Rating: 
Summary: Not "inferior," but b/w and adult in tone
Review: A previous reviewer warns that episodes from the first season were not aired in America as a part of the original package in the 1970s because they were considered "inferior." This is extremely inaccurate.Thirteen early episodes (actually pulled from both the first *and* second series) were not shown here originally because five episodes were produced in black and white, while others were considered too adult in tone for 1970s viewing in America. There is nothing inferior about these 'missing' episodes.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece Revisited
Review: Although my wife and I had the pleasure of revisiting the Bellamys, their friends, and their servants in the early 1990s when KQED replayed all five seasons, this was our first opportunity to see the black and white episodes that were only shown in Great Britain, as well as the rest of the first season. It was a memorable experience, being able to view the tapes at our leisure, and reliving the lives of so many wonderful characters. Their growth through pleasant and trying experiences, their interaction above and below stairs, the shared historic moments that covered political, social, and technological changes only served to whet our appetites for the second year's videos. The characters are memorable and seem to become part of the viewers family, the writing is genuine, moving, and witty. The sets are authentic, the action is real, and the stories are universal. Upstairs Downstairs is television at its best.
Rating:
Summary: Great fun!
Review: Despite being created in the early 1970's, this series seems like it could have been created in Edwardian England. I remember watching bit's of it as a child on TV and find the DVDs absolutely spellbinding. Being able to watch episode after episode at my leisure, on my schedule is absolutely luxurious. I have a portable DVD player and this series is great to travel with since there are so many hours per disk.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Programme - Shame about the DVD quality
Review: Finally Upstairs Downstairs appears on DVD - I had been putting off buying the VHS versions for ages, hoping for a DVD release. Now I am wondering if it was worth waiting for. Of course the episodes are marvellous - A great drama series about life in early 20th century London which, after more than 30 years, still holds up well. It is a shame however that the quality of the prints used by A&E are (in places) quite bad. It seems that A&E have used old video masters for these DVD's, probably some that were sourced in the 80's for a video release or a re-broadcast on PBS. There has been no apparent restoration on these prints so you still have all of the usual video tape interference - It's just that now you are able to see that interference in full digital quality ! The episode 'A voice from the past' was particularly bad. All of this may not be apparent to the casual viewer but if you have an eye for quality - something we have started to expect from DVD, then you will be disappointed by the picture (and sound)quality of some of the material on this DVD. I have yet to purchase season 2 as I notice similar problems being reported with that set also. Come on now A&E - You were doing so well with your early DVD releases. Don't let the quality slip now that you have started to release some truly classic examples of TV at it's best.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Series- Terible Transfer to DVD
Review: I am going to wait and find out from others if Season 4 and 5 are as poorly transfered as Season 1,2, and 3. I am not sure what "bmd" June 9 2002 is talking about. All 3 Seasons have masking, freezing and sounds of the cameras churning and the Dolly moving around the room. These are priceless and should have been handled in a better way. Recently I purchased Brideshead Revisited, on the DVD they said the original copy was in poor quality. They spent months getting the quality up to speed for those of us that watch DVD format as a superior viewing experience. But "bmd" is right about one thing, the stories are wonderful and even though I don't get a fluid viewing experience I will make due till A/E either cleans these previous DVD's up, then I will re-purchase them. This applies to DVD ONLY. 4 Stars for story, minus 1 for horrible, tacky, poorly executed video transfer to DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Series- Terible Transfer to DVD
Review: I am going to wait and find out from others if Season 4 and 5 are as poorly transfered as Season 1,2, and 3. I am not sure what "bmd" June 9 2002 is talking about. All 3 Seasons have masking, freezing and sounds of the cameras churning and the Dolly moving around the room. These are priceless and should have been handled in a better way. Recently I purchased Brideshead Revisited, on the DVD they said the original copy was in poor quality. They spent months getting the quality up to speed for those of us that watch DVD format as a superior viewing experience. But "bmd" is right about one thing, the stories are wonderful and even though I don't get a fluid viewing experience I will make due till A/E either cleans these previous DVD's up, then I will re-purchase them. This applies to DVD ONLY. 4 Stars for story, minus 1 for horrible, tacky, poorly executed video transfer to DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Series- Terible Transfer to DVD
Review: I am going to wait and find out from others if Season 4 and 5 are as poorly transfered as Season 1,2, and 3. I am not sure what "bmd" June 9 2002 is talking about. All 3 Seasons have masking, freezing and sounds of the cameras churning and the Dolly moving around the room. These are priceless and should have been handled in a better way. Recently I purchased Brideshead Revisited, on the DVD they said the original copy was in poor quality. They spent months getting the quality up to speed for those of us that watch DVD format as a superior viewing experience. But "bmd" is right about one thing, the stories are wonderful and even though I don't get a fluid viewing experience I will make due till A/E either cleans these previous DVD's up, then I will re-purchase them. This applies to DVD ONLY. 4 Stars for story, minus 1 for horrible, tacky, poorly executed video transfer to DVD.
Rating:
Summary: unsatisfactory
Review: I am sorry I purchased this set of videos. I saw the entire original series on American T.V.. It was fabulous. This set selects various episodes and you find yourself totally confused because the necessary connecting episodes are not included. Why didn't they do a set which includes all the episodes?
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed in the Quality
Review: I eagerly awaited these, as I really enjoyed the series years ago. The series was wonderful, but I was very disappointed in the quality of the DVD's. Some are black and white, but my black and white copies showed little explosions of green and red. The sound faded, and was difficult to hear at times. In one of the episodes the figures glowed with an eerie green. I am normally very happy with the quality of A&E DVD's, so the poor quality was a surprise.
Rating:
Summary: I love this show!
Review: I Love Upstairs Downstairs! It is one of my favorite TV shows. I think that this is definitely worth the money because you can watch these over and over. It also has a great extra on the end telling you a lot about Upstairs Downstairs. You should also buy the second season. This is a wonderful series and I absolutely recommend it.
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