The Edwardians DVD with Thorley Walters, Francis Terry (NR) +Movie Reviews +Used DVD available for Swap

BORING, BORING, BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P. Sanders | Gainesville, Florida United States | 11/11/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I love historical entertainment, but plowing through this collection of extremely boring programs was more than I could do....never watched the complete set.... first, the sound is awful, volume had to be turned way up to hear it....and the B/W wasn't crisp and clear... I was looking forward to this set, and was sorely disappointed. Wasted my money - and will donate it to the Friends of the Library book sale...."

Stilted

marnei | New Mexico | 11/28/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This is a TV drama production with poor direction. Everybody sounds as though they're reading their scripts. The sound quality is so appalling it is about the same as a poor pirated VHS tape. Thinking of all the good TV drama productions that there are I would leave this one alone."

Disappointing

L. Weight | 08/05/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This is is a 4 disc set, with two programs per disc. The 8 part series, The Edwardians, was telecast on BBC TV 1972-1973. The color episodes look like 70's productions. The black & white episodes look (and sound) like poor quality television episodes from the 40's. The case description says that only one of the programs is in color, with all others in black & white. Actually, there are two color episodes, the first, Mr. Rolls and Mr. Royce and the last, Lloyd George. Mr. Rolls and Mr. Royce is sort of interesting. Lloyd George, starring Anthony Hopkins, is awful. All in all a very disappointing purchase. Don't waste your money."

A response to the other reviewers...

Carl West | Falls Church, VA | 11/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am appalled at the other reviews here for this DVD set. Is this the first 1970s BBC production that the reviewers have seen?? Where they expecting Hollywood?

I also get the impression they are not familiar with the fact that we are lucky to have these episodes at all now. The black and white episodes were "junked" by the BBC (look up "missing Doctor Who episodes" on the net for a good history of this unfortunate practice). All episodes of The Edwardians were originally recorded in color, but sadly only black and white copies of the middle four episodes survived the 1970s BBC purgings. This also explains the sound quality, but of course the DVD producers had the wisdom to give us the subtitle options too. (On a side note: color copies of "Conan Doyle" and "The Reluctant Juggler" have since turned up in New York, so we will hopefully see these on a future re-release).

Nonetheless, this is an EXCELLENT mini-series. We get the alternating friendly/antagonistic relationship between Rolls and Royce (Royce standing at Rolls' grave at the end is particularly moving); the ill-fated antihero Horatio Bottomley; E. Nesbitt, the eccentric children's author with a tragic personal life; an interestingly different angle on British detective shows with "Conan Doyle"; and a Victorian/Edwardian who's who with "Daisy." This release is absolute gold for those of us who love archival British television.
"

A pity that the color episodes were lost.

Eunice | Lake Mary, FL United States | 12/24/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Watching an old BBC series or play is an exercise in concentration. There are long monologues and dialogues where the viewer has to pay attention. While this series would have been considered excellent in its day, TV has now moved on to action and short sound bits, with lots of fast editing. Still, once you have adjusted, the series is absorbing. Some of the episodes are framed as a device for exploring one particular aspect of the character. Baden Powell, the hero of Mafeking, is cross examined by a journalist on his activities in the Zulu and Boer wars which were either extremely brave or bordering on criminality, depending on your grasp of the facts and which side won. The episode touches on his interest in scouting aimed at teaching teach aimless youths self reliance, discipline and an honor code, but mostly centers on his explanation for his actions in the wars.

The Lloyd George episode covers a brief period in the domestic life of the future prime minister, a notorious philanderer, and his relations with his family. His political life is only touched on, more as a background story. Anthony Hopkins is superb in the role. The other great episode is about the music hall and ends with a number of popular songs by the wonderful Georgia Brown. The worst episode by far is the one with Virgina McKenna playing a scandalous courtesan in the style of Joan Littlewood's 'Oh what a lovely war'.

It is a great pity that the original color tapes have been lost, allegedly purged. I do recall hearing that the TV companies did reuse tapes of old programs as tape was expensive! It beggars belief that with the amount of money and effort spent on these programs, not to mention talent that is no longer with us, that they would be junked. Why the BBC released the series in such awfully low quality B&W is beyond me. One would hope that it is response to public demand, rather than a desire to cash in. I LOVE B&W, when it is crisp and clear, but these copies are more like super long play copies on home video tapes. Because of the poor quality and smell of 'rip off', I would not recommend the purchase of this series. Get it from the library instead.

"

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	The Edwardians Actors: Thorley Walters, Francis Terry Director: John Howard Davies Genres: Television, Mystery & Suspense NR 2008 9hr 50min Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 10/14/2008 Run time: 635 minutes Rating: Nr
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