Dick Turpin The Complete Series [DVD]

This was a old TV series that I remembered from my childhood so I decided to buy it on DVD and to my surprise loved watching it all over again. as my title says this has stood the test of time and delivered 100% a must for anyone interested in Dick Turpin, although this portrays him as a good and hard dun by person its still good old television at its best. I Highly Recommend this set and hope this has helped you decide for your self.Dick Turpin The Complete Series [DVD]

The rollocking theme music backdropped by a moonlit chase culminating in the silhouette of a gently swaying gallows both frightened and fascinated me as a small boy.
Coming back to the series as an adult I must say it's actually bloody good tv.
I bought all the series separately myself, at not some small expense, so this is an extremely good value, even at MSRP.
The weakest of the 3 seasons is "Dick Turpin's Greatest Adventure" which was an attempt to reinvent the series with a longer story-arc however it's still well worth watching.
If you're familiar with anything else written by Richard Carpenter you'll probably recognise some of his favourite plot themes being recycled in this (at least twice *smileyface* ).
Expect to see some beautiful English countryside, ramshackle barns and old country houses.
Overall, great entertainment.

This is a marvellous period piece of story-telling, even if the character of Dick Turpin is somewhat romantisied! Although these series of progammes contain a great deal of swashbuckling, sword-play and humour, I am concentrating, in this review on Dick`s relationship with women. In series one, during the episode entitled "The Pursuit" the lovely Lady Belinda (Stacy Dorning) shows that she is a match for any man by adopting the career of a highwayrobber. She and Turpin fall in love, even though she outwits him by stealing his loot! The beautiful girl shows great enterprise when she declares to her cousin: "Here`s a small fortune Charles, and all got with a good horse, a pistol, and a `Damn you, you dog! Stand & Deliver!` Charles, however, proves a traitor, and it is left to our hero, Dick, to rescue this lovely heroine from being transported to Virginia U.S.A.

The programme: "The Hostages" is notable for the scene in which a lovely noblewoman falls from her horse into a river and is rescued by our highwayman hero. She awakes to find herself in bed and then realizes that she is unclothed! With what delicacy the scene is handled when this handsome man tells her, "Yes, I undressed you madam," and seeing that she is suffering from amnesia, nurses her back to health, showing a love and respect for the lady.

This is completely reversed in the second series when, in the programme: "Deadlier Than The Male" Turpin is seen being looked after and cared for by the beautiful heroine. In the same context "The Fox" shows how Lady Julia Manderville, a proud, noble beauty, whose highwayman brother was killed by Lord Manderville`s men, is helped to escape by Dick who has fallen deeply in love with her. There is one noticeable thing when they set off: during the hunt sequence, her ladyship rode a big, roan-coloured horse; now she is well-mounted on a large, splendid black stallion, equal to Turpin`s mount, "Black Bess" It seems symbolic that these two handsome people should ride similar horses: the beautiful noblewoman riding a stallion, Turpin astride his black mare; a slight sexual connotation, one senses, for it seems to link them closer together. After Dick defeats Lord Manderville in a dual, he approaches the beautiful Julia, now re-mounted. The lovely noblewoman looks down fondly at this man who has obtained her freedom and loves him very much, "Goodb`ye, Turpin," she says tenderly, "good fortune on the road." Then, wheeling her magnificent horse away, canters off to a new life of happiness, leaving Dick with a joyful heart.

The episode entitled "The Hanging" has a similar theme, but this time Dick runs off with the gorgeous lady! Note how Turpin`s sense of mischief is made apparent: when he and the lovely lady of the manor are riding away in the final scene, he declares, "Well, you`re Lady Harrington," she replies, "And you`re Dick Turpin," Dick acknowledges this with, "Your obedient servant Ma`am," she murmurs, "And yours". And we know from their seductive looks that their acquaintanship will not end with mere words, for she asks, "And how long shall I be your...ahem...`hostage` Mr. Turpin!" her bright eyes dancing with merriment. "As long as you like!" he laughs, thinking of the pleasure to come when he beds her, for the lady is more than willing!

"Dick Turpin`s Greatest Adventure" however, strikes a more "adult" note, which prompted a "12" censorship ruling. The tone is set in the first scene, when a gibbet containing a man`s skeleton is shown. When Dick robs the Attorney General`s coach and the lovely Lady Melford asks fearfully, "Do you mean to harm (i.e.rape)me?" The question raises a smile; in fact this gorgeous noblewoman will later find that this dashing highwayman intends to do just the opposite, for in a later scene, the camera is in the lady`s boudoir and performs a smooth, sensuous "glide" down Turpin`s sword; a definite phallic symbol. We then hear soft moans of bliss from her ladyship, leading to the most beautiful, tender love-scene in the whole series. The camera pans to the bed and this handsome couple are shown lying together,Turpin having "serviced"(with her willing consent)this lovely noblewoman. Lady Melford expresses her contentment with this arrangement. "Then, if you`re content: I`m satisfied". Turpin declares. This brings a deep sigh of ecstasy from the beautiful lady - this part of the scene being enhanced by the beautiful bird-song! - Her later remarks are significant. "They`ll hang you oneday I suppose; such a waste," she whispers tenderly, adding, "when Lord Melford visits America, you must call on me again". Deeply unhappy in her marriage,she has committed adultery, become Turpin`s mistress and in so doing has demonstrated her deep love for him. Thus, any class and social barrier that might have existed between them has been dissolved. However, the joy this radiantly beautiful noblewoman finds in the situation is tempered by the fact that she realizes it cannot last, therefore it is important to enjoy the present moment. Also, by the tender way she strokes this handsome robber`s hair and her fulsome looks of adoration, we know that she is receiving true and perfect love from Turpin which,in her "arranged" marriage with his lordship, she is denied. All this makes this a DVD worth purchasing, if, like me, you are a unashamed romantic!
John Harman