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Amazon.co.uk Review
Tucker Jenkins? Benny Green? Trisha Yates? If these names mean nothing to you, then you’ve missed out on a hugely influential part of British childrens’ television programming. Fortunately, the release of Grange Hill Series 1 & 2 on DVD gives a whole new generation the chance to see where the enduring drama all began.
Set in a fictional London comprehensive school, Grange Hill was, from the off, a gritty and down-to-earth programme, far out of keeping with the childrens’ shows of the time. Introducing pupils such as those mentioned back at the start (and not for nothing is Tucker regarded as the first ‘hero’ of the show), they were matched by a now-legendary roster of teachers: who can forget Mr Baxter the PE teacher, for instance?
The secret to Grange Hill’s success is inherent in these two maiden series. And it was the marrying up of a terrific cast of characters to storylines that felt real, without any attempt to gloss anything up. Plus, while it’s Tucker and his gang that are at the centre of much of the drama, there’s plenty going on in the background too to hold your attention. Nostalgics may be surprised at just how much they remember!
But does it all hold up today? Absolutely. This is Grange Hill arguably at its rawest, and it’s all the better for it. And while controversial storylines would really push things out in the years to follow, it’s surprising just how well these early episodes have endured. Whether you’re new to Grange Hill or not, this DVD set is a real treasure from the archives, and a long overdue release. --Simon Brew
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Box Set, Interactive Menu, Multi-DVD Set, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: The long running television series of the Grange Hill Comprehensive School, and the children's everyday lives. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Grange Hill - Series 1 & 2 - 5-DVD Set
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
I began at the local comprehensive school in September 1977, and Grange Hill first appeared on TV in 1978. So I am Tucker and Trisha generation.
The series was terrific, right from the first. Times were hard and often brutal in the 1970s - this was the era of Punk, Sid and Nancy and the Winter of Discontent and Grange Hill never shied away from the realities of life.
The Benny Green/Michael Doyle racism storyline was absolutely groundbreaking in children's drama.
Grange Hill was a tremendous influence on schoolchildren across the land, I remember my own school set up a school council, based on the Grange Hill model, in 1980!
The militancy of the kids as they confronted the school uniform issue in series 2 was another sign of the times.
Whatever type of child you were - a jack-the-lad Tucker Jenkins, studious Justin, up-front Trisha or terrified Judy, this show is for you. And the setting is not a pretend, romanticised 1970s - it IS the 1970s. So much has changed - back then there was no World Wide Web, no mobile phones...
But the adventures of Trisha, Tucker and co in the big bad comprehensive school are as compelling now as they were way back then!
More please!
The series was terrific, right from the first. Times were hard and often brutal in the 1970s - this was the era of Punk, Sid and Nancy and the Winter of Discontent and Grange Hill never shied away from the realities of life.
The Benny Green/Michael Doyle racism storyline was absolutely groundbreaking in children's drama.
Grange Hill was a tremendous influence on schoolchildren across the land, I remember my own school set up a school council, based on the Grange Hill model, in 1980!
The militancy of the kids as they confronted the school uniform issue in series 2 was another sign of the times.
Whatever type of child you were - a jack-the-lad Tucker Jenkins, studious Justin, up-front Trisha or terrified Judy, this show is for you. And the setting is not a pretend, romanticised 1970s - it IS the 1970s. So much has changed - back then there was no World Wide Web, no mobile phones...
But the adventures of Trisha, Tucker and co in the big bad comprehensive school are as compelling now as they were way back then!
More please!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Surely one of the longest-awaited DVD releases of the last fifteen years, the seminal school drama created by Phil Redmond is a nostalgic treat for anyone of a certain age - even those whose parents wouldn't let them watch the first time around! The first few bars of the iconic theme tune (in all its quirky glory) set the tone, and you are instantly transported back to the fag-end of the 1970s when Thatcher first set out her stall, Punk was in its prime and Tom Baker was saving the universe as Doctor Who.
Series one looks and feels fairly dated but despite this the context is recognisable to anyone who has ever started secondary school and to the legions of bullies' victims and angst-ridden pubescents down the ages (so basically most people over eleven!) The fashions, transport and mannerisms may be archaic but Peter `Tucker' Jenkins, Benny Green, Alan Hargreaves (later Humphries), Trisha Yates and Justin Bennett are, and always have been, in every school throughout the land. The series' first proper bully - the odious Michael Doyle - wheedles and whines his way throughout, whilst the teachers are also well-represented by the legendary `Bullet' Baxter, too good to be true form master Mr Mitchell and soppy music teacher `Sooty' Sutcliffe. Other notable characters from the first series are the hilarious Hughes, prototype-Imelda Davies Jackie Mann and thoroughly wet girls Ann Wilson and Judy Preston, both with RP accents to die for. Interestingly, seemingly key characters have been weeded-out by the second series; sadistic games master `Doctor' Foster and sensitive art teacher Mrs Preston disappear without mention whilst Judy moves to Brookdale and Ann is dismissed by Trisha as having `moved away' during half-term. Original headmaster Mr Starling is replaced by Mr Llewellyn and Tucker's sidekick Watson also just fades away. This is one of the things that kept the programme fresh and by the end of the second series Grange Hill was clearly here to stay.
Playground `high-jinks' are mixed with more serious issues such as racism and theft, generally in a non-patronizing way and with all credit to the raw cast. Series 2 is definitely more confident in its approach and gives Tucker and co. less exposure in favour of other characters such as the dull Andrew Mann and half-Greek Antonio. Cathy Hargreaves and Suzi McMahon are brought on board to replace Ann and Judy and Justin is gradually relegated to a supporting role, dozy Simon Shaw rising to prominence in his stead. Series 2 focuses on the new Head and his controversial timetable reforms as well as bringing tragedy and pyrotechnics to `The Hill' in what would set the tone for series' to come.
Overall this is a great buy and I can't wait to get hold of series 3 & 4. Let's just hope that further series are forthcoming on DVD with the anticipation of Gripper, Roland, Zammo and Precious Matthews lying tantalisingly around the corner...
Series one looks and feels fairly dated but despite this the context is recognisable to anyone who has ever started secondary school and to the legions of bullies' victims and angst-ridden pubescents down the ages (so basically most people over eleven!) The fashions, transport and mannerisms may be archaic but Peter `Tucker' Jenkins, Benny Green, Alan Hargreaves (later Humphries), Trisha Yates and Justin Bennett are, and always have been, in every school throughout the land. The series' first proper bully - the odious Michael Doyle - wheedles and whines his way throughout, whilst the teachers are also well-represented by the legendary `Bullet' Baxter, too good to be true form master Mr Mitchell and soppy music teacher `Sooty' Sutcliffe. Other notable characters from the first series are the hilarious Hughes, prototype-Imelda Davies Jackie Mann and thoroughly wet girls Ann Wilson and Judy Preston, both with RP accents to die for. Interestingly, seemingly key characters have been weeded-out by the second series; sadistic games master `Doctor' Foster and sensitive art teacher Mrs Preston disappear without mention whilst Judy moves to Brookdale and Ann is dismissed by Trisha as having `moved away' during half-term. Original headmaster Mr Starling is replaced by Mr Llewellyn and Tucker's sidekick Watson also just fades away. This is one of the things that kept the programme fresh and by the end of the second series Grange Hill was clearly here to stay.
Playground `high-jinks' are mixed with more serious issues such as racism and theft, generally in a non-patronizing way and with all credit to the raw cast. Series 2 is definitely more confident in its approach and gives Tucker and co. less exposure in favour of other characters such as the dull Andrew Mann and half-Greek Antonio. Cathy Hargreaves and Suzi McMahon are brought on board to replace Ann and Judy and Justin is gradually relegated to a supporting role, dozy Simon Shaw rising to prominence in his stead. Series 2 focuses on the new Head and his controversial timetable reforms as well as bringing tragedy and pyrotechnics to `The Hill' in what would set the tone for series' to come.
Overall this is a great buy and I can't wait to get hold of series 3 & 4. Let's just hope that further series are forthcoming on DVD with the anticipation of Gripper, Roland, Zammo and Precious Matthews lying tantalisingly around the corner...
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Naturally viewing this series as an adult is not the same as when I saw it as a child. Back then the thought of going to a "big" school was scary and grown up and Grange Hill managed to both frighten and entertain me back then. Watching this DVD, not only did numerous plots come back to me, two other things struck me, the first no doubt a cliche by now:
1 Things were easier back then. Parents used more discipline, teachers were more respected and children were better behaved. In many ways, the Grange Hill of 1978 was an almost twee institution compared to a typical school and it's problems today. It's funny to think that 30 years ago many of the issues raised in this show were seen as too controversial and gritty for child viewing.
2 Certain curios on the show, long forgotten, zoomed me back in an instant to when I was very young - the leather purse necklace worn by Madeline Tanner. I had one, I'd totally forgotten about it and seeing them again brought fresh memories of when I'd purchased it as a 6 year old. I could even smell the texture of it. The shopping mall scene - kitsch plastic fountains, garish public seating and facades of shops no longer in existence.
I would highly recommend this dvd - the plotlines are enjoyable and the timeline a nostalgic treat. Tucker Jenkins and Trish Yates became household names and deserve to be brought to a new generation of schoolkids.
1 Things were easier back then. Parents used more discipline, teachers were more respected and children were better behaved. In many ways, the Grange Hill of 1978 was an almost twee institution compared to a typical school and it's problems today. It's funny to think that 30 years ago many of the issues raised in this show were seen as too controversial and gritty for child viewing.
2 Certain curios on the show, long forgotten, zoomed me back in an instant to when I was very young - the leather purse necklace worn by Madeline Tanner. I had one, I'd totally forgotten about it and seeing them again brought fresh memories of when I'd purchased it as a 6 year old. I could even smell the texture of it. The shopping mall scene - kitsch plastic fountains, garish public seating and facades of shops no longer in existence.
I would highly recommend this dvd - the plotlines are enjoyable and the timeline a nostalgic treat. Tucker Jenkins and Trish Yates became household names and deserve to be brought to a new generation of schoolkids.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Please...Please bring back the 1970s and 1980s TV Kids Classics
I am pleased that the BBC have released Doctor Who (especially the Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker eras), but I would also like the BBC re-issue and release the first twelve series... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr G Turner
Fantastic
Loved watching these dvd's, was alwasys a favorite tv series for me and like the other reviewer's they brought lots of memories back. Read more
Published 10 months ago by R. Upton
Grange Hill Series 1&2
I've been wanting to watch this for some time now & for all the repeats on the telly i could never see the original Grange Hill,so i thought dvd which to my surprise was very... Read more
Published 23 months ago by D. R. Skidmore
Grange Hill
I bought this DVD box set for my husband who loved the series in his youth.
Published on 7 Jan 2010 by Mrs. Karen Johnson
Nostalgic
Found this very watchable and very interesting on how society has changed since the late 70's / early 80's. Read more
Published on 28 April 2009 by Catamber
fab nostalgia how it used to be!!
I have nearly finished watching series 1 and 2 and am addicted - can't wait to buy next set. Can't believe the story lines - shoplifting , bullying , stealing , racist bullying ,... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2009 by S. Knowlson
What amazing memories
I started secondary school in 1978 when Grange Hill started. I was an avid watcher for many years, following the exploits and Tucker and the gang (I also enjoyed Tucker's... Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2009 by P. Allan
Excellent
Nostalgia drove me to buy this dvd! I watched series after series..
Nothing else to be said, time after time! Eadh and every one!!
Nothing else to be said, time after time! Eadh and every one!!
Published on 22 Feb 2009 by Tracey D. Porter
Completely ruined
Completely ruined by the 'filmization' technique they've used on the scenes that were originally shot on VT. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2009 by scottishwildcat
Full marks for this!
It's great to have this released on DVD at last - I was only thinking last year how good it would be to see this classic series again from the start. Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2008 by Mr. Stephen Cann
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