Rating: 
Summary: The Brits are not nearly as Queer as the Yanks
Review: Picked this DVD off a Canadian website about a year ago. The American version is definitely more sexual although the Brits are adult enough to show frontal male nudity (yep, even on "regular" TV). Stuart (Brian) is more likeable, less of predator. Vince (Michael) is not quite as starry-eyed over Stuart as Michael is over Brian. And Nathan is adorable without the little boy cuteness of Justin. Typical British TV show in that it hits and runs but worth viewing to see where the US QAF comes from. All in all the American QAF is much more entertaining. Faster paced, campier, more extensive story. Plus the Brits just don't have it in the looks department :-((A word of caution . . . the Manchester accent is quite thick and there's a lot of British slang, so if you're not familiar with either or both, you might have a bit of trouble catching the meaning without a translator by your side. But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
Rating: 
Summary: British TV at its best
Review: I loved this mini-series so much that I forked out the 70 odd quid for the American version just so that I could spend more time with Stuart and Vince (Brian and Michael). As you might have suspected, I ended up a little disappointed. This is not because the American version is bad - but it's very different. I believe it's inferior but that's just my own taste. The truth is, if you like the American version, you probably wouldn't like the British version and vice versa. As a reviewer said below, the UK version is grittier, not as glamourous or as "sweet". It's more ambiguous, darker and unapologetically un-PC with few easy "messages". It's also, therefore, more realistic. Phil's funeral is a great case in point. As opposed to his American alter-ego who just slipped into a coma, Phil died. And yes, Stuart and the gang weren't exactly sobbing or even particularly respectful. But what did you expect? They're portrayed as self-absorbed wankers - charming and attractive but still basically egotistical. However, that episode, largely through Vince, voices the series' somewhat ambivalent attitide to aspects of contemporary gay life - something which gives a greater depth and resonance to the whole thing. However, you can't fault the US series for not doing what it didn't set out to do. The plot of the original was driven by the largely sexless relationship between Stuart and Vince, and how their unspoken love for each other expressed itself; with Nathan ("The one-night stand that never went away") acting as an introduction to their world and a catalyst for the story. Although those of us who love the original might mourn the lack of focus on the central relationship between the main characters - the US version is much much longer and more of an emsemble, so letting that relationship drive the plot makes little sense as there is no defined ending. And the American version is MEANT to be glitzier and "easier" - a sort of gay "Sex and the City". As such, it succeeds very well. Entertainly eye-candy that can nonetheless be very thought-provoking at times. If the sex gets a little dull, I just remind myself that, as a straight female, I'm probaby not the best audience for the series. But ah!! That last scene with Stuart and Vince dancing like complete utter twats to #It's Raining Men# but not giving a folk - that scene proves conclusively that you can both laugh and cry at the same time. Pure Magic.
Rating:
Summary: Different, but good
Review: Having been a major fan of the American QAF, it was great recently to see the British. Like a lot of folks have said, the initial story line is almost identical, just treated in a different way. British is faster paced and funnier, especially after you get used to the Manchester working class slang. But the faster pace keep the characters from having quite as much depth, although I like how the relationship between Stuart and Vince turns out more than Brian and Mike. But I'm more of a romantic about stuff like that. And the British is far more authentic in its approach to the working class culture. The American boys claim Pittsburg working class roots, but they behave like middle class suburbans. Overall though, I like the larger cast, more complex story and character development of the American version. And there's nothing in the British that comes even close to the impact of the last show of season 1 American, especially for someone who's been through a similar situation as what happened to Justin. That one episode did more to heal my old emotional pains than years of counselling could ever hope to!! I also think the way the American told the story of Mike's 30th birthday was much better set up and followed through to a logical conclusion than Vince's 30th on the British. If I hadn't seen the American, I probably would have missed the point on the British. But all in all, the British is definitely worth having if you're into QAF.
Rating:
Summary: Drama without the beauty
Review: I watched the first series of QAF when it aired in the UK and it was pretty ground breaking stuff over here. This was mainly due to the gritty storylines and its 'no holes barred' approach. I loved the series as it was refreshing to see gay storylines that weren't all about HIV and queer bashing (which is all you got previously on british TV). I disagree with some of the other reviewers as I thought it was really well acted and the casting was fantastic.
The american QAF has just started to be aired on cable over here and I found it a little disappointing though still enjoyable. Me and many of my mates were really excited when we heard HBO were releasing an american version. Even Russell T Davies (the writer of britsh QAF) hailed it as fantastic. Yes the actors are much more attractive and there's more nudity and better sex scenes, but if thats all you want from a series, go and get some porn. If you can't watch TV without needing to be titilated the brish series is probably not for you. I personally prefer the series because its not so 'fluffy' and makes you question your own opinions and ideas of gay life. It had to be rougher cause thats life in the UK - no one here would of been able to relate to the beauty of QAF USA. Maybe a british audience expect different things to an american audience. It also appealed to a huge sraight following here because it wasn't incredibly homo-erotic.
If you enjoy good, gritty drama as opposed to lighter, sweeter, more attractive TV, I think you'll like the series a lot. QAF USA is good and has its place but in my mind doesn't equal this series.
Rating:
Summary: Cutting Edge
Review: As someone who has the benefit of watching PAL (British/European) formatted video, I'm fortunate to have the original release of QAF 1 and 2 from the UK. This is the series that started it all. While the American version of this series has definitely improved and the actors have gotten more comfortable in their roles, I have to say I still find the British version superior with respect to acting and with the more gritty, realistic view of what gay life is like in a working class city. The American version is still a bit polished and its portrayal of the gay nightlife is a bit surreal. While the American version pushes the sex envelope a bit further than the UK version, you have to realize that in the UK this was shown on Channel Four, which would be an equivalent of NBC in America. Imagine NBC (or ABC or CBS or anything not on a premium cable channel) showing this!! As the analogy goes, America is cutting edge with violence and the British with sex. The original version is definitely worth getting your hands on. I think you'll find the characters are multidimensional and considerably more realistic. (and if you have the capability to play PAL tapes, buy these tapes from amazon.co.uk as they include the original soundtrack which is far superior to the sad thing they had to do these tapes to comply with licensing them in North America).
Rating:
Summary: Vastly better than the US Showtime version
Review: This original UK version stands head and shoulders above the US version. The cast is amazing and the performances deeper, sleazier, funnier, warmer. Sometimes less IS more. This is truly case with Queer as Folk.
Rating:
Summary: See the Original That Started It All
Review: About 3 years ago a show appeared on British TV that shocked a nation. Its frank portrayal of gay lifestyle in Manchester was soon met by both anger and raves. Soon, even if they didn't admit it, people were tuning into Queer as Folk and loving it. The story is simple. Stuart, afraid of falling in love, turns to one night stands for pleasure. Stuart's friend Vince, a die-hard Dr. Who fan, is in love with Stuart, but can't admit it to himself or his friend. Then...along comes Nathan...a 16 year old who is just coming out of the closet and falling in love with Stuart. What happens next is a journey you will need to take. Its about time that the English version of this show was available in the US. The Showtime adaption is good...but its the UK version that sizzles! Believe me...Episode 1 has gone down in British History as the 25 minutes that rocked a nation! This video set is Series 1. Series 2 appeared a year later...and although it closed the doors on Queer as Folk...it is not as good as the first 8 episodes.
Rating: 
Summary: ?
Review: Why do people like this? Its not like real life at all and in fact has done nothing but stain the reputation of hard working, moral, intelligent gay men.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST!
Review: There are moments in every episode where you think "Nothing on tv well ever be better than this" (that is before you see the next episode).
The American version of Queer as folk is simply not comparable to this one.
Every second of the UK version is worth watching. Not every episode of the US version is worth watching. That¡¯s the difference.
Rating: 
Summary: They Really Liked This?
Review: Apparently all these rave reviewers can somehow get past the fact that the "hot" central character (Brian's counterpart in US version) is a very average looking guy. His pal (Michael's counterpart) is better looking. Okay, I don't want to be be a strictly superficial homosexual, but the central conceit of every plot line falls flat when there is no way to believe that this guy could really be picking up all those actually hot guys. With that major flaw in mind, all other credibility for the series goes right out the window... and even becomes laughable.
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