Rating: 
Summary: In the high tradition of British comedy
Review: American sit-com actors should be forced to watch this series to see how highly trained actors can be funny without being cardboard and predictable. We all know people like Mapp and Lucia, although people like Georgie are a little harder to come by. Of course social pretensions are meat and potatoes to British satirists: "Keeping Up Appearances" being the best example. But keep your eye on the sheer brilliance of the techniques of this cast, right down to the smallest roles. The little town in which this takes place is inhabited by utterly believable beings and the things they do are equally believable. Well, perhaps floating out to sea on a kitchen table during a flood is an exception, but the reactions of the townsfolk are exactly what flawed mortals would display under similar circumstances. This set is a real right-on winner: what I have to call a Grabbit. (And yet I found some who find such sophisticated comedy not to their taste. Well, I never!) Note: the second series somehow does not quite live up to the standards set by this one but is still lightyears more stylish than anything on commercial primetime.
Rating:
Summary: almost flawless
Review: An almost word-for-word dramatisation of the hysterical book by E. F. Benson, wonderfully played. Prunella Scales could not be better as Miss Mapp (she even has the walk down) and Geraldine MacEwan matches her as Lucia (although physically she doesn't resemble the description of Lucia in the book). Made with the care and attention to detail that the British television industry excels in, you will enjoy every moment of these tapes. I wish they had made the other four.
Rating: 
Summary: A delightful step into a small English world
Review: E.F. Benson's _Lucia_ novels are brought to life in a beautifully photographed series which features the talents of some terrific actors. Scales, McEwan, and Hawthorne are outstanding in portraying the petty bickering that propels small town society. The costumes of the time period (especially those worn by Lucia) are magnificent; the breezy humor and devilish plotting will delight the viewer.
Rating:
Summary: Restez "au reservoir"
Review: I first saw this production on PBS in the eighties. I was immediately enthralled, and I have watched it frequently ever since. Each role is protrayed with pinpoint accuracy by each performer. The adaptation is very close to the novel with one noticeable exception -- the absence of "the mouse", Evie Bartlett, the Vicar's wife. Although I enjoy her in the books, most people will not miss her. This boxed set is better than the second set for three reasons: the tempo is slower and seems to fit the feel of the novel more closely, more of the detail and texture are apparent (probably related to more time), and the adaptation follows the original text far more directly. This set encompasses ONE Lucia book; the second set covers three novels, I believe.All considered, this is one of my most treasured possessions, and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best British comedies ever
Review: I'm a fan of the E.F. Benson books that form the basis for this series. The highlight of my trip to England a few years ago was visiting the charming town of Rye (called Tilling in the Lucia books), where Benson lived and this series was filmed. But I must say that I like the TV production, thanks to the inspired comic performances, even more than the books. In particular, Geraldine McEwan (also in Barchester Chronicles) is exquisite. Her little comic mannerisms are absolutely hilarious, and she makes the character endearing in a way that I never thought possible. Again, "inspired" is the only appropriate word. The same with the much-missed Nigel Hawthorne's Georgie. Absolutely perfect casting. And Prunella Scales (of Fawlty Towers fame) bites into her less-sympathetic role of Mapp and does not let go until she wrings every last laugh from it. As is particularly true for British series, the supporting cast is also excellent at bringing their own eccentric characters to life in just a few brushstrokes. I was very much looking forward to the Mapp and Lucia DVD, because I had not seen this series since it was televised in the mid-1980s. I'm happy to say that the DVD quality is excellent, and my opinion of the series has only elevated through time. Many British comedies have come and gone in the years since Mapp and Lucia, but it remains the most delightful, in my book. As other reviewers have mentioned, the series is also highly addictive, so we Mapp and Lucia fans -- you'll be one too after you see this -- are eagerly awaiting the release of the second part of the series on DVD. Please, Acorn Media/Granada (who released this DVD), make haste!
Rating: 
Summary: Returning Mapp & Lucia was hard to do.
Review: I've been a big fan of this series and was over the moon to see it hit the dvd shelves. Without a hesitation I bought Series One and quickly settled down to revisit the glorious world of Mapp and Lucia. Egads!... What did they do to the transfer?? The sound level bounced all over the place and became such a distraction I hurried back to the store for a replacement. With a new copy in my dvd player I was dismayed to find the problem still plagued this grand bit of British TV. I returned it for the second time and decided some things are best left to memory. Tis a shame indeed.
Rating:
Summary: Au Resevoir!!! Darling, add this DVD to your collection
Review: If you are not familiar with E.F. Benson's series of Mapp & Lucia books, you are in for a real treat. This series brings to the screen the wonderful personalities and eccentricities of the cast of characters who inhabit the village of Tilling On The Sea. Competing for the reigning title are Miss Mapp and Miss Lucia. I have read the novels and can say that the rendering for the screen is perfect. The flavor and fun of the books are fully preserved. This is a must have for fans of British social comedy. I had both series one and two on VHS, and was thrilled to find that series one was released on DVD, as I am moving away from tape media. Now, my only question is, when will series two be released on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Au Resevoir!!! Darling, add this DVD to your collection
Review: If you are not familiar with E.F. Benson's series of Mapp & Lucia books, you are in for a real treat. This series brings to the screen the wonderful personalities and eccentricities of the cast of characters who inhabit the village of Tilling On The Sea. Competing for the reigning title are Miss Mapp and Miss Lucia. I have read the novels and can say that the rendering for the screen is perfect. The flavor and fun of the books are fully preserved. This is a must have for fans of British social comedy. I had both series one and two on VHS, and was thrilled to find that series one was released on DVD, as I am moving away from tape media. Now, my only question is, when will series two be released on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Cattiness was never more genteel
Review: Just a word of warning for new M&L viewers: the comedy from this series depends on the extremely eccentric cast of characters rather than pratfalls and such. As a result, a whole episode can be a set up for one very funny puchline but there are a lot of subtle jabs in between. If this sounds good to you, read on! I have never read the book on which this series is based so I have no comment on how good the adaptation is. All I can say is I know good British humor when I see it. Lucia is an elegant, controlling, eccentric widow who moves into the small town of Tilling. The queen of Tilling is Mapp, a dowdy spinster who keeps control of the populace through manipulation. At first, all is sweetness between the ladies and then more and more venom creeps into their actions. Before long, it is a deliciously civilized social war. Other amusing characters include Georgie, Lucia's effeminate best friend/suitor; Quaint Irene, a zany modern artist who dresses like a boy; Diva, a silly woman who jumps sides depending on who is winning; the Wises, Mrs. Wise wears a fur coat in the middle of summer; and Major Benjy, Mapp's suitor, a military man who shouts in Hindi and is often drunk. I found the first tape in the set to be rather dull but things picked up near the end of the second tape and by the third, I was hooked. I suggest watching the whole set before making a judgement. One last note, I don't know who designed the costumes but they deserve an award of some sort. Each character is dressed perfectly for their personality. Any fans of the comedy/drama (dramedy?) will find these shows to be a delight. (If you can afford it, buy both sets at once, you will be hungry for more after this)
Rating:
Summary: Cattiness was never more genteel
Review: Just a word of warning for new M&L viewers: the comedy from this series depends on the extremely eccentric cast of characters rather than pratfalls and such. As a result, a whole episode can be a set up for one very funny puchline but there are a lot of subtle jabs in between. If this sounds good to you, read on! I have never read the book on which this series is based so I have no comment on how good the adaptation is. All I can say is I know good British humor when I see it. Lucia is an elegant, controlling, eccentric widow who moves into the small town of Tilling. The queen of Tilling is Mapp, a dowdy spinster who keeps control of the populace through manipulation. At first, all is sweetness between the ladies and then more and more venom creeps into their actions. Before long, it is a deliciously civilized social war. Other amusing characters include Georgie, Lucia's effeminate best friend/suitor; Quaint Irene, a zany modern artist who dresses like a boy; Diva, a silly woman who jumps sides depending on who is winning; the Wises, Mrs. Wise wears a fur coat in the middle of summer; and Major Benjy, Mapp's suitor, a military man who shouts in Hindi and is often drunk. I found the first tape in the set to be rather dull but things picked up near the end of the second tape and by the third, I was hooked. I suggest watching the whole set before making a judgement. One last note, I don't know who designed the costumes but they deserve an award of some sort. Each character is dressed perfectly for their personality. Any fans of the comedy/drama (dramedy?) will find these shows to be a delight. (If you can afford it, buy both sets at once, you will be hungry for more after this)
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