 "The greatest television series beautifully remastered on DVD" | 2009-10-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2139WEOTEVDSB |
| This is the greatest series ever produced for television. This special anniversary edition is beautifully remastered and full of informative extras.It is a treat to see legends like Laurence Olivier and John Geilgud performing in great roles along-side a young Jeremy Irons, just starting his career. |
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| "Worth the Wait" | 2009-09-28 |
| - Reviewed By olingeropc |
| This BBC production is not for the faint-hearted, or at least not for those who don't have 11 hours to spend watching. But, for those who endure, it is worth the wait. Perfectly cast, beautifully filmed, and the strength is the screenplay which matches Waugh's classic novel. It is the story of faith and unbelief, that which is unseen and that which is seen, love and indifference. It is hard to say how it could be improved. |
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| "Truly exceptional" | 2009-09-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A12N97SZDJFVOY |
I previously reviewed the 2008 film adaptation of Brideshead Revisited which was ten kinds of awful. The silver lining was that it inspired me to check out this Granada mini-series--I am so glad that I did! This was absolutely fantastic! From the musical score to the scenery to the casting, everything was top-notch. I could go on all day about the acting. Anthony Andrews, Nickolas Grace, Claire Bloom, and John Gielgud all nail their roles. This might also be Jeremy Irons at his best.
Going in, I was hoping for something which was more true to the spirit of the book. I came out loving this series on its own merits. Even though it is eleven hours long, I expect I will watch this again.
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| "Brideshead forever!" | 2009-09-07 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2QJ7O4L23P2QJ |
When I found out that there was a special edition of this wonderful series, I almost "died of happiness"!
The booklet that came with the CDs is not only beautiful but also very interesting and helpful: I've known Brideshead since the 80s and had no idea how hard it was to be produced.
The actors' (Irons and Andrews) performance is so convincing that one feels what they are feeling in the screen! The plot, based on Waugh's novel, leads us to reassess some beliefs that hardily are seen in other TV series.
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| "It Has Everything" | 2009-09-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1S64G4GVMK8PW |
| This series movie version of the book follows it exactly; in fact, the screen play dialogue was lifted right from the book. So, what is it about? A terribly rich and interesting English family before and during World War II, and a sophisticated young Englishman who falls in love- at various times - with everyone in the family. It is charming, exhilirating, sad, and insightful. If you love things British, or things about the style of the 1940s, and haven't seen this yet, you have a great experience awaiting you. Catholics and Athiests, you need to take a broad approach to understanding this one. |
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| "Simply splendid" | 2009-08-05 |
| - Reviewed By johnoates3 |
This is a wonderfully done production, and it is almost wholly faithful to the splendid novel. The only point I would make is that in episode 2, during the conversation around the dinner table at Brideshead Castle, Charles is not given his line about why a work of art was once seen as good as will be again, but is not now. It makes Charles look silly at that point, or it does to me, and that is not the author's intention, though he once wrote to Diana Mosley that Charles is stupid. Interesting that Hooper's remark about Hitler is omitted - on seeing inmates of an asylum, he remarks, 'Hitler would put that lot in a gas chamber. Reckon we could learn a thing from him'.
But these are quibbles from a pedant. This drama is well acted in all the parts, the music is stunning, and anyone tempted to see the 2008 film will note the vast gulf between the two productions; similar to that which ultimately appears between Charles and Julia.
One of the best love stories of all time; though not always romantic or sexual love, as important as these are to the story and to life. There is also the love of friends, of God, of family and a whole way of life.
This is one of the best things TV has ever made and it is something so beautiful you owe it to yourself to see it at least once (a year). |
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