IT'S A SAD GOODBYE TO NETWORK DVD : FINE PURVEYORS OF NOSTALGIA CLASSIC BRITISH TELEVISION AND CINEMA

BRITISH FILM and TV distribution company #NetworkDVD has reportedly going into liquidation... this is a terrible blow, not just to those out there who collect all vintage television and rare films. It also ultimately brings in the question, who now will take over the opportunity? 

 

THE NETWORK ARCHIVE of material and releases, is huge and most of it, not available on any of the current streaming services. This will be leaving a major gap in the physical media landscape, also it's very sad news indeed, for thousands of lovers of rare or impossible to find vintage, retro film and television dvd and blu rays. A niche market, but one that has thrived for many years, with Network at the forefront. 

 

 

NETWORK, has released thousands of films, sitcoms and television dramas that would otherwise never have seen the light of day. The quality of their prints, were always to a very high standard, unless they told you so, for sure. Their packaging and presentation, made them the only such media company who could compete with, Indicator / Powerhouse, in the UK market. Network, was one of the first companies to include unseen and exclusive extras on their then VHS releases.

 

THE FIRST UK RELEASE of the 1975 Peter Cushing / Milton Subotsky Canadian film, 'The Uncanny', included rare and fabulous extras that included a news report of raw footage, from Peter Cushing's private 80th Birthday Party, recovered from a region ITV News programme, also raw unedited interview footage of a 1968 TV interview... was very much appreciated by Cushing fans. The two disc release of 'Orson Welles Great Mysteries', a 1973-4 Anglia television series, starring a huge range of TV and film stars, including Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Denholm Elliott, Susannah York, had a limited VHS release in Europe, then lay in a vault in Spain for decades, until Network sourced it, cleaned it and released it with some fine extras too. 

 

NETWORK'S, 'The Avengers' and 'New Avengers' three episodes featuring THE CYBERNAUT with Steed / Patrick McNee and Mrs Peel / Diana Rigg and Purdy /Joanna Lumley, along with Michael Gough and Peter Cushing, was a terrific package, with pretty neat CLIPS MONTAGE was great marketing too. There have been many, many others, the appearance of which, we will now, most certainly miss. 

 

SO FINALLY, and certainly due is a personal thank you, comes from PCASuk too. For the last ten years, they have generously proved copies of all their Peter Cushing releases for your competition prizes and supported the society, with kindness and generosity. Thank you, I am going to miss you. We are ALL going to miss you. - marcus

 

IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll  love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.  Just click that blue LINK and click LIKE when you get there, and help us . . Keep The Memory Alive!. The Peter Cushing Appreciation Society website, facebook fan page and youtube channel are managed, edited and written by Marcus Brooks, PCAS co-ordinator since 1979. PCASuk is based in the UK,  but open to everyone, whoever, where ever, YOU are!