91 of 91 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Serene Series Seen Like Never Before, April 7, 2002
This review is from: As Time Goes By - Complete Series 4 (DVD)
"As Time Goes By" stars Judi Dench & Geoffrey Palmer as Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, who were once lovers in the early 1950s. Lionel went to fight in the Korean war, and the two lost touch. In the very first episode of the series, they meet again and slowly begin to rekindle their romance. The wonderful series that ensues is a pleasure to watch.
This DVD contains all 10 episodes of the 4th season of "As Time Goes By". This is quite an important, funny, and emotional season in the show's history. And, oh, how wonderful it looks on DVD!
Within the 4th season occurs the 25th wedding anniversary of Penny & Stephen (in-laws of Jean), a new "boy"friend for Jean's daughter Judith, Jean's secretary Sandy moving-in to the household, the completion of Lionel's script for a mini-series based on his & Jean's young love affair, and, most importantly, the wedding of Jean & Lionel.
And as for how it looks on DVD: WOW. Now, I have watched British television shows on DVD before, but never has one looked so stunning. The colors are brilliant, the lines are crisp, the picture comes alive. There is one scene in particular, in the episode where Jean & Lionel are on their honeymoon in the hills of Scotland. It looks STUNNING. I'm sorry to gush, but I was just *very* taken aback. By all means, if you are able to, I would recommend getting the 4th season on DVD.
Well, there you have it. If you want a nice, gentle, warm, romantic and funny series with sincere characters and an interesting, hilarious plotline, then by all means start watching "As Time Goes By" today.
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67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Must Remember This....., March 30, 2002
This review is from: As Time Goes By - Complete Series 4 (DVD)
...My first introduction to " As Time Goes By " was actually by way of my local PBS television station. Stumbling upon it about three years ago I found myself instantly hooked to it's marvelous, grown-up characters, witty style of dialogue ( thank-you Bob Larbey! ) and the warm intimate nature that filled every episode. ...I, at first, simply thought that because it's a "Britcom" than perhaps I was heaping undue praise for a program that just maybe was slightly unjustified.....but after giving that much thought I've come to a much different conclusion. That being " As Time Goes By " works due to one important ingredient. And that is simply due to the fact that, after watching several enticing episodes, you not only enjoy and like Jean Pargetter ( Judi Dench ) and Lionel Hardcastle ( Geoffrey Palmer ) and Co. but you truly do care about them as well. While I can easily rattle off a dozen different programs where I enjoy the cast of characters this is the only show where I, strangely enough, find myself truly wishing the entire cast, also featuring daughter Judith ( Moira Brooker ), Sandy ( Jenny Funnell ) and the ever jovial, man about-town Alastair ( Philip Bretherton ) all the best and really caring about what happens to them. Fully realizing that my concern for a fictional television family borders on bizarre but that's the effect this wonderful show has on me....and I must add it also shows how extremely well everyone is practicing their craft! Also, by pacing the program at a nice, leisurely rate they have wisely decided to let the viewers 'slowly but assuredly' get to know each cast member in their own time, without the need to force the viewer to accept the character immediately. That's an important aspect of this wonderful program and one that I truly wish we would see more often.
Wisely, the producer of this remarkable series, Stuart Lotterby, has decided, instead of 'chopping-up every half-hour episode with a nice tidy ending ( which would simply take away the honesty that is the cornerstone of ATGB! ),he's allows the series a feeling of true continuity by letting past situations and concerns rise up in future programs. Thereby awarding the show with a sense of how true life does tend to actually be, instead giving the viewer the unrealistic sense that 'all's well that end's well!' after 30 odd minutes.' It's an important part of a show that, instead of relying on calculated, over-the-top situations feels much more like the viewer actually being given the luxury of being with Jean and Lionel as they go about their lives, and we are priviledged enough to be able to sit back and enjoy them and their everyday routines. Not contrived....just a program with so much true heart and warm honesty...
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33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning DVD, April 10, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: As Time Goes By - Complete Series 4 (DVD)
As for content, read the other reviews, stunning cast, believably done, acolades all around. The production values are what caught my attention. If only all DVDs from TV were this GREAT. I've watched the series at least 4 times on my local [tv] station. I will be watching it many more times now that the DVD has been released. I've seen details in the DVD that simply blended into the background before (you can even see the pattern of the wall paper in the room that Jean wants to make into a study for Lionel). The set decorators deserve kudos for their work in making the set so believable. After you've enjoyed the story look again at the settings. Thank you for a magnificent story in a magnificent setting, with magnificent production values. ... Go out and buy this one!!!
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