The Definitive Ealing Studios Collection - Volume Four [DVD]

If you're already a fan of one of Britain's most revered treasures of the film industry and whose legacy seems as strong as ever, you will already know of Lavender Hill Mob and Kind Hearts and Coronets and such.Moving on from these and onto ones not shown on TV leads to these 'Definitive' series boxsets. Each has one of those absolute classics, in the case of this volume 4, it's Whisky Galore.Champagne Charlie and it Always Rains on Sunday were really popular films of their days and the latter, a foray into (then) contemporary gritty social drama. Champagne Charlie did what Hollywood did so well, the Variety Hall biopic but with East End sparkle, full of wit and larger than life characters.Finally, The Maggie. An underrated, gentle little comedy, the sort of which Ealing are more associated with. The storyline packs quite a gentle punch on American capitalism as a tycoon gets to believe that, after cutting corners and underestimating the crew of the 'Maggie', he can buy out his mistake with dollars alone.This is an attractively (but modest, to keep the cost down) presented little four disc set that has no duds whatsoever and many pleasures within.

Anyone with an interest in our British cinema will love this collection from our greatest(?) studios. The choice of films across the four boxes in the series is well made and covers most of the genres popular at the time. As a child of the fifities and sixties I can revel in the nostalgia and innocence of a more content age. There is no CGI or special effects beyond the very basic and it is down to clever direction and adaptation by using what was available in terms of sets and locations. Great viewing - enjoy!!

If you get a DVD that's been well-pressed then I'd recommend this series, but CANAL+ has tried to do these on the cheap and some of the pressings are awful. If it jumps, skips, or just stalls send it back to Amazon - they've probably had so many returned they're used to it. They replaced mine.

I bought this for my dad as he was recalling the film "The Maggie" about the American and the wee puffer ship plying its trade on the Western Isles while we were on a trip to the Western Highlands and Islands. It's a bonus that "Whisky Galore" is also on this DVD. It's great to have these classic films to watch again.

I placed 'The Maggie' into my player. The warning message came up re copying the disc etc, then it went blank.Returned it to amazon.

I love these old Ealing studio films, they are brilliant family movies

The dvd collection are well packed for protection and always arrive in good time. Black and white films are always good fun and Ealing Studios produced truly great films.

I've just wanted Whisky Galore, but as the box wasn't much more expensive than the single DVD, I've bought it. I'm afraid, the poor quality on some parts of the films are due to the original materials, so I can't hold the DVD responsible for it.The introductions are nice, more for a beginner interested in British filming history than the occasional viewer. Apart from that and some movie posters (who need's things like that?) there's no more bonus material.Despite mostly a clear English is spoken in these films, I've missed the option of English subtitles.For my intention to get my hand on Whisky Galore, this package is a great deal.