Product Details

• Actors: Martin Clunes, Caroline Catz, Ian McNeice, Stephanie Cole
• Format: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: July 6, 2010
• Run Time: 367 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0038M2S2A
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,673 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

He’s surly, tactless, self-centered, and uptight--but he’s the only doctor in town.

"A smart, gentle comedy with loads of wit and zest" --The Globe and Mail (Canada)

After his wedding day disaster, Dr. Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes, Men Behaving Badly) is even grumpier and ruder than before. His former fiancée, Louisa (Caroline Catz, Murder in Suburbia), has left the village to avoid embarrassment. The doctor himself plans to return to London as a surgeon--if he can conquer his fear of blood. But it’s hard to leave a place as charming and full of eccentric characters as Portwenn.

Matters quickly become complicated when Louisa moves back with startling news. Meanwhile, Martin’s old flame, Edith Montgomery (Lia Williams), takes a job at the local hospital and sets her sights on the doc. Sparks and rumors fly as patients crowd his office: a shouting oil rigger, the inept local constable, a woman who sees her dead husband’s ghost, and a man who eats his own hair. Facing all this, will Doc Martin leave Portwenn after all?

Contains graphic medical scenes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars UPROARIOUSLY NEW FUNNY EVENTS AT PORTWENN, May 16, 2010

By 

Harold Wolf "Doc" (Wells, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Doc Martin: Series 4 (DVD)

FUN LOL BRITISH COMEDY. If you've not experienced DOC MARTIN prior, get every series now. Series 4 picks right up with the dramatic falling apart of a wedding ceremony from the ending of Series 3. So what can get worse? Everything. About the only thing that compares to the eccentric characters in Portwenn is way back to Mayberry RFD. Is Portwenn a British Mayberry? May-be! It's Cornwall corny. And also a Cornwall (filmed in Port Isaac) beautiful quaint fishing port.

Every weird local is back for Series 4. Rude, grumpy Doc (Martin Clunes) still gags at blood; Aunt Joan (Stephanie Cole) is poorer thus less sane; teacher Louisa (Caroline Cutz) has an obvious situation; receptionist Pauline (Katherine Parkinson) is outrageously funny wanting a man, maybe Large Jr., son of Bert Large (Ian McNeice)plumber turned chef (ugh, don't order the soup); and newcomer Edith (Lia Williams)in charge of romantic mayhem. That's just the short-list of a crazy cast that keeps a tapestry of sub-plots moving fast.

A great family series, which does have a 'graphic medical scene' warning due to numerous accidents involving some blood for Doc Martin to gag or spew from. A surgeon afraid of blood is just part of the absurd humor. If you love English seaside village views and homespun humor, this will do & make you beg for more. Episodes carry over to the next and all with SUBTITLES. Some of the best British Doctor Comedy/Drama ever produced.

Need more evidence of greatness? Episode details:
1 BETTER THE DEVIL-Louisa left Portwenn & Doc is out-grouching his own sour records. Doc's ex-girlfriend from med school arrives. Will he soon be London bound? His blood phobia may decide.

2 UNEASY LIES THE HEAD-Louisa returns (much heavier) and town tongues tell tales. She doesn't want Martin involved. Edith becomes Louisa's doctor. Aunt Joan sides with Louisa & tells Doc to do right by her. The school headmaster acts stranger than the routine eccentric of Portwenn.

3 PERISH TOGETHER AS FOOLS-Local copper's bro is ill. There is romance all about--but not what you expect. Doc shows a rare sign of tenderness with seeing the baby scan.

4 DRIVING MR McLYNN-Louisa wants to be school head again, Joan needs money, & Doc tells Edith he applied for a surgery position but...what about the blood?

5 THE DEPARTED-Doc falsifies his blood fear problem in a surgery job interview. Doc's newly widowed patient is talking with her departed. A mental problem? Not uncommon for Portwenn. Joan gets sued.

6 MIDWIFE CRISIS-A midwife & Doc disagree on Louisa's care. Joan is told of Doc's new London job but who should tell Louisa? Bert's restaurant has a new cook, followed by an emergency.

7 DO NOT DISTURB-Word gets out the Doc is leaving Portwenn. Doc accompanies Edith to a conference but it ends differently than expected. Joan starts taking in B&B guests-paying guests.

8 THE WRONG GOODBYE-Doc's last day at Portwenn includes abundant patients, too many expressions of affection, Edith wanting an apology, Aunt Joan's on his back over his unborn baby, and...oh dear, an emergency at an emergency.

Bottom line recommendation: By all means watch it, but after Series 1, 2, & 3. Once you see Series 4, if not already owned, you WILL buy the others. Might as well watch them in order. Treat yourself. Laughter is good medicine.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eccentricities Unabated.....Hooray!, July 29, 2010

By 

Pamela S. Dorris "eternally learning" (Lutsen, MN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Doc Martin: Series 4 (DVD)

This marvelous 4th season picks up where Season 3 left off and I couldn't be more thrilled. The loons are back in town!

This is British comedy at its best: quirky characters, unique plot twists, and gorgeous scenery leave you alternately chuckling and shaking your head incredulously.

If one egocentric but brilliant physician is good, why not two? An old flame of Doc Martin's surfaces with a predatory gleam in her eye whilst the charming but oft bewildered Louisa faces a new challenge to her love for Doc Martin and an unanticipated complication. Meanwhile, Mrs. Titchell, the chemist (pharmacist), still burns with an unreciprocated crush that's hilariously optimistic.

I could eat this series with a spoon and wait impatiently for each new season. Apparently there are episodes released in Britain that are unavailable here in the States. I saw Martin Clunes on BBC's The Graham Norton Show and learned there are more seasons being filmed even as I write this. So where is Season 5?????

This series is a delightful experience I want to enjoy again and again.

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars excellent show depresses in season 4, September 23, 2010

By 

P. J. Carter "ScottTolkienDickens Fan" (Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doc Martin: Series 4 (DVD)

Possible spoiler.

It's not like I wanted a totally happy ending. One of the wonderful joys of this show is how unexpected behavior and plot have been. But the characters personalities were written worse and worse! Auntie has gone from arrogant and abrasive to worse plus a hint of dementia. Also so unfeeling about all Martin has done for her. The PC is crazy, Bert and his son are stale, the pharmacist is making a tedious fool of herself, they've even spoiled Pauline in this series: she's as nasty as the rest now. I don't blame the Doc in the least for giving her a mediocre reference. She got the job anyway, didn't she? Louisa could save the relationship with some humor and love, but instead is either tongue-tied or ridiculously belligerent and incredibly hurtful. Martin gets nastier at the same time he continues his medical miracles.

If I could talk to the show's writers, I'd say enough of the conflicts generated by nasty female behavior! That has been a constant plot device throughout the show, and is common on many shows. I re-watched the pilot last night: give us our old Doc Martin back! The dialogue was much better, funnier. He was an emotional challenge already, and the townsfolk have now driven him mad. His sadness is very hard to watch, and he's not equipped to deal. He doesn't get any relief, and I am all worn out by watching this. My husband feels the same way. We got to dread each episode, but kept hoping it would redeem itself. There were some excellent moments amidst the madness. But no belly laughs at all.

One thing I love about the show is the Doc's consistent honesty, extreme work ethic and intelligence. He takes his job very seriously, and you often see him help someone he detests or who resists treatment or even wishes him harm. However, while it is an excellent device to have a character at once so competent and so easy to humiliate, that can go too far. And is there anyone else in the whole village, beside Louisa, who is intelligent and competent?? Is there anyone there who values intelligence and competence? Perhaps it is more like real life than I want it to be!

I've read that they are going to film series 5 in 2011. I will watch it, and hope they can recover everything wonderful about this show.