Rating: 
Summary: Finally, Rumpole on DVD!
Review: I watched the first episode of Rumpole some 25 years ago and loved it. I have been a fan since then. I have wanted to collect the entire works of Rumpole for a long time, and have been waiting patiently for the Rumpole series to come out on DVD. Finally, a permanent set which will not fade and, unlike aging lawyers, will never lose its appeal.
Rating:
Summary: More than on VHS
Review: I'm a big fan of Rumpole and admit to being something of an anglophile. Of all the PBS Mystery series, the one that most captured my attention and adoration were the ones with Horace, his claret and stogey, and a case involving a matter of blood. The stories are not clear cut, good vs. evil. Instead they tell the sad tales of the human condition. They are equally thought provoking and humourous.I had been collecting all the Rumpole video tapes I could find. The first thing I noticed when I purchased this collection was the inclusion of episodes missing from the VHS series. This DVD collection appears to be devoted to delivering all of the Rumpole episodes and is therefore, to me, a must have for a fan of this series.
Rating:
Summary: Great Series, Good DVD Value
Review: If you have seen the Rumpole series, you don't need to be sold on the merits of the program. If you haven't, and have any interest in law and literature -- and one of the greatest matchings of actor to character since Basil Rathbone -- then you have a treat in store. This DVD set is a very good value, and highly recommended. There are 4 disks, the first 3 of which contain 4 episodes each, 12 in all, from the first two Rumpole series. (The episodes ran in the UK on Thames TV in 1978 and 1979, and in the US as part of the PBS "Mystery" series in 1980 and 1981. The first two episodes, Rumpole and the Younger Generation and Rumpole and the Alternative Society, were not initially shown in the US. The latter stars Jane Asher, Paul McCartney's erstwhile girlfriend and the sister of Peter of Peter and Gordon). The 4th disk contains a (lesser) two-hour special "Rumpole's Return," which aired in 1980 in the UK and 1984 in the US. All of the episodes star Leo McKern as Rumpole and Peggy Thorpe-Bates as Hilda Rumpole, "She Who Must Be Obeyed." The Rumpole episodes are terrifically entertaining. The acting (with the exception of Rumpole's Return, which has some ludicrous acting by bit-players) is first-rate. The writing is some of the best ever for TV, and each episode is sprinkled with McKern spouting poetry or drama, usually from his favorites Wordsworth or Shakespeare, but sometimes from lesser, but deserving, lights such as Thomas Hood ("No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease/No comfortable feel in any member, No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees/ No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds/November"). The episodes are structured similarly, in that an issue in the case that Rumpole is confronting in the courtroom is paralleled in his personal or work life. I have seen each episode twice with my wife, a non-lawyer, and we both feel that they stand up very well to repeat viewings. I wish there had been more in the way of extras, which are limited to very basic text screens about Mortimer, McKern, and English law. Nonetheless, this is very worthwhile DVD set.
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Summary: Sip a glass of Chateau Thames Embankment, and savor Rumpole!
Review: Is there any telvision show with more wit, erudition, and insight into human nature? I think not. Beautifully adapted from John Mortimer's wonderful books, (look for the author lurking in several episodes) it is hard to imagine the series without the extraordinary performance of the late, great Leo McKern. (Remember him in the Beatles' movie HELP?) However, the author originally had thought of the eccentric character actor Alistair Sim for the role. Spend an evening with Portia, Soapy Sam, Doddie MacIntosh and She Who Must Be Obeyed. You will never regret meeting them!
Rating: 
Summary: Early Rumpole a Delight
Review: It's been ages since these early Rumpoles were on PBS, and it's a delight to see them again. McKern and friends are brilliant, Mortimer's scripts sharp and funny, and the transfers to DVD first-rate. I'm eagerly awaiting the next batch.
Rating:
Summary: Rumpole, Rampant. with a Vin ordinaire
Review: Leo McKern, after being dropped off in front of the "Old Bailey" at the end of "The Prisoner" series, took up the mantle of Horace Rumpole, the champion of the underdog, mis-understood and the opressed. (among others)... The wit, satire and double entendre's (or is it doubles entrende?) never cease, the multilevel interplay is delicious.
And, of course, there is the interplay with "She Who Must Be Obeyed... If you have never seen this series, you MUST...
If you have seen this series, you MUST...
This is a wonderful addition to my collection... try it for yours...
Rating:
Summary: Another reluctant spouse won over
Review: My husband certainly has, uh, eclectic viewing tastes, so I usually treat his enthusiastic ravings about old television shows and movies with a roll of the eye. I had never heard of this Rumpole series that he kept going on about, but when my planned Christmas gift fell through, I scoured Amazon.com for an alternative. I held my breath before choosing to purchase because I knew that buying this DVD set would mean that *I'd* have to watch it with him. Well, I am writing to say, one, that my husband LOVED this gift and, two, that (surprisingly) so did I. The lead actor's characterization is superb, the episodes presents *very* diverse scenarios (not like my favorite Law & Order by any respect), yet there are relationships that carry enough interest to be carried forward into each episode (though not in a soap opera kind of way). The humor is very, very dry but there are some knee-slapping, laugh-aloud moments. I liked this series enough to actually agree to purchase the others for him when they come out. It certainly helps that it is a well-designed, well-packaged set. I am happy to recommend this to others who are considering it as a gift for Rumpole fans.
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Summary: Reluctant Spouse Agreed to Watch and Loved It!
Review: My serious minded spouse, who is more interested in Astronomy, Physics, etc, reluctantly agreed to watch the first episode with me. We quickly ran through all of the shows in about 10 days. We both loved them! Strongly recommend this DVD set to anyone with an interest in intelligent television and movies. The Rumpole series explores several contemporary themes, including the ethical issues of lawyers defending clients they know to be guility, the impact of family loyalties and office politics, the nature of racial and sexual prejudice, etc. Definitely a keeper!
Rating:
Summary: Thank you!!
Review: Thanks for bringing Rumpole to DVD. This is a great TV series filled with lots of great characters and played by very good actors. If you like court room mystery and english drama, you'll love Rumpole.
Rating: 
Summary: Great content. Bad DVD implementation.
Review: The enjoyment of this great series is indeed hampered by the poor technical implmentation in DVD format. The audio is difficult to hear and their are no subtitles of any kind to help to decipher the British accents which make this series enjoyable. How disappointing!
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