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Starring Robert Wagner and David McCallum
This classic series deals with Allied prisoners of war imprisoned at the supposedly escape-proof Colditz Castle during World War II, and their many attempts to escape captivity, as well as the relationships formed between the various nationalities and their German captors. One memorable episode portrays the attempts of a prisoner, Wing Commander Marsh (Michael Bryant), to get out of Colditz by feigning insanity. He succeeds, but is pushed to the limits of his sanity in the process…
The Colditz - Complete Collection Box Set contains:
- 5 Limited Edition Art Cards
- A Collector Booklet Special
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
107 of 111 people found the following review helpful
By Carol Haynes
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Like most people who have seen this series I am so pleased to see it finally get an official release. Like many I have been stuck with poor copies made from multiple generation VHS recordings that it will be a joy to see it in reasonable quality. I do hope it has been cleaned up a bit and that the BBC haven't cut anything (they seem to have a habit of carving up series for 'copyright reasons').
This is a fantastic series with most escapes and attempts based on real events (though all the names have been changed). The acting and scripts are fantastic with a great balance of emotions from fear and boredom to occasional hilarity. The final episodes are especially moving (even more so if you have seen the Channel 4 series "Escape from Coldtiz" Episode 3, currently available on the channel 4 on demand website, with the glider reconstruction a few years ago and seeing how well it flew with some of those prisoners involved watching ). Tweedle Dum has to be one of the real standout episodes though.
It is also interesting to see how the German guards and commandant are portrayed in a mostly positive manner. Too often drama forgets that many people on all sides of the conflict didn't really agree with what was going on but were caught up as career officers or conscription. The balance of frustrated conscripts, strict discipline, humanity and genuine admiration of the prisoners' ingenuity is very well captured.
UPDATE 15/11/10: Just got the set and watched the first episode. Quality looks pretty clean to me and very good for a 70s production. There is a sticker saying 'remastered' on the outside. Inside there is a glossy booklet and a few black and white cards. The DVDs seem to be subtitled (English only though). All in all looks good.
This is a fantastic series with most escapes and attempts based on real events (though all the names have been changed). The acting and scripts are fantastic with a great balance of emotions from fear and boredom to occasional hilarity. The final episodes are especially moving (even more so if you have seen the Channel 4 series "Escape from Coldtiz" Episode 3, currently available on the channel 4 on demand website, with the glider reconstruction a few years ago and seeing how well it flew with some of those prisoners involved watching ). Tweedle Dum has to be one of the real standout episodes though.
It is also interesting to see how the German guards and commandant are portrayed in a mostly positive manner. Too often drama forgets that many people on all sides of the conflict didn't really agree with what was going on but were caught up as career officers or conscription. The balance of frustrated conscripts, strict discipline, humanity and genuine admiration of the prisoners' ingenuity is very well captured.
UPDATE 15/11/10: Just got the set and watched the first episode. Quality looks pretty clean to me and very good for a 70s production. There is a sticker saying 'remastered' on the outside. Inside there is a glossy booklet and a few black and white cards. The DVDs seem to be subtitled (English only though). All in all looks good.
73 of 77 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
At last, after years of waiting, this fantastic series from the early 1970s is now available. It's very well written with historical accuracy (from the same stable as that other great series, Secret Army). Character driven, with fine acting from many well known actors of the time, including a notable and moving performance from Michael Bryant, as Wing Commander George Marsh, who feigns (or is it real?) insanity in episode 10 'Tweedledum'. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Highly recommended.
The cast includes:-
David McCallum (Flight Lt. Simon Carter)
Michael Bryant (Wing Commander George Marsh)
Paul Chapman (Capt. George Brent)
Edward Hardwicke (Capt. Pat Grant)
Jack Hedley (Lt. Col. John Preston)
Richard Heffer (Capt. Tim Downing)
Bernard Hepton (Kommandant)
Hans Meyer (Hauptman Franz Ulmann)
Christopher Neame (Lt. Dick Player)
Peter Penry-Jones (P.O. Peter Muir)
Anthony Valentine (Major Horst Mohn)
Robert Wagner (Flight Lt. Phil Carrington)
Watch out for a young Dennis Waterman as a German Propaganda Ministry man in episode 6. Other familiar faces include Geoffrey Palmer, Michael Gough, Patrick Troughton, Peter Barkworth, Kenneth Griffith, Ronald Lacey, Ray Smith, Willie Rushton et al. The list is almost endless. A veritable Who's Who of acting talent of the time. Peter Penry-Jones is the father of Rupert Penry-Jones(Spooks).
The picture quality of the DVD is perfectly acceptable, if perhaps not quite up to modern day standards. Most studio scenes are video, with filmed inserts in the 'courtyard' etc. In fact, I find that any slight imperfections there may be actually add to the 'period' atmosphere of dark claustrophobia.... Read more ›
The cast includes:-
David McCallum (Flight Lt. Simon Carter)
Michael Bryant (Wing Commander George Marsh)
Paul Chapman (Capt. George Brent)
Edward Hardwicke (Capt. Pat Grant)
Jack Hedley (Lt. Col. John Preston)
Richard Heffer (Capt. Tim Downing)
Bernard Hepton (Kommandant)
Hans Meyer (Hauptman Franz Ulmann)
Christopher Neame (Lt. Dick Player)
Peter Penry-Jones (P.O. Peter Muir)
Anthony Valentine (Major Horst Mohn)
Robert Wagner (Flight Lt. Phil Carrington)
Watch out for a young Dennis Waterman as a German Propaganda Ministry man in episode 6. Other familiar faces include Geoffrey Palmer, Michael Gough, Patrick Troughton, Peter Barkworth, Kenneth Griffith, Ronald Lacey, Ray Smith, Willie Rushton et al. The list is almost endless. A veritable Who's Who of acting talent of the time. Peter Penry-Jones is the father of Rupert Penry-Jones(Spooks).
The picture quality of the DVD is perfectly acceptable, if perhaps not quite up to modern day standards. Most studio scenes are video, with filmed inserts in the 'courtyard' etc. In fact, I find that any slight imperfections there may be actually add to the 'period' atmosphere of dark claustrophobia.... Read more ›
56 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By D. Collier
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been waiting for this for many many years. I was so obsessed with this when i was a child in the 1970's that i tried to dig a tunnel from my parents garden shed under a wall & escape into a neighbours garden! I took me days & was never completed but gave me a very small insite into the effort needed for such a feat. Even if the guards on duty were my parents..
Well i am now in my 40's & have been to Colditz castle for real. It is a truly stunning place sitting high above the small weaving town. That now famous view of the battlements is just as powerfull as i thought it would be.
This series was a real landmark for the BBC & it's viewers. It was a starkly accurate portrail of life within the POW camp. They even had Major PR Reid, a survivor of the castle, on board as technical adviser.
Well done BBC for getting round to releasing this, albeit 30 years to late
Well i am now in my 40's & have been to Colditz castle for real. It is a truly stunning place sitting high above the small weaving town. That now famous view of the battlements is just as powerfull as i thought it would be.
This series was a real landmark for the BBC & it's viewers. It was a starkly accurate portrail of life within the POW camp. They even had Major PR Reid, a survivor of the castle, on board as technical adviser.
Well done BBC for getting round to releasing this, albeit 30 years to late
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By steven555
Format:DVD
I've been waiting for Colditz to be issued on DVD for years. I watched it when it was first broadcast in the 70's (well, everyone did, didn't they?) and it more than stands up to the test of time. BBC drama was at the top of its game, then, no reliance on flashes and bangs; yes, you can go a whole hour without incidental music, whooshing sound effects, and jerky camera work, and no, you don't have to insult the viewers' intelligence. If you've never seen it, why not?
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By S. Y. Sadler
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved Colditz the first time round, probably because I was a great fan of David McCallum (The Man from Uncle) and Robert Wagner (It takes a Thief)and I was 14 years old! Oh to be young again.
It's a joy to see the entire series again and now that the DVD Boxed set has arrived I can watch these episodes whenever I like.
It's a pleasure to see 'proper' acting, Christopher Neame in the episode 'Lord didn't it Rain' is truly astounding, can't believe I hadn't noticed him before? (he's cute, even though he went on to play a lot of baddies).
Your heart goes out to him in that episode alone.
Neame also goes on to appear in 'Secret Army', which I am now looking at and I was also surprised to see the Kommandant playing the leader of the French Resistance (aka Rene in 'Allo, Allo' and no I hadn't realised that 'Allo, Allo was a complete spoof of Secret Army).
Love these old series.
Caught a thread about the complete lack of background music in Colditz, isn't it great!
Enjoy!
It's a joy to see the entire series again and now that the DVD Boxed set has arrived I can watch these episodes whenever I like.
It's a pleasure to see 'proper' acting, Christopher Neame in the episode 'Lord didn't it Rain' is truly astounding, can't believe I hadn't noticed him before? (he's cute, even though he went on to play a lot of baddies).
Your heart goes out to him in that episode alone.
Neame also goes on to appear in 'Secret Army', which I am now looking at and I was also surprised to see the Kommandant playing the leader of the French Resistance (aka Rene in 'Allo, Allo' and no I hadn't realised that 'Allo, Allo was a complete spoof of Secret Army).
Love these old series.
Caught a thread about the complete lack of background music in Colditz, isn't it great!
Enjoy!
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3.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great DVD
Brilliant series. The acting is superb, plot and storylines excellent. 1970s classic. Great performances from household names (now). Would highly recommend.
Published 17 days ago by Mr. Frederick A. Edwards
5.0 out of 5 stars
SUPERB!
The title for this review says it all, because there is no word that can describe this 70s TV gem with more honesty. Read more
Published 25 days ago by British TV Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous
I remember watching Colditz as a teenager when it first appeared on the small screen. With the passing of time (40 years) It has lost none of its charm and has very definately... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Maxine
5.0 out of 5 stars
my husbands favourite
not my cup of tea but my husband loves colditz so i watch it with him anyway must say it does hold your attention and it keeps him quiet for hours ha
Published 1 month ago by joker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Colditz
I thoroughly enjoyed watching the DVD, I have watched many times on TV but wanted to own the set, that way I can watch anytime I want. Read more
Published 1 month ago by kathleen downham K Downham
5.0 out of 5 stars
for my collection
highly recommended would buy similiar items again,good price and arrived promptly very pleased with product has met all my expectations.
Published 1 month ago by Pauline Snelling
5.0 out of 5 stars
Colditz - the video set
Impressed with the repeated 'Colditz' series on 'Yesterday' channel I was encouraged to purchase the complete set of the'Colditz' series- BBC quality drama, quality DVDs, excellent... Read more
Published 2 months ago by roger.b
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply brilliant
I watched this series for the first time many years ago, and loved it. Having just seen it again I enjoyed it just as much. It doesn't look dated, and the acting is excellent. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Terrie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dated but brilliant
I have been watching this on Yesterday having not bothered with it when it was originally on BBC. It is showing it's age and most of the sets are obviously studios but I was so... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Michael J. Young
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Programme
Been looking for this for some time. Really enjoyed watching this again, will watch it again and again. Superb. A Very high Recomendation.
Published 2 months ago by Dave602
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