Top Gear - The Great Adventures (Polar Special & US Special) [DVD]

Now don't get me wrong, i LOVE top gear but i can't help but be a little disappointed with this dvd.Both episodes are great on tv and to be fair the polar episode dvd is brilliant. The problem i have is with the American episode dvd. Huge chunks have been edited out and the entire soundtrack has been changed.This means that many of the funny moments from the broadcasted version are missing and the previously well chosen soundtrack has been replaced with cheesy muzak which wouldn't sound out of place in a hotel lift.

On a lighter note Clarkson, May and Hammond are all on top form throughout and the extra footage on the polar episode is very good.

Top Gear, frankly, is one of those things that has made me feel excited about television again. For a long time, I only really used my TV to watch a DVD/play a game. There was little to nothing for me to watch in terms of original broadcasting. Then my cousin recommended watching Top Gear...and everything changed for me.

The whole premise of the show is just genius. Three big kids, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, loving cars and getting into all kinds of adventures and mishaps is just brilliant. In their own special way, they're all intelligent, entertaining, quick-witted and produce some hilarious, hair-raising and truly unforgettable viewing together. For me, Top Gear is the best thing on television today, hands-down.

Having developed a love for Top Gear (and subsequent DVD releases) in virtually no time at all, The Great Adventures is doubtless something to be really pleased to own. The reason why this box set is such a mandatory purchase is because it features the two most memorable specials ever in the programme's history.

Scratch that. BEST EPISODES EVER in the programme's history.

Starting with the Polar Special, you have Jeremy Clarkson and James May driving an extensively modified Toyota Hilux pick-up truck, competing against Richard Hammond and a dog team...in a 450 mile race to the North Pole. Those who watched this when it was first broadcast will remember it being not only an epic race, but also a tremendous test of survival, very real danger, incredible discovery and a true sense of accomplishment.

For the TV version of that amazing challenge to finally be released on DVD is special in itself, but the thing here is that this version of the Polar Special is actually the Director's Cut. And this is not a cheap plug with only a few measly seconds of insignificant footage included. This is the real deal. The Director's Cut is ten minutes longer than the hour-long version that was originally broadcast. The extra footage is absolutely amazing and enlightens the viewer more on what the lads went through in preparation for the adventure, the stress and dangers they endured, and what other astonishing discoveries they made.

The other special included is the U.S. one. This was the first ever episode of Top Gear I watched, so naturally it has such a special place in my heart. Here Jezza, Hamster and Captain Slow have purchased $1000 wrecks to embark on the ultimate American road trip over 700 miles to their destination of New Orleans, encountering all kinds of memorable challenges along the way. These consist of lap races, breaking before alligator-infested waters, preparing a road-kill feast and baiting the people of Alabama and surviving.

The U.S. special is just as excellent as I remember it. The lads' quest for purchasing American cars on such a low budget, the hilarity of the lads' road-kill feast, the frightening realism of their dangerous antagonising trek through Alabama are the highlights. And the charitable acts of the presenters to the people of New Orleans merits such respect and admiration, making it the perfect ending to a fantastic adventure.

However, I was very surprised that the lads' frightening drive through a fierce storm on the highway was cut from this home release of U.S. special. It didn't deter me from it anyway, but it is a tad on the disappointing side. What's really disappointing, though, is the music edits that had to be made due to contractual reasons. This is very noticeable during the Polar Special Director's Cut. A lot of the soundtrack music used here instead of that on the original broadcast really doesn't have the same quality impact on the presentation. In fact, the substitute soundtrack feels somewhat out of place and like it doesn`t really belong here.

There's no extras either, which is a shame. Some outtakes and deleted scenes would've been really nice. Along with audio commentaries from Clarkson, Hammond and May regarding their own personal reflections of their amazing adventures.

But at such a bargain price, and with such a beautiful DVD transfer, I shouldn't complain, really. Top Gear: The Great Adventures is a box set that every fan has been waiting for. These two expeditions are events that best showcase why these three guys have every right to be proud of what they do, what an amazing life they lead and why Top Gear is the best thing on television right now. The best DVD release of the show so far? I'd definitely say so.

never having seen either special on TV, I looked forward to this boxset keenly. I watched "Polar" first because I couldn't really see how the boys could make ice interesting-I humbly apologise. Polar was an extended 72 min version and it was simply superb.
Yes, I laughed out loud, but it also exposed that behind the japery are three men who care very much about what they do and had a serious point, particularly in view of it being done after Hammond's Yorkshire Escapade.
I suspect that after months of having family & friends hovering every time he tried to do more than open a pickle jar, Hamster really needed the solitude of that region and the opportunity to test himself and his own recovery. James May also shone; he acted the wimp whinger but he did what all the best mates do - quietly got stuck in helping Jeremy shine without fuss or histrionics.
Which brings me unfortunately to USA. We who have little disposable income buy DVDs for the extras we can't get on TV; I rarely buy something that gives me only the TV ep, and I certainly don't buy something that gives me less! Including credits USA came in at just 52 mins! Someone who bunged a tape in the VCR for BBC2 got a better version!
I paid £20 (actually £40 as I bought 1 as a gift) for the boxset - yes, you get 12 mins extra on Polar, but are robbed of 8 on USA,leaving 4 mins of extra viewing for which I was really paying £5 a minute! (There was even a brief clip at the end -making no sense - showing Jeremy in the Camaro looking grim in rain?)
This probably sounds churlish but it's not. I like TG, for the cars I will never be able to ride in - Veyron, Enzo, etc and for the useful stuff like getting their mums to test cars - since a car accident means I struggle to get in and out of cars, a practical demonstration of how non-user friendly some cars are if you're old, or un-agile, or loaded down with shopping was inspired. But I also watch it for the entertainment - the banter, bickering and winding-each other up. A lot of that is lost on "Dave", which cuts it out for adverts, and to be honest, this USA special looked like the Dave version. Having seen the Botswana special first on Dave then BBC3, I know just how much good stuff is lost in ads, but this is a DVD. I have no doubt they could have done "director's cut" specials for both that would've lasted 20-30 minutes over an hour in each case, which would have made the DVDs worth it.
Basically, whoever is in charge of DVD production for Top Gear needs sacking or being read the riot act. Like my review for Top Gear - The challenges, this DVD should have had 5* - and the Polar special is almost worth it. When they bring out the Botswana special on DVD - as well as the flaming caravans/amphibious boats crossing the channel/24 hour race challenge, etc, I shall take a long hard look at what I'm getting for my money, and that's a bad thing - this is Auntie Beeb and this is Top Gear - I should be able to take it as read that Andy W., James, Jeremy and Richard aren't going to try and rip me off for being a fan of their car show!