 "Every DVD coding error you can make and still make it run" | 2009-09-28 |
| - Reviewed By bonitamaus |
The first episode was in color. The next episodes were in black and white. The sound went up and down throughout each episode. I think it was episode 21 or 22 which was repeated and the ensuing episode wasn't on the disc. I wrote the BBC to ask about getting a replacement disc with the missing episode and never got a response.
Whoever did the quality control for this DVD set should be required to give us all refunds or at the very least prevented from ever producing DVDs again.
I bought this series as a gift and it made it look like I bought some slightly irregular box set on clearance, instead of getting a quality set like I assumed I was gifting, which was highly embarassing. So if you're buying it for someone else, keep it in mind that they're going to be disappointed.
You'll still get to see most of the episodes, but expect that you'll be adjusting the volume throughout your viewing and don't count on watching the episodes in color, as they originally aired. At least it's a period piece, so you can tell yourself that's why it's in black and white. |
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 "The Greatest Drama Series Ever?" | 2009-09-23 |
| - Reviewed By jpdanzig |
What a pleasure to be able to watch every episode of "Upstairs Downstairs" at your own pace, with NO commercials or fundraising breaks!
I was surprised watching this megaset how many episodes I don't recall ever seeing. I'm not sure whether that's because I was out of the house at the time -- in the days before VCRs -- or because some of the episodes have elements reflecting the racism, anti-semitism, or other unfortunate aspects of the Edwardian age which U.S. networks elected not to broadcast.
At any rate, one need look no further than the brilliant first episode to see why this series is one of the best -- if not the single best -- historical drama ever, and every bit as captivating today as when it was originally broadcast.
With clockwork precision, the first episode introduces us to the aristocratic Bellamy family who live upstairs at 165 Eaton Place, and their staff of devoted servants working downstairs. We see how the house functions, in particular the duties of the servants through the course of the day -- and we are introduced to one of the richest casts of characters this side of Dickens.
The steadfast and resourceful Hudson the butler, played by the late, great Gordon Jackson... the fastidious Mrs. Bridges the cook, played by Angela Baddeley... Rose the parlor maid, played by series co-creator Jean Marsh... Mr. and Lady Bellamy, played by David Langton and Rachel Gurney... their children James and Elizabeth, played by Simon Callow and Nicola Paget... all are indelible creations magnificently realized.
In the course of the series, the years from the first quarter of the twentieth century come to life with an unerring eye for detail, from the advent of electricity in the home to the adoption of the automobile to the crackle of the first crystal radios and early victrolas to the sinking of the Titanic to the horrors of World War I and the crash of the stock market in 1929.
Watching the series again, I was moved to tears on a number of occasions. I felt as if I was spending time with a dear family I hadn't seen in many years.
This megaset also includes a twenty-fifth anniversary special that reunited many of the cast members to reminisce about the production. One of the most amusing anecdotes comes from series co-creator Marsh, who recalls that there were "upstairs" dressing rooms for the cast and "downstairs". The former had windows and boxes of tissue; the latter did not. The Bellamy family cast were automatically assigned the "upstairs" dressing rooms -- until Marsh finally spoke up and noted that as series co-creator, she deserved a box of tissues as much as Rachel Gurney!
Then there is the spinoff series, "Thomas and Sarah", featuring the ever-scheming, never-succeeding former chauffeur and maid of the Bellamy household, which I consider more of a curiosity than a drama as compelling as "Up Down" itself. Still it is a welcome inclusion for dedicated fans.
I have deducted one star for the technical problems of this DVD set, which have been cited by other reviewers as well. A&E obviously didn't lavish the same attention to detail on the mastering of these discs as the writers, directors, and actors who created the show, and it's a shame. Especially annoying are the little boxes of "digital dither" that appear in the upper right corners of many episodes, plus the nonexistent color correction in others.
Still, these technical issues detract only slightly from the breathtaking panoply of the drama unfolding here, and at a price around half that of the box set when it was first introduced, this megaset still merits inclusion in a British television enthusiast's collection.
One hopes, as others have noted, that A&E will eventually release an improved megaset that clears up these technical issues and perhaps includes another set of reminiscences from the series creators and television commentators.
Until then -- "look sharp" as Hudson would say, and order this spectacular set to enjoy with your family! |
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 "it never gets old" | 2009-09-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A215FZO6ELDCBW |
| We missed so many of the shows when it was on television...and this was a wonderful way to see the whole series. As usual the "brits" really know how to make a period piece and the writing is delicious. |
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| "This is one time that I'm glad I ignored the reviews" | 2009-08-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A6Z969DHDXPCR |
I experienced only a couple of minor glitches in the quality and that was when one of the CD's appeared to skip. The sound quality was fine so perhaps I got one of the good sets; I don't know.
The series itself is delightful and I'm so glad that I purchased it so that I can watch it again and again. I would brew a pot of tea, pour it into my finest china tea cup, enjoy some scones or crumpets and take myself back in time. I became so fond of the Bellamy family and even more so of the downstairs family that when I came to the end of the series, I was sad but then, I can visit w/them any time I like, can't I? There are many reviews here that tell of each character in the series, so I won't bore you w/all that, just will mention that each family "knew their place" in the class system at that period of time and there was snobbery at both levels. I have my favorite characters, Mr. Hudson and Ruby, to name two of them and I found myself getting really caught up in their drama, especially w/the way that the cook, Mrs. Bridges, treated poor, slow, lovable Ruby. At times I would forget that it was only a story. So does that tell you how good the acting is?
I thought that I wouldn't like the follow up series "Thomas and Sarah" but I enjoyed it immensely as well. I was, however, dismayed by the ending and while I won't include a spoiler, I will say that it, too, left me sad and wanting more.
Don't hesitate to purchase this series. I think that perhaps the quality of the set has been much improved. I treasure mine and I think you will as well. |
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 "Wonderful show, appalling DVDs" | 2009-06-23 |
| - Reviewed By natya6 |
Before I begin my review of the product, I want to share something I think UpDown fans will chuckle at:
The other day I was watching an UpDown episode, the one where Miss Elizabeth joins the suffragettes and Rose is sent to Holloway prison. In one scene, one of the other jailed suffragettes attacks Rose, who falls against the wall. I noticed how the wall moved (quite a bit) and looked to be made out of cardboard!
The 25 year Anniversary Special is very well done and very interesting.
Now for the review:
Years ago I wanted to purchase the complete DVD set of "I, Claudius". I had the series on VHS already but wanted DVDs for my mother. I read the reviews how it was poor quality. I did not spend the $150 for the set. I was very appreciative to the reviewers who saved me that money.
Going by my above-mentioned personal experience, I would assume that some reading this have the series on VHS and want to upgrade to DVD. My advice is: DON'T. These DVDs were not remastered at all; I don't care what the description says. The DVD set is no better than the VHS. The beginning intro (the music and cartoons from Punch magazine) is cut off in several episodes. There are numerous episodes where the tape (thus the DVD) jumped and the picture is momentarily distorted. Images are fuzzy and the colors are off.
My last advice is if you can wait, wait a couple of years when it is the 40th anniversary of the series. No doubt remastered digital DVDs will be produced at that time as most films are on anniversaries.
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