HOME ENTERTAINMENT : ‘Lipstick’ Tops List of British Dramas on Video

The British are coming! The British are coming! The British are coming--on home video!

Anglophiles take note: Several compelling British dramas and miniseries are making their home video debut. And, naturally , the best way to watch them is with a plate of scones and crumpets slathered in lemon curd topped with a steaming pot of Earl Grey tea.

Dennis Potter’s “Lipstick on Your Collar” (New Video, $60), which has yet to air on U.S. TV, is the last in the late British writer’s trilogy, which included the landmark “Pennies From Heaven” and “The Singing Detective.”

Potter’s fan won’t be disappointed in “Lipstick,” an imaginative, sexy rock ‘n’ roll fantasy set in 1956 and featuring a wonderful soundtrack of ‘50s tunes like “Don’t Be Cruel.”

The romantic comedy centers on the escapades of two young British army clerks (Giles Thomas and Ewan McGregor) stuck working with a group of fuddy-duddies in the War Office. To escape the boredom, the duo engages in rock ‘n’ roll daydreams where they have amazing success with the beautiful women they are trying to win over in real life.

Besides Potter’s wonderfully inventive screenplay, “Lipstick on Your Collar” boasts a terrific, talented young cast. Thomas and especially McGregor (who does fantastic impressions of Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis) are particularly engaging. Louise Germaine and Kymberley Huffman are also fine as the objects of their affections.

Renny Rye supplied the stylish, be-bopping direction. Though not rated, the six-hour miniseries contains nudity, sex and vulgar language.

Robert Powell, best known as Jesus in the “Jesus of Nazareth” miniseries, is anything but saintly as a jealous choirmaster in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” (A&E; Home Video, $24). The mystery thriller is based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished last novel.

Mr. “Infiniti,” Jonathan Pryce, gives a fine performance in “The Man From Pru” (A&E; Home Video, $25), a compelling whodunit based on the true story of William Wallace, who, in 1931, was accused of murdering his wife (Anna Massey). Originally aired on PBS’ “Mystery!”

Robert Lindsay, Antony Sher and Dame Diana Rigg star in “Genghis Cohn” (A&E; Home Video, $25), a dark comedy about the ghost of a Jewish comedian who haunts the former SS officer who was responsible for his death.

Ian Richardson is deliciously vile and evil in the acclaimed “Masterpiece Theatre” miniseries “House of Cards” and “To Play the King” (BBC Video, CBS/Fox, $40 each), which are available Nov. 1. Richardson plays politician Francis Urquhart, who weaves a web of greed, corruption and ambition in the series based on the novels by Michael Dobbs.

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The Killer Bs: Erika Eleniak and William McNamara star in “Girl in the Cadillac” (Turner Home Entertainment), a tepid crime caper based on James M. Cain’s “The Enchanted Isle.” Eleniak is OK, but McNamara has seen far too many Brad Pitt movies.

Hugh Grant’s main squeeze, Elizabeth Hurley, stars in “Nightscare” (Live Entertainment), a ghastly gorefest about a neurologist and a detective who team up to stop a psychopath. The British import was banned in its native country. American audiences aren’t so lucky.

Emma Samms and Steven Bauer headline “Starquest” (New Horizons Home Video), an enjoyably trashy sci-fi thriller.

“Cover Me” (Paramount Home Video), the first full-length feature produced by Playboy, is a dimwitted mystery about a cross-dresser systematically murdering an erotic magazine’s cover girls. Rick Rossovich, Paul Sorvino, Elliott Gould and Corbin Bernsen star.

The mystery-comedy “Dead Funny” (A-Pix) is DOA. Andrew McCarthy stars.

Eric Roberts and Lance Henrikson star in “Nature of the Beast” (New Line Home Video), a vicious thriller about a traveling salesman and a hitchhiker.

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Documentaries: “Enola Gay and the Atomic Bombing of Japan” (A&E; Home Video, $20) is a terrific documentary chronicling the historic mission to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Featured are interviews with crew members and incredible archival footage. Equally fascinating is “The Last Days of World War II” (A&E; Home Video, $30), an engrossing two-volume examination of the final year of the global conflict.

“Cigars . . . From Seeds to Smoke” (Time-Life Video & Television, $20) is a surprisingly informative look at the history of the cigar, how they are produced and why cigars have become so popular again. Information: (800) 846-3843.

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Kids’ Stuff: “Josh Kirby . . . Time Warrior!” (Moonbeam Entertainment) is a six-part movie serial made exclusively for home video that follows the adventures of a 14-year-old who is accidentally zapped by some frantic time travelers into their space pod. The first installment, “Planet of the Dino Knights,” is harmless fare with cheesy special effects.

Pontiff Videos: Less than three weeks after the historic event, ABC Video is releasing “Pope John Paul II Celebrates Mass in Central Park” ($20). To order, call (800) 225-5222. BMG Video’s “A Celebration of Mass” ($20) offers a personal tour of the Pope’s spiritual masses at various locations around the world. To order, call (800) 767-1500. “A Celebration of Christmas With Pope John Paul II” (Hemdale Home Video, $15) features Christmas carols as well as the pontiff’s personal recounting of the Nativity story.

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New This Week: “Home Improvement’s” Tim Allen scored a huge success last winter with his first feature, “The Santa Clause” (Walt Disney Home Video, $20), a comedy about a divorced father who becomes Santa Claus.

Atom Egoyan directed the haunting, award-winning “Exotica” (Miramax Home Video), starring Bruce Greenwood and Mia Kirshner. Kino on Video has also recently released Egoyan’s acclaimed 1993 drama “Calendar.”

Also: “Stuart Saves His Family” (Paramount Home Video); “Jury Duty” (Columbia TriStar); “Tales From the Hood” (HBO Home Video); “The Cure” (MCA/Universal); “Convict Cowboy” (MGM/UA Home Video); “Sister My Sister” (A-Pix Entertainment); “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All” (Cabin Fever Entertainment).