Great British Railway Journeys - Series 2 [DVD]

These are so wonderful. Michael Portillo has a great personality and his travels are fun highlighting such a wonder that the British Isles are. We live to watch these are travel so beautifully wishing we were millionaires and could simply jet over the Atlantic and take these trips. Much to husband's delight I ordered him a Bradshaw's and love the writing--it truly reads like literature just a Mr. portillo has stated so often. The filmography is simply marvelous, too which truly makes the trip such a rich visual experience. The history of certain places and people is also often of such emotional depth and history that tears spring to the eyes. These trips are a marvellous way to travel and to explore where to travel when one has the money, Sadly both are lacking in our case but for the mere cost of a these DVDs we can travel in comfort, poetically, and in the beauty of an artistic filmographer's hands. Then to top it all the travel companion and host Michael Portillo is a delight and so utterly personable. Cannot recommend these DVDs enough. We have ordered our 4th set!!!!

I am not into trains at all. But this series is absolutely great. Micheal Portillo is a lovely presenter, and makes everything and eveywhere he visits such a joy to see. The series is very informative of the area's he visits hopping on and off the trains,many of which I have now visited since watching the series. Places I would not have normally thought about visiting. I now have the first 3 series. all of which are wonderful to watch. And can't wait to get series 4. Thanks Micheal you are a pleasure to watch again and again. Hope many more series and in the pipeline.

A very enjoyable second series, and a worthy follow-up to the earlier Michael Portillo Great British Railway journeys. A great series for the armchair traveller

I liked the personal touches which show how clearly Portillo knows his subject. A labour of love in every respect. Pity then that the producers have chosen to begin every short episode with upwards of five minutes of repetitive introduction, using footage seen at the beginning of every episode, which is why I have given only four stars to my assessment. After one or two episodes we have clearly understood that the series is based on the works of Victorian writer and map maker George Bradshaw. This does not need repeating. Similarly, the last few minutes of each episode are spent in previewing the following episode. A waste of time. This second series is an improvement on series one, mainly because Michael Portillo is more relaxed and is able to talk more freely to the interesting people he meets. These conversations add to the overall quality of the series and reduce the impression of it being a Portillo monologue. I now look forward to the forthcoming series on continental European rail routes.

George Bradshaw would be thrilled to see how Michael Portillo has brought to life his railway guides which he wrote in the 19th century. With fantastic arial photography of trains in action at scenic spots along the route of each journey. Each stop along the way is described in detail with visits to places in the book and interviews with people who live and work today in many of the industries associated with the railways then and now. This series is a joy to watch with a format that leaves you eager to watch the next leg of the journey after each half hour programme ends. Michael Portillo does a brilliant job of presenting this series which I am sure will go down in TV history as one of the best produced documentary collection of all time, bring on series 3 and more!

Where do you start,these train journeys are fab. Having seen them all the way through, you can look again but this time you look at the background, and there are some lovely scenes.To listen to Michael Portillo telling you all about the journeys, you feel as though you are there in the carriage with him. They are informative.educational, and very relaxing, which is plesant in this hectic world we live in.They would have been even better if they were all done on steam trains, never mind we can all dream

This is really a interesting documentary..that is presented by the previous English politician , Michael Portillo. I was wary of this aspect at first..but he is great at presenting British cities and rail journeys...and mixing with the people who he interviews with. Very likeable personality , and great content for a documentary. The Series 1 is around 10 hours long and the series 2 is around 12 hours long..so both together give you nearly 24 hours of content showing the different cities. regions connected by rail around England, Wales, and Scotland...as well as bits of Ireland and connections from England by ferry. Highly recommend this.

Great

Lovely to have this on dvd; Michael Portillo is such an excellent guide.

stupenda serie di documentari. questi viaggi sono fantastici. bella l'idea di viaggiare guardando il presente e raccontando il passato dei territori che attraversa. peccato sia solo in inglese, anche se e' un inglese comprensibilissimo. se ci fossero in italiano acquisterei tutta la serie, ma in italia le cose valide non le propongono. ormai sul mercato dei dvd in italia c'e' un sacco di spazzatura e tanti ottimi films, documentari e serie tv non vengono tradotte e proposte agli italiani.

I love portillo , I’ m a rail fan , this journey in 5dvd is absolutely wonderful. well done.