Customer Reviews

Doc Martin Series 1 [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - United Kingdom ]

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I absolutely LOVED this series. I had heard Martin compared with House, and I think that's a bit unfair, albeit understandable. However, I prefer to think of him as a strange cross between House and James Harriot. Although James was just nice, nice, nice (ad nauseum), the situations in which they find themselves are really very similar - close-knit countryside full of bizarre natives with bizarre rituals. In personality he is much more like House, with one huge difference: House is a rude, insensitive jerk simply because he enjoys it, while Martin, not a jerk at all, frequently acts like one because he doesn't seem to know any better. Like House, Martin's dry, deadpan comebacks are hilarious.

Each episode of Season 1 is better than the one before, culminating in an ending so funny I think I had tears in my eyes. He just never learns, does he?

I still can't quite put my finger on what makes Martin so charming, since I'm not sure I would enjoy knowing him in person. Probably (and due in large part to the brilliant Martin Clunes) it is because he is so very real, and you can't help but identify with his out-of-place, misunderstood persona. Haven't we all been there?

Simply a brilliant show - extremely funny, while taking itself seriously.

Can't wait for Season 2!

Curmudgeons, if blessed with good writers, can be satisfying house guests. They're irascible, oblivious, often insulting (sometimes unintentionally), but usually with a hint of endearing rehabilitation. Dr. Martin Ellingham, formerly a top-rank London surgeon who now practices general medicine in the Cornish town of Portwenn, not only has first-rate writers, he's blessed by having as his impersonator the actor Martin Clunes.

Dr. Ellingham ("Martin or Dr. Ellingham, please. Not `Doc Martin!'"), during one simple operation, found himself overwhelmed and unable to continue. The sight of blood suddenly sickened him, not a good thing for a surgeon. It stopped his career cold. He retrained and accepted the job of Portwenn's GP, far away from London and from the people who'd learned of his phobia.

But Doc Mar...Dr. Ellingham...seems to have a gene missing in his make-up. He is all too frank, oblivious to human courtesies, awkward, means well but has one of the worst bed-side manners in miles. If you're a young boy who has sprained an arm, an elderly gentleman whose wife is using too much hormone cream, a well-intentioned busy-body who stops by for tea or a cancer patient, don't expect much from the doctor by way of chit chat or hand holding. Even with an actor as good as Clunes, this could be a tiresome one-joke premise, except that Portwenn has a classic collection of idiosyncratic residents, all played by some skilled British actors. There's Doc Martin's aunt, Joan Norton, played by the fine Stephanie Cole, so good in Waiting for God. Joan is an elderly, brisk, no-nonsense woman (wise, too, of course) who wrings a chicken's neck to prepare it for dinner. She lives by herself competently on her farm. There's Bert Large, played by the equally fine Ian McNeice. Bert is Portwenn's handyman and plumber. He's a short man so fat he prefers to give the orders while he sits and trains his son to do all the work. There's the town's policeman who is big, competent, young, shy and concerned about...ah...size. The town's schoolteacher, who cannot understand how Doc Martin can be so obtuse, is about Doc Martin's age, not married and... we'll have to see. Maybe something will happen in season two. It certainly didn't look like romance when, at the end of season one, Doc Martin helpfully mentions to her the possible causes of bad breath right after she unexpectedly kisses him, something he was too ill at ease to initiate himself. There's an assortment of small town biddies, blokes and giggling teenager girls who all love a bit of gossip. Periodically showing up for one-time parts are such established actors as Richard Johnson, Celia Imrie and John Alderton.

Doc Martin finds that in Portwenn he has to deal with human nature as often as he has to deal with diarrhea. But with human nature he hasn't a clue. Still, when he suspects something is wrong with a patient, he's not only usually right but he'll do whatever it takes whoever he offends to get good care for the person. Because the quality of the wring is so high, the installments are amusing and satisfying. Good actors make Portwenn's residents more like odd but possibly real people than the usual cut-out yokels. Portwenn itself is a star, too. The town is right on the Cornish coast, picturesque as all get out, with a friendly pub, sea air and easy jaunts down country roads to some beautiful scenery.

Most of all is Martin Clunes as Dr. Ellingham. Clunes is a big man with a large head, large ears and a wide mouth. He's not handsome. Clunes, however, is a fine actor who can dominate a scene. He also can effortlessly project cluelessness, umbrage and impatience...and do so while he also makes us realize Doc Martin is almost an innocent when it comes to human interactions.

Doc Martin is superior entertainment. Season one consists of six episodes totaling 280 minutes on two DVD discs. The video/audio transfer is excellent.

Quirky characters, idealized village life ...city sophisticates escaping the rat race. A welcome series in the tradition of Monarch of the Glen and Northern Exposure...more oddball comedy than soap like the latter.

Great story lines, great acting, very substantive, very refreshing compared to US tv which in my opinion is really shallow and riddled with too much sex and violence. Would really like to get my hands on series 2 and 3. Not sure why this did not go on to a series 4.

3.5 stars.
Doc Martin (Martin Clunes) is an arrogant, socially inept, short-tempered, dog-hating, big-time, big-city surgeon who takes over the practice of a small-town GP after developing a sudden and unfortunate aversion to the sight and smell of blood.

On the one hand you kind of feel sorry for him, on the other hand it's not all that easy to like him.

He interacts with the usual coterie of small town characters--the pretty young teacher who hates him at first sight (and we all know where that's going don't we?), the incompetent, attitude-challenged secretary that the town won't let him fire (Lucy Punch, one of the wicked stepsisters in "Enchanted"), the incompetent plumber (Ian McNeice--could the Brits make a series without him?), and as Doc's beloved aunt, Stephanie Cole (Diana on "Waiting for God"). John Alderton, Ben Miller, Celia Imrie and other familiar faces make guest appearances. The series writer is Dominic Minghella (brother of Anthony) The waterfront town is lovely.

Not great dramedy, but good enough to keep me watching till the end. If you like Clunes in this, you're likely to like him even more in "Goodbye Mr. Chips."

For anyone who wants a real life; ups and down, serious but quirky comedic series to become immersed in - this is your series!

Also, anyone who has first-hand knowledge of surgeons (any speciality) can readily feel right at home with asocial Doc Martin. His plain spoken, unvarnished truth is painful to listen to; but don't we all wish we could tell it like it is, maybe the person will improve their behavior or in medicine - live instead of die?

Doc Martin's first and seemingly only interest in life is practicing medicine. It is the only way he can show his love of humanity.

Unfortunately in this 1st series, his love for anything does not apply to an all-loving dog (GOD, spelled backward)who is the only living creature willing to love the cold doctor. His harsh, unloving treatment of the animal is difficult for dog lover's to watch. Martin's inability to accept love or kindness by anyone or anything is startling, but does exist in life.

The supporting actors are gifted in their ability to portray strong eccentric personalities. They give not an inch to the rude doctor. We not so silently praise them for socking it to him.

While Doc surprises us with his unilateral personality, we develop a strong affection for him as he is forced to suffer and evolve.

So much so; I can't wait for Series 2, Region 1 to come out!

If you've seen 'Saving Grace', you are sure to love this series. Why? Because the very character of Doc Martin was originally based off of Clunes' character of Martin Bamford. A revision or two later & the series 'Doc Martin' was born! And boy, do I love it!

The series follows Clunes' character of Martin Ellingham, a doctor who was previously a successful surgeon until he developed a nasty aversion to blood. Hoping to find some peace of mind, he decides to become a GP (general practitioner) in the town he used to vacation in as a child- Portwenn. Unfortunately the good doctor seems to have a humongous problem dealing with people... and his bedside manner leaves much to desire. Whether it's dealing with a highly inefficient secretary that's loved by the entire town or making snap diagnoses about health problems, Doc Martin is sure to please!

The series is wonderful. This disc set however, does leave something to be desired. Unfortunately the set is beyond being even the barest bones. There's only the episodes on here, with no special features at all. No subtitles & no close captioning will make this set unfortunately inaccessible to many viewers out there. (My set has close captioning turned on & nothing showed up.) So if you are hard of hearing or are unable to hear regular television noises, this will unfortunately be something you may want to pass on.

But oh man... the series is wonderful. I couldn't help but giggle throughout the funny parts & commiserate with the characters during the more sad parts. Seriously folks- this is as good as it gets.

This is, so far, the best series of this millennium. The writing is flawless, the acting superb and the cinematography is out of this world-- but then how can you really go wrong when filming in a sleepy village in Northern England (or perhaps the scottish lowlands?)?. Martin Clune is at his best. He was born to be Doc Martin... dry and socially clueless. I have never planned my schedule around a TV show in my life but I am in front of the tube when Doc Martin begins and don't answer the phone until it's over. This is a series well worth owning!

I started watching this show when it was already in Series 4. I loved it and wanted to see how the series started. Love this show! The dvd arrived quickly and I've watched at least 4 episodes so far. The setting in Cornwall, England is so beautiful that even if the actual show wasn't so funny and unique, I'd still be watching it just for the scenery. Martin Clunes is hysterical in his role as Doctor Martin Ellingham, former surgeon from London, who has recently developed an aversion to blood and therefore, cannot perform surgery. He's a local GP in this little village called Portwen with every imaginable quirky character living there. It's so different from the average sitcom.

After running out of British series to watch, I started looking for something new. I read a few reviews on Amazon, and decided to purchase the series. I was very surprised on what I got. The cast is strong, the writing is WONDERFUL, and best of all, the acting is the best I have seen since Foyle's war.
If you are looking for witty, well- written and well-acted series, then pick up all of them. You will not be disappointed!
The best part of this show is that you can sit down and watch Doc Martin all day all and not get bored.
More importantly if you are looking for some brownie points with you wife, buy this series. The love story written in here is wonderful. Your wife will love you for it.
Just watch out for Anthony, ever since he left the ranger's place, he might just show up at your house!
I can't wait for series 4! The sad part is I can't watch it on ITV's website (don't live in the UK). But if you want inside information on the series, check out their website and you can get some more information on the actors and the series.