Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5968 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-02-16
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, Esperanto
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 180 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
By the end of this fourth year, Red Dwarf had completed its metamorphosis from a modest studio-bound sitcom with a futuristic premise to a full-blown science-fiction series, complete with a relatively lavish (by BBC standards) special-effects budget, more impressive sets and more location shooting. Despite the heavier emphasis on SF, the character-based comedy remained as sharp as ever. Witness the Cat's reaction to Lister's pus-filled exploding head; Kryten's devastatingly sarcastic defence of Rimmer; or, the classic scene that opens the series, Lister teaching Kryten to lie.

In "Camille", Robert Llewellyn's real-life wife plays a female mechanoid who transforms into something else entirely, as does the episode, which by the end becomes a delightful skit on Casablanca. "DNA" comes over all SF, with lots of techno-speak about a matter transmogrifier and a RoboCop homage--but in typical Dwarf fashion, turns out to be all about curry. "Justice" sees Rimmer on trial for the murder of the entire crew, while Lister attempts to evade a psychotic cyborg. Holly gets her IQ back in "White Hole", but wastes time debating bread products with the toaster. "Dimension Jump" introduces dashing doppelganger Ace Rimmer for the first time--he was to return in later series, with diminishingly funny results. Here his appearance is all the better for its apparent improbability. Finally, "Meltdown" goes on location (to a park in North London) where waxdroids of historical characters (played by a miscellaneous selection of cheesy lookalikes) are at war. Only intermittently successful, this episode is really memorable for Chris Barrie's tour-de-force performance, as Rimmer becomes a crazed, Patton-esque general.

On the DVD: Red Dwarf, Series 4, like its predecessors, comes as a two-disc set complete with full cast commentary for every episode, an extensive retrospective documentary (mostly featuring the cast reminiscing), deleted scenes and lots of other fun bits of trivia. --Mark Walker

DVD Description
Episodes:

• 1. Camille
  
• 2. DNA
  
• 3. Justice
  
• 4. White Hole
  
• 5. Dimension Jump
  
• 6. Meltdown

Ace Rimmer arrives from an alternate dimension, Kryten falls in love and Lister’s curry tries to kill him in six more slices of classic Red Dwarf chaos.

Special Features

• Cast commentary with Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Hattie Hayridge and Robert Llewellyn
  
• Built to Last -- Series IV documentary
  
• Smeg Ups
  
• Deleted Scenes
  
• Trailers
  
• Can't Smeg, Won't Smeg special
  
• Lurve featurette
  
• Ace Rimmer - A Life in Lame
  
• Photo Gallery
  
• Talking Book chapters
  
• Isolated Music Cues
  
• Raw FX footage
  
• Weblink
  
• Easter Eggs
  
• Collector’s Booklet

DVD Technical Information:

• Subtitles: English SDH
  
• Audio: Stereo
  
• Region Code: 2, 4
  
• PAL
  
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  
• Disc Format: DVD-9 x 2
  
• Running Time: 165 mins 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.

Red Dwarf is Funny
Get this it has lots of extra's and it is funny, funniest of them all.

"Rimmer Directive 271: No Chance You Metal Bastard..."
Series IV is where it all began for me. I loved the first two series and I thought the third was okay; but this fourth series shows the show back on form. I enjoyed every episode of this series but White Hole which I believe drags and that toaster does my nut in. However my favourite line from this series is in this episode and is the header of this review.

Camille:

A charming episode and it is always a delight to delve into Kryten's character. The scene where he attempts to insult Rimmer is hilarious.

DNA:

Another classic for two reasons: One for the double Polaroid scene and the other for the 'curry man' and 'superhuman' Lister.

Justice:

The court scene and the simulant attack make this episode an enjoyable fest however the space mumps are unnecessary.

White Hole:

As mentioned, I believe this episode drags on and I abhor that stupid Talkie Toaster. However Holly is the star of the ep but this is no 'Queeg.'

Dimension Jump:

My fourth favourite episode overall and Chris Barrie steals the show and sells it with the marvellous creation: Ace Rimmer.

Meltdown:

Rimmer is at his most evil here and I always feel like slapping him when he is reprimanding Gandhi, however I still like the episode though.

Overrall, Series IV is my third favourite series and a definite improvement from the slightly lackluster final three episodes of Series Three.