Sunday, December 25, 2016

DVD Review: CLOSE TO THE ENEMY


The taut and engrossing new wartime drama CLOSE TO THE ENEMY debuts on Blu-ray and DVD on December 27, 2016 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. From acclaimed filmmakerStephen Poliakoff (Perfect StrangersLost Prince, Dancing on the Edge), this Acorn TV Original Series and BBC One production features an impressive ensemble cast, including Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe21), Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones), Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2), Angela Bassett (American Horror Story), August Diehl (Inglourious Basterds), Lindsay Duncan (The Honourable Woman), Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel), Robert Glenister (Hustle,Prime Suspect), Charity Wakefield (The Player, Wolf Hall), and Charlotte Riley (Peaky Blinders). The DVD and Blu-ray 3-disc sets feature all seven episodes plus bonus behind-the-scenes featurettes (30 min.) cast interviews (28 min.) and more ($59.99 each, AcornOnline.com). Close to the Enemy made its U.S. premiere in November 2016 on Acorn TV, the premier streaming service for world-class television from Britain and beyond.

In the immediate aftermath of WWII, intelligence officer Callum Ferguson (Sturgess) must complete his last task for the British army: convince captured German scientist Dieter Koehler (Diehl) to develop a jet engine for the British government. As Callum tries to woo Dieter to his cause, he also contends with his younger brother’s (Highmore) psychological trauma from the war – and fights his attraction to his best friend’s wife (Riley). But while Callum and Dieter develop and unlikely friendship, disturbing secrets emerge that challenge each man’s loyalties at the dawn of the Cold War.

Over the course of the series, Callum encounters a number of other characters whose stories all intertwine. These characters include Harold (Molina), a Foreign Office official who reveals some startling truths about the outbreak of the war; and Kathy (Phoebe FoxThe Woman in Black: Angel of Death), a tough young woman working for the War Crimes Unit, fighting to bring war criminals who escaped prosecution to justice. Each character is trying to rebuild and move forward in the aftermath of a war that scarred them all so deeply.          

Bonus: Behind-the-scenes featurettes (30 min.) cast interviews (28 min.) and photo gallery

Street Date: December 27, 2016                                                SRP: $59.99 each
DVD and Blu-ray 3-Disc Sets: 7 episodes plus bonus – Approx. 435 min. – SDH Subtitles – UPC 059461253494
Contains coarse language, violence, sexual situations, and nudity.

My Thoughts


Close to the Enemy is a war drama set in England after World War II. An intelligence officer named Ferguson must convince a German prisoner to  create a jet engine for the British. On top of this, he has a brother suffering from PTSD to contend with. This season has seven amazing episodes.

1- A German jet scientist named Dieter is a prisoner of war. The British want to convince him to work for them to create a new jet, and it's Callum's job to convince him to do it.

2 - Callum tries to butter up Dieter’s research aid, and his brother is trying to cope with the traumas of war.

3 - Victor is involved with Dieter’s daughter Lotte. Rachel tries to enlist Callum's help.

4 - Frau Bellingham has a secret formula that is in demand.  Harold reveals some shocking secrets.

5- Dieter is  making some progress on the jet engine. Callum returns to helping Kathy.

6 - Things get hot between Callum and  Rachel.  Victor turns against his brother and Dieter reveals some more secrets.

7 - Callum has to plan a best man speech. Kathy goes after a Nazi killer. Great end to the season with a lot of drama.

This is a fantastic series that shows is that bonds can grow in the most unlikely of circumstances.  If you'd like to grab a copy of this set of DVD or Blu-ray, it is available online at Acorn Media and on Amazon.




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