Upstairs Downstairs Collector's Edition (DVD, 2005)

We watched this series every Sunday of the television season back in the early 70's. It was positively addicting. The era it portrays, Edwardian England, was a turning point in English history and the characters represent nearly the full range of class and occupations of the times. The stories, so personal and compelling, are well-told and the acting is superb.

The upper class was in decline due to a life-style that led to spoiled children who did not know how to become effective adults. Adults spent hours in useless activities that did little to advance England or prepare their country for a changing future. All of this is clearly seen in this drama as the warp and weft of the tale. However, it is history easily absorbed because it is drama and not dryly cited history. It is an excellent tale and an excellent history lesson. Loveable characters such a Rose and Mrs. Bridges will capture your heart. Hudson, the "butler", will make you cluck your tongue as he tries to freeze time with old morays and values. James and Miss Elizabeth, the Bellamy's grown children, will make you shake your head at the waste of money and human life they represent. And Sarah... And Ruby... And Sir Geoffry Dillen... And, of course, Marjorie and Richard Bellamy, the owners of 165 Eaton, will show you how Victorians and Edwardians created their own demise while, at the same time, being fine people. The characters will entrance you...and infuriate you.

There are some shortcomings. This is British television of the 70's and there is some lack of broadcast sophistication. Beyond that, what is truly missing is what the American viewers of the PBS version benefitted from: the introduction of each episode by Alistar Cooke. His style and knowledge helped set the historical stage for each episode. The producers of these CDs would do well to determine if his introductions are still available from WGBH and to include them in the American version.

For both new viewers and those experiencing Upstairs Downstairs as re-runs, this complete series is a gem, a very valuable gem...