Bad Girls - Series One [1999] | ![Bad Girls - Series One [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41TPJQKRZJL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Directors: David Crean, Ian Knox, Ian White, Julie Edwards, Nigel Douglas
Actors: David Gwillim, Helen Fraser, Victoria Alcock, Kika Mirylees, Jack Ellis
Studio: Contender Entertainment Group
Category: DVD
List Price: £39.99
Buy New: £10.98
You Save: £29.01 (73%)
New (4) Used (3) from £9.98
Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 6121
Format: Box Set, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region: 2
Number Of Discs: 4
Running Time: 600 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.2 x 5.7 x 0.9
EAN: 5030305920012
ASIN: B00005JI0H
Theatrical Release Date: 2002
Release Date: June 18, 2001
Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.
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Amazon.co.uk Review
If the concept of a TV drama set in a woman's prison was one potentially fraught with cliche, the critical and commercial success of Bad Girls is a testament to fine writing, performance and production. With no preamble or scene setting, Series 1 immediately plunges the viewer into the world of Larkhall Prison, its inmates and staff. This approach leaves the characters to reveal themselves at varying pace, with each episode bringing new details about their life on the outside. Given the nature of the setting, it is unsurprising that the show is an ensemble, female-dominated piece. Simone Lahbib, Mandana Jones and Debra Stephenson are all excellent in the three key roles, with impressive support throughout the cast. Male characters are generally relegated to the sidelines, with the exception of sleazy warden Jim Fenner (played with skin crawling accuracy by Jack Ellis). The sexual realities of the environment are handled realistically and sensitively, and not for nothing is the word "uncut" splashed across the cover: there are some quite disturbing scenes, especially in the earlier episodes. On the DVD: The DVD enhances the show's attempts to capture the atmosphere of prison, with sharp contrast between light and darkness and the constant barracking, cat-calling and snide asides sounding crisp, clear and suitably nasty. Of the impressive 70 minutes of extra features much will only be of real interest to absolute devotees. A documentary examining work on the forthcoming third series may go into admirable detail, but how much interest a costume truck can actually be is perhaps debatable. The footage itself is a little unpolished, but does provide the cast members with an opportunity to reveal themselves, as does the extensive interview section. Not only do the main actors give valuable insights into their characters, but it is also interesting to see how the process has influenced their opinions on the prison system. A feature on a book signing in London certainly puts the show into an audience context, but the collection of outtakes (presented in a, supposedly intentionally, amateurish and tacky manner by Lahbib) is at best superfluous. There is more than a hint of trying to find material to fill the space, but overall this is an impressive effort. --Phil Udell
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
Superb television November 4, 2008
unlikely_heroine (London, UK)
When "Bad Girls" debuted in 1999, it hit the headlines, with newspaper coverage of the lesbian content, and the scene that makes this DVD, unlike all other series of this programme, rated 18 (that scene that makes this adult viewing only is where a prisoner is searched for the drugs she is carrying in an unpleasant way that is suggested rather than shown). In this first series, "Bad Girls" was meaningful and controversial. It did not shy away from the realities of prison life and was not the high-camp, high jinks fun it was to become by later series, but a genuinely gritty, hard-hitting drama about life inside, based on real women's experiences, and with a cast that was, in an effort to highlight the realism, deliberately largely unknown. The most recognisable face back in 1999 was Joanne Froggatt who had played, for a short time, the ill-fated single mother Zoe on ITV's "Coronation Street". Fans of the BBC drama "Playing the Field" were astonished to see Debra Stephenson, who played such a mild-mannered character in that series, be so convincing as the psychopathic bully Shell Dockley here.
This first series was based around Helen Stewart (Simone Lahbib), a fast-tracked Wing Governor severely lacking in support in her role at Larkhall prison. She's unpopular with her superiors, her subordinates, and, when a prisoner nearly dies from a miscarriage, with the prisoners themselves. Helen cares deeply about the inmates, does her best and desperately wants to make a difference. But she is largely ineffectual, and presides over a G-Wing in which she is unable to properly manage her staff (and how!) and fails to recognise the suffering certain inmates are going through, yet becomes too personally involved with others - most notably, convicted murderer, Nikki Wade (Mandana Jones).
The initial tabloid controversy over "Bad Girls" was generated regarding the largely unseen lesbian relationship between Shell and her sidekick, Denny Blood (Alicia Eyo). As the series developed, however, a more substantial romance was in the works, and here's where a particular recommendation comes in: if you are someone who wants to see a convincing, well-developed, well-acted lesbian romance on-screen, then begin with this series and watch series 2 and 3 of "Bad Girls" as well. As someone who watched this on television when it was originally screened, I envy those who are able to watch this brilliant lesbian romance for the first time.
Aside from the lesbian aspect, Series 1 of "Bad Girls" showcases a particular brand of British drama at its best, with clever scripts, engaging characters and first-rate acting. The viewer can believe in each and every character and feel for most of them. Not all of the characters are sympathetic. Later to become overused and a cliche, one particular prisoner officer character is chillingly convincing in these early episodes.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching S1 of "Bad Girls" at the time and I thoroughly enjoy watching this Series 1 DVD from time-to-time now as well. This is a superior drama, in which a good idea was fleshed out into convincing and meaningful television, and really is well worth a look.
the best series by far October 6, 2007
calvin (ireland dublin)
this series of bad girls is by far the best, especally the first four episodes which ultimatly deals with the jim,shell and rachel love triangle which saddly ends with rachels suicide. this was a brilliant and harrowing storyline which could of played out througout the series. the rest of the series is brilliant as well, althought throught series two i started to feel that the progrmme wasnt as good as i thought it could have been. i didnt enjoy a series as much as series one unitl series six when we were introduced to the evil,psychotic and brilliant natalie buxton character who i felt carried the rest of the show until its untimely end.
The First Series of Bad Girls February 3, 2007
David C. Parkinson (West Sussex, England)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
The very first series of Bad Girls is great. I've always watched it on TV and after 8 good series, it's unfortunately over. I never actually started watching Bad Girls until near towards the end of Series 2. I'm a Bad Girls fan and I had to get my hands on the first series and watch the very beggining of a brilliant drama. I got hold of all eight series at last.
Bad Girls is set in a woman's prison called Larkhall, and revolves around the inmates of G-wing. This seris has some interesting characters. One thing about this series is that it shows that not all prisoners are the scum of the Earth, and that a huge majority are very nice people. Some are innocent and others are in there for the wrong reasons. That's not to say that all prisoners are nice because a lot of prisoners are scum, and can be very nasty. Bad Girls is a good example of this.
As for the characters, there is Shell Dockley; top dog and a very nasty person. Then there's her sidekick Denny Blood who for the first few episodes is unlikeable, but is a character you warm to later on. Then there's Nikki Wade (who'd be top dog if it weren't for the presence of Shell). She's a good and likeable character, and always stands up for what she believes in. The only annoying thing about her is that she doesn't give people a chance to earn her trust and can overreact at times (her attraction towards Helen and the fact she has a fiance is an example).
Next there's the 2 Julies; Julie Saunders and Julie Johnston (real name is Sonia Dawson), who are inseperable and are like sisters, the way they think alike. They seem to share the same mind those two. Then there's Rachel Hicks, a vunerable inmate, who is constantly bullied by Shell and Denny. She doesn't last long in the series either. Finally theres the new inmates; drug addict Zandra Placket (rather annoying character) and Monica Lindsey; a very posh woman, who's mostly concerned about her seperation from her son Spencer, who has downs syndrome. Finally there's Crystal Gordon; a religious person who isn't scared to stand up to anyone, no matter how nasty they can get. The only annoying thing about her is the way she calls the prisoners sinners; something I find hypocritical coming from a Christian who's in for breaking the 8th commandment.
As for the screws (or officers) there's wing governor Helen Stewart, who's kind and caring, yet strict and doesn't normally reconsider any decission she makes. Next there's principal officer Jim Fenner; a very experienced officer, with a good reputation. He seems like a nice guy at first, but it soon becomes clear that he's sneaky and unprofessional. He has sexual relations with Shell and Rachel and at times can be violent. He proves in further series (I.E: series 5) to be capable of things far worse. Yet he's also very clever, so he gets away with these things, mostly behind everyone's backs. Only Helen and Nikki don't trust him.
Next is senior officer Sylvia (known as Bodybag to the inmates) Hollumby. Like Fenner she has years worth of experience, and her views of prisoners is old fashioned. As far as she's concerened, all prisoners are scum and should be locked up 24/7 till the end of their natural lives. She's severely unpopular with the inmates, and she always moans and comes across as cold hearted, even to the staff. She's proven to be nasty straight away in the series. Lastly there's Dominic McCallister. Nothing to say, except that he's a good officer, kind and is liked on G-wing (particuarly by the Julies). Then there's Lorna Rose; like Dominic she's a good officer and rather liked on G-wing, but has a weakness, which is to keep a black mark of her record, even if it means concealing incidents, which ultimately lands her in far worse trouble then otherwise. Lastly there's governing governor Simon Stubberfield, who is buddies with Jim, and doesn't like Helen much.
Bad Girls is an excellent programme, which will keep you so addicted that you won't want to turn it off. It features interesting storylines all the way through. Some good and some tragic. I urge you to buy this now.
fantabulosa August 20, 2006
Ms. F. I. Macdonald (uk)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
this is by far the best tv series ever (except for Shooting the Past). it is acted with such depth and character that you can almost relate to these women, contained within the prison 24 hours a day. you must watch this series, it is addictive on many levels.
addictive viewing August 3, 2006
S.C. (Northern Ireland)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
this is the first series of a show that truely is a milestone in television (a lot of people dont know that it came into production because the nation enjoyed the episodes of coronation street when Deirdre Rachide went to prison!) Welcome to Larkhall-place of the damned. Rape, murder and drugs-and thats just the officers! Bad Girls has a real mixture of themes and emotions ranging from bullying to true love,and all the while capturing the harsh reality of a womens prison. Yet it still manages to incorporate a fair amount of humour, how could you ever forget the cranky 'Senior officer Hollomby' (or bodybag as she is known to the inmates) or the two Julies whose mad-cap ideas have been the cause of many a funny storyline-especially with their tendencies to go wrong! but there are also the darker characters such as the evil officer Fenner and the wicked Shell Dockley. But be warned-once you've started watching you won't be able to stop.
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