Silver Spring, MD — Featuring the concluding episodes of the award-winning, original U.K. police drama, Life on Mars, Series 2 debuts on home video from Acorn Media on November 24, 2009. In reimagining the detective genre, this U.K. series won sky-high viewer-ratings, unqualified critical praise, and several top awards, including two International Emmys® for best drama series and a BAFTA. The action-packed and innovative drama aired on BBC America in the U.S, inspired a U.K. sequel (Ashes to Ashes) and a U.S. version that aired on ABC in 2008–2009, which featured a very different ending. In the final eight episodes, the flawless cast, fun ’70s references, and first-rate writing all build to a satisfying, tension-filled finale. The 4-volume DVD includes eight episodes along with a 45-minute documentary, bonus behind-the-scenes footage, and “The End of Life on Mars” featurette ($59.99; www.AcornOnline.com).
Same place, same job. Different time, different rules. That’s the situation facing detective Sam Tyler (John Simm, State of Play) in this British drama that TV Guide calls “an entertaining collision of bare-knuckled police-procedural realism and mind-blowing surrealism.”
Knocked unconscious by a hit-and-run driver in 21st-century Manchester, Tyler wakes up in 1973. Is he mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever the case, he might as well have landed on another planet. Although shocked by the brutality of his bullying boss (Philip Glenister, Cranford) and the callousness of his squad mates, Sam gamely adapts to crime solving in this retro world. But even as romance blossoms with policewoman Annie (Liz White, The Fixer), mysterious voices from his former life keep calling him home. Trapped in the past, he must decide where his future lies—and how to get there—in the tension-filled finale.
Bonus Features:
• “The Return of Life on Mars” documentary (45 min.)
• Bonus behind-the-scenes footage for episodes 3, 5, and 7 and tour of the set (48 min.)
• “The End of Life on Mars” featurette (28 min.)
The original U.K. series aired on BBC One and BBC America for two series (2006-2007). ABC remade it for the 2008-2009 season starring Jason O’Mara and Harvey Keitel.
Street: November 24, 2009 SRP: $59.99 SDH subtitles
DVD 4-Vol. Boxed Set: 8 episodes – Approx. 468 min., plus bonus features – 2.0 stereo/5.1 surround