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
14 used & new from £5.84
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Takin' Over The Asylum [1994] [DVD]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

Takin' Over The Asylum [1994] [DVD]

DVD ~ Ken Stott
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
RRP: £19.99
Price: £7.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £12.01 (60%)
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.

10 new from £5.95 4 used from £5.84
Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

Frequently Bought Together

Takin' Over The Asylum [1994] [DVD] + Learners (BBC) [2007] [DVD] + Blackpool + Viva Blackpool 3 Disc Set [DVD]
Total RRP: £60.97
Price For All Three: £20.64

Show availability and shipping details

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Takin' Over The Asylum [1994] [DVD]
79% buy the item featured on this page:
Takin' Over The Asylum [1994] [DVD] 5.0 out of 5 stars (22)
£7.98
Blackpool + Viva Blackpool 3 Disc Set [DVD]
7% buy
Blackpool + Viva Blackpool 3 Disc Set [DVD] 4.6 out of 5 stars (19)
£7.68
Casanova [2005] [DVD]
6% buy
Casanova [2005] [DVD] 4.7 out of 5 stars (34)
£13.98
Learners (BBC) [2007] [DVD]
4% buy
Learners (BBC) [2007] [DVD] 4.5 out of 5 stars (11)
£4.98
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Actors: Ken Stott, David Tennant, Katy Murphy, Arabella Weir, Angela Bruce
  • Directors: David Blair
  • Format: PAL, Colour, Closed-captioned, Full Screen, HiFi Sound
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: 2 Entertain Video
  • DVD Release Date: 9 Jun 2008
  • Run Time: 240 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00153NOOU
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 2,515 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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

Reviews

DVD Description
Takin' Over The Asylum was first broadcast on BBC1 as a six-part series in September 1994. Written by Donna Franceschild, directed by David Blair (Anna Karenina, The Lakes) and starring Ken Stott (Messiah, Rebus) and David Tennant (Doctor Who) in award winning debut performances plus a cameo from Spike Milligan, the acclaimed black comedy Takin' Over The Asylum is available for the first time ever on DVD from 2nd June, priced £19.99.

Stott stars as Eddie McKenna, a double-glazing salesman who moonlights as a DJ for hospital radio in a Scottish mental asylum. He nurtures close friendships with the patients there including Francine (Katy Murphy, Our Mutual Friend, Honest) a self-harmer and Campbell (David Tennant, Doctor Who) a manic depressive, with whom he shares a dream to make it onto the commercial radio scene.

Campbell's inspired antics promise to bring the pair closer to their aim, but the pressures of life outside of the hospital begin to tell on Eddie. A vindictive colleague leads his small-minded boss to ban his activities and his eccentric grandmother returns suddenly to Lithuania leaving him penniless and alone.

Eddie finds himself drawn to the troubled Francine, but when the radio is threatened with closure he turns to Campbell for comfort. As Campbell regains control over his life and courts success, Eddie’s goes into decline and he is finally forced to face his own illness - alcoholism.

Takin’ Over The Asylum provided breakthrough acting roles for both Stott and Tennant. The black comedy went on to win several awards, including a BAFTA for best drama serial in 1995, as well as praise from mental-health groups.

"Everything about this series is perfect…rich in character, it treads a delicate path between tragedy and comedy". Daily Mirror

DVD Special Features

Audio Commentary with David Tennant
Never seen before footage: David Tennant's original audition tape for the role of Campbell.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Learners (BBC) [2007] [DVD]

Learners (BBC) [2007] [DVD]

DVD ~ David Tennant
4.5 out of 5 stars (11)  £4.98
Blackpool + Viva Blackpool 3 Disc Set [DVD]

Blackpool + Viva Blackpool 3 Disc Set [DVD]

DVD ~ David Tennant
4.6 out of 5 stars (19)  £7.68
Casanova [2005] [DVD]

Casanova [2005] [DVD]

DVD ~ Peter O'Toole
4.7 out of 5 stars (34)  £13.98
Einstein And Eddington [DVD] [2008]

Einstein And Eddington [DVD] [2008]

DVD ~ David Tennant
4.2 out of 5 stars (13)  £6.98
Doctor Who : Complete BBC Series 4 [2008] [DVD]

Doctor Who : Complete BBC Series 4 [2008] [DVD]

DVD ~ David Tennant
3.8 out of 5 stars (104)  £35.98
› 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
(14)
(9)
(5)
(4)
(4)
(3)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
See all 21 tags...

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

22 Reviews
5 star:
 (21)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Just what the doctor ordered!, 4 Mar 2009
By "Just Duckie" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you may even attempt to fly! This uplifting, well written series will leave you with a lump in your throat while tickling the rib cage all in the one breath!

Takn' over the asylum is a work of brilliance, the type of series that allows you to escape into a world of laughter, pain and mayhem! If you have ever had that feeling your missing out on something? It's quite possible this may be it! Fantastic!
Comment Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent series and nice DVD, 11 Jun 2008
By J. P. Stephenson "JP" (Durham, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This drama is first class. Franceschild has written realistic, likable characters, which are embodied by brilliant performances. A fine portrayal of mental health, and anyone who has been involved with hospital radio will smile at the outdated equipment and library.

The DVD presentation is a pleasant surprise, with the commentaries on two episodes from Tennant, Franceschild and Katy Murphy entertaining and informative. The copyright issue is solved by using the convincing sound-a-likes that were used for the international broadcast. Purists might wince at this, but realistically the cost of using the originals would have been prohibitive. It's much better to use these adequate versions than to not have this excellent series on DVD at all.
Comment Comments (2) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, 4 Aug 2008
Brilliant,amazing. The script, the characters, the acting and the soundtrack all fabulous. Everyone will enjoy it
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

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Sad
I bought this to see David Tennant (and saw more than I really wanted to), but it was truly an ensemble piece. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Harry Fan

5.0 out of 5 stars Envokes the range of human emotions...
To be honest I purchased this series of dvds due to the fact that David Tennant had a leading role. Being from the other side of the pond, I did not really know of his existence... Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Pfiefer

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended viewing to learn more about mania
I found this DVD miniseries to be some of the best TV I had seen in a long time. The acting was of a very high quality thoughout and I found it most compelling. Read more
Published 2 months ago by C. W. Edwards

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel good drama
I have so enjoyed watching this series, why David did not get more big TV roles after this is a mystery to me. As with Hamlet, his hair deserved its own listing! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Morwenna

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking over the asylem - DVD
Takin' Over The Asylum [1994] [DVD]
Brilliant series. Introducing Ken Stott and David Tennnant as part of excellent cast. Black comedy with apt music. Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. CLARK

5.0 out of 5 stars Takin over the Asylum
Well worth watching, great story line will keep you gripped and wanting more. To see David Tennant in his earlier roles is a must, his acting was fantastic and kept on getting... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. M. L. Mead

5.0 out of 5 stars One to watch and savour time and again.
I should apologise in advance that I am liable to waffle on about how good this is. I have been wanting to watch it for a long time, and equally reluctant to spend the best part... Read more
Published 5 months ago by tiggrie

5.0 out of 5 stars We are Loonies...
Thanks to Amazon recommendations for this one! :-)
Absolutely first-class drama from the BBC. The script is moving, hilarious, and insightful by turns. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lily_M

5.0 out of 5 stars A Touching look at Mental Health
Takin' Over the Asylum is a brilliantly written, well performed and is just brilliant. Featuring the (then) up and coming David Tennant (Doctor Who) as Cambell, a manic depressive... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dave169

5.0 out of 5 stars High Quality Television
Starring a relatively unknown Ken Stott and the first major role for David Tennant who had only recently left drama school (the inclusion of his screen test is an added bonus)... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Terry Smith

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (1 discussion)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
great perspective on mental health 1 2 months ago
› See all discussions...  
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

Fun for Everyone

Christmas Gifts
Achieve over 15,000 RPM with our great range of Powerballs.

›Shop the Powerball store

  

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