Amazon.com

The fundamental things--engaging characters, impeccable performances, and witty, literate scripts--apply in As Time Goes By, the beloved 1992 British comedy series starring Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer as former lovers Jean and Lionel. He is a divorced ex-army officer. She is a widow who runs the Type for You secretarial agency. They had "a great romance" during the Korean War, but they lost communication. Thirty-eight years later, the two run into each other again and rekindle what had been started so long ago. This series follows the two--along with Jean's twice-divorced daughter, Judith (Moira Brooker); Jean's assistant, Sandy (Jenny Funnell); and Lionel's young trendy publisher, Alastair (Philip Bretherton)--and takes a wry look at love among the youth and the more "mature." The first three episodes of the series introduce the slightly cantankerous yet vibrant characters, set up their history, and lay the groundwork for Jean and Lionel to tentatively circle around each other, trying to decide at what level they should continue their friendship, that is, if they should even continue being friends at all. Mixing modern romance with nostalgia for yesteryear, writer Bob Larbey and director Sydney Lotterby create a delightful comedy and a touching love story.

At the beginning of the series' second season. Lionel has written a dry memoir, My Life in Kenya, and reluctantly prepares for the book launch. As the date approaches, the tentative couple have a too-close encounter with Penny (Moyra Fraser), Jean's former sister-in-law, who invites them to spend the weekend at her country home. Finally, My Life in Kenya is published and Lionel steels himself for the book signing, while an anxious Jean buys up 140 copies herself. These episodes bring the second season to a touching and satisfying conclusion. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Just wonderful!!
I don't even remember when I first saw this show, but I fell in love in that instant! The premise of the show is touching, and those who are only familiar with Judi Dench's movie performances will be delighted by her comic timing. All in all this is a fantastic series and I cannot wait for the whole series to be issued on DVD so I can own each one!

Visiting with Good Friends
"As Time Goes By" is warm and entertaining, having no need to resort to low comedy, sarcasm or smut to be funny. Real people
with real problems, good supporting friends and quirky relatives
complete the "day in the life" routine which most of us face.
Alistair Deacon (Phillip Bretherton) is my favourite character.
A little off-the-wall but always fun and a much needed safety
net for the Hardcastle household, Alistair is a full dimensioned
character brilliantly portrayed by Mr. Bretherton. You get the
feeling that things are going to "pop" when Alistair is around!
We are collecting all the series and we can hardly wait until the
remaining three are released. You won't find better at any price!

A Fantastic Britcom !
This DVD is one of the best and successful British Situation Comedies of all time. It mixes the excellent acting of Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer.

It is an old fashioned comedy, that is completely harmless and brings back what comedy used to be like ! Easy and VERY Funny.

If you like Series 1 & 2. I recommend getting the other series' as well.

Buy Now !

Where is my Lionel?
Okay,I have never met a British TV series that I didn't like,so it comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I own Sets 1-V of As Time Goes By. It is a gentle, civilized comedy about two lovers separated by a undelivered letter forty years before the series opens in c. 1992. Judy Dench and Geoffrey Palmer, as Jean and Lionel, are the perfect middle age lovers: Jean has lines on her face, is not a stick in a size 0 dress, and Lionel has jowls and thinning hair. It matters not! They adore each other and we adore them! The supporting cast is excellent -- especially the young women who portray Judy and Sandy, Jean's daughter by her first marriage, and her assistant respectively. Nothing very profound can be resolved in 30 minutes, but what is is interesting is the process of rediscovery, falling in love, and learning to love and accept each other, "warts and all," that the viewer sees in episode after episode. It is refreshing to see that someone believes that love is just not for the under 30 set. Jean and Lionel are never treated as "cute," as in "how cute that people that age can be in love." Why they even have sex -- always implied and never seen -- and it is treated as a natural and normal state of being for a middle aged couple. Buy the series -- you won't be sorry!

Warm and Witty
The entire "As Time Goes By" series is brilliantly acted by Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer with a superb supporting cast. "As Time Goes By" is a warm and witty comedy of a love lost and found in the golden years. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Every series of British sitcom As Time Goes By is an astonishingpleasure. Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer star as Jean and Lionel, twolong-ago sweethearts who fell out of touch during the Korean War,then--due to a chance re-meeting--rekindled their romance in their latemiddle age. Series 6 mostly revolves around Jean's reluctantlyretiring from her business, along with the stumbling romance of herdaughter Judith (Moira Brooks) and their friend Alistair (PhilipBretherton, particularly strong this series). The plots of the show areoften gossamer-thin--one entire episode revolves around circumventing thenosiness of Jean's sister--but it doesn't matter. The rapport betweenDench and Palmer holds a treasure trove of alternating comfort andprickliness. It only takes a half-finished sentence and a disgruntled lookto be screamingly funny. They're as attuned to each other as dancers;their waltz through As Time Goes By is a pleasure to behold.--Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

We need the rest of the series!
We need the rest of the years on DVD!

The most wonderful TV experience
The story of Lionel and Jean is the single best experience one could have on TV. During a visit home my mother got me hooked on this show and I can't thank her enough. I fell in love with the characters and the story. Judi Dench and Geoffery Palmer are perfectly cast as are the others. Rocky and Madge are endearing as are the others. It is so well written that it makes one believe in true love again. My only regret is that they've stopped producing new shows.

A Great BBC Sitcom!
"As Time Goes By" is one of the best sitcoms that the BBC has ever produced. The humor is gentle, warm and always completely believable. It is well written, well directed and perfectly cast. I have seen every episode a number of times and I never get tired of it.
The show is consistently a cut above the standard sitcom. It is always firmly grounded in reality and the characters are all immensely likeable. Sometimes it seems less like a television show than it does a pleasant visit with friends.
Don't miss this one!

A Surprise For Jean
"As Time Goes By" is the gentle, funny story of Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, two people who used to be in love in the early fifties. When Lionel went off to fight in the Korean War, the two lost touch. They meet again 38 years later, quite by accident, and what is at first an awkward friendship slowly morphs into a warm romance.

In Series 6 of "As Time Goes By" (originally aired in 1997), we are treated to some of the best episodes yet. It is a near-perfect season. Some fans have even pontificated that this could very well have been a great way for the show to have ended. I count myself in that crowd. It is true that some of the supporting character's plot lines are still left at loose ends, but the romance of Jean & Lionel -- the true story arc of the series -- pretty much resolves itself in series 6, and in such powerful, sweet, and meaningful ways.

There are 7 episodes in all on this set. Episode 1 is a cute, slightly suspenseful story about someone stalking Sandy (Jean & Lionel's lodger). We get to meet 'Nails', one of Alistair Deacon's associates. And another interesting addition to the "As Time Goes By" list of memorable guest characters.

Episode 2 takes up one of the last real threads of the Jean & Lionel story arc: Jean's retirement. Lionel is becoming bored without her home during the day, and the issue is pressed. Jean visits a psychotherapist, because leaving work behind makes her feel somewhat purposeless.

With Jean slightly depressed over becoming "semi-retired", and Judith & Sandy dating new, perhaps questionable men, episode 3 centers around a most unwanted visit from Jean's nosy sister-in-law Penny, and her husband Stephen. It features one of the most hilarious evening banter sessions in any sitcom -- ever.

Episode 4 is a cozy little story set at Jean & Lionel's country house. Mrs. Bale, the housekeeper, is grumpy. Lionel gets sick and must be nursed in bed. A grim doctor visits. And Alistair arrives out of the blue from London. It all makes sense in the end. Sort of.

Alistair announces his engagement in episode 5 -- to a woman named 'Mercury', no less! This puts Judith out of sorts, although she tries not to admit it. The scene in the restaurant makes for one of the best of entire series.

Penny & Stephen pop up again in episode 6, this time because they're interested in buying the house next door to Jean & Lionel's. Needless to say, this does not go over well with our star couple, and this entire episode is priceless simply because of the looks on Jean & Lionel's faces.

Episode 7 is truly a classic. Some fans affectionately call it "The War Museum" episode. Lionel takes a trip to the War Museum, and makes a startling, wonderful discovery which he shares with Jeans at episode's end. Their romance has truly come full circle at this point, and a more touching moment you'd be hard put to find. This episode also deals with Lionel attempting to plan a surprise get-a-way for he & Jean, with everyone's help, and their efforts are absolutely hilarious.

With Series 6 of "As Time Goes By", the show is really running like a well-oiled machine. Chapters begin to close (in the best possible ways) for our main characters: Jean 'semi-retires', and the star couple makes a most welcome discovery. The prime story arcs of the series are completed. Jean & Lionel are married and living comfortably & lovingly with one another, ready to sail into the rest of their life together. Now all that really remains is to see if Judith & Alistair will ever decide to make a go of it, and if Sandy will ever find the right man. Perhaps a certain policeman, first seen in episode 6 of this series, can be of some assistance in that regard?

Series 7, 8 and 9 await... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Academy Award-winner Geoffrey Palmer and Oscar-winner Dame Judi Denchare the "dream team" in this beloved British TV series about former loversreunited after 38 years. The third season's the charm as Lionel and Jean takethe next step in their rekindled romance by moving in together. Theirs is, one character notes, "a great love story," one which a publisher friend thinks that--with "a few minor alterations"--might make "a stunning miniseries" for American television. In several memorable episodes, Lionel and Jean's long-delayed dream holiday to Paris becomes a comic nightmare when they babysit a spatting honeymoon couple. Lionel displays his "softer side" when he gives his blessing to his indefatigable 85-year-old father's marriage. Meanwhile, Jean opens a second branch of her secretarial agency. But at the heart of this season is Lionel and Jean's new living arrangement. They are, it is observed, "like ham and eggs," except that they've never lived in the same pan before. It isn't going to be easy, but as Lionel notes, "When did anyone ever claim that love was easy?"

As Time Goes By is all the more precious considering that mature coupleslike Lionel and Jean are irrelevant on American television. "We are relevant," adefiant Jean insists. Better still, they are true. There are moments in thisvery human comedy that will have you, in the words of one ham-handed American television executive, "by the throat," as when Lionel, penning the miniseries,tells Jean what he felt when he first saw her all those years ago: "I saw youand I stopped breathing." --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The World Will Always Welcome Lovers
"As Time Goes By" is the gentle, funny story of Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, two people who used to be in love in the early fifties. When Lionel went off to fight in the Korean War, the two lost touch. They meet again 38 years later, quite by accident, and what is at first an awkward re-kindling slowly morphs into a warm romance.

Season 3 of the series finds things progressing nicely. After a sometimes bumpy ride toward real love, Jean & Lionel begin to take their relationship in a much more definitive direction. Alot happens this season, and it is one of the best of the series.

Episode 1 has Lionel & Jean vacationing in Paris. It is a tender and funny episode, and finds the two having to babysit some squabbling newlyweds.

Episode 2 is a classic: the wedding of Lionel's father Rocky to the charming and unique Madge. Lionel also proposes that he and Jean live together.

Episode 3 is a favorite of mine, as it shows a realistic problem that couples who want to live together face: do I give up my place, or do you give up yours? Oh, and Lionel gets carted off to the police station!

Episode 4 features a visit from Jean's sister-in-law Penny (from Jean's previous marriage), and her long-suffering husband Stephen. Those two are always a treat.

Episode 5 finally has the BIG MOVE. It has one of my favorite parts of the series in it, where Judi Dench does a superb job portraying Jean's emotions, as plans Lionel has made for them end up hurting her feelings.

Episode 6 finds Jean wanting to expand her secretarial agency.

Episode 7 is a pivotal one, for it is the first time that Alistair (Lionel's publisher) mentions that an American network is interested in producing a mini-series out of Jean & Lionel's young romance, and their eventual reuniting. This plot line will carry-through until its resolvement in season 5.

Episode 8 takes place in Los Angeles. Lionel and Jean go there to discuss the mini-series with some rather stereotypical Hollywood types, and Lionel ends up almost losing the deal due to his attitude. I actually really liked this episode. It was a change of pace.

Episode 9: the manager of the secretarial agency's new branch is classy, industrious, sharp as a tack, and attractive: so of course Jean dislikes her from the get-go. A good revelatory episode for some of Jean's insecurities.

And, finally, episode 10 ends the season pretty quietly, as Lionel gets a new secretary to help him write the script for the mini-series, and he expresses misgivings about the whole venture (though the money for it is incentive enough for him to keep going).

"As Time Goes By" is a comfortable show. It takes time to tell its story, and the jokes are nice and smile-inducing, rather than guffaw-laden like some shows are prone to be (not that that is always a bad thing, either). Geoffrey Palmer and Judi Dench help prove that there is love after 50, as if anyone over 50 needed proof of that, anyway. Curl up next to the one you love and watch this splendid show on crisp & clear DVD, and enjoy. ... Read more

Description

"As Time Goes By" stars Judi Dench & Geoffrey Palmer.Long ago Lionel, a dashing young British Army officer met Jean, a lovely student nurse and fell deeply in love.When Lionel was shipped off to fight in the Korean war the two lost touch.In the first episode of Series One they meet again and slowly begin to rekindle their romance. The wonderful series that ensues is simply a pleasure to watch. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

You'll never get tired of watching this series!
One of the best TV series of all time. Well written, wonderful cast and great direction. The humor is universal. No snappy one-liners or sophmoric slapstick. Just a show that humorously and realistically deals with a heart-warming love story. The entire series is uniformaly excellent. Most other shows have an occasional episode in the series that's not up to par, but not hthis one. Start watching it from Series One and I guarantee you will be hooked!

Wonderful!
Why can't American T.V. be like this? I ask myself this question alot. A lovely and funny story about people. No in-your-face sexuality or violence or stupid 12-year old boy humor.
A show for adults that's intelligent and just wonderful. And the stars of the show aren't 24, they are in their fifties, and they actually look like real people in their fifties (well, Judy Dench does her best, but it's hard to turn a silk purse into a sow's ear, not that fifty year old people should be equated with a sow's ear, just an expression!)
It's just a show about life with the quirky turns, ups and downs that occur. It makes you want to pack your bags and move across the water, or at least find a neighborhood pub for a pint of beer.

Delightful
This is the most enjoyable, refreshing and delightful series I've had the pleasure of watching in a long time.

Stunning DVD
As for content, read the other reviews, stunning cast, believably done, acolades all around. The production values are what caught my attention. If only all DVDs from TV were this GREAT. I've watched the series at least 4 times on my local [tv] station. I will be watching it many more times now that the DVD has been released. I've seen details in the DVD that simply blended into the background before (you can even see the pattern of the wall paper in the room that Jean wants to make into a study for Lionel). The set decorators deserve kudos for their work in making the set so believable. After you've enjoyed the story look again at the settings. Thank you for a magnificent story in a magnificent setting, with magnificent production values. ... Go out and buy this one!!!

A Serene Series Seen Like Never Before
"As Time Goes By" stars Judi Dench & Geoffrey Palmer as Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, who were once lovers in the early 1950s. Lionel went to fight in the Korean war, and the two lost touch. In the very first episode of the series, they meet again and slowly begin to rekindle their romance. The wonderful series that ensues is a pleasure to watch.

This DVD contains all 10 episodes of the 4th season of "As Time Goes By". This is quite an important, funny, and emotional season in the show's history. And, oh, how wonderful it looks on DVD!

Within the 4th season occurs the 25th wedding anniversary of Penny & Stephen (in-laws of Jean), a new "boy"friend for Jean's daughter Judith, Jean's secretary Sandy moving-in to the household, the completion of Lionel's script for a mini-series based on his & Jean's young love affair, and, most importantly, the wedding of Jean & Lionel.

And as for how it looks on DVD: WOW. Now, I have watched British television shows on DVD before, but never has one looked so stunning. The colors are brilliant, the lines are crisp, the picture comes alive. There is one scene in particular, in the episode where Jean & Lionel are on their honeymoon in the hills of Scotland. It looks STUNNING. I'm sorry to gush, but I was just *very* taken aback. By all means, if you are able to, I would recommend getting the 4th season on DVD.

Well, there you have it. If you want a nice, gentle, warm, romantic and funny series with sincere characters and an interesting, hilarious plotline, then by all means start watching "As Time Goes By" today. ... Read more

Description

For the first time in ages, Jean (Judi Dench) and Lionel (Geoffrey Palmer) have the house to themselves, which spurs them to look back at nine years of love and laughter. Flashbacks of meetings, partings, comedy and romance are all beautifully woven into a poignant tapestry of memories. Join Jean and Lionel as they remember the best of As Time Goes Byin this exclusive special. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

As Time goes By -You Must Remember This
We avidly have viewed the first six seasons as they have been released on DVD - I was disappointed with this offering only because it covers series not yet released on DVD/VHS and eliminated any element of surprise regarding the forthcomng romances of Judy and Sandy. We started to view this DVD but decided to wait until they release the final three seasons to "Remember this"

Three great bonus episodes
I rented this first from Netflix to see if I wanted to buy it. I was delighted with it. It was fun to have them reminiscing with clips from the various seasons. The three bonus episodes are excellent choices to have included. I'm buying this for my father who has enjoyed all the episodes for years on PBS. I know he'll love this as one of his first DVDs.

Excellent
When I got this, I immediately put in in the DVD player and started watching. As Time Goes By is quite possibly one of the greatest television shows of all time. I was extremely happy with this DVD, and I don't understand why other reviewers didn't like it. I thought it was worth the money.

Dissappointing
I am an avid fan of "As Time Goes By" and i was dissapointed when i got the "You Must Remember This" VHS. I felted betrayed that it included scenes from episodes that are hard to find available to purchase. So the story wasn't really complete for me. I agree with one of the other reviewers who said that the producer's time would have been better spent by doing more seasons. Another thing i have to admit was weird, was that there was no laugh track, it was just silence after the jokes, i'm just use to having it. i would like to get the episodes i missed, to complete the story, esp the love story between Alistair and Judy. Oh well.

Postview of previous attractions
Would that the producers would have spent their time and energy on season SIX, SEVEN, and EIGHT of this truly great Britcom series than to waste their time producing this overview of past glories. AS TIME GOES BY is by my way of thinking the BEST of all the Britcoms that have come across the pond. GIVE US THE REMAINING SEASONS rather that this "Best of . . ." abbreviation. It may be a good introduction for those who have not seen the series on TV but your money is better spent on buying one of the seasons already available on DVD or catching whatever you local PBS station may be using as a filler in its broadcasting schedule. Go for the full blown series, you won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It may be odd for Americans to imagine Dame Judi Dench, award-winningpowerhouse British thespian, in a TV sitcom, but she and Geoffrey Palmer star inthe wonderful As Time Goes By. As Jean and Lionel, they're a couple whoseromance during the Korean War went awry due to a lost letter--then, 38 yearslater, they meet by accident and pick up where they left off. In Series 5, theyare now a comfortable couple (though prone to spar and bicker), living withJean's daughter Judith and her friend Sandy. The stories revolve around a housein the country, the long-delayed airing of a miniseries that Lionel wrote, andgrappling with their troublesome in-laws--but the plots are secondary to thefantastically well-written and acted interplay between the richly drawncharacters. Even if you haven't seen any earlier episodes, you'll quickly bedrawn into their world. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Love the series
I really enjoy the program, which I have watched from Series 1 through 6. The programs build on one another, but you can watch the individual episodes without seeing the previous ones. That being said, the characters do grow on you if you've watched them progress. You will have watched Jean and Lionel grow from an awkward couple reuniting after moree than 30 years to a married couple with an extended family. Alistair goes from a shallow, materialist with no character development to one who learns to care for others. Judy and Sandy could use some more depth. All-in-all, a great series.

The gentlest of comedies
If you want to find out about middle-class life in England, forget Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Four Weddings and WATCH THIS! Perhaps more appealing to the over thirty crowd, it's comedy is, nonetheless, definitely universal. This series was made for British crowds and not constucted around ideas of what Americans think Britain is like and so gives a more accurate impression of English life. We don't all live in London or that non-specific natural area always referred to as "the country." We don't all drive around in Mini Coopers and we are capable of producing narratives not based on "gritty Northern life" (The Full Monty, Billy Elliot) "hilarious upper-class rom-coms," or London based ganster films a la Lock, Stock... and Snatch. It's not dramatic or edgey, but it does have some skilled actors with well written and intelligent scripts. BUY IT, WATCH AND LOVE IT!

Keep going
As with all the previous series, Series 5 continues the tradition of smart, witty, and very human comedy. WHERE IS SERIES 6???

Immensely enjoyable
This series just like previous series 1-4 is extremely enjoyable.
I would reccomend this DVD to anyone who loves Brit-comedy.

A Great Series of ATGB for a very nice price
Here's the 5th series of a truely great romantic comedy. All alone it would certainly be confusing to watch but if you have already bought the first 4 series on DVD or watched them on TV, then your in for a real treat.

The main thing I want to point out involves the actual format and not the program. The program itself is by far one of the best (and cleanest) Comedies to come out of the UK in the last 10 years. It's good for the whole family. With the DVD, I noticed no sound problems as noted in another review here. However there were times that the picture seemed a bit grainy. Maybe it's my 6 year old RCA TV, or one of my A/V cables is going bad, but I noticed from time to time that the image didn't appear as crisp as other DVD's or even watching Satellite. It's nothing that really detracts from the series. As, like I said, it's a great show... but as far as DVD quality goes I felt that others might want to know. The extra's are good, but like the past DVD's... really there isn't anything to write home about. It's nice the Tribute at the BAFTA awards... but it's pretty short. The Bio's are as boring as they were on the past disks. I'm not sure if they've been updated at all... but maybe they have. I didn't look that closely. The previews for other shows were ok... but the one for BBC America was perplexing due to the fact that it's been years since they've shown ATGB to my knowledge... and I got a satellite to ensure I'd have BBC-A.

All that asside, this is a great puchase unless you haven't been following the series. In which case I'd recommend you go back and buy the Series 1 & 2 set first. This is a show that's best watched in order. If you've been following the show, there's no reason not to buy this. The DVD route is cheaper than buying it on VHS, the sound and video is better, and it won't take up hardly any shelf space. It would have been nice if this were Series 5 & 6 instead of just 5, but for the price and space it works out pretty much the same. ... Read more