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Ashes to Ashes: Complete BBC Series 1 [2008] | ![Ashes to Ashes: Complete BBC Series 1 [2008]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510PN0LW-oL._SL75_.jpg)
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| Actors: Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster, Montserrat Lombard
Studio: Contender Entertainment Group
Category: DVD
List Price: £39.99
Buy New: £25.00
You Save: £14.99 (37%)
New (11) Used (1) from £23.39
Avg. Customer Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 21
Format: Closed-captioned, Pal, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Language: English (Unknown)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Number Of Items: 4
Running Time: 480
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 1
EAN: 5030305620561
ASIN: B001265O6G
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: May 5, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: unwanted gift un-opened
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
A triumphant return for DCI Gene Hunt, Ashes To Ashes takes some of the characters from the superb time-shifting police drama Life On Mars, 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. 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 Life On Mars, DCI Drake suddenly finds herself in 1981, with no clear reason why. This provides the platform for another terrific show, the first series of which is fully present and correct here. Ashes To Ashes is tonally a little different from Life On Mars, 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. Ashes To Ashes is some achievement. It grounds out an identify for itself, stepping out of the shadow of Mars. 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. --Jon Foster
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| Customer Reviews: Read 27 more reviews...
 Well Let's be honest here... May 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One can say almost without a doubt that yes, Life on Mars was a better show.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"We are coppers, not spies...Look at us Tinker , Tailor, Soldier T**t" May 6, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Where Life On Mars garnered an across the board positive critical reception Ashes To Ashes has had a more mixed reception. Obviously the concept is not as fresh this time around and the whole series has a slightly contrived ambience to it. For instance even taking into account it's a series with a fantastical element what are the chances of Gene Hunt (Philip Glennister) ,Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) and Ray Carling (Dean Andrews) all transferring from London to Manchester at the same time? Still willing suspension of disbelief is required with this series so what the hell.
The central concept is that police psychologist Alex Drake(Keeley Hawes) who is tied into the series having worked on Sam Tyler's case is shot in 2008 and wakes up in 1981 to find the same principal characters that invaded Sam,s world existing in hers. The "imaginary constructs" as she calls them must also aid her in that old sci-fi staple of changing the past in order to influence the future. In this case Drake wants to prevent her parents becoming victims of a car bombing -a consequence of their involvement in civil rights campaigning and as defence lawyers.
Mixed up with this is lots of stuff about Drake questioning her parents commitment to her with their busy professional life,s, her relationship with her uncle and her burgeoning fractious relationship with Gene Hunt. Not to mention her motherly feelings for young policewoman Shaz Granger( Montserrat Lombard)who is a kind of surrogate daughter for the one left behind in 2008.Then there is the clown from the Bowie video haunting her dreams and more worryingly her waking moments as well.
The series takes time to get going and too often the writers resort to having Hunt and co run around spouting pithy one liners- though admittedly some of these are very good. DI Drake,s awareness of her predicament also means we miss the air of bewilderment from Sam Tyler that made Life On Mars so enjoyable. The will they ,won,t they thing between Hunt and Drake is wearily predictable but thankfully is not consummated and although the series hints at the socio-political climate of 1981 ( The Blitz club scene , homophobia, the anti-nuclear movement, Princess Di,s wedding ) it too often relies on it's soundtrack to give it a period feel -often using music from the wrong era rather annoyingly. The one time it tackles the times head on is the last episode with Geoffrey Palmer playing Lord Scarman and it,s no coincidence that this is the finest episode of the series , though the electrifyingly tense and emotional conclusion to Drakes obsession with her parents death helps tremendously as well.
Keeley Hawes has come in for some stick for her portrayal of Alex Drake and it is true that she relies on her luscious pout a little too much but I feel she does invest the character with some depth and handles the big scenes well. The rest of the cast are excellent with Amelia Bullmore as Alex's mother especially good and there are some choice lines -usually from Gene Hunt though Ray Carling gets a few as well .
The DVD has audio commentary from Keeley Hawes and the shows producers for episodes one and two(Why not the whole series?), a making of documentary , a set tour and outtake scenes. Compared to Life On Mars Ashes To Ashes suffers , but take it on it,s own merits and it,s an entertaining series that gradually gets better and ends with a genuinely edgy and affecting finale. It will be interesting to see how the writers approach the dilemma of how to get Alex Drake back to 2008 for if she was sent back to 1981 to solve the mystery of her parents death then what is there left for her to do?
absolutely brilliant May 6, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
jean genie is the man for sure.
this is much easier to relate to than life on mars for all those 30 somethings out there, it is scarier more jumpy. but just a tiny bit "this is my fantasy land so I will do what I like"
also only 24.99 in ASDA
 You can't beat the Gene Genie April 30, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'll keep this brief....
- Gene Hunt and his crew are charismatic, entertaining characters that continue to be utterly compelling.
- The 70's setting was more amusing than the 80's but the anachronistic stuff is still amusing if sometimes slightly forced.
- Our replacement time traveller is not particularly likeable, convincing or intriguing. Where we might have empathised Sam's plight in the previous series,( i.m.o it's ridiculous not to make the comparison ), the less time this irritating lady is on screen the happier I am!
- Both series have ridiculous and somewhat boring central 'sci fi / fantasy' themes. This one's is lame.
A summary is difficult as it's such a mixed bag. It is disappointing compared to Life On Mars but, as another reviewer pointed out, still a lot better than most of the tripe on TV these days.
I love seeing Gene and co doing there thing BUT let me just say this. When I realised that there would have to be another series to sit through my heart sank. Hmmmm........
Better than most telly April 20, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
but not a patch on Life on Mars. More importantly though this was not as good as Clocking Off or half a dozen other dramas which have featured Phil Glenister. Sadly I think the problem is the character of Alex Drake. I wonder if a different actress would have been the answer ?
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