The Human Jungle - The Complete Series [DVD] [1963]

the human jungle,this series simply oozes class,from the very word go,the theme music to the human jungle is by the late great john barry,it is at this point we know we are in for something special.we are in a dark room lit only by a door being opened by the entrance of our star herbert lom,the light from the hallway guides his path towards his desk where he sits down opens a desk drawer to reveal a tape recorder that he switches on to relax and listen to one of his latest cases,we then go back in time to the begining of the story,herbert lom as usual gives a very good performance as dr roger corder,a psychiatrist that pulls apart case histories and puts all the bits together again.dont be put off by the fact that it is about a psychiatrist and his patients,it much more than that,dr corder is more like a detective, searching,probing,analizing,and also being a father with the concerns of bringing up his daughter now that he has lost his wife,this brilliant series was made in the days when writers could come up with good ideas,and the only police you ever saw was "dixon of dock green".if you want a touch of class,a little something diffrent,you wont be disapointed,oh!and that theme tune...its to die for!.this series boasts some fine acting from the likes of joan collins,rita tushingham,alfred burke and many more.enjoy.

I have been waiting for the DVD to be released ever since it was announced months ago. The visual quality of the black and white series and the sound quality are excellent. According to the credits the music was composed by Bernard Ebbinghouse and played by the John Barry orchestra with unmistakeable John Barry arrangement - theme is perfect for the subject. I, too remember being fascinated by this series at the age of 11 although I could not remember any particular story lines but the Dr Corder character and his analytical insight left a great impression on me all my life. Then, as a child I thought that was how a psychiatrist worked. Now, I see that Dr. Corder is as much detective as psychiatrist; foot slogging and making enquiries with those associated with patients.

Each episode focuses on the emotional behaviour and psychology of the patient and often other main characters. Corder gets to the bottom of the cause, explains it all and everyone lives happily ever after. I haven't watched them all yet but haven't seen him prescribe a single pill so far. There is inevitably some dramatic licence and, perhaps, simplification of psychiatric concepts, but this drama series is unique in its probing into human behaviour in this way. I was going to say "way ahead of its time" but actually it is of its time - they just couldn't make programs like this any more; way too sophisticated.

In addition to the architecture, decor and external shots showing cars etc. it's also interesting to note the "class" differences portrayed. The deference, "Mr." this, "Mrs" that, frequently, almost excessively, addressing people as "sir" to concede seniority. Also how accents have changed and that in British Culture accents then, as they do to a lesser extent now, mark "rank" and "credibility." Did people then really speak to each other like that? I was too young to notice at the time.

I am not sure how a modern viewer will respond but to me this is a classic series and I am so glad it has been preserved. Pure gold. Herbert Lom is perfect in the role which to me was his best.

This series from the early 1960s was repeated on Channel 4 in the 1980s and I saw some episodes then. Although I've since forgotten the exact details of the episodes I saw then, the series made a lasting impression. When I heard that this was coming out on DVD, I went to You Tube and found some episodes. I am now really looking forward to being able to see the whole series. Made back in the days when ITV was known for good quality, original drama, the stories (based on real cases) still pack a punch. Herbert Lom et al are excellent: well worth the money.