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Bad Girls - Series One [DVD] [1999]
 
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Bad Girls - Series One [DVD] [1999]

DVD ~ Helen Fraser
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Bad Girls - Series One [DVD] [1999]
77% buy the item featured on this page:
Bad Girls - Series One [DVD] [1999] 4.9 out of 5 stars (25)
Bad Girls - Series 5-8 [DVD]
9% buy
Bad Girls - Series 5-8 [DVD] 4.9 out of 5 stars (7)
£49.88
Bad Girls - Series 2 [1999]
5% buy
Bad Girls - Series 2 [1999] 4.7 out of 5 stars (13)
Bad Girls - Series 4 [DVD] [1999]
5% buy
Bad Girls - Series 4 [DVD] [1999] 4.4 out of 5 stars (19)
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Product details

  • Actors: Helen Fraser, Victoria Alcock, Kika Mirylees, Jack Ellis, Debra Stephenson
  • Directors: David Crean, Ian Knox, Ian White, Nigel Douglas, S.J. Clarkson
  • Writers: Ann McManus, Eileen Gallagher, Guy Picot
  • Format: Box set, PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 4
  • Classification: 18
  • Studio: Contender Entertainment Group
  • DVD Release Date: 18 Jun 2001
  • Run Time: 600 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005JI0H
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 13,834 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #5 in  DVD > Television > TV Series > Bad Girls

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

If the concept of a TV drama set in a woman's prison was one potentially fraught with cliché, the critical and commercial success of Bad Girls is a testament to fine writing, performance and production. With no preamble or scene setting, Series 1 immediately plunges the viewer into the world of Larkhall Prison, its inmates and staff. This approach leaves the characters to reveal themselves at varying pace, with each episode bringing new details about their life on the outside. Given the nature of the setting, it is unsurprising that the show is an ensemble, female-dominated piece. Simone Lahbib, Mandana Jones and Debra Stephenson are all excellent in the three key roles, with impressive support throughout the cast. Male characters are generally relegated to the sidelines, with the exception of sleazy warden Jim Fenner (played with skin crawling accuracy by Jack Ellis). The sexual realities of the environment are handled realistically and sensitively, and not for nothing is the word "uncut" splashed across the cover: there are some quite disturbing scenes, especially in the earlier episodes.

On the DVD: The DVD enhances the show's attempts to capture the atmosphere of prison, with sharp contrast between light and darkness and the constant barracking, cat-calling and snide asides sounding crisp, clear and suitably nasty. Of the impressive 70 minutes of extra features much will only be of real interest to absolute devotees. A documentary examining work on the forthcoming third series may go into admirable detail, but how much interest a costume truck can actually be is perhaps debatable. The footage itself is a little unpolished, but does provide the cast members with an opportunity to reveal themselves, as does the extensive interview section. Not only do the main actors give valuable insights into their characters, but it is also interesting to see how the process has influenced their opinions on the prison system. A feature on a book signing in London certainly puts the show into an audience context, but the collection of outtakes (presented in a, supposedly intentionally, amateurish and tacky manner by Lahbib) is at best superfluous. There is more than a hint of trying to find material to fill the space, but overall this is an impressive effort. --Phil Udell



DVD Description

DVD Special Features:

Documentary
Cast Interviews
Outtakes
Fan Featurette
Commentary Track (Ep.10)
Photo Library

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Customer Reviews

25 Reviews
5 star:
 (23)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly-charged prison drama, the best ever!, 1 Sep 2005
By Karin Bloemkolk "jazzyka" (Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Bad Girls has not yet made it to Dutch television. I sincerely hope it will some day, because it's the best show ever dealing with prison drama. Perhaps 10 years ago we had a show in Holland called "Vrouwengevangenis" (womens prison) but that was childs play compared to Bad Girls.

The cast, the setting, the storylines are extremly intens and powerful. I was totally hooked from episode one, series one. The colouful introduction of all these women, so strong, so real. I simply could not resist to watch all the episodes in 2 evenings.

For me the most gripping storylines are the one between Helen and Nikki (of course!) and the one involving Monica's son Spencer. Spencer, a man (and actor) with Downs' syndrome, showing a diversity of emotions when he visits his mother in prison. The haven't been separated in 30 years, so how do you explain this dramatic situation to a person with such genuine feelings?

What to say about Helen and Nikki, what's not already been said? Seeing Helen struggle with her feelings for Nikki (and her professional career) is played so recognizable by Simone Lahbib, it made my heart beat faster. The longing, the confusing, the distracts, all extremly tense play by both actresses.

And eh as a Dutch girl I learned a lot of British slang, but is it all that controlled?

Buy the series, buy them now, you don't know what you are missing

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars First and best series of ITV smash prison drama, 13 Jun 2001
By A Customer
Launched as the third series draws to a close, this DVD has got to be on the wish list of many of the millions of viewers now attracted weekly.

The first series is the grittiest of the lot. The story lines seem often far-fetched so it's shocking to read that they're often based on real life stories told to the programme writers and and researchers.

The DVD contains a lot of stuff for the die-hard fan base, including interviews with the actors (interviews with the actors talking about their characters were included in the vhs box set, not sure if these are the same ones or not). Also, a behind the scenes documentary and out-takes from the series presented by Simone Lahbib.

This is not for the faint-hearted viewer, it is bloody and violent in places.. turn your eyes for the shower scene when Zandra arrives... but it's the largely female cast and strong character that make it so compulsive, fighting the hideousness of the system, there's real warmth and support between the women, watch out for the scenes with Monica and her son.

If you've never seen Bad Girls before, start right here, you'll be hooked.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars addictive viewing, 3 Aug 2006
By S.C. "fish out of water" (Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews
this is the first series of a show that truely is a milestone in television (a lot of people dont know that it came into production because the nation enjoyed the episodes of coronation street when Deirdre Rachide went to prison!) Welcome to Larkhall-place of the damned. Rape, murder and drugs-and thats just the officers! Bad Girls has a real mixture of themes and emotions ranging from bullying to true love,and all the while capturing the harsh reality of a womens prison. Yet it still manages to incorporate a fair amount of humour, how could you ever forget the cranky 'Senior officer Hollomby' (or bodybag as she is known to the inmates) or the two Julies whose mad-cap ideas have been the cause of many a funny storyline-especially with their tendencies to go wrong! but there are also the darker characters such as the evil officer Fenner and the wicked Shell Dockley. But be warned-once you've started watching you won't be able to stop.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars bad girls series one: excellent!
the product came in perfect condition and very fast!
thoroughly enjoyed the first series!
Published 4 months ago by N. Geurden

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb television
When "Bad Girls" debuted in 1999, it hit the headlines, with newspaper coverage of the lesbian content, and the scene that makes this DVD, unlike all other series of this... Read more
Published 12 months ago by unlikely_heroine

5.0 out of 5 stars the best series by far
this series of bad girls is by far the best, especally the first four episodes which ultimatly deals with the jim,shell and rachel love triangle which saddly ends with rachels... Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2007 by calvin

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Series of Bad Girls
Bad Girls is a popular woman's prison drama, that lasted 8 years. In 1999, the first series was broadcast on TV. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2007 by David P.

5.0 out of 5 stars fantabulosa
this is by far the best tv series ever (except for Shooting the Past). it is acted with such depth and character that you can almost relate to these women, contained within the... Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2006 by Ms. F. I. Macdonald

5.0 out of 5 stars The first of a great series!
Bad Girls is now a hit-tv show and the first season layed the foundations for this.

Great Acting, Great Writing, Great Storylines, Great direction. Read more

Published on 21 Jul 2005 by J. Lynn

4.0 out of 5 stars The Start of a Gripping Series
Bad Girls Series 1 introduces us all to the world of female criminals in a typical women's prison. At HMP Larkhall, a fictional prison in London, however, things are not as normal... Read more
Published on 31 Jul 2004 by V

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best on TV
Anyone who has watched can not help but fall into a trap and completely fall in love with the show and the characters. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2004 by J dayini

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Series - A Must see!
This is the start of probably the most well know series on TV. A story about the life of women behind bars. Read more
Published on 28 Jul 2003 by charmlesbian

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful series, incredible characters
Wow, got to see the series bying them through Ebay and it's worth every penny I spent. Never saw such strong series and got hooked to them very fast. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2003 by vleprube

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