Cricket - The Vintage Performances

This particular DVD focuses on some of the more memorable innings in the so called "modern era" of cricket. There are a number of great individual performances featured on this disc such as Mark Taylor's 334 in Pakistan or Brian Lara's 277 at the SCG. Also featured are some memorable games like the Centenary Test between England and Australia played in 1977 and the closest test match victory ever between the West Indies and Australia.

As with my earlier review of Cricket - The Modern Masters, the format of this presentation is simple. There is a chapter devoted to a specific players individual performance or a particular game of note that is introduced by the host, Ken Sutcliffe. Once the introduction concludes, we are shown footage of the game or player in focus as well as interviews with former players and commentators as they discuss that player or event.

I enjoyed this disc a little more than its sibling because it focuses on whole games rather than short snippets of a players career.

As you would expect from a documentary using television footage from the late seventies to only a couple of years ago, the quality of the full-frame vision varies from ok to very good. Some of the footage from the seventies and early eighties is just a little soft and on occasion suffers from some noise. The more recent footage is clean and clear throughout. In all cases this video transfer is clear enough for you to enjoy watching what is being presented.

This is a dual layer disc with the layer change occurring at 74:40. Oh dear, this layer change is not well placed as the last word spoken by Merv Hughes is truncated.

As this is mainly a dialogue driven documentary, having only a Dolby Digital 2.0 track is no impediment to enjoyment. The dialogue spoken by interviewees and commentators is always clear and always in sync.

The extras on this disc comprise of additional or extended footage of innings or matches from the main feature.

More on the Gilchrist/Langer partnership
More on Greg Chappell's last match
Tim May's bowling performance in the closest ever test
Last two overs of Michael Bevan's 1 day international victory

A disc worthy of serious consideration by you rabid Cricket fans out there! This disc contains many jewels such the footage of Shane Warne's first ball in a test match in England. That is great to watch over and over as is the expression on poor Mike Gatting's face! Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!