Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5626 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-07-13
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 290 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Torchwood’s third series takes a bold and ambitious step, as it moves away from its usual 13-episode formula, replacing it with a five-episode season, based around one core story. Broadcast over five consecutive nights on its original transmission to keep the momentum going, DVD arguably ups the ante still further, offering an opportunity to devour it all in one sitting.

And it’s an opportunity well worth taking up. Following the dark denouement to its last season, Torchwood: Children Of Earth sees Captain Jack Harkness and his team facing a massive threat to the planet. Put simply, every single child on the Planet Earth has suddenly stopped. Aided by Gwen and Ianto, the onus is firmly on Captain Jack to save the day.

But the threat is arguably as big as anything Torchwood has previously faced. When a warning that something is coming follows the sudden stopping of the children, the mystery deepens further, and further events soon make the Torchwood team the hunted. The end of the world could well be coming…

Torchwood: Children Of Earth is frantic, exciting science fiction television, that benefits enormously from its new format. The leads are on their usual good form, led by John Barrowman, and there’s also strong support from The Thick Of It’s Peter Capaldi and Charles Abomeli. And with the assured direction of Doctor Who regular Euros Lyn behind the camera, it’s a classy all-round production.

It also leaves some interesting questions about where Torchwood goes next exactly. But while you’re waiting for those to be answered, then Children Of Earth is an excellent way to pass the time. --Jon Foster

Synopsis
An ordinary day soon segues into terror when every one of Earth's children suddenly stops. This inexplicable phenomenon is soon followed by a message to each of the world's governments: 'We're Coming'. Captain Jack finds himself in a vulnerable position when it becomes apparent that the events of his past threaten to reveal an unspeakable truth. Torchwood is forced underground, as the powers that be take brutal action. With the members of the Torchwood team being hunted down, the country itself risks becoming a rogue state, with the shadowy 456 edging closer and Armageddon with it. Can Captain Jack, Ianto and Gwen overcome these insurmountable odds in order to save the day?

Customer Reviews

Never a dull moment on any level
Torchwood returns for a five-hour single-story drama which is more watchable than ever. Lots of highly improbable action and suspense combine with a very topical critique of our self-interested political establishment, as aliens come to earth with large-scale child abduction plans. In an interesting deviation from the archetypal alien invasion movie in which the government automatically fights, the (British) government opts for collaboration with the aliens. The vacuousness of (electoral) democracy is revealed as politicians seek to do deals with the aliens, shamefully looking after their own interests while selling out the people, and the people's children, starting with the most vulnerable and defenceless. The nepotism and classism in British politics is portrayed with consummate irony and the darkly comic depiction of politicians' spin/lies is most appropriate at this point in time. The politicians' focus on preserving image and power at all costs is mockingly portrayed, as the unelected and unaccountable Torchwood team fight for an ethical approach to the issue of alien terrorism. And all this with an all-action plot which keeps you guessing, and lots of last-minute escapes which make the Bond movies seem banal and unimaginative in comparison. Wonderful stuff. Don't miss it

This Is The Definition Of "Good TV"
If you enjoyed series' 1 and 2 of Torchwood, you will love this series. If you utterly hated series' 1 and 2 of Torchwood, you will love this series. It's not like Torchwood was, it's better, and believe me when I say this, although the series is less than half the duration of the previous ones, it is a whole lot better for it. 5 stars does not give this master piece credit enough. At the time of writing this, 8 out of 9 reviewers have given 5 stars, so go on, buy it, 88.89% of people can't be wrong!

Astonishing
In my opinion, this 5 part series is one of the most engaging, best written and beautifully acted pieces of serial drama that the BBC has produced in the last 20 years. I know many people who had never watched Torchwood (or much science fiction) prior to this, but who all, to a person, gave it a go only to be hooked from the first episode.

Various reviews have described this as gritty and dark, but you will become completely entranced in, and engaged with this epic story, and the fantastic performances of the cast, and particularly John Barrowman, Eve Miles, Gareth David-Lloyd, Paul Copely and Peter Capaldi.

I sincerely hope that, given the excellent ratings this week long "stripped" serial achieved during the week of transmission, Torchwood will return.....and soon!

The HD format suits Torchwood well and the Blu Ray transfer is clear and vibrant, with a great 5.1 DTS soundtrack, no less.

An ABSOLUTE Must Buy, especially if you have a HD TV and Blu-Ray player. I cannot recommend this enough. As I said...... Astonishing.