Life On Mars - Series 2 - Complete (DVD)

Simply the best programme that has come out of the BBC for a long time, as I was a teen in the 70’s, I was hooked straight away.

I was amazed how accurately the programme makers captured the look and language of that era.

Excellent performances from all the cast, all the characters were believable and I could associate them with people I knew/know in real life.

Some absolutely cracking one liners throughout all the episodes

Some people were disappointed with the ending (Me included) but that doe not detract from the prior episodes a definite one to watch and add to your DVD collection

Plot Summary:

Policeman DI Sam Tyler (John Simm) has an accident and awakes in 1973, as he tries to get back to his own time.

The questions you ask: Has he gone back in time? Is he in a coma? Or has he simply gone insane?

Some nice extras on this boxset

If you are going to buy both series, consider the boxset with both series, it may be more cost effective.

Sequels often come out worse - why I don't know, although I suspect greedy TV companies forcing writers to write at the speed their shareholders want, rather than at a speed they are comfortable with. I guess that's why so many TV shows limp on to such tragically awful ends as well - if they were cows I reckon you'd say they'd been milked to death.

Thankfully, Life on Mars avoids both of these traps. An already interesting and intelligent programme, it manages to retain all of the original cast for this sequel, as well as maintaining exciting storylines and a riveting sub-plot.

Still in 1973 and still lumbered with the anachronistic Gene Hunt, the detestable Ray Carling and the frankly retarded Chris Skelton, Sam manages to deal with the contradictions to his policing and personal beliefs that these partners, and 1973 itself, present. He still has Annie Cartwright to keep him sane and the burgeoning romance there carries on as well - but the "will they won't they" isn't answered until the final episode.

With 8 episodes again, each one places Sam in a new situation. Fortunately, the interesting and amusing juxtapositions that 1973 presented to the 2007 Sam have not been exhausted, and Sam gets to tackle these, along with many weightier issues as well. Indeed, episode one opens on Sam adopting some of Gene Hunt's own questionable morality in order to catch a criminal - a man who is criminal in 2007 that is - but in 1973? I feel this is a great episode to start with as it causes Sam to question himself, and us him, ensuring that the character depth and personality are maintained, giving the show more depth and character in turn.

Through institutional racism, corruption, and a particularly excellent penultimate episode, with Gene Hunt being accused of murder and almost becoming Sam - alone, fighting against the system but sure in himself (a neat reversal with episode one where Sam almost becomes Gene) - we are led to the final episode of the series.

As most people will know, this is the series where our hero, Sam Tyler, finally finds out why he's stuck in 1973 and where you find out whether he manages to get home or not. It is this which flavours each episode as a tantalising sub-plot - what does the phone number - Hyde 2612 - connect to? Who is Frank Morgan and what is he hiding?

Naturally, the final episode answers all of this and so much more - the burgeoning relationship between Sam and Annie, Gene's own destiny, - but it tackles it perfectly.

The finale could have been tacky and predicatble but, instead, chose a unique and clever twist which, to me, made the whole series come alive. Some I know didn't like it - true - but most, including some fine critics, agree.

Like any good show, it finished leaving you wanting more. Sadly, it seems Sam Tyler has gone for good, although of ourse Gene carries on in Ashes to Ashes, but from watching it through 2006 and 2007, through to buying the DVDs, I'll always remember this as one of the better TV shows of my life.

The DVDs themselves are a good package - plenty of extras for the true fans - behind the scenes, interviews, outtakes and so much more (watch out especially for the one one where Phillip Glennister [Gene Hunt] discusses his feelings on being dressed up as a giany squirrel...) and match Series One box sets as well. Well worth buying and you will enjoy.

And, on that note, I'll leave it! Thanks for reading!

Fantastic, intelligent crime/comedy?. Gives a real insight into things that might be or have already happened

kept my girls quite for a while.AAA+++
who are 2.5 years old and 9 years old
made me feel 5 years old again though,lol.
trip down memory lane for me,lol.

Without doubt, the best television series produceed to this date. Absolutely brilliant.Set design, character development, plot lines and acting are all on athe highest level. A must for all fans of science fiction or The Sweeney.You simply can't get any better than this.Superb.

Great ebayer 100%. Arrived on time and in perfect condition. Would definitely use them again. Good price and good postage and packing costs.

Fantastic series - look around and you can find it for a little under £15 including P&P which is what I did. Great VFM when you consider tha amount of playing time you get for your money.

The best series both 1 & 2 ,since The Professionals and The Sweeny.
Love the acting, charactors and music.
Just wished they had done more...Ashes to Ashes although ok is not a patch on Life on Mars.

I had never seen this on the TV but after watching Ashes To Ashes I decided to give it a go. I love how Sam Tyler is trying to keep his standards of the Police Force of the 21st Century going but is up against Gene Hunt who uses his fists first then asks questions. The writing, styling, research and music is superb. I do find it hard to go back in time to the 70's style of male chauvanism but it is interesting to remember what it used to be like. It also reminded me about my childhood as I was brought up in the 70's. Brilliant series and I look forward to watching the 2nd complete series I also purchased on E-Bay and I would recommend anyone who hasn't watched this to do so.

Clare Wilson

Excellent series, good story and script writers ,very clever and well put together even fine details in 1973 are spot on.

As i was a teenager in the 70`s, when i saw this series on TV i couldn`t wait to re-live those years. It took me right back to the best years of my life, with the fashion, the music, and the no-nonsense policing that we could probably benefit from now!!

I was not dissapointed and loved every minute of the series.

Philip Glenister is fantastic as no-nonsense DCI Gene Hunt, and his one liners are brilliant!! He has become an unlikely sex symbol ( if only men were like that now!!)
John Simm is also great as Sam Tyler, the modern day cop who wakes from a coma to find himself in 1973!!It really must have seemed like he had landed on mars to wake up in a completely different world.

Tha series is fantastic and i will be watching it over and over again, a must have for anyone who lived through the 70`s.

I missed this series when it was on TV and wondered what all the fuss was about! Now I know and I loved every minute of it!
The series takes place in the 1970's, a time close to my heart and completely different to how we live now.
Gene Hunt is a politically incorrect cop, cleaning up the streets of London his way, with his two sidekicks and Sam Tyler, who is from 30 years in the future - 2006 - due to a road accident which left him in a coma. Difficult to explain but great viewing.
Lots of action and tongue in cheek humour, which leaves you eager to watch the next instalment.
Philip Glenister was made for the part of Gene Hunt. Fantastic!

As i havent finished watch series 2 but it looks like Batman & robin have met thier match with Sam Tyler & Mr Hunt!, more fun like series 1 trying to stop the future & save himself sam also gets a call from Hyde!

excellent continuation from series 1, well worth watching !!!JUST as good if not btter than series 1, dci hunt gr8.

brilliant tv series if you like the sweeney you will love this.set in the 1973 will take you back strange to see all the gear we use to wear,all acters brill,follow up series just started call ashes to ashes also very good must watch

Good T.V Series ... New and still sealed... Advert stated item in the U.K. but delivered from China after 2-3 weeks...

This cleverly compares modern policing with that of the 70's, wrapped up in a sureal mystery. It is a good gripping drama, the BBC at it's best. Well worth watching over and over again. It will become a classic !

This was brilliant, excellent acting,especially John Simms and Philip Glenister. It's a DVD I can watch again and again and I am really looking forward to watching the sequel Ashes to Ashes on TV. I will definitely buy that when it comes out on DVD.

this is one fantastic progame.dvd. all about a man who thinks he has gone back in time. a cop who thinks he is from the future. it keeps you guessing right till the end .then you find out the truth. a story with a twist at the end. great stuff.

A brilliant follow up to series 1. Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt are back and the storylines and action keep you wanting more. The will he, won't he? suspense keeps you glued to it. I went through the whole series in a day. A surprising ending left me desperate for a 3rd series, but unfortunately they aren't making one! One of the most brilliant and original TV series I've watched for a long time. This dvd set was an absolute must have for me.

Life on Mars takes you back to the 70's for those of us who are old enough to remember the reality. The show is sprinkled with examples of products that have since disappeared and until you see them you had forgotten they exist.
The twist at the end is totally unexpected so I won't give it away.

Don't miss this!

I can't wait for the return of Gene Hunt!!

this is the best series the bbc have made in years you will be glued to your seat for the hole dvd great music acting and comady all roled into one

The song says it all
Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show.
Is there life on Mars?
Top series

birthday present for my father in law. I watched in on TV and as I had bought him box set one is was inevitable that I got hijm box set 2.

DCI Sam tyler had a car accident, and woke up in 1973 and is a DI to His DCI Gene Hunt. Is he mad? In a coma? Or back in time? If he could find out why he is there, maybe he could get home!
The second season of life on mars. Its amazing, very origional. John Simm [Sam Tyler] Really Plays the part of a man out of time as his Idea of policing all by the book, and Gene Hunt's [played by Phillip Glenister] beating suspects and and getting a result whatever the cost, is a comedic and sometimes dramatic performance. He also hears and sees thing, like the on the radio, he hears his doctors talking about his condition of his mum talking to him. this is a show that will mess with your head!!! I defy you not to Love this!!!