Customer Reviews

Absolutely Fabulous: Complete DVD Collection

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have to admit, I held out on purchasing this for a long time b/c I thought it wasn't going to be worth the money. I mean, let's face it, it's a wee bit pricey & if you're like me, you have seen them all many times over on Comedy Central or BBC America. However, I gave in to temptation one day & finally bought it...& I couldn't be happier!

First off, it's got all the episodes from the first 3 original series (not counting the 4th series that aired in 2001, & the 5th series that aired in 2003 on the WE channel, but they're available separately & I recommend you pick them up, too). This 4-disc set contains each series compiled on its own disc with extra features, as well as a disc of bonus material. Series 1: Fashion; Fat; France; Iso Tank; Birthday; & Magazine. Series 2: Hospital; Death; Morocco; New Best Friend; Poor; & Birth. Series 3: Doorhandle; Happy New Year; Sex; Jealousy; Fear; & The End. Each of these discs includes 15 minutes of hilarious outtakes- they are really great. It also contains still photo galleries set to music, as well as trailers for other BBC DVDs & BBC America commercials. But the outtakes really make it worthwhile.

The bonus disc includes the "How To Be Ab Fab" documentary that was shown on Comedy Central many times, as well as a compilation of the series' greatest moments hosted by Jennifer Saunders & June Whitfield ("Ab Fab Moments"). The "Modern Mother & Daughter" skit from French & Saunders is also included (the skit that spawned Ab Fab), as well as cool pages about the cast, guest stars, & my favorite- a guide to the real life locations featured in Ab Fab (London, New York, etc).

For all you technical fans, the DVD looks & sounds really great. The picture transfer is excellent- clear, pristine picture on a full screen. It's much better than watching it on television- honestly. The packaging is great, too.

But perhaps the best thing about watching Ab Fab on DVD? It's not edited for content. True, even though it appeared on cable, Comedy Central had to edit out a few choice words (the BBC, as well as all other European television stations, are a little more lenient than American stations), all of which naturally appear on the DVD. It's not a huge deal, & I'm a mature guy, but for you hardcore purists, this is the only way to go! It just makes it a little more enjoyable.

I hope this has convinced you if are on the fence about this purchase. Trust me; if you're even considering it then you will definitely love it. I actually a casual fan when I purchased the DVD set on an impulse buy, but watching it on DVD has made it much, much more enjoyable. Now I ADORE Ab Fab!

First off, let me address some of the other reviews by stating that the reason why "The Last Shout" doesn't appear on this box set is because a different company released it on video, and the rights were not available for this collection. ANYWAY- this box set does not disappoint AT ALL. The picture is so clear and pristine; you can tell a lot of work went into making these DVD's look great. Each DVD features outtakes (scenes that didn't make it into episodes) and bloopers, which are great to view. The fourth DVD contains the "How To Be Absolutely Fabulous" (which was never available on laserdisc, I used to own the laserdisc box sets of these episodes.)... it just does not get better or funnier than this! You will scream with laughter over the exploits of Edina and Patsy!! This is the BEST and funniest British comedy ever!!!

Finally, a DVD collection of Ab Fab... oh how many VHS tapes of this series I have worn out. This is the best format conversion from VHS to DVD that I have ever seen. The picture quality is superb and the color and sound is far superior to the VHS copies I own. The menu's are great, you get hillarious outtakes of each series on all three DVD's and the bonus DVD is worth the price of the entire set. I especially enjoyed the "How to be Absolutely Fabulous" which is hosted by Jennifer Saunders (looking simply ravishing I might add) and her riotous look at behind the scenes and sneek peeks into the BBC Studio where this all began. I have been wanting this series on DVD since I first heard of DVD format because this comedy is timeless... you will enjoy it over and over no matter what year it was produced. If I can say one thing let me say this... if you are considering buying even just one or two of the Ab Fab series DVD's... Please buy this 4 DVD complete collection, it is worth every penny. Not only that, once you watch one you will want to see every single episode and you'll still be left wanting more..dahling! So order this set and when it arrives put on your best lacroix, grab a bottle of Stoli, light a fag and sit back for some side splitting laughter.

If you are reading this then you are most likely already a fan of ABFAB so there is little point in reviewing the series. I will concentrate instead on whether you should buy the DVD set. I recently purchased this set for my wife and she was thrilled with the quality of the DVD transfer for both audio and visual aspects. Sometimes transfers can be a bit too warm or washed out(such as the first issue of the Firth/Ehle Pride and Prejudice being warm and the Anniversary collectors edition being a bit washed out; and I highly recommend the former over the latter) but this is not the case with the ABFAB set. The colors are vibrant and true to the original imagery.

As for the DVD extras, which are always important, there are plenty of outtakes and a fourth disk containing behind-the-scene looks, a sort of "best of" etc. All in all, this DVD set is well worth owning and my wife considered it to be an outstanding surprise birthday gift (to be honest I did not think I was going out on a limb, but you never know). However, I would not be surprised if they come out with a single DVD set that unifies all four seasons, so some may wish to wait for that one. Regardless, any ABFAB fan would be thrilled with this excellent boxed set.

I Love Lucy, Mary Tylor Moore, Rosanne. Comedy series that have, and will continue to last throughout the ages. And now we can add Absolutely Fabulous to that list as well. Groundbreaking in every way, this is one show that's after shock will be felt in television for years to come. The outrageous adventures of drug addict/alcholic Patsy Stone and her fad of the moment best friend Edina Monsoon never fail to leave you in stiches. And you won't believe the things you find yourself laughing at. The poor, the crippled, celebrities, countries, nationalities, religons, sex, and body parts all get skewered (no to mention how they lambast friends and family)! How people can be so dispicable in every way and still be endearing is a testament to the exemplary writing and acting. All 24 episodes are inlcuded and although that's not very many shows compared to a US series, the quality more than makes up for it.

There are bonuses but the main attraction is the show itself. The outtakes can be very funny once you've grown to love the characters and see the actors slipping in and out of character. On the other hand, the picute gallery wasn't done properly. Too many of the shots are taken directly from the series and the image quality isn't impressive. You get much better stills from just pausing the DVD. After watching the series only on Comedy Central, it's astonishing to see how crisp and bright the image is for this transfer. One other thing I really enjoyed was the menu screens. They fit right in with the theme of the show and are easy to navigate. I have a question though. Is the singing voice on the menus RuPaul? I hope so! It would be a perfect addition to this FABULOUS set.

Ok Darling, now buy this DVD set right away to enjoy one of the best comedy series ever. You simply can't be disappointed sweetie!

Why do I love this series? It's a fast-paced comedy that NEVER slows and never dates. I've been watching this series for five years. I still find it hilarious and I'm still picking up new things I'd never noticed before.

You'll like every character but you'll soon pick your favourite. Sit back and see who you choose - it's an interesting insight into your own personality!

Edina (Mother) - Will wear anything so long as it's designer-made, even if it's two sizes too small! "You can't give my clothes to the poor! It's bad enough they have to beg for food without the added indignity of wearing last season's!"

Saffron (Edina's Daughter) - Possibly the only sane character in the entire series - or is she? "Mum, you've absolved yourself of responsibility! You live from self-induced crisis to self-induced crisis! Someone does your hair, someone does your brain, someone tells you what to wear, some tells you what to eat, then three times a week they stick a hose up your bum and flush it all out of you!"

Patsy (Edina's Best-friend) - When she's not drinking alcohol, snorting drugs, picking up young men, or spending Edina's money, she's pretending to be a Fashion Director for a magazine. "One snap of my fingers and I can raise hem lines so high that the world is your gynaecologist!"

After watching this entire collection, 'Sweetie', 'Darling' and 'Fabulous' will all be a part of your vocabulary.

I've waited for this complete version. I didn't buy the previous sets because I knew this baby was going to come along eventually.
And, darling, it's FAB!! All eppys are here with extras to make you howl with laughter. Watching the show progress from it's early days through the last year is amazing in itself. There are plenty of extra features (How to Be Ab Fab is one) and photos on each disk. Out takes are a riot; and the commentaries brilliant.

Season 5 doesn't appear here, but that's more than ok. I personally love the earlier stuff anyway (the India trip is my fave) and can wait to buy that series later.

I can't wait to have my first AB FAB DVD party!!!

This is a great DVD set for what it contains, but it claims to be the complete collection. Who ever compiled this set must think that not including the 90 minute special, "The Last Shout", still means complete. The Bonus DVD seems wasted, since the video it includes is somewhat trivial, so why didn't they put "The Last Shout" on the 4th DVD? Maybe they just want us to spend even more money to buy it when it comes out, then our set will be complete.

I received this lovely little gem as a going away present from my mates at work. What a fabulous surprise! This boxed set includes the 1st 3 seasons of Ab Fab, plus a bonus DVD entitled "Gorgeous Little Things". This bonus DVD was slightly disappointing, as the "How to Be Absolutely Fabulous" and "Ab Fab Moments" were pretty much the same thing- clips of the shows best moments hosted by Jennifer Saunders and June Whitfield. However, there are hilarious outtakes from each season included, plus "Modern Mother & Daughter", the original "French & Saunders" sketch that introduced Edina and Saffy Monsoon. "Let's Get Celebritied Up!" is another best Ab Fab moments featuring guest appearances. You do, however, get an interactive map of Patsy and Edina's stomping grounds. The only thing missing that I think should have been included was "The Last Shout"- the Ab Fab special where Saffy gets engaged. Still, all in all, its a great boxed set worth every penny.

Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, as free-spirited drunks Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone, and the beautiful Julia Sawalha as Edina's straight-laced daughter Saffron, were brilliant in this biting satire of the ridiculously self-absorbed fashion industry. This collection is a DVD dream-come-true (I, for one, don't really count "The Last Shout" as part of the series, although it was well done). The only thing better than the DVD release was the news late last year that Saunders is bringing the show back to television late in 2001. A classic to hardcore Britcom fans (like myself), the series spawned countless imitations by American writers and stars, which failed miserably (when will we ever learn to leave high-minded humor to the Brits?). Favorite episodes of mine are "Death," which slams the art-world ("It all looks like bollocks, so it must be worth something!"); "Happy New Year," a favorite because of the delightful performance in support by Jane Horrocks, as Edina's idiotic secretary Bubble ("This New Year thing . . Am I correct in thinking it's when the year goes UP one?"); and "The End," the second of a two-parter in which Edina struggles to fit in after joining a New Age cult following a fight with daughter Saffy (fans will remember the furor resulting from the "talking stick"). A comedy classic that defies being dated because of Saunders' edgy humor.