Guest Author - Pam Lawrence

Just released on DVD is the tremendously entertaining series Jekyll, starring the ever so sexy Irishman James Nesbitt in the title role. If you missed the show on BBC America, or Showcase here in Canada, it goes something like this.

Nesbitt's modern Jekyll, Tom Jackman, happens to be a descendant of the best known guy with a split personality in literature. He's made a deal with his dark side, Mr Hyde, that they can continue to share a body. What the devilish and horny Hyde doesn't know is that his alter ego has a wife and, gasp, family. Jekyll has a bunch of modern gear on hand to protect his family from his 'dark' rampages, but there's a plot afoot that's bigger than either of them.

A fabulous performance by Nesbitt in the title role, with ex EastEnders/Bionic Woman Michelle Ryan as his smouldering assistant, the scripts are in turn dark and funny. Produced by Stephen Moffatt, whose credits include Dr Who, this DVD features all six episodes, uncut, plus a couple of featurettes on two discs.

Another horror treat this month for fans of the 1977 BBC version of Dracula. Possibly the most faithful television treatment of the book, the show originally aired in the States on PBS one Halloween in the late seventies as part of the “Great Performances” series. In three very scary parts, and keeping very close to Bram Stoker's novel, Count Dracula begins as Jonathan Harker pays a visit to the Count in Transylvania as the fanged one prepares to move to England.

The continental charm of Louis Jourdan is put to great use as he gives us a very spooky, charismatically evil Count. Frank Findlay is unsurpassed as Van Helsing, the superb stage actor Jack Shepherd is a brilliant Renfield and the lovely duo of Susan Penhaligon and Judi Bowker play the menaced sisters Lucy and Wilhelmina.

Far more chilling than the most recent BBC Dracula, the scene when Dracula shimmies up the walls should top any 'creepiest scene' list. Sure, this is seventies TV, so don't expect breathtaking production values here. But if you value a close reading of a classic novel, with a solid ensemble cast, look no further.

Finally, just released on High Definition DVD is one of my favourite Brit Flicks of all time, the beautiful Merchant Ivory production of E. M. Forster's A Room With A View. If you've never seen this witty Edwardian tale of a young girl following her heart and flying in the face of convention, now is the time.

A very young Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter) is engaged to the unbearably stuffy (and hilarious) Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis). While on holiday in Florence, she is kissed spontaneously by the dashing and enigmatic George Emerson (Julian Sands) and finds her marriage plans challenged when she returns to England. The Tuscan landscape is breathtaking, the music (Puccini) wonderful, the acting first class. Simply, a must see.