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WHICKER'S WORLD VOLUME TWO

Network DVD / Released 26 January 2009

His role is taken by the likes of Louis Theroux these days albeit in a much less erudite fashion but for almost thirty years Alan Whicker was the consumate TV interview/journalist, globetrotting around the world in search of the most interesting people and places. His show, Whicker's World, was massive popular and this excellent new two disc DVD from Network brings together 10 complete documentaries that range from the late nineteen sixties up to nineteen ninety two.

Whicker was comfortable in any situation and the 10 films here see moving from the aristocracy to New York's China Town to Australia's opal mining heartland Coober Pedy. Always the gentleman and never afraid of asking pertinent questions Whicker moves effortlessly from interviewing Peter Sellers (not long before he died) to talking to ex- convicts of Devil's Island.

First up is the Aristocracy Business from 1968 is a special on the world of the British aristicrat as Whicker talks to viscounts and barons and the owner of Castle Howard. Boat People, from 15 Feb 1970, takes Alan out to Hong Kong where he speaks to the boat people about their centuries old way of life. Devil's Island from 7 Jan 1971 sees Whicker paying a visit to that most infamous of prisons Devil's Island. Pixie Dust on Goody-Goody Land (also from 1971) is a visit to Disney World whilst Vienna - Come In Doctor Freud, All is Forgiven (originally broadcast 24 September 1975) is a visit to Vienna. You Stopped Being a Pigeon When You Got Your Throat Cut (from 9 June 1976) takes Whicker out into the Great Central Desert of Australia and the mostly underground environs of Coober Pedy, the centre for Opal mining, the real outback that's for sure.

Charleston, South Caroline - You Used to Call Me Boy, Now You Got to Call Me Mr Boy is from 21 Sep 1977 and in it he looks at the way the lives of the black community has changed since the 1920's. Anchorage, Alaska - The Ultimate Dream, The Last Chance (from 7 Sep 1977) to do it Right is a visit to one of the most hostile places (weather wise) on the planet where the average temperature during the winter is minus 60. Nothing is Utopia, This Comes Pretty Close (broadcast on 7 May 1980) sees Whicker spending some time with ex-pat Brits in LA, not least Peter Sellers, Christopher Lee and Patrick MacNee.

Finally there is The Absolute Monarch which comes from 1992 and focuses on Whicker's visit to see the Sultan of Brunei at his massive kingdom on the island of Borneo.

A thoroughly entertaining set of shows that really does prove that the documentary in particular has, these days, changed out of all recognition and not for the better either. Very recommended.

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