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Two hidden TV curios on DVD in December

15 November 2009

Network DVD have announced two little-known TV titles with minor cult potential for a December UK DVD release, both of which will be available exclusively from their web site.

The 1974 British series Zodiac (no relation whatsoever to the David Fincher film of the same name) stars Anton Rogers as David Gradley, a work-shy ex-Harrovian who has drifted into the police force and has a contemptuous view of astrology. It takes an encounter with a young, beautiful astrologer called Eser Jones to make him question his old beliefs...

A young Anouska Hempel stars as Esther, who plays opposite Rodgers as the coolly methodical Detective Inspector Gradley. The series also featured a number of famous names from the period in guest star spots, including John Rhys-Davies, George Baker, Michael Gambon, Jenny Hanley, Ian Ogilvy, Peter Vaughan, Robert Powell, Graham Crowden and Michele Dotrice.

Created Roger Marshall, responsible for classics such as The Avengers, Public Eye and The Sweeney, Zodiac has since become a much sought-after series by collectors due to its novel premise of the groovy ‘70s culture clash between the Thin Blue Line and the Age of Aquarius.

Zodiac – The Complete Series will be available as a 2-disc DVD on 7th December 2009 at the RRP of £19.99 from Network, exclusively from their web site at www.networkdvd.co.uk.

The 1960 series Whiplash starred Mission: Impossible's Peter Graves in a fondly remembered Australian western whose cult potential lies in the fact that four episodes were written by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.

The Australian Gold Rush in August 1951 shocks the world, resulting in hordes of adventurers flocking to the new land of golden dreams. The unfamiliar, violent and harsh landscapes catch the gold seekers by surprise. It takes a certain kind of settler to rise to the challenges of the new country that is despoiled by bush rangers, brutalised by the old convict system and torn apart by class conflict. Boston-born Christopher Cobb happens to be such a person – on top of his natural courage, strength and resourcefulness, his previous experience gained in the Californian gold rush serves him well here too. His job is to find rights of way through the arid terrain of New South Wales, survey new lines of communication and secure lucrative contracts for his expanding stagecoach business. Though a gentleman who is no stranger to violence in all its forms and manifestations, in a land that has no sympathy for weaklings, Chris becomes whatever he needs to be.

Peter Graves brings his familiar, sun-bleached good looks to this joint venture between ATV/ITC and the Australia's Seven Network. With input from an American production crew and writers, Whiplash transposes the familiar format of westerns to the heat and dust of the bush.

The complete series of Whiplash is being released for the very first time in any home video format when it's made available on a 5-disc DVD set on 7th December by Network at the RRP of £49.99. The series will be available exclusively from Network's web site at www.networkdvd.co.uk.