Staff Review - French & Saunders - Live

[Watcher]

UNIVERSAL

FRENCH & SAUNDERS - LIVE.

UNIVERSAL
Available: July 17, 2002.
Rating: MA15+
RRP: $29.95

DISC FEATURES AND SPECS:

Sketch Selection (animated menu)

Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo.

Aspect: 1.78:1 Widescreen 16:9 enhanced

Running Time: 105.48 minutes.

CAST:
Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders

SYNOPSIS:
French & Saunders Live features Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders performing on stage at the Bristol Hippodrome in 2000.
The show is performed before a packed house and the various live sketches are sometimes assisted by the large white wall at the rear of the stage which is used as a huge video screen for various pre-recorded video segments.
This talented pair have been around for years now and many would know them from their television series 'French & Saunders' which has enabled them to branch out and do their own solo projects as well as many specials featuring the two. Their ability to bounce their skills off each other and their excellent sense of timing has given them a lot of success and a loyal following over the years and this live show is another good example.

AUDIO/VISUAL:
Audio:
The main feature has just the one audio track provided, which is Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo.
It's a pretty simple mix that involves audio coming from just the main speakers, but still being able to project a broad sound stage across the front of the room and also match audio to what's happening on screen. The dialogue is clear, easy enough to follow and has no problems with being drowned out by audience laughter and clapping. There were no issues with audio sync.
As I said earlier, it's a simple mix, but it is all that is required with this particular title.

Video:
French & Saunders Live has an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen and is 16:9 enhanced.
Viewers will be pleased with what they see here. It is a very clean and sharp picture that really can't be faulted in any significant way.
There are no blemishes or marks to be seen throughout the main feature and the lighting situation is spot on making the whole show very clear and easy to watch.
Coloured lights are used often during the performance and these as well as other colours on show, look excellent. Flesh tones look realistic, and black levels are fine.
It's a very good looking transfer of a very good looking stage show.


EXTRA FEATURES:
There are no extra features provided on this DVD.
There is an option on the main menu to play the second half of the show and another that is a sketch selection. The 'Sketch Selection' takes you to a new menu screen that is animated and enables the viewer to select a particular sketch from the show.

OVERALL:
French & Saunders Live is a good laugh and is pretty much what you'd expect from this pair of very funny and talented women. They'd have to be ranked as one of the best double acts to come from the U.K and this DVD presentation shows why.
This DVD version of the show looks excellent and the audio is more than sufficient.
Unfortunately, there are no extra features provided on this DVD.
This DVD is highly recommended for fans as it should not disappoint.
French & Saunders - Live has a release date of July 17, 2002 and has a RRP of $29.95

Rating out of 5
VIDEO QUALITY	4.5
AUDIO QUALITY	3.5
EXTRAS	0.5
THE MOVIE	3.5
OVERALL	3.5