Upstairs, Downstairs - Collector's Edition Megaset (The Complete Series plus Thomas and Sarah)
Product Details | Similar Products | Customer Reviews | Starring: ~ Gordon Jackson, David Langton Jean Marsh Angela Baddeley Christopher Beeny List Price: $149.95 Our Price: $132.49 You Save: $17.46 (12%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours  |
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 | Product Details: Studio: A&E HOME VIDEO Region: 1 Number of Discs: 24 Format: Color, Collector's Edition Black & White NTSC Rating:   Sales Rank: 5441 | | Look for similar DVDs by genre:
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| | Customer Reviews: Masterful British Production! (15 June 2010)I first enjoyed Upstairs Downstairs when living abroad in the '70s. Frankly, there is nothing shown today on American television that is remotely as fine a series as this one. These were the final days of the British Empire and the family portrays the last vestiges of a different way of living in early 20th century England. The upper classes DID live quite differently than your family or mine. This series allows us to hear the gossip 'downstairs' in the servants' areas and to peep in on the privileged lives led by the family 'upstairs'. I wish this series, or one similar to it, would be reprised. I sorely miss the fine acting, story lines, period costumes, speech, manners, and entertainment of this bygone era. There are occasional moments when the sound is not perfectly clear. However, don't let that prevent you from so many, many hours of pleasure. A Series Unlike Any Other (07 June 2010)Upstairs, Downstairs is a show that is completely unique, compelling and addictive. Even being over 30 years old, it is still as good today as it was then. It is also extremely accurate in the logistics and history of the time period the show is set in. Given the age of the show and technical issues of the time, the DVD quality is good. There was a strike in Britain at the time causing several episodes to be shot in black and white. Those episodes did not air in the US during the show's original run as PBS only wanted to air color episodes. As a result, a second, slightly different version of the pilot episode (originally in black and white) was reshot in color specifically for PBS. The original black and white episodes that were omitted were later aired on PBS in the late 80s as "lost episodes." One of the greatest TV shows ever produced. (06 June 2010)I FEEL COMPELLED TO EDIT MY REVIEW. I have watched the entire DVD set. It has been a wonderful joy watching this show. It is one of the greatest television dramas of all time, and easily the best ever within its genre. But the quality of the DVD transfer here is, while often "passable" as I originally stated, is at other times downright awful! The sound is bad. The picture quality is often worse! Such a legendary show deserves the best technology and care when being made into a DVD box set, and I do hope that the owners of this material one day invest the money and effort to do it. I'd be first in line to buy such a product. But again, its such a great show that even watching a poor transfer brings great joy. And now, here is my original review.... I recall my parents watching this wonderful program when I was a child. Last autumn it was announced that all new episodes were being made and that Jean March would be reprising her role as Rose. I thought I would buy and watch all the episodes in advance of the 2011 release of the new series. First, let me say a word about some of the low reviews here, which give this DVD set only one or two stars. All of them say the same thing. They praise the series but are greatly disappointed at the video transfer quality. I will ignore the transfer quality issues in this review. It probably could have been better, and I hope one day a more definitive version is released. But most of the time its not bad, and in fact more than passable. If there were a separate rating system for the technical qualities of old TV shows being transferred to DVD, then that's where this DVD set would probably not score high. Well, having made those initial disclaimers, I guess I don't actually have a lot to say, other than this show's writing is brilliant, its acting is superb, and it captures the early 20th century so perfectly. Its a series full of warmth, hilarity, intrigue, and suspense. I have just finished watching the 16th episode with my wife and each episode seems even better than the previous one. Great (04 June 2010)Brilliant view of the social history of England (and probably of many other countries in Europe) in the early 20th century. The only reson for 4- and not 5- star rating is the picture quality and the lack of sub-titles. this is the best series ever (01 June 2010)This is not dated, it is a wonderful saga of the early 1900's and the changes that happened in the relationship between upstairs and downstairs as a result of WWI, I watched it in my early 30's and now I am in my early 60's, I love and appreciate it more. The quality of the furniture and decorating is almost distracting but the acting is so wonderful it all meshes into a sophisticated, enjoyable watching experience. |
