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When it appeared on British television in 1999, Queer as Folk caused quite a ruckus. There was the sex, as graphic as most anything you'd see in an R-rated film. There were the questionable morals--after all, one of the lead characters knowingly seduced a virginal 15-year-old boy. There was, of course, the rampant homosexuality, seeing as the series followed a group of gay men living in Manchester. But what really got people talking was the quality of the series: no leaden soap opera or exploitative sex romp, Queer as Folk is an engrossing, incredibly well-written series that ranks with some of the best ever produced for British TV. Following the adventures of Stuart (Aidan Gillen), a rake capable of seducing anyone anywhere, and Vince (Craig Kelly), his boy-next-door best friend, as well as the family and friends who surround them, Queer as Folk paints a complex, emotional, and funny portrait of its characters, who range from the regular to the outlandish. Less sensationalistic than it sounds, Queer as Folk shares more in common with gritty, working-class British films like My Beautiful Laundrette and Beautiful Thing than it does with glossy, sex-themed American TV like Sex and the City or even the Americanized version of Queer as Folk. Though definitely comedic in parts, Queer as Folk takes a clear-eyed yet fond view of its characters, from lothario Stuart, who can be charming one minute and self-obsessed the next, to hapless Vince, a mess of insecurities who can't believe it when a handsome Australian (Peter O'Brien) falls in love with him. Fans of the American Queer as Folk will recognize the British counterparts to the American characters, as well as familiar plot arcs, but this series' writing and directing make it a far more dramatic--and multifaceted--look at gay life. This first season set, known as "Series 1," clocks in at four hours. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (65)

Refreshing, entertaining, real and inspiring!
Having not seen the American remake of this series, my partner and I sat down to watch this British series on DVD and quickly became hooked--not by the sex (which got so much publicity), but by the overall quality of the production--especially its writing and acting. We cared about these characters and their families (warts and all), and were disappointed when the first 4 hours were over. We're middle-aged urban Americans, but we identified very much with the universality of this younger British milieu--some things transcend time and place. It's inspiring to see gay themes treated on the screen with such intelligence, wit and maturity. We've come a long way. No lectures here. No moralizing. No black & white heroes and villians. Just some real, complicated, flawed but loveable characters struggling with how to be happy and proud in an imperfect world. We wish the DVD made better use of providing additional materials; more background on the actors, writers and such would have been appreciated. We bought the 90-minute, Part 2 conclusion as soon as it was available, and found it to be be inferior to the original series and an unsatisfying conclusion to the saga--but any opportunity to spend more time with these characters was appreciated. This is one of those rare series that I'm sure we'll watch again periodically.

Different, but good
Having been a major fan of the American QAF, it was great recently to see the British.

Like a lot of folks have said, the initial story line is almost identical, just treated in a different way. British is faster paced and funnier, especially after you get used to the Manchester working class slang. But the faster pace keep the characters from having quite as much depth, although I like how the relationship between Stuart and Vince turns out more than Brian and Mike. But I'm more of a romantic about stuff like that.

And the British is far more authentic in its approach to the working class culture. The American boys claim Pittsburg working class roots, but they behave like middle class suburbans.

Overall though, I like the larger cast, more complex story and character development of the American version. And there's nothing in the British that comes even close to the impact of the last show of season 1 American, especially for someone who's been through a similar situation as what happened to Justin. That one episode did more to heal my old emotional pains than years of counselling could ever hope to!! I also think the way the American told the story of Mike's 30th birthday was much better set up and followed through to a logical conclusion than Vince's 30th on the British. If I hadn't seen the American, I probably would have missed the point on the British.

But all in all, the British is definitely worth having if you're into QAF.

Sophisticated Series
While the American version of QAF focuses on sensationalism and sleaze, the original British version takes a more artistic approach to presenting gay life. Sure there are sex scenes, and soap operish situations, but they are handled in a more realistic manner. Watching this rich version of QAF is like watching a really good independent film. The acting is solid, the characters are multi-dimensional, and the writing is top-notch. Unlike the American version, drugs and backrooms are downplayed in UK's version of QAF. The only time drugs come into play is when one of the characters dies from an overdose.

?
Why do people like this? Its not like real life at all and in fact has done nothing but stain the reputation of hard working, moral, intelligent gay men.

THE BEST!
There are moments in every episode where you think "Nothing on tv well ever be better than this" (that is before you see the next episode).
The American version of Queer as folk is simply not comparable to this one.
Every second of the UK version is worth watching. Not every episode of the US version is worth watching. That¡¯s the difference. ... Read more

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A lovely introduction to a 40-plus-years-old television tradition, This Is Coronation Street includes a highly entertaining, 75-minute documentary about Coronation Street, the long-running British drama, followed by the series' first five, black-and-white episodes out of 1960. The former gathers the show's creators, original stars, and other luminaries to discuss Coronation Street's deep and sustained impact on pop culture, its early and realistic reflections of northern English society, and the ways in which the series' penetration of class barriers set the stage for so-called kitchen sink dramas (e.g., Saturday Night and Sunday Morning) in British cinema.All very interesting, but seeing the first live-broadcast shows themselves is a real eye-opener. Written with remarkable fluidity and strengthened by textured dialogue and seamless performances, Coronation Street today looks not only like a prototype for London's nastier evening soap, Eastenders, but such gritty ensemble American programs from the '70s as Hill Street Blues. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A rare treat for sociologists and soap opera lovers.
I think I once caught about 10 seconds of a "Coronation Street" episode on BBC America, and had I known it was the longest running TV serial in history, I would have paid closer attention. Look at the statistics. It was scheduled to run for 13 episodes in 1960 and is still going strong! In all, there have been (according to a bonus feature on my DVD copy) over 4,000 episodes, 35,000 characters, 55 marriages, 25 births, 82 deaths, 51 weddings, and 32 barmaids, all of which have been watched by 17,000,000 UK viewers. And one of the actors, William Roache, has been with the series since it began.

So what is the incredible draw this show seems to exert? As one viewer said during an interview, we love to watch people who are doing the same thing we are doing in homes just like ours. (Remember how popular "The Honeymooners" was?) Now that Acorn Media (bless 'em) has released a two-DVD set called "This Is Coronation Street" (AMP-6196), I had the chance to watch the first 5 black and white episodes and a 75 minute documentary about the history of this remarkable show.

When the fifth episode ended with the police at the door and looking for one of the younger characters, I have to admit I was angry that I could not see the sixth one and after that the seventh, right up to wherever they are now. The only actress I recognized was a daughter who just left her Polish husband and announces she is pregnant, which reunites them. (Her name is Anne Cunningham and I remembered her from an old "Avengers" episode and one from "Are You Being Served?"). The rest were unknown to me, and I found this a great advantage since I was able to see them as real people and not as actors whom I recognized from other roles.

First of all, I would recommend this as a Must to all sociology and British history majors since it accurately portrays life in northern England as it was in 1960 and as it changed down through the years. Obviously film and drama majors must watch to see how a writer can "get them where they live." Psychology majors will love to see the public's reaction to the jailing of one of the main characters. (If any of you has seen the bonus material on the 1967 "Forsyte Saga" tapes I so highly recommended a while ago, you will recall how the Brits reacted to the Rape Scene. Funny what people consider to be worth arguing about.)

As for the rest of us, lovers of good soap operas will adore not only the first five episodes but also the history of this show. In short, there are very few who will not love this Acorn Media set. Perhaps they will now issue a companion set about "East Enders." ... Read more

Description

A young girl reveals how a little positive thinking can make a big difference.

Every dark cloud has a silver lining—and young Pollyanna knows how to find it. Newcomer Georgina Terry makes a stirring debut as Pollyanna in this heartwarming tale of a little girl whose effortless charm captures the hearts of family, friends, and strangers alike.

After the death of her father, Pollyanna moves in with her downcast, embittered aunt (Amanda Burton, Silent Witness). Soon, Pollyanna charms everyone in the beautiful English village she now calls home—except her cold-hearted aunt who refuses to see the brighter side of life.

Aunt Polly, despite her vast wealth, impressive estate, and numerous servants, treats young Pollyanna more like an stranger than a relative, but when tragedy strikes, Pollyanna’s sunny outlook persuades her aunt to confront past ghosts and embrace the promise of happiness.Based on the classic novel by Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna is a treat sure to be treasured by the entire family. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

excellent
Just great. I really liked how they stuck with the time period, rather than trying to modernize or overly idealize. Love the sense of humor. It was a nice change from soppy romantic love stories one usually sees. An good story, and not done to death and overblow. Just about perfect in fact. Love the ending.

knocked me dead
Mostly you watch tripe, mildly entertaining drivel produced by the studios and even HBO and PBS or BBC, from whom we hope for more. This is it! This is a great story, told with style and verve. Buy it, you will not regret it. ... Read more