Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free First Class Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
12 used & new from £5.99
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
The Monocled Mutineer : The Complete BBC Series (2 Disc Set) [DVD]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

The Monocled Mutineer : The Complete BBC Series (2 Disc Set) [DVD]

DVD ~ Paul McGann
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
RRP: £19.99
Price: £6.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £13.01 (65%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In stock.
Items for dispatch to UK will be sold by Amazon's Preferred Merchant. (Why?) Gift-wrap available.

8 new from £6.97 4 used from £5.99
Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

Frequently Bought Together

The Monocled Mutineer : The Complete BBC Series (2 Disc Set) [DVD] + Private Schulz [1981] [DVD] + Danger UXB: The Complete Series Special Edition [DVD] [1979]
Total RRP: £65.97
Price For All Three: £30.44

Some of these items ship sooner than the others. Show details

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Monocled Mutineer : The Complete BBC Series (2 Disc Set) [DVD]
81% buy the item featured on this page:
The Monocled Mutineer : The Complete BBC Series (2 Disc Set) [DVD] 4.2 out of 5 stars (10)
£6.98
Private Schulz [1981] [DVD]
5% buy
Private Schulz [1981] [DVD] 4.5 out of 5 stars (13)
£9.98
My Boy Jack [DVD]
5% buy
My Boy Jack [DVD] 4.8 out of 5 stars (12)
£6.98
State Of Play : Complete BBC Series 1 [2003] [DVD]
4% buy
State Of Play : Complete BBC Series 1 [2003] [DVD] 4.8 out of 5 stars (59)
£3.98
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Actors: Paul McGann, Cherie Lunghi, Jerome Flynn, Timothy West, Philip McGough
  • Directors: Jim O'Brien, Alan Bleasdale
  • Format: PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: 2 Entertain Video
  • DVD Release Date: 27 Aug 2007
  • Run Time: 311 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000R20XVC
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 4,033 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Reviews

DVD Description
The Monocled Mutineer TV series follows the rebellion that took place at the notorious Etaples Training Camp in northern France on the eve of "The Battle of Passchendaele" in 1917. After the mutiny, the dashing Percy Toplis (Paul McGann) takes flight, dressed as a British officer, soon to embark on a love affair with beautiful young widow, Dorothy, (Cherie Lunghie).

A solder in the First World War, the real Percy Toplis was a rake, rogue and master of disguise who became the most wanted man in Britain. This controversial, acclaimed 1986 four-part BBC dramatisation of high romance, hilarious impudence and savage retribution was adapted by Alan Bleasdale from the book by William Allison and John Fairley.

Synopsis
Based on the novel by William Allison and John Fairley, this drama tells the story of a World War One mutiny which took place at the Etaples Training Camp in northern France in 1917 on the eve of the Passchendaele battle.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

My Boy Jack [DVD]

My Boy Jack [DVD]

DVD ~ Daniel Radcliffe
4.8 out of 5 stars (12)  £6.98
Private Schulz [1981] [DVD]

Private Schulz [1981] [DVD]

DVD ~ Michael Elphick
4.5 out of 5 stars (13)  £9.98
Mosley - The Complete Series [DVD] [2006]

Mosley - The Complete Series [DVD] [2006]

DVD ~ Jonathan Cake;Jemma Redgrave
5.0 out of 5 stars (4)  £9.48
All The King's Men [DVD] [1999]

All The King's Men [DVD] [1999]

DVD ~ David Jason
5.0 out of 5 stars (6)  £11.48
State Of Play : Complete BBC Series 1 [2003] [DVD]

State Of Play : Complete BBC Series 1 [2003] [DVD]

DVD ~ John Simm
4.8 out of 5 stars (59)  £3.98
› Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

10 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, 26 Sep 2007
I have just finished watching this now, over three evenings and enjoyed it as much as I did so many years go. I think this is the best thing Paul McGann has done except for 'Withnail and I'. Philip McGough who plays the secret service officer determined to track Percy Topis down, is also very good in a quiet, understated way.

It is all very well acted and there is a fair amount of humour. Toplis comes across as a bit of a rogue, reluctant to be a hero.

It is now debated whether Toplis was at Etaples. Paul McGann is quoted as saying "I don't think he was at Etaples. The units that he served in and was attached to simply weren't around. At the same time, given the fact that he came and went, that he was a bit of a loner, and moved between people and places, it is not inconceivable that he was there". Apparently we may know the truth in 2017 when the files are opened.

A number of the scenes, especially towards the end do faithfully match what is known about him.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch Great War Drama, 28 Aug 2007
I remember watching this on television when it was first screened by the BBC back in 1986, and was mightily impressed. Twenty one years later, the 'Monocled Mutineer' has lost none of its impact.
Loosely based upon the real life story of a Nottinghamshire ne'er-do-well who finds himself drawn inexorably into the carnage of the First World War, the 'Monocled Mutineer' offers a highly original take upon what might seem like a familiar period of history. Scripted by the controversial Alan Bleasdale, it manages to be funny, moving and sometimes shocking, all the while maintaining a strong and engaging story line. A key episode involves the so-called 'Etaples Mutiny' of 1917, when British soldiers ran amok in protest at the brutalities of the nearby 'Bull Ring' training camp. The film's depiction of these events caused a stir in 1986, with Tory MPs outraged at what they considered to be a slur upon the record of the British soldiers who fought and died in Flanders. Yet such reactions were wide of the mark, as the 'Monocled Mutineer' takes a balanced view of the episode, and makes it clear that the limited outbreak of disorder was sparked by the systematic bullying of veterans who had already been pushed to the limit. The film deals frankly with the horrors of trench warfare, and also the comradeship and black humour that enabled soldiers to endure them.
The script is excellent, with convincing dialogue contributing to a strong sense of the period. The young Paul McGann was perfectly cast in the central role of Percy Topliss, the working class lad and humble Tommy who periodically adopts the persona of a dashing, monocle-wearing officer, and casually assumes a leading role in the 'Etaples Mutiny'. These are crimes for which the Establishment can never forgive him, and in the war's aftermath, Topliss becomes the most wanted man in Britain. McGann plays the part with exactly the right mixture of cynicism and compassion. The rest of the cast - which includes the likes of Timothy West and Cherie Lunghi - is equally good.
All in all, a well-crafted, atmospheric and gripping drama.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Victim and Villain , 3 Sep 2007
By Antyllus (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
New details are constantly emerging about Percy Topliss, the protagonist of the First World War's 'Monocled Mutineer'. And the more is revealed the more it seems he wasn't a mutineer after all. McGann continued to research Percy's life after this role.

Paul McGann plays Topliss in this excellent 1986 BBC drama. I saw it on on television and was spell bound by the script and acting. I am glad it has finally been released on DVD. Unfortunately the series was never shown again, due to an outcry from some MP's who thought the memory of the soliders of Flanders had been besmirched somehow. But what is truth, if not the whole truth?

Topliss specialised in impersonating military officers. He was believed to be the ringleader of a protest by British troops at a training camp at Etaples, France in 1917. However, travel documents show that he was in India in 1917 and had contracted malaria, making it difficult to be in Europe at the same time.

Topliss is seen by some as a criminal and by others as a charmer who challenged the class system by impersonating officers. In his later life actions were ascribed to him which he did not commit. He was as much victim as villain, and definitely a commensurate actor.

This is a highly recommendable film series. To me it also gave some much needed background to the WWI war photos I have inherited from my GGfather. In one he can just about be seen with his orderly, standing behind a massive bomb crater, dead tree stumps pointing skywards...
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Monocled Mutineer.
Wonderful TV production. McGann is magnificent in the starring role. The film depicts aspects of life before and during World War 1 that are usually neglected . Read more
Published 6 days ago by Pontybodkin Pete

5.0 out of 5 stars The Monocled Mutineer
A brilliant series that depicts the truth about war,especially the abysmal conditions in WW1 and the heartlessness of those in command of their men,who were mere statistics to... Read more
Published 3 months ago by P. Fowler

5.0 out of 5 stars Monocled Mutineer
An extremely well done insight into the class structure in the UK during WW1. Always entertaining.
Published 5 months ago by W. R. Carpenter

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant - we more like this to be prodcued today
Like other reviewers I was glad this came out on DVD (I also have the video tape version). One reviewer sated that it was not like the book, which is partially true. Read more
Published 16 months ago by W. Hutchinson

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother with it
Thought i would get this as my next rental dvd and now wish i hadn't bothered. watched about an hr of it and then might as welll fall asleep as i got so bored waiting for... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. R. J. Cotton

1.0 out of 5 stars Travesty
I first read the book through when staying in Etaples in the 1980's. It was the set English book for the local schoolchildren and I was asked to review it for them. Read more
Published 18 months ago by S. Arkell

5.0 out of 5 stars Why did we have to wait Twenty Years ?
Why did we have to wait Twenty Years ?

The first episode was transmitted on the 31 st of August 1986 by the BBC and was split into four episodes and if you have never... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Brian Carson

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Elemis Resurface and Renew Skin Care Gift Set of 4 Products
From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

  

Up to 75% off Shoes

Shoe Clearance - 75% off Shoes
Save up to 75% on shoes for the whole family.

›Shop clearance shoes

  

Boys Smell

Lynx Africa Body Spray and After Shave Gift set
But we make sure they smell good...

›Discover male grooming at Amazon.co.uk

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates