The DVD

i spoke to someone at bbc america and at a&e about the difference between the last king dvd and the charles II 2-disc dvd marketed by the bbc. the former (a&e) is only 188 mins, about three hours, whereas the latter (bbc) is 240 mins, fully four hours. each of the four bbc episodes had running times of just over 59 mins. there is no way i will pay for any edited version of this production and it is a shameless travesty for a&e to market this version without at least providing clear information that it is edited from the original version. When I *pay* for films, I want the whole thing! The complete bbc dvd is, unfortunately, region 2 encoded (PAL) -- whereas the last king is region 1 (NTSC).

SHAME ON YOU A&E. DONT YOU REALIZE THAT THE FOLKS WHO WOULD BE INCLINED TO PURCHASE YOUR DVD ARE THE SAME FOLKS WHO WOULD WANT TO SEE IT IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM?

BBC DVD ( not sure about A&E version )
also has a full-length documentary about
Charles II's early life. Childhood, Civil war, and his return to England with Scottish troops to regain the Kingdom. They visit the venues of his
escape route through England where he is helped by the Catholic underground who were the experts at hiding priests.Michael Palin (of Monty Python)
tries out the "priest hole" that hid Charles II. Palin's ancestor was one of the contacts that sheltered Charles. Charles never forgot those that helped him and one living relative still receives a stipend for the services his family rendered to Charles during his escape!

Thanks for the info powerflower...It was interesting to find out by what you have seen if there was actually anything cut from the original BBC version.....Sounds like there was unfortunately. Those who have seen the original said that it ran for approximately five hours...Eventually I will try to order the BBC version....With our exchange rate it will probably be very pricey as well, but it will be the complete version without interruptions.......I agree that at least the DVD should have shown the entire film. How disappointing.....

Somehow the uncut version was shown in Charleston, SC where I happened to be visiting so I was able to see it. The editing isn't that bad, mostly sex and some violence. But I found it more compelling in its original form. I was devastated to find out that A&E is selling the chopped version. I can understand not wanting to offend the delicate sensibilities of the average American viewer, but why not offer the uncut version for sale? And why was it shown in Charleston uncut? Maybe because that city is named for Charles II?

I missed the post of how to re-program a DVD player to play UK discs. Can you share the info again?

aimee

I e-mailed them to find out if this is A&E's edited version or the BBC's full version. I'll let you all know the reply I get asap. (btw-If you ordered the dvd last week-I did- it's in the mail today)

I would rather have the UK version too; but when I checked on Amazon the DVD (as well as an video) are only compatible with systems in Europe & Japan.

For instance, I got a video about Princess Diana from my mum-in-law in England. I cannot play it in MY recorder- I would have to take it to a place that specializes in transferring it to the American format. (whatever that is)

Maybe we ought to check out BBC'America's website, perhaps?

I did not see the A&E broadcast version
having purchased the UK DVD, but I am sure they must have cut out the more intense love scenes and brief nudity for the American audience.
Did they show Nell Gwynn being painted
nude by Peter Lely in the broadcast version?