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Wild Ireland (TV)
R2 - United Kingdom - Simply Media Review written by and copyright: Rick Curzon (7th March 2019). |
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The Show
 Christine Bleakley goes home to Ireland to travel the length of its 1500mile west coast the Wild Atlantic Way. Christine Bleakley returns home to Ireland for a very special trip. She s planning to drive, climb, walk and swim her way along the longest continuous coastal route in the world, Ireland's 1500 mile long Wild Atlantic Way. The route stretches from County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula to Kinsale in County Cork on the Celtic Sea coast. Starting at Malin Head, the most northerly point of the island where Christine learns the story of how Ireland first got its name she then drives, bikes, hikes, swims and kayaks her way along the coastline, all the way to Clonakilty, in the south. On her travels, Christine visits numerous historical sites, meets a host of fascinating characters, takes on some extreme sports, learns about harvesting and preparing local food delicacies, and uncovers a landscape of natural wonders right on Britain's doorstep. Christine Bleakley's Wild Ireland is another celeb travelogue. But this one's worth watching Irish Times
Video
Bright, clearly shot modern documentary series' most likely all lensed in HD. These three shows (Great Irish Journeys with Martha Kearney, Wild Ireland, Ireland with Ardal O'Hanlon) were all made around the same time (2015-16) and are very much of a muchness. Colours are bright and clear with no bleeding, black levels are rich with no signs of crush that I noticed. Contrast is moderate allowing detail to shine through as far as it can in the typical fog of standard definition. Detailed patterned surfaces can occasionally have very minor signs of moire or mosquito noise but that's to be expected in standard definition. Occasionally in darker patches of the screen mild artefacts can be detected but nothing much to mar enjoyment for the viewer. On a corrected setup display these won't be noticeable at all. All in all, a decent standard definition image. 1.78:1 / PAL / Wild Ireland - 137:57
Audio
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: None Straightforward, modern 2.0 stereo track. Music is pushed mainly to the surrounds, dialogue remains front and centre and is very, very clear. It's primarily designed to be supportive of the presenter so like the video: new and well up to the usual standards capable of DVD for what it is. No subtitles is unforgivable in this day and age; folks who're hard of hearing will have to do without these three releases.
Extras
Nothing. No outtakes, no interviews nothing. Surely there must have been some promotional bits and pieces, deleted scenes etc that could've been included?
Packaging
Standard keepcase.
Overall
Barebones releases of fairly recent, modern, light documentary series'. Picture and sound are as good as can be for the standard definition format. These were most likely HD lensed so a Blu-ray release would be ideal. However, coming down from Lala land this kind of programme isn't going to warrant the extra expense. A decent release for what it is and if this is your bag you'll be pleased.
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