(Vintage Films / Bridge Entertainment / VRT)
This
DVD-only set contains the two eight-part Kapitein Zeppos serials
De Eglantier and Tweng, both from 1968. There are three discs in the set,
the first two containing five episodes with the third containing six.
As with the first DVD set, the film
prints look good, and are noticeably cleaner and sharper than those
used for VRT's recent repeats. As might be expected of 1960s archive
film, there are occasionally minor film jumps, and evidence of minor
damage and dirt. This damage is minimal thankfully, and does not
markedly affect the viewer's pleasure.
One small drawback with this second set is that, unlike the first
series set, the episodes are unfortunately not presented in complete
and unedited form. Possibly to accommodate an extra episode compared
to the first set (which comprised fifteen episodes), the opening
theme only appears on the first episode on each disc, with the
closing credits and end theme only appearing on the last episode on
each disc. Each episode at least retains its story title caption
card containing the episode number. The decision to remove the
narrative recaps, opening titles and end titles on most episodes is
a real pity, as otherwise, this set would be definitive. Hopefully a
complete release may be issued at some point in the future, though
as yet, there are apparently no plans to do so.
As with the first set, the first disc in this DVD set contains
some interesting extra features in addition to the episodes on the
disc. This time, there is nothing as substantial as Kurrel and Co.,
but the two main extra features are nonetheless of particular value
to fans of Kapitein Zeppos. The first is a special report
(presented in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen, duration 2 minutes, 11
seconds) from the press launch for the first Kapitein Zeppos
DVD set. This took place in 2003 and was held at the
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Lombeek windmill, famed for its links with the
series. The video feature is short but quite wonderful, giving fans
the chance to see and hear people like Senne Rouffaer, Raymond
Bossaerts, Ward De Ravet, Truus Demedts, Raymond Verhaeghe and Alice
Toen as they are now. The item is sourced from De Rode
Loper (The Red Carpet Strip), a showbiz programme transmitted daily on VRT after the
6.00pm news. The second item, which runs to 3 minutes and 12
seconds, shines a little light on the English language version of
the series which was broadcast by the BBC in 1966-67. The report
features clips from the English version, complete with some rather
stilted 'public school' overdubbing, and interviews with Raymond
Bossaerts, Rik Van den Abbeele and British Kapitein Zeppos fan,
Gregory Ball, who first saw the series in its English language
version. The final extra is a selection of trailers for other series
available to buy.
 |
Screen Format: 4:3 (Original Ratio)
Region Code: 0 (All Region)
TV Standard: PAL
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 (Mono) |
Disc
Type: 3 x DVD9 (Dual Layer)
Programme Duration: 430 minutes
Spoken Language: Dutch
Subtitles: Dutch |
The DVD set retails at approximately 25, and can be found slightly cheaper online.
The set can be found
easily in shops in Belgium and the Netherlands and
on websites. Here are some direct web links for visitors' convenience:
International customers are recommended to use the
excellent
Mediadis.com to purchase
online. Please note that this website is not affiliated to either
this organisation or proxis.be. All DVD
cover artwork is ©Vintage Films, 2004 and is used for illustrative
purposes only.
For other pages in this section,
please use the links at the top of the page.
