DCI Banks: Series 1 [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Stephen Tompkinson, Stephen Tompkinson: DVD & Blu-ray (original) (raw)
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 December 2011
i missed this when it was on TV and had been ooooh and aaaaaaaahing about whether to buy it or not, but after reading reviews on here, i took a chance and thank god i did. the pilot two parter aftermath started off well, did kinda lose it at some points (not in a bad way) still enjoyable. then the Playing with fire, which was brilliantly enjoyable. kept you guessing.
Friend of The devil another fantastic episode which has a link with the pilot episode (aftermath)
then the final one Cold is the grave which in my opinion is the best one, and i am hoping for a second series. the acting, directing is brilliant and well adapted from Peter Robinson's DCI Bank novel series. i thought this type of show was dying, after wire in the blood had finished and their hasnt really been any really absorbing detective dramas in awhile. Stephen Tompkinson who i know from BBC's old show In Deep. plays DCI Banks well, though a bit emotionless at times. i havent read any of the novels so i dont know if it keeps to the books or not. so again i am happy that this exists. as waking the dead, wire in the blood, messiah, have all but faded out. with most channels more concerned with ratings and the pointless reality shows yada yada yada... am glad to have taken a chance on this show. great drama from ITV... all we need now is more. i would like to see some adaptations of Peter James Roy Grace novels. but hey have to wait and see...... hope this review is helpful, sorry havent done any of the plots to the stories. im just lazy :)
17 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 December 2023
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 2014
This first series of D.I. Banks I feel is the best. They very closely follow the plots of the books and Stephen Tomkinson fills the role perfectly from the get go. There are gripping storylines and some chilling scenes but there is also humour in the script and the 'cop with a conscience' D.I. Banks has a satisfyingly ambiguous relationship with Annie Cabot. The procedure is spot on and the acting very good. But it is the relationship between the main characters which makes you reach for the next episode.
One person found this helpful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 December 2011
I have given this series five stars, because it deserves five stars. I love police dramas and this series is up there with Waking the dead, Silent witness and anything by val mcdermid and a lot of other great British serials.
Stephen Tomkinson is just a natural as DCI Banks. ITV could not have chosen any better. He just moulds into the role and there is nothing pretencious about the guy which makes him so believable. The cases are hard and at times not easy to watch as we see the worst in human beings. This is not done for show or ratings, but merely to show how evil people can get. Dci Banks comes across as your average copper and he is far from that. There is a lot more to him than meets the eye and his character developes with the series.
Hopefully ITV will continue this great series as it has tremendous potential. With so much rubbish on tv today this series was a breath of fresh air and i recommend it most highly. So put it in your Christmas stocking!
Not for the faint of heart!
41 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2023
They just keep getting better
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 January 2023
Music magpie always buy from them where I can because you are guaranteed a quick delivery efficient service and an excellent product when you buy with them.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 August 2021
These discs do contain all four stories
However a menu issue meant I could not access half of them in the first player I used - they can all be accessed via the menu in a different player
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 June 2016
Received DVD yesterday. had already seen Playing with Fire, Cold As The Grave, and Friends of the Devil on TV, so I checked the quality and subtitles (I am HOH) and was extremely satisfied with both. The bonus was, of course, Aftermath, which was a welcome addition as I had not managed to see it on TV. Great for fans of Banks. Don't read the novels first-see the TV and then read the novels! I did, and it doesn't detract my enjoyment!
6 people found this helpful
Top reviews from other countries
5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written, Performed and Directed series
Reviewed in the United States on 2 November 2024
One of the best British crime dramas on Television I’ve seen.
Great cast. The Direction, production, writing and camera work are all top notch. This series had engrossing narratives, interesting twists.
I thought it was worth the time. I recommend the whole series.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent well done all round.
Reviewed in Canada on 6 August 2020
Great fun well acted well written couldn’t guess who dun it till almost last scene.
5.0 out of 5 stars banks polar
Reviewed in France on 12 February 2015
Tres exitant, un bon polar avec un touch de un bon chef de equipe. Banks il est tres sympa avex tous
4.0 out of 5 stars serie intrigante
Reviewed in Italy on 30 January 2015
serie detective fatta molto bene con bravi attori - ci sono i sottotitoli e posso coinvolgere anchè mio marito che non sa tanto bene l'inglese.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff
Reviewed in the United States on 12 November 2023
Each story consists of two episodes and there are three stories. Very well done but only 270 minutes. These should scratch your British mystery itch. Nice pace. Good subtitles. A touch of nudity here and there.