Monarchy with David Starkey – Set Two (British Documentary Mini-Series/Acorn)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C- Episodes: B
Unexpectedly,
a second set of the competent David Starkey TV documentary mini-series Monarchy has been issued on DVD from
Acorn Media, it picks up in 1660 with King Charles II and runs up to the mid-19th
Century adding five more hours to what was obviously a hit overseas in the U.K.
and other markets. You may want to begin
with the first set, reviewed elsewhere on this site, but Starkey is so thorough
that you can enjoy this if you don’t have the first set.
I could
go on, but Starkey tells the history best and the series is so solid, we
recommend you listen to him exclusively.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is mixed with old and new footage,
originating on digital HD, but there are more of the usual detail limits
because of the tradedown of the HD and addition of archive footage. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo can also very,
but is well-recorded, though it has no surrounds. A Starkey text bio is again the only extra.
- Nicholas Sheffo
