Full Circle (with Michael Palin) (1997) |
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General | Extras | ||
Category | Documentary |
Main Menu Audio Interviews-Cast-Michael Palin Deleted Scenes |
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Rating | |||
Year Of Production | 1997 | ||
Running Time | 489:24 (Case: 487) | ||
RSDL / Flipper |
Dual Layered Multi Disc Set (3) |
Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 2,4 | Directed By | Roger Mills |
Studio
Distributor |
Roadshow Home Entertainment |
Starring | Michael Palin |
Case | ? | ||
RPI | $39.95 | Music | None Given |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None | English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s) | |
Widescreen Aspect Ratio | None | ||
16x9 Enhancement | No | ||
Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | No | ||
Subtitles | English for the Hearing Impaired | Smoking | Yes |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | No |
Michael Palin, a founding member of the Monty Python comedy group, has now made 6 of these travel based documentary series for the BBC. All of them have been well worth watching and most of them have been exceptional television. This one is not one of the best but is still well worth watching. It is his natural gift for comedy which has really lifted these series above the ordinary and his uncanny ability to get along with the various people he meets. This one was actually the third series made in 1997, however, it has only just been released on DVD in Region 4. The other 5 are:
Full Circle travels with Michael as he makes his way around a full circle of the Pacific rim, visiting most countries with Pacific coastlines. He starts his journey on a group of remote islands called the Diomedes, which are between Russia and Alaska and actually span the date line. He then heads southwest through Russia, Asia and on to Australasia. He returns via South and North America. The entire trip took 245 days.
The show includes ten episodes of approximately 50 minutes each spread over three DVDs. The case incorrectly indicates which episode is on which disc. The actual configuration is that episodes 1-4 are on Disc 1, episodes 5-8 on Disc 2 and the last two on Disc 3.The episodes are:
This is quite a wonderful journey but unlike some of the other series Palin has made, this one has large sections which feel more touristy than adventurous. There are some excellent sections, especially South America and China, however some of the other sections just feel a little too much like an episode of Getaway. I also got the feeling that Michael did not enjoy making this series as much as some of the others. Despite these criticisms, I still found this series enjoyable and it is worth owning for fans of these travel series.
The video quality is good.
The feature is presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio non 16x9 enhanced which I would guess is the original aspect ratio.
The picture was quite clear and sharp throughout. There was no evidence of low level noise. The shadow detail was decent but you can't expect too much considering the nature of the footage. There was light grain in most scenes although in some scenes it became heavier.
The colour was quite good but I did notice some minor cross colourisation.
Artefacts were generally unobtrusive although I did notice some very occasional aliasing on car grilles and the like, some edge enhancement and a little mild macro-blocking especially in darker scenes.
There are subtitles in English for the hearing impaired. They were clear and easy to read but summarised from the spoken word.
The layer changes must be between episodes as I did not notice them.
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Overall |
The audio quality is good.
This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack encoded at 192 Kb/s.
Dialogue was clear and easy to understand and there was no problem with audio sync. Considering the dialogue driven nature of a documentary this is the most critical audio ingredient.
The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.
Dialogue | |
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Overall |
The extras are on the last disc.
The menus were simple including stills and the ability to select individual episodes and subtitles.
Recorded recently this interview is quite interesting as he explains the issues which resulted in the gap mentioned above and also discusses his views on languages, food, faith healers, and rich vs poor. He also tells some interesting anecdotes. Quite worthwhile. 16x9 enhanced.
Almost an hour of extra scenes are included with newly recorded narration by Palin. There is a lot to wade through and they cover most of the countries visited. You will see abandoned trains in Alaska, more of Michael Palin's 50+ year old body than you need, some dumb jokes, Python references, Michael judging a beauty competition and an interview with Eric Idle which was shot in LA on his way through. Although this might sound interesting, it was not cut from the main show for being outrageously funny. Eric seems very jaded and disinterested. Not bad but nothing essential either.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
This set has been released in both Region 2 and Region 4 in exactly the same format. It does not seem to be available in Region 1.
The video quality is good.
The audio quality is good.
The set includes two worthwhile extras.
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Overall |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | Pioneer DV667A DVD-V DVD-A SACD, using Component output |
Display | Sony FD Trinitron Wega KV-AR34M36 80cm. Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL). This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL)/480i (NTSC). |
Audio Decoder | Built in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Pioneer VSX-511 |
Speakers | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Yamaha YST SW90 subwoofer |