The Official Network Thread

[Smokeyandthebandit]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Is that a good show? I was tempted on it a few times, but it looked kind of...dry...to me, i.e. dull. What say you?

Yes I'm enjoying it. There are some episodes that are not as good, but overall yes. The quality is far from the best, only fair, but this was filmed on video in the very early 70's, and is typical of video quality of the time. If you like period drama from this era, you may enjoy it.

[Smokeyandthebandit]

Possibly my last chance, so just ordered these.

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by Smokeyandthebandit

Yes I'm enjoying it. There are some episodes that are not as good, but overall yes. The quality is far from the best, only fair, but this was filmed on video in the very early 70's, and is typical of video quality of the time. If you like period drama from this era, you may enjoy it.

It's "electronic theatre" from the era, a sadly dead art form these days.

If you enjoy this form, like David and I, you really appreciate what others might consider the flaws.

One of the strengths IMO is the performance. The multi-camera video setup means you have to have blanket lighting and more limited shots, but captures a complete performance of a scene that you can view as if you were in a theatre rather than something constructed in an edit from multiple shots and takes.

You can get the talky variants, or the the stuff with real intensity as the cameras catch the action in real time - Callan is a great example of the latter with a film version for comparison. The movie remake is still good but doesn't have the raw power of Woodward's acting in the series.

To make it clearer what I mean, for example in a multi-camera with vision mixer setup for drama, on the day it's the actors who create the tensions and stuff based on direction they received in rehearsals with the director whom, as a general rule by time of recording sat up in the gallery making sure he gets the shots he wanted. Later on they could edit this after the fact, but it was minimal. In a single camera drama like something shot on film, those same tensions may be partly there in the performance captures, but what the audience experiences of those tensions is tweaked after the fact by the director and editor.

[Nedoflanders]

Originally Posted by wabrit

Depends on personal taste of course, but I think Bad Timing belongs firmly in the hot streak of Roeg films that started with Performance.

Definitely! Bad Timing is real Desert Island stuff for me. Although I'm completely biased, being a champion of Roeg's work.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

It's "electronic theatre" from the era, a sadly dead art form these days.

If you enjoy this form, like David and I, you really appreciate what others might consider the flaws.

One of the strengths IMO is the performance. The multi-camera video setup means you have to have blanket lighting and more limited shots, but captures a complete performance of a scene that you can view as if you were in a theatre rather than something constructed in an edit from multiple shots and takes.

You can get the talky variants, or the the stuff with real intensity as the cameras catch the action in real time - Callan is a great example of the latter with a film version for comparison. The movie remake is still good but doesn't have the raw power of Woodward's acting in the series.

To make it clearer what I mean, for example in a multi-camera with vision mixer setup for drama, on the day it's the actors who create the tensions and stuff based on direction they received in rehearsals with the director whom, as a general rule by time of recording sat up in the gallery making sure he gets the shots he wanted. Later on they could edit this after the fact, but it was minimal. In a single camera drama like something shot on film, those same tensions may be partly there in the performance captures, but what the audience experiences of those tensions is tweaked after the fact by the director and editor.

Well said and I totally agree. There is an immediacy to the long takes that can often make it very compelling, even mesmerizing at times. I particularly enjoy the early episodes of THE AVENGERS for this very reason, they are just so intimate and carry an echo of a live stage performance that keeps your attention riveted.

[Professor Echo]

I ordered THE CHAMPIONS and RANDALL AND HOPKIRK today for relatively good prices. I know the latter has a Blu and it actually was the same price as the DVD set, but I chose DVD because I am interested in watching the extras and listening to the commentaries. I am not familiar with the series at all so some context will prove beneficial to me. As much as I loved Network, the idea of skipping the extras on some of the Blu upgrades was very frustrating.

[chaco_bark]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

I ordered THE CHAMPIONS and RANDALL AND HOPKIRK today for relatively good prices. I know the latter has a Blu and it actually was the same price as the DVD set, but I chose DVD because I am interested in watching the extras and listening to the commentaries. I am not familiar with the series at all so some context will prove beneficial to me. As much as I loved Network, the idea of skipping the extras on some of the Blu upgrades was very frustrating.

Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) is one of my favourite ITC series, it's a shame when extras aren't ported over.

[The Screaming Feces]

Originally Posted by Nedoflanders

Definitely! Bad Timing is real Desert Island stuff for me. Although I'm completely biased, being a champion of Roeg's work.

I had forgotten that Network had released a Blu of Bad Timing, so thanks for the reminder--ordered! I too am a fellow Roeg champion--we need more of his films on Blu-ray from either side of the pond!

[trobrianders]

Bad Timing was the first Roeg film I saw at the cinema (I'd seen Walkabout on the tv). I saw it at the Scala funnily enough. Just been reading about the doc about the Scala. It wasn't my favourite rep cinema tbh. But anyway. Roeg is really on top of his subject in this film. The film takes your beath away.

[Show spoiler]You feel this enourmous sympathy/empathy for the wild Russell character and Garfunkel's psycopath therapist is blood-chilling in it. Then add to that Keitel's detective who uses philosophy/existentialism to solve crimes. It's a real trip of a film.

The network release is not stellar but it will certainly do until an upgrade comes along. I like Bad Timing even more than Roeg's more celebrated films.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Smokeyandthebandit

Possibly my last chance, so just ordered these.

The Network BD of Rentadick is in the wrong (1.33:1) aspect ratio. The US Scorpion release is is 1.78:1 which is close to or is the correct aspect ratio.

[Mike0284]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

The Network BD of Rentadick is in the wrong (1.33:1) aspect ratio. The US Scorpion release is is 1.78:1 which is close to or is the correct aspect ratio.

Is it cropped or just open matte?

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Mike0284

Is it cropped or just open matte?

I don't know as I've never seen the film. The info came from DVDcompare.

[Mike0284]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

I don't know as I've never seen the film. The info came from DVDcompare.

Looks like the back of the Blu lists it as 1.66:1 with the full screen version as a bonus.

Compare only has the DVD info.

[Lea74]

I noticed many of the content that Network released is available on ITVX to stream for free here in the UK.
I see they had Space 1999 (Series 1,2) UFO, The Persuaders, The Saint (colour episodes), The Professionals, The Protectors, Joe 90, Captain Scarlet, Thunderbirds, Stingray, Terrahawks etc.
Many classic British films also available that Network were putting out.
Lots of stuff and in HD and all for free.
I presume there is even more Network titles available to paying subscribers (and AD free) and I guess that more and more stuff that Network had will eventually become available on ITVX in due course.

Obviously we all like collecting our physical media here, but it is a sign of the times and oneday I think it will be the only way of seeing these beloved classics.

[exidor]

Unfortunately, we're then in the hands of the streamers and their advertisers as to exactly what we're allowed to see. ITVX is streaming Man About The House too but had to give up after a couple of episodes and get the DVD set. The second one I watched had clearly been cut to ribbons and there's two entire episodes missing from the first season.

[wabrit]

Originally Posted by Lea74

I noticed many of the content that Network released is available on ITVX to stream for free here in the UK.
I see they had Space 1999 (Series 1,2) UFO, The Persuaders, The Saint (colour episodes), The Professionals, The Protectors, Joe 90, Captain Scarlet, Thunderbirds, Stingray, Terrahawks etc.
Many classic British films also available that Network were putting out.
Lots of stuff and in HD and all for free.
I presume there is even more Network titles available to paying subscribers (and AD free) and I guess that more and more stuff that Network had will eventually become available on ITVX in due course.

Obviously we all like collecting our physical media here, but it is a sign of the times and oneday I think it will be the only way of seeing these beloved classics.

I headed in that direction to catch some of the shows I was interested in but not so much that I wanted a physical copy (but the adverts are annoying so I ended up paying for ad-free).

Of course not everything is there - I grabbed DVD sets of Danger Man, Callan and The Public Eye - which only goes to illustrate yet again that streaming is a capricious beast, what's here today may be gone tomorrow.

[Modman]

Originally Posted by wabrit

I headed in that direction to catch some of the shows I was interested in but not so much that I wanted a physical copy (but the adverts are annoying so I ended up paying for ad-free).

Of course not everything is there - I grabbed DVD sets of Danger Man, Callan and The Public Eye - which only goes to illustrate yet again that streaming is a capricious beast, what's here today may be gone tomorrow.

I have no problem with streaming, its convenient and I appreciate it could be prohibitively expensive to buy physical copies of all the shows someone might be interested in, particularly as time goes by. However, as you and others have said, it could be here today and gone tomorrow and you're completely at the mercy of the streamer when it comes to what's transmitted e.g. cut episodes etc.

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by wabrit

Streaming is a capricious beast, what's here today may be gone tomorrow.

Probably my #1 reason for having the collection I have. I almost consider it an archive. I want to be in control of what I can watch and when. Streaming is a great option a lot of the time, but this single factor alone is why I would never rely on it solely.

Obviously things you actually purchase on the likes of Prime Video or iTunes, is yours to keep, even if that content is removed, but what happens if Amazon or Apple ever decide to shut those services down completely....?

[DavidRoylance]

May I check in? Are the colour Saints or The Protectors in HD on ITVx too?

Originally Posted by Lea74

I noticed many of the content that Network released is available on ITVX to stream for free here in the UK.
I see they had Space 1999 (Series 1,2) UFO, The Persuaders, The Saint (colour episodes), The Professionals, The Protectors, Joe 90, Captain Scarlet, Thunderbirds, Stingray, Terrahawks etc.
Many classic British films also available that Network were putting out.
Lots of stuff and in HD and all for free.
I presume there is even more Network titles available to paying subscribers (and AD free) and I guess that more and more stuff that Network had will eventually become available on ITVX in due course.

Obviously we all like collecting our physical media here, but it is a sign of the times and oneday I think it will be the only way of seeing these beloved classics.

[Martyghost]

Originally Posted by DavidRoylance

May I check in? Are the colour Saints or The Protectors in HD on ITVx too?

I haven't used ITVX but you can bet your bottom dollar that they aren't. If they are listed as HD, they will just be upscales. Apart from Thunderbirds and possibly Space:1999 & The Prisoner (all done 10+ years ago), ITV haven't upgraded any other ITC shows to HD. That is just one of the great losses of Network going under - who is going to remaster these series now?