Red Dwarf DVD Documentaries

[Tonguetied]

So we have them all now, every series has been given that lovely documentary treatment. And my are they insightful and very, very well achieved. It’s just so good having the major players on the series talking about each episode, giving us hilarious and thorough backstories and behind the scenes info. But what’s your favourite of the Docos? Which one gives you the most replay value or do you think they all do? Thoughts?

Topic

[Pete Part Three]

OK, here’s what I don’t understand about you mate; you waffle on and create many enemies. Then, in response, you say you don’t really care what the other site regulars say about you. You troll some more, fire some abuse of your own, and don’t really listen to any constructive criticism.

You obviously don’t value anyone’s opinion here so what’s with all the forum threads asking for people to give their views?

[Phil]

>you waffle on and create many enemies. Then, in response, you say you don?t really care what the other site regulars say about you. You troll some more, fire some abuse of your own, and don?t really listen to any constructive criticism.

In fact, that’s what we love about you!

[Tarka Dal]

Well at least he sets up nice threads for us to discuss.

[Pete Part Three]

How old do we reckon he is? He trolls like a 14 year old and pontificates like a 40 year old.

[Turk Thrust]

> How old do we reckon he is? He trolls like a 14 year old and pontificates like a 40 year old.

But there was nothing in this thread that merited your response to it. Obviously everybody (or certainly me anyway) writes stupid things on the boards from time to time but in this thread it’s only you who has done that and not him. If you don’t like the way that somebody writes then why drag yourself down to their level or below?

In answer to the question, I think that the Series 8 doc is possibly my least favourite. Not really because of how it was made or anything but just because I disagree so strongly with some of the comments that are made. ‘A Ben Hur of Dwarves’ for example.

In some ways I think that the remastered doc is the best one because it covers things so succinctly. The other 7 series docs are all excellent as well though.

[Pete Part Three]

>But there was nothing in this thread that merited your response to it.

Only increasing exasperation that another TongueTied thread has appeared where (to repeat myself) he’s asking for views from a bunch of people whose opinions he doesn’t seem to value. Maybe I’m just jumping the gun in advance of how this thread (if it’s like any of his others) will turn out. So, while the subject of this thread didn’t merit a response like mine; the fact that he’s started another thread in light of recent comments certainly is.

I wont argue that it would have been more appropriate in one of his other threads where he’s rubbing people up the wrong way but that seems to be most of the current ones.

And apologies, TongueTied, I’m not intending to be malicious and admit that picking on people across a forum is pretty low…but my comment still stands.

As for the actual question; Dwafin’ USA, if you care. Um, yeah.

[Jonathan Capps]

The Beginning and Cold Outside, OBVIOUSLY.

[Danny Stephenson]

When I got my first Dwarf DVD (Andrew, you can take solace in the fact that I BOUGHT A DVD PLAYER a week AFTER I bought the First DVD!) and watched ‘Launching Red Dwarf’ I was very very happy with it. But when they started bringing out the Series III DVD, I always thought that Series I and II seriously needed a documentary. I remember having a conversation with Andrew at DJ about whether a Series I and II documentary was possible on which ever DVD was next, and he said it was difficult to fit them onto the future releases, because they simply weren’t relevant to the series in question. However, my hopes were raised when he mentioned that if they did a Remastered Release came out then they would do just that. I’m kind of glad the remastered episodes exist, if not only for the fact that we got a second chance to go over Series I and II.

So I think that because I’ve been WANTING these documentaries for nearly 5 years, is one of the reasons that I prize them over all the rest.

But I am pacing myself and watching them VERY sparingly. The 3 – 8 I know quite well now, so it’s nice not to watch them for a while.

[Dave]

I think I like the VI doc the most, but then I like Series VI the most.

The I-VIII Docs are all of a consistently good standard, irrespective of the original source material.

[Andrew]

I cringe at the III and IV docs now, I really do. They make me understand why you’d want to go back and remaster something!

It’s especially sad because some of the stories and topics on IV are really really good – things like Paul Jackson directing White Hole, and the war and race debates for Dimension Jump and Meltdown. And III, especially, would have benefitted hugely from some rushes being included.

[Seb Patrick]

If Dwarfin’ USA doesn’t count, then… yeah, the last two. I’d waited SO. FUCKING. LONG. for a proper series II docco, and it didn’t disappoint.

[Dave]

The strange thing is Dwarfin’ USA is probably better because the pilot footage isn’t present, a bit like watching Lost In La Mancha. Of course I would love to have seen both pilots on DVD, but the documentary itself does a really nice job of registering everyone’s opinions, having Doug and Robert talk the production side, before relishing in Craig Charles’ bitterness.

[peas_and_corn]

What one do you like?

[Turk Thrust]

> The strange thing is Dwarfin? USA is probably better because the pilot footage isn?t present, a bit like watching Lost In La Mancha. Of course I would love to have seen both pilots on DVD, but the documentary itself does a really nice job of registering everyone?s opinions, having Doug and Robert talk the production side, before relishing in Craig Charles? bitterness.

And Danny’s bitterness of course.

I think the Dwarfin’ USA doc is as good as it could have been but I would love to see a doc which covers the situation from more than just Doug’s and Robert’s perspective. The chances of that happening are probably zero I know but Rob and all of the Americans involved would bring a whole new slant to things and why the show wasn’t a success I’m sure.

[thomasaevans]

Andrew, Three and Four are not as bad as your making out. Check the Thunderbirds doc on the bonus disc of the box set. Even with newly shot footage of the puppets, It kinda drags.

I like that your a perfectionist though, and Dwarf Blu-Ray will be Im sure!:D

[John Hoare]

And III, especially, would have benefitted hugely from some rushes being included.

I must admit, I’d kill for some a rushes clip of the shrinking boxer shorts scene…

But whilst it’s all very well to go round comparing the III and IV docs to the later stuff and wish they were a bit better… I just remember watching them at the time and being absolutely blown away by them.

[Ian Symes]

I?d kill for some a rushes clip

Oh no, John’s turned into a 1930s African-American stereotype again.

[Author]

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