Rating: 
Summary: Simply a must-have item
Review: A dazzling combination of first-rate acting, tight dialog, and smart music. Its also great fun to see the commonalities and contrasts with the UK version offered here, and the derivative (and also excellent, perhaps superior) Showtime series here in the US. Positive and unflinching portrayals of gay life are still few and far between; don't pass this one by.Note: the DVD edition does not contain any additional content not available in the VHS edition (in fact, series 2 from the UK is still only available on video). The transfer is straightforward, clean, and letterbox. Choose DVD if it suits you, as the audio really comes across much better.
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Summary: UK Queer as Folk
Review: I found this origional miniseries better than the American cover version.
Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff
Review: This is such a good VHS or DVD to buy... i just love it!
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Summary: For all you sad people watching Showtime
Review: This is the real deal, kids. Unlike its lamentable progeny here in America, this series is compelling in every respect; even the actors with minor parts are outstanding. Some people have complained about the accents and the British slang, but the accents are much easier to deal with than those from any Scottish films such as Trainspotting and the slang is nothing that a little contextual common sense can't suss out. I was anxiously awaiting the American version and even ordered Showtime specifically to watch it. I cancelled my service that same night, and although I have watched several episodes since, it seems to me that the producers just don't get it. If you take poor writing, weak actors (where did they get those people?) and sluggish/absurd editing, you are probably going to end up with, well, just what you have. If you watch the American version- and don't mind being shown just how bad it is in relief- then definitely see this. A pleasure all around.
Rating: 
Summary: I want to go to Babylon!
Review: I liked this a lot. I liked the American version better. I'm the type who always enjoys seeing the story from different angles, seeing what different directors can do with the same script. I'm a huge fan of the American version, and wanted to see the original. However, the pacing made the original seem like an outline for the American version. Understandable, the story arc of the original covered in four hours what the American version covered in about sixteen, leaving six hours for additional subplots. For Americans, the Manchester accent does take some practice, and I'm sure I missed some subtile nuances that I'll catch on the next viewing (and there WILL be a next viewing).... If you can choose between this one and the American version, by all means get the American. Until the American becomes available, get this one and enjoy!
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Summary: the real deal, my experiece
Review: Hey, If you want to experience real life this is for your. I know all the characters, from real life. This is cool, irreverent and true. Buy it if you want to see it from the inside. Do not if you are uptight.
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Summary: ONE OF THE BEST BRITISH T.V DRAMA SERIES' EVER MADE!!
Review: Queer As Folk is an explosive look at the gay lifestyle as lived in Manchester, England (which is where I actually live and I absolutley love Canal Street). The series was surrounded by a blaze of controversy after the first episode with some of the most graphic, gay scenes shown on British Network Television. The obvious outrage from critics came in the fact that it showed a 29 year gay man having sex with a mere 15 year old. But these situations, however immoral they may seem, do occur and the writers rightly intended to focus on thses subjects. So what emerges are eight grittily realistic episodes with fine blends of comedy mixed in giving it a great balance and these were undoubtedly the ingredients to its smash hit success. The absolutley drop dead gorgeous, Aiden Gillen has the most lengthy role of Stuart Jones. In his startling realistic portrayal he conveys two sides to Stuart - the cocky, arrogant gay man with a chip on his shoulder about being gay, and a side to him that showed that there was just a lonley, screwed up man inside who feared telling his parents and was therefore seemingly blackmailed by his sister. If there were not these two dimensions to the character it possibly would'nt have worked so Aiden Gillen gets top marks for his role although the other two players show their own versatality with Craig kelly as Vince Tyler providing some of the more humorous and lighthearted moments. His fascination with Doctor Who and his continual bad luck when ever he takes a man home for a night of passion are hilarious at times. It's a very likeable and beleavable performance whilst Charlie Hunnam's portrayal of 15 year old Nathan Maloney who had just come out of the closet most likely had a host of young teenagers in the closet idntifying with his character. The character of Nathan is out the closet with a vengeance and is obviously still confused but is seemingly desperate to ease his way into the gay scene. Notably other good performances comes from Carla Henry as Nathans loyal friend, Donna, who raises a smile with her feel good factor and Denise Black as Vince's fun loving, down to earth mother, Hazel Tyler. She is also an essential part of the series who provides a lot of the laughs. The first four episodes of the series is a lot of fun and games although it has a darker undertone where the character, Phil, overdoses on heroin whilst the funeral of Phil that takes place in episode 4 is played out almost like black comedy. The second half of the series seems to settle down into storylines that build to the final such as centering on vince's relationship with an Aussie business man, played by Peter 'O Brian. Writer Russell T Davies strikingly realistic view of the gay lifestyle is immpecable and that is complimented by the great team of actors involved and as far as i'm concerned if people are that outraged by it then 1) Why watch it in the first place and 2) If they're offended then its simple - just switch channels!! It was a very welcome and pleasant change to have a series focusing on the lives of gay men especially tp a series that seemed overly accurate. Any gay man will be able to identify with one of the characters and this is where a lot of the enjoyment comes in. However Quuer As Folk 2 pales slightly in comparison to the first series. It's a two part special concluding the series and there are some fine moments and performances are great but the gritty realism that was part of the first series is slightly lost and the ending where Stuart and Vince finally get together is great as fantasy but you can't truly believe in it. Adequate is the best way of describing the sequel but the first series is a masterpiece and a true classic, accompanied by a sizzling soundtrack. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
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Summary: The best TV ever made
Review: I finally popped this TV program into my DVD player, and it is REALLY terrific. This is the best television I have ever seen. The characters will grab you from the start, and you will want to know what happens next! Now I understand the English phenomenon: after the first episode, EVERYONE was watching, but not everyone would admit to watching it. It's just funny and... horrifying and romantic and lovely and tragic...just a "bit 'o life."
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Summary: WORTH EVERY DOLLAR I SCROUNGED FOR IT!!!
Review: Funny, intelligent, blunt, campy, sensitive, well told, well acted. It has the much talked about sex scenes. But then it gives much more than that. Gay or straight, you'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: Go Ahead. Buy it.
Review: This DVD contains the first series - 4 hours on two discs - of *Queer as Folk* as it was originally seen on television in the U.K. I hesitated for awhile, wondering whether it was worth the rather steep price for two discs. (Actually, I didn't know how many discs there were -- search as you might, I dare you to find that information here). Plus, I wasn't crazy about the what I saw of the U.S. version. Finally, I'm always scared by films and television from the U.K. because the regional accents are often indecipherable to my Yankee ear. Anyway, I bought it and I'm glad I did. First, I had no problem with the accents or the regional idioms. All the "shagging" and "wanking" wore off on me a bit, actually. ("Do you think ov'im when you av'a wank? No? Then ee's your Boyfriend alright.") The teleplay is flawless. Other reviewers are better at synopsis than I am. The point is, it's how the story's told that really sells this. The ensemble cast, led by Aiden Gillen, Craig Kelly, and Charlie Hunnam is terrific. Where the U.S. show had guys who really looked good but weren't very interesting, this show has more or less normal, but still good looking guys who look better and better as you get to know them. As Stuart, Aiden Gillen, for example, plays a character who "doesn't even have to work for it." But it's not so much that he's a god, physically, it's rather his attitude, which is so much more complicated than the voracious party boy he pretends to be. Craig Kelly broke my heart as Vince, Stuart's best friend, who apparently has been smitten by Stuart since they were both 12. And Charlie Hunnam swipes every scene he's in as Nathan, the 15 year old who starts out as a victim-waiting-to-happen, and ends up a hero, both to himself and to his adopted community. The setting is realistic too: straight people who run the gamut from insane homophobes to fellow-travelers; and gay people who have carved for themselves a community, but who have also found out that the world isn't "Will and Grace" and liberation is an inside job. This show never panders to those who want easy or politically correct answers, or who want everything to be tied up nicely in a bow. Instead, it overflows with insight. Inthe U.S. version, this seems mere melodrama. Here, it works on so many dramatic levels. One of the best things to be said about it is that it truly is "made for t.v." Which is to say that it totally exploits and expands the medium. I could no more imagine this on the big screen than on the stage. It does, in other words, everything that T.V. should do and none of the things it shouldn't. There's a lot of sex in the show, some of it more steamy than most U.S. viewers have ever seen on the tube (not counting HBO), but it's never played for shock value. It propels the story. It's honest. And yes, it's erotic. So the bottom line is, this is a very fine show, and you're not likely to see it if you don't buy it. So if you *can* afford it, you probably should.
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