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DVD Description
Ex-Python Michael Palin began his new and illustrious career as a global adventurer with this BBC-produced travelogue, journeying across the UK by train, from Derry to Kerry, reminiscing about his childhood hobby of trainspotting.
Product Description
Brand new,STILL IN SHRINKWRAPPING,from the UK
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 88 people found the following review helpful
I was a fan of Michael Palin's late 80s/early 90s travel programmes. He's taken for granted too much; it's an extraordinarily difficult achievement to be friendly without dumbing yourself down, and although Palin was always known as the 'nice Python', he clearly has a few demons - what else explains his (to me) inexplicable fascination with the self-destructive Ernest Hemingway?
This DVD consists of his first effort at travelogue, a 1980 contribution to 'Great Railway Journeys of the World', and also a 1994 contribution to the same series, now gone and sadly missed, although I suspect there aren't that many great railway journeys left. The 1980 programme is about going from Euston to the far North-West of Scotland, and it's interesting to watch because Palin hasn't quite hit the right note yet; his nerdish fascination with trains is a little bit too evident, and he's occasionally liable to drop into purple patches about things being 'images of England', or whatever. Likewise, when he hits Scotland, there's a very faintly patronising note. The 1994 programme, made after he'd been around the world a couple of times and was presumably humbled a bit by the experience, is about going from the North of Ireland to the far South, and he's on top form; the tone of friendly but mildly ironic enthusiasm is just right, and he seems more genuinely interested in the stuff that he's supposed to be interested in. It's also interesting to me, as a snapshot of the North in the last year or so before the first IRA ceasefire, when the society was changing to a less sectarian and less violently inclined climate but the political situation and the paramilitary groups hadn't yet caught up.
Let's face it, a Michael Palin travel DVD is something that you will watch when you want to watch somebody being good-humoured and intelligent in a strange environment. It's hardly 'tough' or 'challenging', but when (for example) you have a small infant who has only just been put to bed after a long time of trying, a Palin DVD is a godsend - absorbing and funny and interesting without making too many demands on your sorely tried patience.
Besides which, let's face it, the guy is a national treasure. Think of all the sketches he's written, think of the ex-leper, the Cheeseshop proprietor, the Pet Shop proprietor...think of the Fish-Slapping Dance, for goodness' sake. It's not like he hasn't earned his dues.
This DVD consists of his first effort at travelogue, a 1980 contribution to 'Great Railway Journeys of the World', and also a 1994 contribution to the same series, now gone and sadly missed, although I suspect there aren't that many great railway journeys left. The 1980 programme is about going from Euston to the far North-West of Scotland, and it's interesting to watch because Palin hasn't quite hit the right note yet; his nerdish fascination with trains is a little bit too evident, and he's occasionally liable to drop into purple patches about things being 'images of England', or whatever. Likewise, when he hits Scotland, there's a very faintly patronising note. The 1994 programme, made after he'd been around the world a couple of times and was presumably humbled a bit by the experience, is about going from the North of Ireland to the far South, and he's on top form; the tone of friendly but mildly ironic enthusiasm is just right, and he seems more genuinely interested in the stuff that he's supposed to be interested in. It's also interesting to me, as a snapshot of the North in the last year or so before the first IRA ceasefire, when the society was changing to a less sectarian and less violently inclined climate but the political situation and the paramilitary groups hadn't yet caught up.
Let's face it, a Michael Palin travel DVD is something that you will watch when you want to watch somebody being good-humoured and intelligent in a strange environment. It's hardly 'tough' or 'challenging', but when (for example) you have a small infant who has only just been put to bed after a long time of trying, a Palin DVD is a godsend - absorbing and funny and interesting without making too many demands on your sorely tried patience.
Besides which, let's face it, the guy is a national treasure. Think of all the sketches he's written, think of the ex-leper, the Cheeseshop proprietor, the Pet Shop proprietor...think of the Fish-Slapping Dance, for goodness' sake. It's not like he hasn't earned his dues.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Loved it, got out me anorak cleaned down me spotters guide and absorbed the atmosphere. To be fair you need to love large articles of engineering history to appreciate this, however the actual people and places made this far more watchable than the engines alone. i am not a railway buff by any stretch of the imagination but i do admire the way Michael Palin presents his travelogues, with that in mind if that's interest - buy it, if not, well this is only an opinion.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Excellent DVD brings back good memories, as always Michael captures the atmosphere of the railway and the people involved in running it and using it to travel.
Peter
Peter
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Michael Palin at his best
This must be one of the first 'journeys' Michael Palin did. Looking back we can now reminisce about his reminiscing then. A great addition to my collection.
Published 16 days ago by Matt
Great Railway Journeys???
I've enjoyed all of Michael Palins travel programes but this is the worst of the lot by miles! I didn't consider it to be a great train journey either.
Published 2 months ago by Lee
Joyful
Michael Palin's style of presentation is easy, full of fun and down to earth. BBC's Series are informative and educational. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Pervaiz Mian
Takes me back to my childhood
I remember first watching this in my early teens and it takes me right back to the 1980's. Its amazing how far things have come. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. Stephen Rockey
Railway Hypocrite
For someone who is trying to impress us 'enthusiasts' with a railway documentary he has recently come out in total opposition to the railway fares. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. Ka Durant
Michael Palin Great Railway Journeys
Bought for my husband and he was thrilled with it, I was also ompressed with the delivery at such a busy time of year
Published 17 months ago by teamhodges
Michael Palin's Great Railway Journeys - BBC Series [1993] [DVD
gave it as a gift to a train nut who loved reciving such a good gift
Published 23 months ago by D. M. Blasco
Wonerful train jouneys to wonderful places
This DVD takes the viewer to wonderful places and magnificient sights and to meet people they would never chance to meet on their own... just brilliant!
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Mrs. J. Whitty
Great
Will use again great service, would have been better sealed as it was a gift!
Published on 14 Jan 2010 by jewi
2 Episodes years apart
I am rather keen on Mr Palins' adventures so was slightly disappointed to discover that there were only two episodes on this DVD. Read more
Published on 25 July 2009 by K. Bright
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