Amazon.com

P.G. Wodehouse's much-loved stories about Bertie Wooster and his brilliantly clever valet, Jeeves, were brought faithfully to life in Jeeves and Wooster, starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry as master and servant. The scripts of this perfectly cast production retain all the sparkling wit of Wodehouse's prose, and it's hard to see how any future adaptation of his work could surpass this wonderfully funny series.

This boxed set contains the entire first season of Jeeves and Wooster. In "Jeeves Takes Charge," young man-about-town Bertie Wooster employs a new valet called Jeeves, and not a moment too soon. Thanks to his Aunt Agatha, Bertie faces the terrible prospect of marriage to the statuesque Honoria Glossop, and only Jeeves can save the day. "Tuppy and the Terrier" finds Bertie in trouble again when he loses Aunt Agatha's dog. Further aunt-related complications arise when Bertie's chum Tuppy falls for our hero's cousin Angela. Aunt Dahlia is not amused. An uncle in love with a waitress, a trip to the country, a speedy choirboy, and a secret betting syndicate all lead to trouble in "The Purity of the Turf." Jeeves, of course, is the only one who can put things right.

Jeeves and Wooster really hits its stride in the final episodes of the first series, "The Hunger Strike" and "Brinkley Manor." When Bertie visits Aunt Dahlia, he is called upon to solve the romantic problems of his friends Tuppy Glossop (in love with cousin Angela) and the delightful Gussy Fink-Nottle (in love with Madeleine Basset, a young lady who believes the stars to be God's daisy chain.) Unwisely, Bertie decides to cook up his own plan and before long disaster strikes. Aunt Dahlia's superb chef Anatole gives his notice, and Bertram is to blame. Thank goodness for Jeeves. --Simon Leake ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Best in british humor (and thus the best all-around)
The 5 episodes of this set appeared previously under different titles: "Jeeves' Arrival", "Golf Tournament", "The Gambling Event", "Hunger Strike" and "The Matchmaker".

Two memorable characters are introduced: the ever-amiable, charming and foppish gentleman of the '30s, Bertie Wooster, and his stately, cultured and dignified valet, Jeeves. Bertie (and his helpless friends) finds himself in trouble all the time, and only the priceless Jeeves can extricate him and make things run smoothly again, until the next imbroglio comes up.

Their creator is P. G. Wodehouse (1881-1975). If you already met him, then no more talk is necessary. If he hasn't crossed your path yet, your happiness is even greater; you will be able to discover his sunny world starting afresh. What wouldn't I give to be able to read his short stories and novels again without knowing the way they end (always happily) beforehand!

Bertie Wooster is played by Hugh Laurie and Jeeves by Stephen Fry. They are simply brilliant and I laughed myself into stitches watching the series.

Usually TV adaptations are disappointing, but in this case, none of the original flavor is lost!

I've seen all four seasons, and the one thing I found confusing is that sometimes secondary characters are played by different actors.

Plot lines are not followed exactly sometimes and separate novels and short stories are combined together in one episode to make the whole thing livelier, but the final result is, somehow, exactly right.

No sex, no violence, hilarious! Who'd have thought it?
I have heard of the Wodehouse stories, on which this series was based, but have never read them. Wodehouse fanatics (and there are a lot of them) seem to embrace the show with enthusiasm. I'm writing to tell you that you don't have to know the canon to love the TV version.

Stephen Fry (Jeeves) and Hugh Laurie (Wooster) are well-known English comedians. They both had major roles in the Blackadder series and Laurie starred in Stuart Little. Here, Laurie plays Bertie Wooster, an air-headed young English aristocrat, a character exactly like his Blackadder roles, and Fry plays Jeeves, Bertie's valet, a man of sophistication and cunning, equally at home in the sitting room of a county manor or in a rowdy East End mission. A character completely unlike any Fry played in Blackadder.

The series is set in the 1930's, and is rich with period atmosphere. Poor addled Bertie may be rich, debauched and carefree, but he forever seems to be getting into social trouble with either his aunts or his eccentric school chums. The punch line every time is that, after Bertie has made such a pig's breakfast of things that you can't imagine he'll ever be invited to anyone's mansion for dinner again, Jeeves comes up with a simple and elegant resolution. Along the way, we are treated to crisp, witty dialog, in the best British tradition. I particularly enjoyed Jeeves's reaction to the mess jacket he finds in Bertie's clothes closet:

"I assumed it had gotten into your wardrobe by accident...or else been placed there by your enemies."

Bertie protests. "I wore this jacket at Cannes, Jeeves, and all the young ladies tried to catch my eye."

"No doubt they mistook you for a waiter, sir."

The striking thing about this series (unlike, say, Blackadder) is that it will keep you laughing without the slightest sexual innuendo or a smidgeon of violence (unless you count Bertie's golf game). You could show this whole series at a Sunday School picnic and no one would blush.

How many comedies can you say *that* about?

Perfection. Almost
Fry and Laurie make the perfect visual Jeeves and Wooster (next to Horden and Briars, who were utterly brilliant in the Radio 4 adaptations.) But this series sticks so closely to the tenet of the books, and there are enough silent one liners to make watching it a tireless pleasure. It's the perfect alcohol-free remedy for an awful day at the office.

Unfortunately the 'extras' option on the DVD (an 'Audio Commentary') is desperately bad. It completely misses the program's natural ebullience and the commentator discusses Jeeves and Wooster as if they died in a suicide pact sometime during the Depression. It has absolutely no place in the running, and drains all the colour and enjoyment from the rest of this magnificent disc. So buy it- definitely. Just don't touch the add-ons...

Terrifically funny.
Sure, Jeeves & Wooster didn't really hit its stride until the final two episodes of the first season. But that doesn't detract from the other three episodes included here. The spirit of P.G. Wodehouse has been perfectly captured--the utter madness, the complexities of the relationships, and the dry, almost sardonic humor, have all been recreated here. Even the accents that the actors have adopted are perfect for the characters. There are no extra features here, which is unfortunate, but the episodes are what really matter. Besides, if you have bought this or are thinking of buying it, it's the episodes that you are after.

The talent included here is incredible. Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, one of the greatest comic duos of our time, have never been better, and they play off each other quite well here. Bottom line? It's worth buying. Trust me.

Outstanding Stuff
The comments of the other reviewers are very good. The actors do a great job bringing these stories to life. The stories are faithful to the original stories of P.G. Wodehouse and are truly entertaining. If you like Wodehouse, or understated humor, you will enjoy these shows again and again. ... Read more

Description

Jeeves is the ultimate gentleman's gentleman, a silent, cerebral and engagingly protective butler with a steadfast dedication to his master. Wooster is the classic British young man of means, blessed with a touch too generous a heart and a slight deficit in the noggin department. Their adventures together, chronicled in P. G. Wodehouse's classic tales, have charmed generations of readers. And the TV adaptations of these enchanting stories, starring Hugh Laurie (Black Adder, Sense and Sensibility) and Stephen Fry (Wilde, Cold Comfort Farm) won dedicated audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The acclaimed JEEVES & WOOSTER programs have finally come to DVD. This eagerly anticipated set includes these exquisite escapades:

Return to New York
The Once and Future Ex
Bridegroom Wanted
The Delayed Arrival
Trouble at Totleigh Towers
The Ties that Bind
... Read more

Reviews (8)

Don't fix what isn't broken
The first three seasons were great. Clive Exton did a superb job of adapting the original Wodehouse stories for television, weaving separate tales together so seamlessly that if you hadn't read them first, you'd have a hard time telling what had been changed. Inexplicably, the fourth season is a complete departure from what came before. The first three episodes are, for some reason, set in America, but are very loosely based on stories set in England. I watched them all, hoping they would get better, but it was not to be. There was a great deal of scene padding (multiple scenes of Bertie frolicking at the Hotsy Totsy Club, for instance), as well as the genuinely uninspired comic creations of Mr. Exton. I will grant that, due to the sheer number of Wodehouse's writings, I may well have missed a few Jeeves tales along the way, but if turns out that Wodehouse actually put Bertie and Jeeves in a lifeboat and sent them on an eight month long voyage around the globe, well, I'm dashed.

After watching the first DVD, I hesitated with the second. Eventually I did break down, however, and I'm glad I did. The last three episodes find young Bertram back in his native land, and the result is enjoyable. Again, the stories were based on old favorites intermixed with ones I did not recognise. Again, it could simply be that I have missed a few over the years. Whatever the case, I did enjoy the last three shows. So to sum up, if you buy this one, set your drink on the first disc and pop the second in your player, put your feet up, and enjoy.

If you want more Wodehouse for your money, however, order "Wodehouse Playhouse" Season One. It's from 1975, is made up mostly of Mr. Mulliner stories, and for ...(at present) it's a much better value.

Oops - should have stopped after the 3rd season
I agree with the other reviewers. I love Jeeves & Wooster. I love Fry & Laurie. But the 4th season isn't up to snuff. The writing is weak. It makes me think they ran out of Woodehouse's original stories and arrogantly thought they could pull together their own. A lot of the original cast members are gone, and their replacements just don't cut it. For example, the imposing Roderick Glossip is now a nice fuzzy guy who needs help. At least it's the same Honoria. In a lot of places I felt like I was watching a Fry & Laurie skit, rather than Jeeves & Wooster. Not that a Fry & Laurie skit is a bad thing, but it just didn't fit with Woodehouse.

Very enjoyable series, although this one is not as strong.
I've greatly enjoyed Wodehouse's stories involving the Wooster and Jeeves pair. This TV series overall has been quite good, although the first two seasons are most definitely the best. This one, the fourth suffers from far too many cast changes (the characters feel like they've changed too much as well). Some quite corny script pieces, and some strange mangling of different short stories to make up an episode.

Overall, I do still enjoy the series.

One season too far
Fry and Laurie are probably one of the greatest modern comedy teams. The first three seasons captured the Wodehouse spirit wonderfully. This season, the writers/director thought they were funnier than P. G. and decided to re-write his stories. The result is embarrassing and painful to watch.

If you are dying for your J & W fix, re-watch one of the earlier seasons and save yourself the pain.

Plum must be turning in his grave!
Unlike the first three seasons, which were nothing short of brilliant, this season seems to have lost the Wodehouse touch. The absolute low point was a madcap chase up the Empire State Building; both Bertie and Jeeves were completely out of character. I got through the set just once and re-sold it almost immediately. I highly recommend the first three sets, but if you're a Wodehouse purist, pass on this fiasco. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Not absolutely faithful to the books, but stronger for it
This series is a brilliant adaption of the Jeeves stories of P.G. Wodehouse. A single episode of Jeeves & Wooster amalgamates several short stories into one longer story. The humor in Wodehouse's stories was focussed on word-play, while in the TV productions the humor is often physical. I think they were wise to go this direction, because a visual adaptions are never completely faithful to the original books. Instead of trying to be completely faithful to the written stories, they went with the strength of their medium and the results are brilliant. One reviewer commented that the second series is not quite as funny as the first. I'm not so sure about that. The second series contains some absolutely essential lines. "Its the bally ballyness of it all that makes it all so bally bally." Or this little exchange: Wooster,"Do you know what I look for in music, Jeeves." Jeeves, "I have often wondered, sir." How about this one: Wooster, "We Woosters have soldiered on with worse things than numb lips." Jeeves, "Indeed, sir." One of my favorite scenes is the one in which Jeeves, who has impeccable taste, has to leave the room and sit down when he sees someone wearing a tie with "little horseshoes on it". "Sometimes one can't just shrug these things off," is his comment. About the sets and scenery. I have tried to find anachronisms (such as power lines, etc.) but have been unable to. A brilliant adaption of brilliant stories, superb acting, gorgeous settings.

MUST SEE SERIES! BRILLANT COMIC ACTING!
Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry are brilliant as Bertie Wooster and Jeeves, respectively. This is an extremely witty series - the script is excellent and the acting, some of the best comic acting I have ever seen! If you haven't seen Laurie and Fry at work, particularly in this stunning series, I highly recommend you to do so!

The 2nd season-good, but not best
First off, as a die-hard fan of P.G. Wodehouse, I am critical at best. The First season surpassed my wildest dreams, in short, it was excelent. The second season fell short, however, inasmuch as many of the characters previously introduced in the first season were reintroduced being played by entirely different actors. That was semidisapointing. Also, some of the acting is a little less Wodehouse-y then in the first. I was delighted with Gussie once again, though, and I would still recomend buying it; its well worth the money, and is as good as it is going to get on this earth.

Hilarity for the whole family!
Non-stop British hilarity and fun. Dim and good-hearted Bertie Wooster meets his perfect foil in the intelligent and imperious Jeeves. The Depression never hits and the war never comes in these light-hearted and innocent romps. If your whole family likes to laugh, don't hesitate to buy this set!

Almost as good as season one...
Stephen Fry is the first actor ever to capture the real Jeeves, and Hugh Laurie makes Bertie utterly plausible, in spite of the absurd ways he tends to land himself in the bullion. These dvds must be in your collection if you love Wodehouse; they're worth repeated viewings, as every detail is a treat. Make sure to get season one. The very first episode manages to introduce you to the lunacy to come, and Bertie's utter dependence on Jeeves in only a few scenes. See you at the Drones! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The fact that John Thaw was able to make his eponymous character in Kavanagh Q.C. stand out as a unique personality distinct from the superficially similar Inspector Morse says much about his understated skills as an actor. Thaw brought his trademark mixture of curmudgeonly belligerence and gruff sensitivity to Kavanagh, but the barrister--who first appeared on British television screens in 1995 while the Oxford detective was still alive and kicking--is no polished-up Morse. He is far more worldly, is married, and has a family. And although he is often troubled by his cases, he is never afraid to play the system. He knows that there are devious, even superficial lawyers, some of them in his own chambers, whom hemust face across the courtroom, but he acknowledges them as an unavoidableaspect of the world in which he works. The plots are often convoluted, but Kavanagh's wielding of the trusty sword oftruth is always irresistible, particularly when the case involves some kind of high level government aberration. The four episodes included in Set 1 are "Nothing But the Truth," "Heartland," "A Family Affair," and "The Sweetest Thing."--Piers Ford ... Read more

Description

John Thaw (Inspector Morse) is masterful and feisty British barrister, James Kavanagh, a top member of Queen’s Counsel, in this powerful courtroom drama series. Fundamental to his success in court is Kavanagh’s fierce desire for justice as he ferrets out the truth with rapier-like prowess, making even the stalwart criminal buckle. However, professional triumphs have a way of aggravating Kavanagh’s personal inadequacies at home and challenge his teetering balancing act between family and the pursuit of justice. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another Collection of Briefs from My Learned Friend.
In this collection of Kavanagh Q.C. stories, three disparate stories are tackled.

In each case it appears from the outset that the cases are hopeless but the outcome is very different. For me this is the season of shows where the family life of Kavanagh takes more of a back seat to the courtroom and, to a certain extent the office politics occupy more of a background position. This suggests that the class conflicts which were highlighted in the earlier shows have a much more subordinate role here. It may be my ears too but Thaw's northern regional accent is a lot less noticeable here.

"Mute of Malice" is the first of the three episodes in this collection. It is concerned with an Army Chaplin, accused of the murder of his brother, who appears reluctant to speak in his own defence at the trial. This tense drama shows the frustrations felt on all sides by this situation with battlelines drawn within the family. It interweaves a harrowing tale of British troops involvement in Bosnia and the horrors discovered whilst there and which ultimately is involved with the resolution of the issue. There are some wonderful performances in this show, not least of all Thaw who reflects all of our horror of war.

In "Blood Money", Kavanagh takes on a case of negligence against a medical doctor over the death of a woman's husband. This particular episode takes on a much greater significance in view of the recent death of John Thaw as the widow is played by Thaw's real life wife, Shiela Hancock. This adds a great poignancy to the show and highlights the great loss Thaw will be to British acting. In this show what should be a relatively straightforward operation goes wrong and a man dies. His widow, convinced of the negligence of the doctor in charge of the operation, sues. What follows is a case of intrigue and social pressure as the case draws in people who would prefer the action to be dropped as it threatens to expose a huge can of worms. Kavanagh is ultimately successful, despite beaurocratic obduracy and obrstruction, in finding the truth and bringing the widow peace of mind.

In the final of the three programs, "Ancient History", Kavanagh revisits an issue previously addressed in an Inspector Morse episode, that of War Crimes. In this disturbing account of man's inhumanity of man, Kavanagh is placed in the almost impossible position of prosecuting a case where the principal witnesses last saw the accused some fifty years before. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that one of the witnesses dies during the pre-trial hearing and another complication occurs when another witness refuses to return from Poland. Almost at the end of the trial when the defendent appears to be aquitted, a defense witness brings her testimony before the court which seems to finalise the result but Kavanagh, not losing hope, rescues the situation. This episode typifies more than many others, the concern with social issues and their treatment before the law. This concern, manifested in the show, has a way of helping us, the viewers, identify with the concerns and clarify our own views on those subjects.

All in all an excellent mini-series which will be revisited again and again. First class production. Alas the DVD set contains little of refinement or extras compared with the VHS set but the availability of the shows for the first time on DVD more than compensates for these minor inadequacies. I hope that it will not be too long before the rest of the shows folow.

All rise.

... Read more

Amazon.com

When he realizes that Honoria Glossop may once again have her sights set on his precious bachelorhood, Bertie Wooster sets sail for the New World. In spite of the change of scene, our hero continues to get into the most terrible scrapes, and it falls to the faithful Jeeves to save the day, frequently.

The first three episodes of this third season of Jeeves & Wooster take place in Manhattan, where Bertie helps old pal Tuppy to make a business deal. At the same time he has to keep Motty Malvern on the straight and narrow, while helping two writer friends deceive their prying relatives. The final straw comes in the shape of Cyril Bassington-Bassington, the stage-struck son of Aunt Agatha's closest friend. Back home in England, Bertie and Gussie Fink-Nottle switch identities, the lunatic Roderick Spode reappears, Bertie is forced to commit burglary (again!), and there's a spot of trouble with a tin of treacle and some communists. The unflappable Jeeves is Bertie's only hope.

Although the humor in this collection sometimes feels a little less assured than in earlier episodes and the new actor playing Gussie is a disappointment, the central performances of Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry are as good as ever.Few actors have ever brought such beloved characters so convincingly to life. --Simon Leake ... Read more

Reviews (11)

OK, so I'm helplessly Anglophile, but these guys :)
Absolutely my favorite season of the boys from London. Jeeves actually becomes a bit human rather than the so perfect Bertie Wooster's 'gentleman's gentleman'. One of my favorite scenes from one season is where an overblown wanna-be uppercrust pseudo-Hitler (tongue in cheek) confides to Jeeves that "The only blokes I can recruit are of the 'working class', but I'd guess you'd know all about that, eh, Jeeves?" And, looking down his very aristocratic nose, Jeeves replies, "I'm sure I wouldn't know, sir."

But the fixes these two get into, oh, thanks for P.G. Wodehouse! The vacuous Bertie Wooster is never silly, but roaringly funny, while Jeeves' smoothness is actually quite sexy. And every now and then, Bertie does or says something that proves he's got a very sharp spot somewhere in that brain of his. I cannot recommend enough - I can't even think of a British comedy that so sharply defines the early 20th century Brit upper crust with such biting humour.

DVD has muffled sound, Many cast changes
I have docked this DVD one star since the sound was somewhat muffled and I had to turn up my TV to hear properly.

What you have heard is true, this season is not nearly on par with the first two but this set still has a few joys to offer. Another note, most of the younger characters in the cast have been replaced. Although most of the replacements are good, the new Madeline is painful.

Don't let the cover fool you, only the first three episodes take place in the USA and then its back to England for Jeeves and Wooster. This is a very good thing. Most of the actors playing Americans are not as good as they could be. I think this is because they are english putting on American accents (even the New Yorkers have a distinct western twang!) and they are struggling with them. The best scenes in America come from the elevator operator (who is most likely a genuine American) who has seen it all and considers Bertie with a sardonic attitude. I found myself wishing he had more scenes.

The first disc (or the New York disc if you will) is weaker than the second. The first and third episodes are okay but the second is pretty bad. (Jeeves acts completely out of character, he goes carousing and learns, gasp, modern music) But for all this, there is a marvelous scene in the first episode where Bertie compares the statue of liberty to Honoria Glossop in evening garb.

The second disc is much better, Jeeves and Bertie being safely back on home soil. The last two episodes are almost up to snuff. The first episode would have been too had it not been for the helium voiced Madeline. The second episode involves Jeeves saving Bertie from marriage to a young clone of the dreaded Aunt Agatha. The third episode is about Bertie's chum Bingo joining a communist cell (!) and Bertie trying to steal a painting.

This season depends more on slapstick than previous seasons did. (Bertie gets shot at three times in four episodes and then knocked out twice in the last episode) While most certainly a high class effort, it dims in comparison to the first two seasons. Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie are marvelous in their respective roles as Jeeves and Wooster. I only wish more care had been taken with casting and scripts.

Bottom line, is it worth the money? Answer: Depends on how big of a fan you are. If you are a dabbler you can probably get by with the first two seasons but if you are a dyed in the wool J&W fanatic, you will find this a weaker but sometimes very funny romp with a pair of incredibly talented comedians.

Jeeves and Wooster #4
there is an innocence that exists in these 4 DVDs (1-4) and Jeeves and Wooster become like a warm blanket to sit by on a dark night . The parts played by Laurie and Fry are a delight . If ever some one was born to play a part it was these two.Both Wooster's absure conclusions to resolve lifes woes and Jeeves' remedys are a delight ...get them all.

More of the good old Jeeves humor
If you liked the original ones, get them all. These are just as enjoyable.

3rd Season a bit Disappointing
An excellent series, but unfortunately the 3rd season can't hold a candle to the first 2 seasons. That's not to say it's bad, it's just that the direction and some of the stories seem muddled - especially in the first few episodes. Furthermore, I haven't read the books, but there are about 3 actions by Jeeves in this series that seem COMPLETELY out of character.

Worth watching, just don't get your hopes up! ... Read more

Description

In this superlative courtroom drama series, John Thaw (Inspector Morse) is respected and feisty British barrister, James Kavanagh, a top member of Queen’s Counsel. Beneath the powdered wig and sombre robes is a relentless mind able to tear the truth from a tangle of legalese, lies and desperate excuses. Even as his professional triumphs mask a troubled private life, James Kavanagh will go to any lengths to see justice served. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's easy to stay glued to all 390 fascinating minutes of this 1981 television series, which concentrates, in great detail, on an agonizing decade in the political life of Winston Churchill. Ousted in 1928 from his powerful position in Britain's Conservative government, Churchill (Robert Hardy) assumes--for the first of many times to come--that his career is over. But a pattern emerges: Churchill, the maverick defender of Britain's empire, is pressed back into service only to be attacked for unpopular views about the King's abdication and Hitler's threat. Time and again Churchill is banished, but this sprawling drama provides much colorful detail about the great man's trips to America (what a sight: Churchill in Monument Valley), his passion for his family, and his prescient drive to complete a historical tome before 1939--the year he becomes Prime Minister. Hardy is superb; excellent support comes from, among others, Eric Porter as Neville Chamberlain. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great movie, poor picture and sound quality - NO subtitling!
...This is a Churchill movie that anyone interested in British WW2 history MUST see. Hardy is just superb as Winston Churchill. For a none-English native, though, it is absolutely incomprehensible how the producers could put this movie out without subtitling at least in English! The sound quality is not good (the picture quality far from neither), and for a none- native English too much is lost in the sometimes somewhat muffled colloqial performance, not to speak of the simple fact that Churchill's famous whisky voice would surely benefit by subtitling...However, it is a must-see all the same!

Wonderful Story Overcomes Horrible Transfer
I don't know which is worse, the sound or the picture. It's astounding that the copyright holders of this remarkable series was so hard up that they had to hand "The Wilderness Years" over to Lance Entertainment. This sorry outfit gives Madacy a run for the money as the worst mutilator of film since nitrate.

Robert Hardy is the most convincing imitator of Churchill I've seen. He is wisely depicted here with his foibles - his rashness and ineptitude in areas beyond his ken, such as the stock market and raising offspring - as well as strengths. And it's a treat to see Siân Phillips and Tim Pigott-Smith supporting.

Here's a story well-told, with interesting locations, too, from Churchill's home at Chartwell, in UK, to the Arizona desert. For anyone with an appreciation of the titanic events that shaped World War II, "The Wilderness Years" provides invaluable background, not only for Churchill as a major player, but for the others - Baldwin, Beaverbrook, Chamberlain, as well as movers and shakers with unfamiliar names, like the Sir Samuel "Iago" Hoare, who manipulated and connived on behalf of appeasement, and Horace Wilson, Chamberlain's oily doorkeeper.

Despite the vandalism of the print by Lance Entertainment, I give 5 Stars because "The Wilderness Years" is such an indespensible document that demands viewing.

A Brilliant Story Well Told
While much has been made of A Gathering Storm, and Albert Finney's splendid portrayal of Churchill in that riveting film, Robert Hardy's Churchill in The Wilderness Years is as good, and more consistent, than Finney's, and this mini-series is better history. Hardy was arguably too young to play Churchill here, but his acting is superb, and one forgets the age disparity. This DVD--originally a TV mini-series from 1983, and the picture quality suffers for it--is engrossing, and with more time gives a fuller picture of the 1930s, up through the declaration of war in 1939. While A Gathering Storm omitted some things (and some people, with Neville Chamberlain unforgiveably absent), The Wilderness Years explores much more, and is much more accurate. A Churchill fan would need both DVDs, but if you are required to choose only one, this is the one to get.

Excellent Content; Horrible DVD Reproduction
I purchased this for my father who has studied Churchill's life and writings for many years. He really enjoyed the HBO movie "The Gathering Storm", so I thought I would purchase this since so many recomended it.

While the drama is not quite as gripping as in "The Gathering Storm" the content and depth of this series is excellent (worthy of 5 stars). Unfortunately the reproduction of this series onto DVD is sub-par. In fact it is the worst rendering to DVD I have ever seen or heard. I mention "heard" because we can hardly understand some of the dialogues do to poor sound quality. Either it is too muffled or at times too loud and distorted to make out. Given that this film is made up soley of scenes with a lot of dialogue this is a major annoyance and hence the 3 star rating.

Perhaps the best television drama ever produced
Anyone with an interest in Churchill MUST VIEW this series. It is history at it's best. I viewed this series and taped in on VHS and treated myself over the years by rewatching it. In fact, based on this series I named my son after Churchill, with Winston as his middle name.

In short I can't say enough about the quality of this series. It will hold your attention for every minute, educate you on the main events and political drama affecting England in the 30's, and more importantly, give you the insight into how the politcal elite can lead themselves to craven acts of national destruction AND, how one man standing on principal can still save a nation from itself. The lessons here are timeless.

I would also echo the sentiments of the other reviewer who noted that this is far superior to "A Gathering Storm" which, though a good effort,is cartoonish in its characterization of Churchill, compared to Robert Hardy's performance. Hardy deserves the equivalant of the oscar for "Best Televison Performance of the 20th Century".

Get it, then watch it at least once a year. Each time, you'll come away with new insights, and new respect for what Churchill accomplished, and sacrificed, to save England from those willing to choose shame over war, only to get both.

Terry Martin ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great movie, poor picture and sound quality - NO subtitling!
...This is a Churchill movie that anyone interested in British WW2 history MUST see. Hardy is just superb as Winston Churchill. For a none-English native, though, it is absolutely incomprehensible how the producers could put this movie out without subtitling at least in English! The sound quality is not good (the picture quality far from neither), and for a none- native English too much is lost in the sometimes somewhat muffled colloqial performance, not to speak of the simple fact that Churchill's famous whisky voice would surely benefit by subtitling...However, it is a must-see all the same!

Wonderful Story Overcomes Horrible Transfer
I don't know which is worse, the sound or the picture. It's astounding that the copyright holders of this remarkable series was so hard up that they had to hand "The Wilderness Years" over to Lance Entertainment. This sorry outfit gives Madacy a run for the money as the worst mutilator of film since nitrate.

Robert Hardy is the most convincing imitator of Churchill I've seen. He is wisely depicted here with his foibles - his rashness and ineptitude in areas beyond his ken, such as the stock market and raising offspring - as well as strengths. And it's a treat to see Siân Phillips and Tim Pigott-Smith supporting.

Here's a story well-told, with interesting locations, too, from Churchill's home at Chartwell, in UK, to the Arizona desert. For anyone with an appreciation of the titanic events that shaped World War II, "The Wilderness Years" provides invaluable background, not only for Churchill as a major player, but for the others - Baldwin, Beaverbrook, Chamberlain, as well as movers and shakers with unfamiliar names, like the Sir Samuel "Iago" Hoare, who manipulated and connived on behalf of appeasement, and Horace Wilson, Chamberlain's oily doorkeeper.

Despite the vandalism of the print by Lance Entertainment, I give 5 Stars because "The Wilderness Years" is such an indespensible document that demands viewing.

A Brilliant Story Well Told
While much has been made of A Gathering Storm, and Albert Finney's splendid portrayal of Churchill in that riveting film, Robert Hardy's Churchill in The Wilderness Years is as good, and more consistent, than Finney's, and this mini-series is better history. Hardy was arguably too young to play Churchill here, but his acting is superb, and one forgets the age disparity. This DVD--originally a TV mini-series from 1983, and the picture quality suffers for it--is engrossing, and with more time gives a fuller picture of the 1930s, up through the declaration of war in 1939. While A Gathering Storm omitted some things (and some people, with Neville Chamberlain unforgiveably absent), The Wilderness Years explores much more, and is much more accurate. A Churchill fan would need both DVDs, but if you are required to choose only one, this is the one to get.

Excellent Content; Horrible DVD Reproduction
I purchased this for my father who has studied Churchill's life and writings for many years. He really enjoyed the HBO movie "The Gathering Storm", so I thought I would purchase this since so many recomended it.

While the drama is not quite as gripping as in "The Gathering Storm" the content and depth of this series is excellent (worthy of 5 stars). Unfortunately the reproduction of this series onto DVD is sub-par. In fact it is the worst rendering to DVD I have ever seen or heard. I mention "heard" because we can hardly understand some of the dialogues do to poor sound quality. Either it is too muffled or at times too loud and distorted to make out. Given that this film is made up soley of scenes with a lot of dialogue this is a major annoyance and hence the 3 star rating.

Perhaps the best television drama ever produced
Anyone with an interest in Churchill MUST VIEW this series. It is history at it's best. I viewed this series and taped in on VHS and treated myself over the years by rewatching it. In fact, based on this series I named my son after Churchill, with Winston as his middle name.

In short I can't say enough about the quality of this series. It will hold your attention for every minute, educate you on the main events and political drama affecting England in the 30's, and more importantly, give you the insight into how the politcal elite can lead themselves to craven acts of national destruction AND, how one man standing on principal can still save a nation from itself. The lessons here are timeless.

I would also echo the sentiments of the other reviewer who noted that this is far superior to "A Gathering Storm" which, though a good effort,is cartoonish in its characterization of Churchill, compared to Robert Hardy's performance. Hardy deserves the equivalant of the oscar for "Best Televison Performance of the 20th Century".

Get it, then watch it at least once a year. Each time, you'll come away with new insights, and new respect for what Churchill accomplished, and sacrificed, to save England from those willing to choose shame over war, only to get both.

Terry Martin ... Read more