it. I really enjoyed it so recently when I got the opportunity to rent the first series I decided to give it a go. This is a programme only review, I did not use any ... extras that were on the disc. ==Plot== Sue and Pete live in London with their 3 children, Jake who is 11, Ben who is about 8 and Karen who is 5. The children (especially the younger 2) are certainly characters and often Sue and Pete find it difficult to juggle family life along with their jobs and also extended family. ==Episode One== It's the first day of the new school term and as usual the house is mayhem. It is Jakes first day at secondary school and he is worrying because his ruler is not transparent, Ben is claiming show and tell has changed day and insisting on taking his father's laptop and failing that the drill and Karen has nits. Trying to get the kids out the door on time is never going to happen, especially when Sue's boss keeps emailing and calling her. Will Jake ever make it to school on time for his first day? I loved this episode and thought it was a very strong opening episode because it really gave an insight into what could be expected from the series. The kids are absolutely hilarious in it and really help make the show what it is. This is a brilliant episode and I found myself laughing throughout - 10/10. ==Episode Two== Ben has a friend over for tea and despite the evening starting out as a relaxed affair, it soon turns sour when Deion claims his Dad put a dead rat in his bed and his Mum is in jail for attempted murder. Elsewhere, Jake has discovered that his teacher father has been accused of being a racist. I enjoyed this episode. It really reflected the mayhem that a family often experiences at the dinner table. The introduction of Deion was funny as it allowed us to see where Ben gets his lying habits from. Strong episode - 9/10. ==Episode Three== It's Karen's birthday. As a treat, after school Sue has promised they can go to the local city farm with Ben, Jake, Karen's Grandfather and her Auntie. Pete is to meet them there after an important meeting with the head. However, as usual Sue's sister is late so they end up in rush hour traffic where Ben is found making rude gestures at the driver behind whilst claiming he is desperate for the toilet and cannot wait any longer... This episode was hilarious. Despite it being Karen's birthday Ben really does take centre stage here with his antics both in the car and at the city farm. Again, the family are faced with a problem that most families experience (being stuck in traffic) and it was hilarious to see how they coped with the situation. Brilliant episode - 10/10. ==Episode Four== Sue and Pete realise they have been neglecting one another recently so decide they should have a quiet night in. That is after Pete has taken Ben to football and Karen's friend Alexa has gone home of course. At football, Pete realises his son is quite the aggressive footballer and also that according to Ben, his father is terminally ill. As soon as they are back, Pete just wants to put Ben to bed to get some peace and quiet but of course Alexa's mother is almost two hours late picking her up meaning Karen is still running around despite it being past her bedtime. This was a funny episode. It was hilarious to see Ben on the pitch acting like a fully grown footballer and it was also funny to see how Pete reacted when the other parents told him how brave he was. I did feel sorry for Sue and Pete in this episode as it really did highlight how they never had any time for themselves. A good episode - 8/10. ==Episode Five== Ben is ill. Well, so he says. However, Sue see's straight through his antics and packs him off to school regardless knowing that as soon as he gets there he will have forgotten all about his illness. However, she receives a phone call from the new school nurse who has not yet learned of Bens lying who sends him home! Meanwhile, Sue's sister opens up about her relationship breakdown to Jake. I liked this episode, it was funny but I did feel that it was the weakest of the series. Ben's 'illness' provided some light hearted relief but other than that there was no real laugh out loud moments like the other episodes. However, still a good episode - 7/10. ==Episode Six== Karen has had enough. She is leaving home for Spain and it's ok because her cuddly hippo has the money they will need to get the train there. Meanwhile, Sue is planning a dinner party for some friends and invites her sister who drops a bombshell making the party take a turn for the worse. This was a good episode and it meant that there was a cliffhanger left for the next series to open with. It was different to the other episodes we had seen as the children weren't in it as much but it was still a strong episode - 8/10. ==Opinion== I loved this series. The children really help make the series what it is as they are absolutely hilarious. They all have their own personalities and they come out with some absolutely brilliant lines. Apparently a lot of the show is not scripted so the actors who play the children often elaborate on what is going to be said. This helps to make the programme realistic with the children saying things that are probably common to most parents. Sue and Pete are very down to earth and are just trying to get through day to day life which, I think it is fair to say they aren't finding particularly easy. I really liked the character of Jake and was really rooting for him when he began secondary school. He seems like a lovely child who is considerate of his families needs. Ben is hilarious. He is a compulsive liar who lies about anything possible. Karen is absolutely brilliant, she comes out with some of the funniest questions and is very sweet. The acting throughout the series is faultless. I imagine it is very difficult to get a series together using the children as such a big part but the BBC have really done well with this and as I said before, the children really help make this series. I felt each episode had a fresh storyline but there was also a few ongoing storylines such as Pete's worklife and also Sue's father. However, if you were to just watch one episode I think it would be very easy to pick up what was going on. ==Information== The first series of Outnumbered was first shown in 2007 on BBC. There have since been 2 more series and they are all available to buy on DVD for the following prices: Series 1-£5.00 Series 2-£6.49 Series 3-£6.49 Series 1-3 Boxset-£15.93 (Prices from amazon.co.uk) There are also Christmas specials. The series stars Hugh Dennis as Pete, Claire Skinner as Sue, Tyger Drew-Honey as Jake, Daniel Roche as Ben and Ramona Marquez as Karen. The DVD is rated as a 12 in the UK. Each episode lasts 30 minutes so the total run time of the DVD is around 3 hours. ==Summary== An absolutely brilliant series. Very funny and light hearted and perfect for watching on a Sunday afternoon. I whole heartedly recommend it and I will certainly be buying the other series'. Read the complete review |
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One Summer - Complete Series (DVD)
by blissman70 Way back in the 1980's there were several television series showing how life was a bit of a struggle for most of the UK, especially those living further 'up north'. But the trouble with these programs was that they concentrated more on the struggle of the adults and the family side of the coin, rather that the hardship that the ... younger people had to face, (mind you, there was Grange Hill of course but that was about as realistic as Eastenders is today). But there was one particular show, albeit only running for a short time, which gave the insight into the lives of two young men, from a run down town, who try to change the way they live in the hope of having a better future, only things aren't as easy as they had hoped. The Series I am talking about is entitled 'One Summer' and was first aired on the Channel four in August 1983, airing 5 fifty minute episodes over a period of 5 weeks. It was made by, what was then, Yorkshire television and filmed in Liverpool and Yorkshire, with some scenes being shot in Wales. Writer: Willy Russell Producers: David Cunliffe and Keith Richardson Director Gordon Flemying Starring David Morrissey as Billy Rizley, Spencer Leigh as Icky Higson and James Hazeldine as Kipper. ** BRIEF IDEA... Billy, (James Morrissey), and Icky, (Spencer Leigh), are two young lads from Liverpool who are part of a small gang and are bored with their lives. Billy comes from a dysfunctional family, his mother not only being addicted to bingo, spending all her money and time trying to win the big one, but being paranoid and depressed as well. Then there's Maureen, his sister, who is self obsessed and comes across as the devil himself in a frock. Whilst Icky's family is a mish-mash of ten kids who are all out of control. The pair are very good friends and have had several brushes with the law, mainly when they have been 'bunking off' school, which they do quite often. They spend there time wondering the street of Liverpool, trying to avoid trouble the best they can, only trouble tends to be around every corner, in many forms, such as a rival gang members, who aren't afraid to use a knife in a fight. One day, one summer, after a close call with a rival gang, they decide to head off to the countryside in the hope of starting a fresh away from the hassles of Liverpool living, only as their typical luck would have it, things don't quite go according to plan, with some disastrous results. ** EPISODES... 1) Icky and Billy haven't been to school for a while and are roaming the street with nothing to do. But when Billy returns to school for the sole purpose of going on the school camping trip he is refused permission and is not very happy. Meanwhile, the streets are getting more dangerous for the pair when they are confronted by a vicious member of their rival gang, leading to a bitter fight amongst his own gang. This gang friction is the last straw for the friends and they decide to grab what they can, with the help of some bingo winnings, and head off to the countryside of Wales. 2) Billy and Icky manage to get away with not having the right train tickets, although the inspector does his best to stop them, and the pair head to the campsite they stayed at when they came to Wales with the school. Unfortunately for them, due to the way they travel to the campsite the locals take offence at the two new comers, especially when they upset a well liked farmer. In there haste to escape the clutches of the farmer the lads run off and hide in what looks like an old house in the middle of nowhere, only this house isn't quite what it seems. 3) The pairs stay in the derelict house is not as quite as they first hoped, especially when they meet Kidder, (James Hazeldine), a scruffy dressed man who claims to own the house. Things get even worse for the lads when Icky upsets Kidder whilst doing the washing up his way, and Billy offers to help him make up for his smashing time. Life in Wales seems to improve a little when the pair meet up with some of the local lads and Kidder sees exactly how useful the two can be. But, as Billy and Icky's luck usually goes, things take a turn for the worse, especially for Billy when he bumps into the local lads again and Kidder discovers Icky's secret. 4) With the pair now having there feet firmly under the table at Kidders house things seem to be on the up for them. Unfortunately, Icky soon upsets the applecart, so to speak, when he meets up with some friends from his own town, including Rabbit, (Ian Hart), who have come to the village, especially when he invites them back to Kidders house. Things for Billy are looking good when he meets Jo, (Jane West) a local girl who takes a bit of an interest in him. 5) Billy and Icky have a blazing row, mainly due to the fact that Jo and Billy are seeing more of each other. This upsets Icky quite a bit and he decides to head back to Liverpool with the Rabbit and the rest of them, only Icky decides to drive back in someone else's car. Once in Liverpool Icky realises that coming back was a mistake and decided to go back to Wales, unfortunately, on his way back, he makes a stupid mistake with fatal consequences. Meanwhile, there is trouble at Kidders house when the police arrive and Billy discovers Kidders secret. ** MY OPINION... I remember watching this when I was a young teenager, a little younger than the characters portrayed in the show itself, but I clearly remember, even back then, how these characters were feeling. In fact I was probably one of the millions of kids at that time, (the Mid 1980's) that felt that these two people who were struggling in there difficult lives were actually representing us all at the time. Bringing to the small screen how life in big cities was hard, not just for adults but for the children as well. The entire country was on the bones of it's A$s and everyone, apart from the rich, was struggling to make ends meet, struggling to put food on the table, in fact struggling to keep the roof over the table that the food was supposed to be on. As I have already mentioned, there were several programs made at the time which tried to show how life in the mid 1980's was a time of poverty and hardship, many of them actually coming from the streets of Liverpool itself, such as shows like 'Bread' and even a soap named 'Brookside'. But most of these show looked at how the adults and families were struggling to cope, where as this show concentrates more on how two young lads try to battle with every single emotion that they had, which, as they were still in the process of growing into young men, there emotions were as steady as an alcoholics hand as he waits outside the doors of his closed down local. As I said, I remember watching this when it first hit the small screen and sort of understanding the two main characters quite well, and when I came across the DVD, which was quite recently, and I began watching it all the memories came flooding back. (Talk about flash backs). This is one of them programs which goes through many different emotions to bring out some fine acting, from everyone involved, and a remarkable story that seems to have been written with passion. The story starts at a good speed, like a bull coming out of the traps, full of anger and hatred as it races into the rodeo ring. And like an adrenalin fuelled bull fight, it ends in heartache, with the middle section throwing many more emotions into the mix, such as more hatred, fear and a lot more anger as the young lads struggle through their daily lives in Liverpool, feeling neglected by everyone around them, including their family and all those in authority, fighting to stay alive as they battle against gang member who just want to see them dead. Then to add to this shows likeability, there's the good old slice of comical banter and that dash of romance thrown in for nice measures. As I said, it is an emotional roller coaster as you sit and watch how these two boys struggle with there need to act tough whilst they crave that simple and safe existence. You have to remember that in the mid 80's Liverpool had, what can be only described as, a terrible reputation for thieves and trouble makers, and the writers used this to good effect, making sure that when the people of Wales discovers where Billy and Icky were from there was an instant distrust of the pair, even before getting to know them. So maybe it was Russell's way of trying to get through to people that a book should never be judged by its cover alone... or more like a man should not be judged by the place he grew up in. And when the writer brought the character Kidder into it they seemed to be making a statement that all boys of a certain age need a father figure to help them get through their lives, a good father figure was something that Billy and Icky probably craved more than anything, and the writers produced one for them, even if he was dressed like a tramps less privileged elder brother. As for the acting, this for me was faultless, back when I first saw it and when I last saw it. Morrissey, (who I last saw in 2008 Doctor Who episode), makes Billy come across as the more mature of the two, showing how he has his head screwed on his shoulders, even though his family have tried knocking it off from day one. His acting abilities really come to the hilt as he runs through Billy's emotions on a daily basis. Whilst Leigh plays his role as Icky as more of a follower than a leader, struggling through school and hating his life in general. Both of these actors were born and bread in Liverpool and, as they were only nineteen at the time of filming, they could bring much of there life's experience into there characters for this show, giving it a more realistic angle to show the viewers just how they found it hard to cope with the hardship of living in place where hope and belief had certainly let everyone down. Then there's Hazeldine character, Kipper, an ex-school teacher who left his life behind to start afresh in a house in the middle of nowhere. Hazeldine plays his scruffy, almost hermit like character with some skill indeed, bringing the right amount of emotion to the script, being that gentle giant of a father figure that many teenage lads from the down trodden cities crave, and this faultless style of acting fits so well with this cracking script. It may be cram packed with many negative emotions, such as anger, hate, loathing and even a bit of fear, but there is a well placed element of comedy injected into the show too, which makes it worth watching even more. But inside the negative emotions and angry remarks, there are some cracking and very funny conversations throughout the five episode, especially between the two friends. Many of those conversations showing just how much people from the City life knew so little about how country life was lived, and where such things as milk and cheese come from. One such conversation is in episode 2 when Billy tries to explain to Icky where milk comes from. (this quote is from the show itself) The boys are walking along, Icky generally complaining. Icky: Jesus, I'm parched. Billy spots a field of cows Billy: Hey - we can get a drink from there. Icky: Where? Billy: Look Icky looks blankly at the cows, stony faced. Billy: Where'd you get milk from stupid? Icky: From the milkman. Billy: where's he get it from stupid. Icky: From off his van. Billy threatens to hit him. Billy: I'm warning you. Icky: I'm not having any milk from no cows! Then there's the time when Icky is supposed to be cutting up some wood for the fire but he hasn't done it because the saw was a two handed saw and he was on his own. It's little conversations like that that bring some reality and rather fine wit to this short lived program, and together with the reality style story and the much filled emotional roller coaster it is one of them programs that, once watched, will never be forgotten. In all, this is one of them programs that I would highly recommend that you watch, if you've never seen it before. There is something from everyone throughout each episode that will make you sit and think, especially if you are one of the myriads of people who grew up during the 1980's in cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and the like. So if you want to watch this on DVD, (as I don't thin even the Dave channel show this series), then get yourself onto the like of amazon and grab a copy for around £9.00. For this you get a 2 disc set, which has all five episodes on them and a few interviews with some of the cast. Read the complete review |
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Outnumbered - Series 1 (DVD)
by blissman70 Creators and directors: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin Stars: Hugh Dennis, Clair Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez This comedy show first aired on the BBC one channel in late August 2007, with, up to date, a total of 22 half hour episodes, split into 3 series and one Christmas ... special. The show follows in the day to day lives of the Brockman family from South London, the family consisting of... * Pete, (Hugh Dennis), the father of the Brockman family who works as a teacher and is slowly losing more than just his hair. Unfortunately his attitude to life does tend to get him into some trouble, both at home and at his job * Sue, (Claire Skinner), the mother, who tries her hardest to keep the family together whilst trying to keep her sanity. * Jake, (Tyger Drew-Honey), the eldest of the off spring, with a typical teenage attitude and a bucket load of sarcasm. * Ben, (Daniel Roche), is the second eldest, with a mass of wiry hair and a bit of a sly smile, just can't help telling a few lies * Karen, (Ramona Marquez), the youngest of the and the only daughter. She asks a lot of question, many of them complete nonsense. Other members of the family are... * Angela Morrison, (Samantha Bond), Sue's sister who comes across as a bit of a hippie, free and easy person * Frank, (David Ryall), is Sue and Angela's father, and the kids grandfather, who is in the oncoming stages of dementia SERIES ONE... Episodes...with brief plots... * 1) The School run It's Jakes first day at his new school and he's eager to get there but Ben doesn't want to leave the house and is doing everything he can to stay at home, which is causing all sorts of trouble. But as parents apparently know what best for their kids Pete soon convinces Ben to get into the car, even if it costs him. Unfortunately things in the household get even more of a hassle when uninvited guest arrive in Karen's hair. * 2) The Special Bowl Karen's kicks up a fuss when her meal time isn't as it usually is. Ben invites a friend round for tea and the lies start to get a little out of control and Pete is in trouble at work due to an overweight child and a racist comment. But that's just a normal day in the Brockman household. * 3) The City Farm It's Karen's birthday and a day out at farm for the entire family is on the cards, including Angela and Frank, only things begin to take there toll as the family set off, with the troubles beginning even in the car on the way there. And as usual for the family, what was hoped to be a peaceful day turns into a typical day of hassles and stress. * 4) The quiet night in Pete soon learns that Ben is telling more and more lies when he goes to watch the little man play on in the school football team and meets some of Bens friends parents. Meanwhile, a planned night in for Pete and Sue doesn't turn out quite as they hoped, especially with all the interruptions bring out more stressful times. * 5) The Mystery Illness Sue has the usual troubles in the house when Ben become ill and refuses to go to school, then she begins to feel a little annoyed at the way her boss, Veronica, is treating her. Meanwhile, Angela's love life takes a turn for the worse and things at school are going seriously wrong for Pete. * 6) The Dinner Party Jake's trouble at school is out in the open and he hopes it will sort itself out. Pete and Sue plan a dinner party and Ben insists on helping, only the party falls apart with the twist of a tongue. ** MY OPINION... When this show first hit the small screen back in 2007 I wasn't in a mad rush to watch it, mainly as I'm not a big fan of Hugh Dennis, remembering him from shows such as 'Whose line is it anyway' and the comedy series 'My Hero', plus his hosing of shows such as 'Have I got news for you?' and 'Mock the week', due to the fact I never really found him that funny. But I think it's his ability to have a face that remains emotionless, whatever the situation, that made him the perfect choice to be the father of the three children from the academy of Hell. And, to be honest, I'd never really heard of Claire Skinner, so the idea of settling down in front of the television to watch a program about a family of delinquents did not appeal to me, especially as I could watch that type of family by simply popping in one of my family holiday videos. To be honest, I did miss the opening couple of episodes, but my wife didn't and she informed me that it was quite comical and well worth watching, even with the kids present. So I watched the third episode in this series, the one where they go to the farm for the day, and actually found it to be quite funny indeed, in fact I found myself looking at Hugh Dennis and thinking, 'that's me that is... a poor sap with kids that just won't calm down'... . it was then that I decided to watch the first two episodes on the usual repeat channels, and when I did I enjoyed the dry with and slow comical banter that the show had to offer. When I say slow comical banter I really do mean it, it is not crammed with sarcastic one liners, although it does have a few, and it is not jam packed with jokes that fall at the first hurdle, the plots slowly flow along and seem to bounce off each other as they meet. It seems to mimic the daily life of a family quite well indeed, with the parents on the verge of giving up completely as the kids run the roust in the way only kids know how...badly. The acting is good and consistent, even though sometimes one of the younger actors seem to 'stutter' a little, obviously trying to remember there lines, the standard 'eyes rolling upwards as if the words are etched in the brain', but all this does is give the show that bit more 'realism' in a way. There are the usual teenage tantrums from Jake, who is portrayed very well by Drew-Honey, although he is sometimes exceptional calm for a teenager whose main thought is 'girls'. Then you have the standard high octane that is the younger kids, Ben and Karen, who Roche and Marquez play very well indeed, even if they do falter slightly with some of their lines, but they do seem to be perfectly at ease tormenting the two stressed out grown ups, which makes there performances seem witty and comical. There are other supporting actors who come and go throughout the series, such as the Ryall who plays the part of the granddad to perfection, his illness being treated with kid gloves whilst he shows a little tint of humour. It may not be the funniest of sit-coms but it is entertaining and can make you sit back and think about how you bring your own kids up. What I mean by that is that the adults in this program are so laid back that they're almost horizontal, and the kids are almost out of control, even when the adults try and instil some form of discipline. The youngest of the kids are always asking questions, sometimes rather strange ones at that, or even making comments, many rude ones to boot, but the parents have to try and control the situation without the use of shouting, swearing or lashing out.... Now come on, all you parents out there, does this not ring a few bells in your household? For me the idea of the show comes across a little like a fly on the wall docu-soap whilst injecting some humour, together with what can be described as 'real life' scenarios. The younger actors are acting as they should without trying to be older that they are, (if that makes any sense), which in turn makes the family atmosphere seem more real. And it's not only the things that the camera's are concentrating on that you should be watching out for, or even listening for, a s there is a lot of things that go on in the background too which, if you blink, you may miss it. In all, a family friendly comedy which takes a look into the lives of a friendly family, and take it from me, there are many scenarios in this show that you can relate to. NOTE: I am only reviewing the programme here and not the DVD so I do not know if the DVD has any extras, but if it does I hope it contains some out takes as I would really like to see some of them. Anyway, if you want to add this too your DVD collection then grab a copy now from amazon for just under six pound, which, for nearly three hours of gentle comedy, is a bargain of a price. Read the complete review |
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Genre: Television / TV Series / Suitable for 12 years and over / Actors: Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Samantha Bond, Daniel Roche ... / DVD released 2011-11-21 at 2entertain / Features of the DVD: PAL |
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Genre: Television / TV Series / Suitable for 12 years and over / Actors: Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche, Ramona Marquez ... / DVD released 2010-11-15 at 2entertain / Features of the DVD: PAL |
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1 review Genre: Television / TV Series / Universal, suitable for all / DVD released 2011-10-31 at 2entertain / Features of the DVD: PAL |
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Genre: Television / TV Series / Suitable for 15 years and over / Actors: James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Galeotti, Sophia Bush, Paul Johansson, Lee Norris ... / DVD released 2011-11-07 at Warner Home Video / Features of the DVD: PAL |
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Genre: Television / TV Series / Suitable for 12 years and over / Actors: Richard Wilson, Angus Deayton, Janine Duvitski, Annette Crosbie ... / DVD released 2010-10-04 at 2entertain / Features of the DVD: PAL |
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Genre: Television / TV Series / Suitable for 15 years and over / Actors: James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Galeotti, Sophia Bush, Paul Johansson, Lee Norris ... / DVD released 2010-10-11 at Warner Home Video / Features of the DVD: PAL |
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Genre: Television - Outnumbered / TV Series / Suitable for 12 years and over / Actors: Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Samantha Bond, Daniel Roche ... / DVD released 2010-11-15 at 2entertain / Features of the DVD: PAL |
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1 review TV Series Title: Our Friends In The North / Produced by: BBC / DVD Release Date: 27 Sep 2010 |
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1 review Genre: Television - Only Fools & Horses / TV Series / Theatrical Release: 1981 / Parental Guidance / Actors: David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Buster Merryfield, John Challis ... / DVD released 2003-09-22 at 2 Entertain Video / Features of the DVD: PAL, Closed-captioned |
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1 review Genre: Television - One Tree Hill / TV Series / Suitable for 15 years and over / Actors: Paul Johansson, Sophia Bush, Moira Kelly, James Lafferty, Chad Michael Murray ... / DVD released 2008-04-07 at Warner Home Video / Features of the DVD: Box set, PAL |
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