Rating: Summary: See it if you get the chance Review: This turn of the century tale surrounding the Flambards estate, where it is "horses downstairs and airplaines upstairs", is a sometimes whimsical, sometimes tragic portrayal of that age when the cumbling aristocracy of hunting and servants was giving way to the modern world of technology. Christine McKenna is wonderful as the vibrant and tender Christina, and the cinematography is brilliant. Not to mention the music (warning: once you hear the theme, you'll be humming it for weeks!). My one criticism is the lack of any scenes from World War I, which had such a profound effect on that generation.
Rating: Summary: Stunning Review: When I first saw this on TV I was captivated. I haven't seen it in years and yet somehow I find my thoughts often repeating a line or recalling a look from the show. A must see !
Rating: Summary: Picture quality an eye-strain Review: With so many good series to watch, the ordeal of an eye-stain is just not worth it. I felt the people who released this dvd took their customers for granted. I have no quarrel with the material. I like all things British. I collect Telephone Kiosks, Pillar letter boxes, and British swords. Having worked in UK for several years, I have an acquired taste for British films. Watching this on a small screen 14 inch TV helps to reduce eye-strain. There are no sub-titles. As this genre of movies tend to be watched when the brats are asleep, sub-titles help in allowing the volume to be kept down. We know this stuff is dated. Nobody is expecting the picture quality of Gosford Park or Pride and Prejudice. But save this purchase until you have seen the rest. Test your eyesight tolerance with Sorrell and Son. Sorrell and Son will of course get the 5 star reviews. If you have the stomach for the picture quality of Sorrel and Son, you still have some way to go before you can cope with the picture quality of the Flambards. Be warned. People who buy this sort of dvd usually do not have the time or want to put up with the hassle of returning them.
Rating: Summary: Picture quality an eye-strain Review: With so many good series to watch, the ordeal of an eye-stain is just not worth it. I felt the people who released this dvd took their customers for granted. I have no quarrel with the material. I like all things British. I collect Telephone Kiosks, Pillar letter boxes, and British swords. Having worked in UK for several years, I have an acquired taste for British films. Watching this on a small screen 14 inch TV helps to reduce eye-strain. There are no sub-titles. As this genre of movies tend to be watched when the brats are asleep, sub-titles help in allowing the volume to be kept down. We know this stuff is dated. Nobody is expecting the picture quality of Gosford Park or Pride and Prejudice. But save this purchase until you have seen the rest. Test your eyesight tolerance with Sorrell and Son. Sorrell and Son will of course get the 5 star reviews. If you have the stomach for the picture quality of Sorrel and Son, you still have some way to go before you can cope with the picture quality of the Flambards. Be warned. People who buy this sort of dvd usually do not have the time or want to put up with the hassle of returning them.
Rating: Summary: This series made a profound impression on my life... Review: Yes, I, too, agree with Scott Lahti. I saw this series for the first time nearly 20 years ago when I was 10...PBS aired it over 13 weeks in the summer a couple years in a row. My older sister and I were enthralled, mesmerized. We literally stopped everything to watch Flambards. The characters were, and are, so touching, so real. The music stayed on our mind for years. As we didn't have a VCR the first few years that this was aired, we were left without it for about 10 years, mind you, still talking about the characters as if they were people we know! Humming/whistling "the Song of Christina!" We were so excited when A&E aired it, finally, in the early 90's, albeit with commercials. Even better another local PBS station aired the originals a couple years later (FINALLY!), and we both have them on video now. The astonishing thing is, I've seldom met anyone else who's ever seen it! I introduced my college roommates to Flambards, though, and shortly afterward would come home from class to find everyone in the living room, mesmerized, watching Flambards; I was so happy that someone besides myself "got it"! Soon everyone was quoting lines from the film! Yes! A couple years ago, my friend and former roommate had just had a baby and was staying home. I sent her the "Flambards" videos and she was so excited beyond belief. The point of all this is, this series has the uncanny ability to enter your psyche, leaving a warm contented feeling. I have read the trilogy by KM Peyton, and, though they were quite good, they really can't compare to the series...the casting was terrific (where ARE these people now, I'd like to know...they were incredible) the costuming, the flying machines were fantastic and I can't say enough about the musical score. I'm so happy that it IS available on video and hope it continues to enthrall people for years.
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