DVD Review : George Gently Series 7

Based on novelist Alan Hunter’s decades-long series of detective novels, George Gently, Series 7 debuts on DVD and Blu-ray on September 29, 2015 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Tony® nominee Martin Shaw (Death in Holy Orders) returns as Inspector George Gently in these feature-length mysteries set in the North East of England during the social upheaval of the 1960s. These episodes follow Gently and his partner (Lee Ingleby, Place of Execution), as they solve four grisly murders. In August 2015, series seven made its U.S. premiere on Acorn.TV, the premier streaming service for world class television from Britain and beyond, and, earlier this year, BBC One premiered Series 7 in the UK, averaging a stellar, series high seven million viewers. The DVD 4-disc set and Blu-ray 2-disc set each feature four mysteries plus bonus interviews with Martin Shaw and guest actors Jim Moir and Leslie Nicol ($59.99, AcornOnline.com).

For Detective Chief Inspector George Gently (Martin Shaw), the world is changing at a dizzying pace—economically, politically, socially, culturally. As the 1960s draw to a close and a new era beckons, he feels more and more estranged and ill-equipped to cope. But for Gently and his fellow officers, one thing remains constant in their northeast England beat: violent crime.

In four all-new, feature-length episodes, Gently is again assisted in his crime-fighting duties by Detective Sergeant John Bacchus (Lee Ingleby), who is up for promotion to inspector, and Constable Rachel Coles (Lisa McGrillis), who is preparing to take her sergeants exam. While Gently and Bacchus collaborate as usual in their investigations, both are harboring secrets from each other that threaten to bring their professional careers to an end. Compelling mysteries and superb performances continue to make this “one of the most successful detective dramas on British television” (Daily Express Saturday Magazine).

Episodes: Gently with the Women; Breathe in the Air; Gently Among Friends; Son of a Gun

Street Date: September 29, 2015                            SRP: $59.99 each     

DVD 4 -Disc Set: 4 feature-length mysteries – Approx. 371 min. – SDH Subtitles

UPC 0-54961-2438-9-1                                              ISBN 978-1-62172-438-4

Blu-ray 2-Disc Set: 4 feature-length mysteries – Approx. 371 min. – SDH Subtitles

UPC 0-54961-2439-9-0                                              ISBN 978-1-62172-439-1

My Thoughts

  George Gently is a series about a cop in  a class all his own, based on the novels by Alan Hunter. Martin Shaw does a fabulous job in his role and really makes the show come to life.Like many detective series, there are some episodes that are stand alone murder mysteries and others that are part of the larger storyline.  The series is set in 1960's Britain, and the costumes and scenery really bring to life this classic era. This set includes four episodes:

Gently with the Women - When a prostitute is raped only Gently takes her seriously. He ties the crime to a string of other rapes and possibly a murder.

Breathe in The Air - A doctor dies of an apparent suicide but Gently  suspects there is more to it. Gently also has to deal with his own diagnoses.

Gently Among Friends - The garbage men are on strike and a body is found in a big pile of trash. Was it a suicide, the wife, or something else all together?

Son of a Gun - The getaway driver of a robbery winds up dead and Coles goes undercover to find out what happened. Gently finally shares his medical condition.

Overall, this was a great season.  I am definitely looking forward to getting Series 8 and seeing where things go next.  If you want to take advantage of a full set of amazing  stories that will leave you on the edge of your seat, than this is the box set for you. You can order George Gently Series 7 on Blu-ray Disc or DVD at Acorn Media or on Amazon.