Customer Reviews

Life On Mars: The Complete First Series (U.K.)

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am ecstatic to see this wonderful series from the UK come out on DVD for us Americans to own. Life on Mars is one of the best live action series I have seen in a long time with a combination of great drama, comedy, and superb performances by all involved. John Simm and Philip Glenister who play Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt are especially fantastic, their chemistry as a team is exceptional.

If you happen to have seen the US series please give this version a chance as well. While the premise is the same they are very different in tone. The original UK series is grittier and the 1970's Sam finds himself in is much more politically incorrect adding a bit more conflict and spice to the series. Sam and Gene's relationship is also more of a buddy cop type compared to the father/son type relationship you get from the US version. Even the ending is completely different and in my opinion much more emotionally satisfying than the US one. The UK series is really one of a kind and should not be missed.

Note: This DVD only has the first 8 episodes of the series. The DVD with the final 8 episodes will be coming out sometime in 2010.

One of the most unusual, subtle, and philosophically sophisticated series to grace the small screen!

Our first glimpse of DCI Sam Tyler isn't very promising. He's coolly efficient at his job, but doesn't seem to derive anything more than a grim satisfaction from it. He's dating a subordinate, which tells you everything you need to know about his social life.
Then he is thrust into a bizarre situation: after a near-fatal car accident, he finds himself in 1973. Why 1973? He doesn't know. Complicating Sam's already impossible situation is that some of his senses (especially sight and touch) indicate that he is in 1973, while others (especailly hearing) indicate that he is lying comatose in a 2006 hospital bed.
Lost, confused, and frightened, Sam attempts to work out what has happened to him... and how to get home to 2006. If he can't trust his memories or the evidence of his own senses, what can he trust?
Very slowly, Sam begins to change. He smiles. He rediscovers and reconnects with what he's lost--a family cat, football matches, then his mother and father. We see that 1973 Manchester is, economically, a much bleaker place than 2006 Manchester... but it's also warmer, more organic, all earth tones in contrast to sleekly modern 2006, which is filmed in cool blues and greys. Sam's 1973 bedsit is hideous, a garish riot of oranges and browns, but it's also more lived-in than his spotless white-and-chrome 2006 flat. But 1973 isn't a lost paradise, either; "Life on Mars" doesn't hide 1973's flaws or film it through a rose-coloured camera lens. It shows us what we have gained, and what we have lost along the way. We see that the reforms in policing that stifled Sam and his colleagues in 2006 are a direct reaction to the police abuses Sam sees in 1973.
Sam's 2006 knowledge and sensibilities are both boon and liability. He's had a thorough grounding in criminal psychology and modern forensics, and he's extremely well-acquainted with drug crime, which is only just beginning in 1973. But he never seems to realize the extent to which casual racism and sexism affect life in 1973. He treats WPC Annie Cartwright, the lone woman in the department, as an equal--which she appreciates--but doesn't understand why everyone else doesn't. He sees in her a talented cop being underused; he's right, of course, but he thinks that all he needs to do to further her integration into CID is to draw attention to her abilities. To no one's surprise except Sam's--certainly not Annie's--the men react with undisguised contempt.
It's this sort of subtle contrast between 1973 and 2006--the weaknesses inherent in being from the future, as well as the strengths--that really set "Life on Mars" apart.

The premise of Life On Mars sounds strange - a modern day cop has an accident and wakes up in 1973 - and it could have misfired very badly. It doesn't, though! John Simm is perfect as DI Sam Tyler, the modern cop who's suddenly policing a very different Manchester. He brings the right mix of vulnerability, confusion and depth to the character. Is he mad, in a coma, or has he gone back in time? he doesn't know, and neither do we.

Philip Glenister plays DCI Gene Hunt, Sam's new boss in 1973. He's crass, foul-mouthed, sexist, bigotted, and has an insult for everyone. He's also corrupt, but he's not the bad guy...everything is shades of grey.

Life On Mars is a fascinating show. On one level it's a cop drama, but there are a lot more levels underneath it. Add to that a fantastic soundtrack, and it's a show you will watch over and over again.

There is a one star review for this item from a person who has only seen the American version of Life on Mars. That review grouses about "only 8 shows" and that this is "only half a season."

This is NOT a short season. In Great Britain, seasons are 8 shows. If you watched it on BBC, you waited a year to see the next season. Doctor Who is the only current British show to have 13 episodes (like an American season). You end up with 16 total episodes, each a year apart.

As for PRICE: a full season of Doctor Who is between $65 and $75 per 13 episode season, so the price is absolutely in line with that. Judging the British counterpart by its American (failure) is a really poor idea by someone who doesn't *know* anything about the British season and has now artificially lowered the rating of this superior British piece.

BBC's Life on Mars was amazing as it came out. It really ignited my imagination. John Simms gives a stellar performance. If you like the American series, the British series is much tighter, has better symbolism, reminds viewers that the past is different than the present, and it puts into perspective modern detective work as it's performed without CSI and million-dollar-crime labs.

Another BBC show that's trumped its American re-shoot.

I have been watching this series for the past month and find it one of the best I have come across. The premise is You have a modern day cop, Sam Tyler, who after having an accident ends up in 1973. As he states in the opener, he is not sure if he is mad, in a coma, or back in time. The series would make you believe all three are the answer.

The gem here is Sam's interaction with DCI Gene Hunt as they come head to head over policing. Sam brings the modern analytical methods where as Gene bashes heads mainly and relies on his instincts. With a solid set of supporting characters the show has kept me well enteretained.

This DVD is the first of two seasons. The show is now continueing into a sequel called Ashes to Ashes, minus John Simm. And they are also in the works with an American version.

I would recommend this show anyone.

I literally shrieked with joy when I read that the UK version of Life On Mars would be released. I may have damaged my vocal cords... Anyhoo, this series is FANTASTIC. I watched every episode on BBC America, watched the repeats, and then watched again On Demand. I checked Amazon every week in the hopes that the DVDs would be released here. I tried to give the American attempt at this series a chance because I love Jason Mara, but he just cannot compare to John Sims as Sam Tyler. Regardless of if you loved or hated the US version, you MUST check out these DVDs. Amazing, amazing television.

If you are purchasing this product, you probably already know what LIfe on Mars is, and loved the show. Since it has not been released in the USA, this is one of the few ways to get a copy. The video and audio quality are great (IT's nice to see Sam and Gene on my new big tv, and not have the commerical interruptions). I highly recommend it, but be warned, it is not a copy made for the USA. (Some Blu-Ray players may have difficulty playing it, but none that I have found yet. I have 3 Sony (BDP-s330, BDPS-350, PS-3) as well as two different drives in PC's. I highly recommended this for anyone needing their Sam and Gene fix.

I too gave the American version of this a chance. I'm sorry. As much as I admire Harvey Kietel, he is no Philip Glenister. He makes this series. The sequel series, Ashes to Ashes is even better. I was sorry to see the American version do so badly as this will turn people off from watching the British version. DON'T! It is superb. You will not be disappointed.

I was a big fan of LoM (British!) and was a bit dissapointed to find out the Americans were remaking it. I did give the US Version a chance.... but literally thought it was a joke -- that someone had made a version for us to laugh at claiming to be the American version.

Sad to say, it was real.

I'm never going to like the US Version, and as far as I'm concerned there is only ONE series called Life on Mars, wih John Simm and Philip Glenister. This was utterly brilliant show -- everyone I've ever shown it to (Americans included) have become instantly hooked.

This is a gritty, edgy, dark show. At times confusing for Americans (some of ya'll don't know what a Party 7 is, I'll tell you now it's rather vile beer that comes in a tin can meant for about 7 people, you have to open it with chisels and hammers. That's the number one question I get from my American friends when they are watching this show). There might be a slight language/cultural barrier to those who are not British. Fear not -- this isn't something that you will never adjust to. After about two or three episodes, most of my friends stopped asking me to explain what the characters just said because it's easy enough to understand.

Brilliant, crisp writing, brilliant three dimensional characters, fab directing, you really can't get any better. This is one of the best shows produced by the BBC in decades.

I'm so excited that this show as finally come to the US. Whilst for the time I'm back in the U.K., my player is still R1 and I can't play R2 DVD's so this dvd is definately on preorder for me. I can't really rate it high enough, nor can I recommend it more.

This series knocked me out when I first saw it on BBC America. Much as I liked the American remake (primarily for it's great cast), this is the real deal. Simm and Glenister are magnificent as modern and old-school DCI's, respectively. Simm plays Tyler as an efficient, by-the-book leader, while Glenister is John Wayne with a Brit accent. Their relationship is the joy of the series. This program has a much grittier, "French Connection" feel than the remake does.

If you like this series, I highly recommend that you check out the original BBC miniseries of "State of Play" with Simm in the role that Russell Crowe plays in the American remake and Glenister in a supporting role as (naturally) a Detective Chief Inspector. It also features James MacAvoy ("Atonement"), Kelly MacDonald ("The Girl in the Cafe", "No Country for Old Men") and the wonderful Bill Nighy ("The Girl in the Cafe" and "Love, Actually"). While I haven't seen the remake, I am willing to wager that it couldn't possibly be better than the engrossing original.

Also, if you want to take a gander at a Brit series that was an obvious inspiration for "Life on Mars", check out Series 1 of "The Sweeney" starring the great John Thaw as head-cracking, rule-bending DCI Jack Regan and Dennis Waterman as Detective Sergeant George Carter. "Yer nicked!"