These TV shows are new to DVD.
"Agatha Christie's Marple: Series 4" (Acorn, 2009, four discs, $59.99). Julia McKenzie's take on Christie's spinster sleuth Miss Marple has put off some fans of previous performers' versions, but I find her simple, down-to-earth, unassuming demeanor quite enchanting in these adaptations of "A Pocket Full of Rye," "Murder Is Easy," "They Do it With Mirrors" and "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?"
However, I did get annoyed with some of the razzle-dazzle 21st-century camera work and editing devices, which seem to be at odds with the simplicity of the proceedings.
Extras: widescreen, four episodes, text biographies/filmographies, photo gallery
"The Unwinking Gaze: The Inside Story of the Dalai Lama's Struggle for Tibet" (IndiePix, 2008, $24.95). Documentary filmmaker Joshua Dugdale spent three years with the Dalai Lama to make this film, which simply follows the religious leader around, allowing him to speak for himself as he meets with world leaders and makes a case for freeing Tibet from Chinese rule.
Extras: widescreen, bonus interview with the Dalai Lama, expanded interview with Dr. Andrew Fischer, trailer
"A Life Among Whales" (IndiePix, 2005, $24.95). The relationship between humans and whales is explored alongside a biographical look at biologist Dr. Roger Payne, who has been studying whales since the 1960s. His revelation that whales sing stirred the aquatic community in the '70s and now he focuses on ocean pollution. Beautifully photographed.
Extras: widescreen, bonus interviews, "Lethal Sounds (narrated by Pierce Brosnan), whale campaign video, trailer
e-mail: hicks@desnews.com