Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5843 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-11-03
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 161 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The third series of Red Dwarf introduced some radical changes--all of them for the better--but the scripts remained as sharp and character-focussed as ever, making this a firm candidate for the show's best year. Gone were the dull metallic grey sets and costumes, gone too was Norman Lovett's lugubrious Holly, replaced now by comedienne Hattie Hayridge, who had previously played Hilly in the Series 2 episode "Parallel Universe". New this year were custom-made costumes, more elaborate sets, the zippy pea-green Starbug, bigger special effects and the wholly admirable Robert Llewellyn as Kryten.

The benefits of the show's changes are apparent from the outset, with the mind-bending hilarity of "Backwards", in which Kryten and Rimmer establish themselves as a forwards-talking double-act on a reverse Earth. After a modest two-hander that sees Rimmer and Lister "Marooned", comes one of the Dwarf's most beloved episodes, "Polymorph". Here is the ensemble working at its best, as each character unwittingly has their strongest emotion sucked out of them. Lister loses his fear; Cat his vanity; Kryten his reserve; and Rimmer his anger ("Chameleonic Life-Forms. No Thanks"). "Body Swap" sees Lister and Rimmer involved in a bizarre attempt to prevent the ship from self-destructing. "Timeslides" delves deep into Rimmer's psyche as the boys journey haphazardly through history. Finally, "The Last Day" shows how completely Kryten has been adopted as a crewmember, when his replacement Hudzen unexpectedly shows up.

On the DVD: Red Dwarf, Series 3 two-disc set maintains the high standard of presentation and wealth of extra material established by its predecessors. Among other delights there are the usual "Smeg Ups" and deleted scenes, plus another fun commentary with the cast. There's a lengthy documentary, "All Change", specifically about Series 3, a tribute to costume designer Mel Bibby, Hattie Hayridge's convention video diary, and--most fascinating--the opportunity to watch "Backwards" played forwards, so you can finally understand what Arthur Smith's backwards-talking pub manager actually says to Rimmer and Kryten in the dressing room. --Mark Walker

DVD Description
The Red Dwarf crew stumble further into deep space, facing an emotion-sucking polymorph, a psychotic mechanoid and a version of Earth where time runs backwards. Sdaehgems.

Episodes:

• 1. Backwards
  
• 2. Marooned
  
• 3. Polymorph
  
• 4. Bodyswap
  
• 5. Timeslides
  
• 6. The Last Day

Special Features

• Cast commentary
  
• All Change - original documentary
  
• Deleted scenes
  
• Smeg ups
  
• Hattie's DJ Diary
  
• Tribute to Mel Bibby
  
• Food featurette
  
• Backwards - Forwards
  
• Trailers
  
• Raw FX footage
  
• Isolated music cues
  
• Talking Book chapters
  
• Photo Gallery
  
• Web link
  
• Easter Eggs
  
• Collector's booklet

DVD Technical Information:

• Subtitles: English SDH
  
• Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
  
• Region Code: 2,4
  
• PAL
  
• Disc Format: DVD-9 x 2
  
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  
• Total Running Time: 161 minutes approx.

Customer Reviews

A truly excellent series
Some situation comedies live or die by their inventiveness ... and Red Dwarf is certainly one such.

The problem with many is that the inventiveness "fails" as one series becomes two, then three, then five, etc. With Red Dwarf this simply doesn't happen. I have got eight series of this sitcom on DVD (and this review applies to, and will be submitted on, all eight) and the eigth is every bit as superb as the first.

I unhesitatingly recommend Red Dwarf to all.

I was so excited I nearly dropped my skateboard...
I have to agree with the general consensus that this is probably the best series of 'Red Dwarf', with the strongest episode line-up of the eight and a good balance of comedy and story. Some of the later series seem to take the original concept of 'Red Dwarf' (bunch of mis-fits trying to make their way home to Earth) off on some rather random tangents but this series keeps things focused while cranking up the quality of the jokes considerably.

Rob Llewellyn and Hattie Hayridge make their bows as Kryten and Holly respectively and this move proves to be a timely injection of fresh characterisation. I do prefer Norman Lovett as Holly but Hayridge puts a great spin on everyone's favourite senile computer. Llewellyn is simply brilliant and brings the best out of the other characters, who themselves build on their established personas to great effect.

The episodes are just so good. 'Backwards' has the be the most daring and entertaining series opener of the lot, 'Marooned' and 'Bodyswap' hilariously highlight the antagonism between Rimmer and Lister, 'Timeslides' is a great comic twist on classic sci-fi themes, 'The Last Day' has some absolutely priceless moments (Rimmer's description of his first French kiss and Kryten feeling 'a Jackson Pollock coming on') while 'Polymorph' needs no introduction. The scene with the shrinking boxers and Rimmer's disgusted, 'you'll bonk anything, won't you Lister...?' Classic.

This series is about as perfect as 'Red Dwarf' (and comedy for that matter) gets. My personal favourite and certainly where the show is at its' peak. So splash your cash and find out what's in Android Homebrew, how Lister lost his virginity, why no-one is prepared to eat Kryten's Spanish omelette and just what Eric Van Lustbader has to do with food...

The Third Series of Red Dwarf
The third series is just as good and funny as the previous 2, but with lots of changes. This series brings in two new actors; Robert Llewelyn as Kryten and Hattie Hayridge as Holly. This series of course still features Chris Barrie as the smeg head Rimmer, Craig Charles as Lister and Danny John Jules as Cat. The female Holly is great, but I personally feel that the original Holly was funnier.

You'd probably be confused as to why Holly has been replaced with his female equvilent and why Kryten is suddenly back. The prologue at the start of the "Backwards" episode explains it all, though you may have to pause it and scan it slowly, so you can read it all the way through.

Amongst the other changes is the costumes. Rimmer just when you thought he couldn't get any smeggier has changed to his smeggiest outfit yet; his captain emerald unifrom. Cat now wears stylish clothing instead of suits and Lister's changed his clothing too. He now wears a black leather jacket and a grey hat.

This series also introduces a second starship Starbug, which takes over Blue Midget almost completely. There are lots of interesting episodes in this series. "Backwards", "polymorph" and "Bodyswap" are the best ones out of the lot. My least favourite is "Marooned". It's not very interesting, though is does feature a classic scene where Lister eats some dog food and says "now I can see why dogs lick their testicles". It's a great series not to be missed by any fan of Brittish comedy. Here's what the episodes are about...

Backwards - Kryten and Rimmer find themselves on Earth in a backwards reality. Within 3 weeks, they're famous entertainers.

Marooned - While evacuating from Red Dwarf, due to nearby black holes (so Holly says), Starbug is hit by a meteor and Rimmer and Lister find themselves trapped on an icy planet.

Polymorph - A genetically engineered life form sneaks onto Red Dwarf and feeds of the crews' emotions. The dwarfers get together to destroy it.

Bodyswap - Rimmer volunteers to help get Lister's body back into shape, by doing mind swaps. Lister reluctantly agrees to do this, but he's even more annoyed when he finds that Rimmer is doing the opposite of what he promised.

Timeslides - The dwarfers find a way to go back in time by using photographs. Lister uses this to change his past, so he doesn't end up stuck on Red Dwarf for the rest of his life.

The Last Day - Kryten learns that he is due to be shut down and be replaced. Lister decides to throw a party so Kryten can enjoy the remaining hours of his life.

Get this DVD. You won't be disapointed.