VHS & DVD Releases
VHS Releases
Volume 1: The Siege
Released: 1989
Length: 70 minutes
Rating: PG
Publisher: The Video Collection
Cover blurb: Re-live that tense week on Brookside Close in the summer of 1985 when Pat, Sandra and Kate are held hostage at gunpoint in their own home by the distressed and menacing John Clarke, who they had recently met at the hospital garden fete. Oblivious to this drama only a few doors away, Damon Grant organises a seance for some friends but the prank backfires with hilarious consequences.
Meanwhile, Paul and Annabelle Collins realise all is not well at number 7 and the police swing into action and evacuate the Close. Tension mounts as Clarke becomes more desperate and Pat is the first to crack under the growing pressure which only makes matters worse.
On the third day, Clarke is at breaking point and the siege reaches a dramatic climax as Kate persuades him to release Pat and Sandra. While the police question them to try to discover if the gun is loaded, Clarke’s mood suddenly changes and three chilling shots are heard from within the house.
Notes: This first release of classic Brookside features the episodes 287, 288 and 289 in an omnibus format with break captions and credits edited out (apart from at the end of the tape) and replaced with simple captions inbetween episodes.
Volume 2: The Sheila Grant Years
Released: 1989
Length: 70 minutes
Rating: PG
Publisher: The Video Collection
Cover blurb: Sheila Grant has faced many upheavals on Brookside Close over the years, but through all her problems has emerged as a character of great strength, warmth and conviction.
These three classic episodes show her dedication as a mother when she comforts Damon as his year long YTS comes to an end. However, the beginning of the breakdown of her marriage to Bobby is also apparent as he becomes increasingly jealous of her course studies and her determination to better herself.
Sheila’s memorable night out on the town with Kathy ends with hilarious and dramatic consequences when they are followed back to the Close by two amorous drunks. The ensuing chaos nearly brings Billy Corkhill and Bobby Grant to blows but marks the beginning of Sheila and Billy’s romance.
As 1989 beckons, Sheila and Billy finally forge their relationship after much anguish and guilt on Sheila’s part, when the New Year brings in many surprises for the inhabitants of Brookside. Meanwhile Barry and Sinbad are involved in yet another fine mess when they borrow Rod’s police uniform in order to recover the toy seals which they had hoped would be a money-spinner over Christmas.
Notes: This second release of the ‘Brookside Classics’ range features the episodes 355, 576 (excluding it’s final scene) and 647 in an omnibus format with break captions and credits edited out (apart from at the end of the tape) and replaced with simple captions inbetween episodes.
Volume 3: That Man Harry Cross
Released: 1989
Length: 70 minutes
Rating: PG
Publisher: The Video Collection
Cover blurb: Mean, nosey, argumentative, self-opinionated, moody – and that’s on a good day! Despite all this, Harry Cross is one of the most popular residents on Brookside Close and has been involved in many of the dramas in the history of the series.
As the hard-up OAP ever in search of a good bargain, Harry foolishly commits to buying a turkey from rogue window cleaner Sinbad, who promised that the turkey would be fresh, but ‘Trevor’ the turkey is more than fresh, it’s still alive! Harry’s response takes Sinbad by surprise and the resulting chaos has Harry and Sinbad written all over it!
Harry’s holiday in Torquay is full of surprises. Ralph and Madge pair off together leaving Harry reluctantly in the company of Julia Brogan. Harry’s holiday plans are not going at all as planned but things get worse when he comes across Damon Grant about to do a runner from a Torquay café and is left to foot the bill.
In ‘Commonwealth Day Chaos’ the entertainment organised by Ralph for the Commonwealth Day celebration turns out to be a male stripper! Harry’s determination to be elected to the Committee is in serious jeopardy until Julia saves the day by singing with a little assistance from Harry and Ralph.
Notes: This final release of the ‘Brookside Classics’ range features the episodes 328, 361, 561 in an omnibus format with break captions and credits edited out (apart from at the end of the tape) and replaced with simple captions inbetween episodes.
Highlights from the First 12 Years
Released: 1994
Length: 60 minutes
Rating: PG
Publisher: Channel 4 Television/Sony
Cover blurb: Brookside has been on Channel 4 since the channel’s first day of transmission – 2nd November 1982. It has consistently topped the channel’s ratings and has become an essential part of life for millions of people throughout the UK.
This tape gives ‘Brookie’ fans a chance to re-live magic moments of the past 12 twelve years.
Notes: According to Twitter, this rare VHS tape was bundled with Sony VHS tapes (presumably blank ones?) back in the 90’s and wasn’t for sale on its own.
Brookside: The Women
Released: 1994
Length: 94 minutes
Rating: PG
Publisher: Channel 4 Video
Cover blurb: Recorded specially for this video in the Farnham’s house are Sue Johnston (Sheila Grant), Gabrielle Glaister (Patricia Farnham), Sarah White (Bev McLoughlin), Annie Miles (Sue Sullivan), Sandra Maitland (Mandy Jordache), and Irene Margot (DD Dixon) all chatting with Brookside’s creator Phil Redmond about the fortunes of the show’s women over the last 12 years.
From the trauma of divorce, rape and murder to the lighter days of romance and weddings, laughter, and tears abound as the cast give an insider’s view of the series and reminisce about their most memorable scenes and the events that shaped the lives of their characters.
Find out what the actresses really think about the behaviour of the characters they portray and relive all-time favourite moments with a selection of specially chosen clips featuring many of the series’ top characters from both past and present.
Brookside: The Women offers a unique and fascinating insight into the lives, loves, triumphs and disasters of its female characters and into the feelings of the actresses playing some of the strongest roles.
Brookside: The Teenagers
Released: 1995
Length: 90 minutes
Rating: 12
Publisher: Channel 4 Video
Cover blurb: Brookside: The Teenagers has been recorded specially for this video release like Brookside: The Women. It brings together eight of the nation’s most popular teen icons with Brookside’s creator Phil Redmond talking about growing up on The Close.
Known to millions only as their on-screen characters, this video gives a unique insight into the real actors and what it’s really like to be in Brookie. We meet Beth Jordache (Anna Friel), Damon Grant (Simon O’Brien), Margaret Clemence (Nicola Stephenson), Mike Dixon (Paul Byatt), Jacqui Dixon (Alexandra Fletcher), Sammy Daniels nee Rogers (Rachael Lindsey), Owen Daniels (Danny McCall), Katie Rogers (Diane Burke) all gathered in No. 5 Brookside Close.
They chat about their times on the show and discuss their favourite memories, their worst moments, what it’s like being a teenage TV star, having two sets of parents, kissing in front of the cameras and much, much more.
Brookside: The Teenagers is also packed full of specially chosen clips from the first 12 years of Brookside featuring many of the series’ top characters from both past and present.
Brookside: The Men
Released: 1997
Length: 89 minutes
Rating: PG
Publisher: Channel 4 Video
Cover blurb: Following the success of Brookside: The Women, Brookside: The Teenagers, Brookside: The Backstage Tour, finally the male residents get their say in Brookside: The Men.
This is a unique chance to join Ron Dixon (Vince Earl), Max Farnham (Steven Pinder), Jimmy Corkhill (Dean Sullivan), Billy Corkhill (John McArdle), Sinbad (Michael Starke) and Terry Sullivan (Brian Regan) as they chat to Brookside creator Phil Redmond about life on the close.
Specially recorded in the garden of No. 7 Brookside Close (The Farnham’s), Brookside: The Men gives a unique inside into the lives and loves of some of television’s best loved TV characters. Packed with hilarious, touching and startling behind-the-scenes tales of the actor’s most memorable moments – from their first auditions to on-screen romances – Brookside: The Men is filled with specially chosen clips featuring many of the series’ top characters from the past fourteen years.
Revealing some previously well hidden secrets (like John McArdle’s first incarnation as Damon Grant’s school teacher) and telling what the actors really think of their characters. Brookside: The Men is an essential for all fans of life on The Close.
Brookside: The Backstage Tour
Released: 1995
Length: 74 minutes
Rating: PG
Publisher: Channel 4 Video
Cover blurb: Join Katie Rogers (Diane Burke), Jacqui Dixon (Alex Fletcher), David Crosbie (John Burgess) and Bev McLoughlin (Sarah White) on a specially recorded in-depth guided tour behind the scenes of the nation’s favourite close, as well as your only chance to see the alternative ending to the Jordache trial.
The Close has been blown-up, burnt down and dug-up in it’s 14 years and some of the tricks of the trade, and quite a few secrets, are revealed. Such as why the camera crew spend a lot of their time hiding in wardrobes and why we never see who lives at No. 4 Brookside Close. We see how the houses, shops, gardens – in fact everything – is tailored to suit individual characters and how this adds realism to the Close as it is brought to life and into our homes. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of shooting on a real-life set, in very small houses and how they produce a soap three times a week. Discover the Close’s history and delve into it’s darker side as we are shown around No. 10, the so-called ‘House of Horrors’.
This video is packed with clips of some of the most exciting moments and stunts, as well as out-takes showing the lighter side of making ‘Brookside’. Don’t forget the alternative ending to the Jordache trial and find out how Beth and Mandy might have faired if this version made it to T.V.
The Lost Weekend
Released: 1997
Length: 1 hour 42 minutes
Rating: 18
Publisher: Polygram Video
Cover blurb: Barry Grant’s back with a vengeance and reunited with his mother Sheila as sinister events conspire to bring the Corkhills and the Grants together again. Old tensions flare as new dramas unfold in ‘The Lost Weekend’.
The only way to see what happened during that fateful two days is to watch this exclusive action-packed feature length video. This programme will not be aired on TV until the year 2000-Guaranteed.
Special guest appearances from Louis Emerick and Michael J Jackson.
Friday the 13th
Released: 1998
Length: 1 hour 35 minutes
Rating: 18
Publisher: Polygram Video
Cover blurb: Jimmy Corkhill is getting deeper into the drug world. Lindsey has disturbing plans that threaten her life with Peter and Peter is facing a past that could ruin things for both of them. And Sheila is back but there’s no sign of Billy.
It’s Friday the 13th and the bride hasn’t made it to the Corkhill wedding.
What really goes on that cannot be shown on TV until after November 2000? Phil Redmond has written and produced the feature length Brookside: Friday the 13th and it’s the only way to find out just what really happened on the tense and violent day of Lindsey and Peter’s wedding.
Brookside: Friday the 13th is going to be a killer.
Double Take!
Released: 1999
Length: 2 hour 14 minutes
Rating: 12
Publisher: Universal Pictures
Cover blurb: Peculiar things are happening at Brookside!
This exclusive feature length production, written by Phil Redmond, will reveal a surprising and tongue-in-cheek side to your favourite characters!
A glimpse behind the scenes during the making of Brookside video featuring all the best known Brookside actors (and some from Hollyoaks), but they do not seem to be themselves…
…”Sinbad” is a Shakespearean actor! “Jackie” is a true soap queen complete with shoulder pads! “Jimmy” has a role behind the camera! “Lindsey” is a shy, retiring actress who hates sexy scenes! “Mick” is a real soul smoothie! A fabulous chance to see Brookside as it has never been seen before!
Not on TV until 2001.
DVD Releases
Unfinished Business
Released: 2003
Length: 85 minutes
Rating: 18
Publisher: Fremantle Media
Cover blurb: Brookside: Unfinished Business is the high-octane feature-length special that reveals what happens when deadly enemies finally get to settle the score. It isn’t just a battle for revenge – it’s a battle for survival.
Driven into hiding after the death of Tim O’Leary’s wife Emily, drug dealer Terry Gibson hatches a plan to deliver both Tim and his friend Steve into his clutches. Using a Liverpool Escort Agency and Tim and Steve’s limousine business, he lures them to a remote Welsh farm to exact revenge. But Tim and Steve are not going to make it easy for the psychopathic killer…it’s time to take care of unfinished business.
Special Features: Behind the scenes, Interviews, Commentary, The Story so Far, Photo Gallery, Brookside: Ten of the Best, Future Presentations – Settling Up, 100 Greatest Moments
Most Memorable Moments – The 30th Anniversary
Released: 2012
Length: 394 mins approx
Rating: 15
Publisher: 4 DVD
Cover blurb: On the launch night of Channel 4 on 2nd November 1982, a brand new soap began. The controversial issues covered made Brookside a ground-breaking drama that had viewers hooked for 21 years until its end on 4th November 2003.
Brookside’s Most Memorable Moments includes 16 full episodes featuring the most iconic stories with familiar faces like Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson, Anna Friel, Ray Quinn, Amanda Burton and many more! See the very first episode, the Close overrun with police during the 1985 siege and the shocking storyline of Sheila Grant’s rape.
Witness murderous moments, from Sue & Danny’s fall from the scaffolding to the effect Jimmy Corkhill’s drug addiction has on the Dixon family. Watch Mandy and Beth Jordache as they finally bring an end to Trevor and the domestic abuse they suffered at his hands for years.
Remember the soap that pushed boundaries with the broadcast of the first ever pre-watershed lesbian kiss on British television, religious cults, suicide pacts and a plot about sibling incest that caused uproar in 1996. Re-live Brookside’s most watched episode ever when the infamous ‘body under the patio’ is discovered. Finally enjoy explosive episodes featuring the gas leak at The Parade, the helicopter crash and Anthony Murray fighting back against his bully.
Episodes:
- The First Episode – 2nd November 1982
- The Siege 1985 – 5th August 1985
- Sheila Grant’s Rape – 8th July 1986
- Aftermath of the Rape – 14th July 1986
- Sue and Danny fall from the scaffolding – 4th October 1991
- The Jordache Murder – Mandy Stabs Trevor – 7th May 1993
- Jimmy Corkhill on drugs – Frank Roger’s wedding day – 4th November 1993
- The Lesbian Kiss – 14th January 1994
- Jimmy on drugs – Tony Dixon’s funeral – 16th February 1994
- The Cult Suicide Pact – 28th October 1994
- The Jordache Murder – The body is discovered – 30th January 1995
- Nat and Georgia’s incest – 4th October 1996
- Start of Gas Explosion – 13th April 1998
- End of Gas Explosion – 17th April 1998
- Anthony kills Imelda – 13th March 2002
- The Siege 2002 – Helicopter crash – 14th November 2002
Special features: Audio commentaries on 5 episodes, DVD overview filmed on The Close with Dean Sullivan, DVD introduction to each episode, Brookside history house by house, Photo gallery