Customer Reviews

As Time Goes By: Complete Original Series

5 star:		(200)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is truly a series not to be missed. Rarely does a comedy come along with such gentle sweetness that it touches our hearts forever. And that is exactly what this series does. Join Lionel and Jean, who fell deeply in love once upon a time, and accidently rediscover one another 38 years later. The love and hilarity that follow will make you both laugh and cry. Follow the rocky love adventures of Judith, Jean's daughter, and her friend Sandy. And speaking of rocky, don't miss Lionel's hilarious, eccentric father, Rocky and his darling bride, Madge. There's also Mrs. Bales and her constant weather forecasts in the Channel, Alistair and his flash ways, and Jean's sister-in-law, Penny, and her husband, Stephen, all of whom provide much enjoyment and many delights along the way. The acting is so well done and the characters so well developed that they will become your friends and your family along this pleasant journey. This is truly a show that you will want to watch and watch and watch again... as time goes by.

This complete series is contained on eleven discs. If you buy this set, or season 8 and 9, you won't need the additional DVD entitled, "You Must Remember This," as it is contained in both these sets. This is a great price for the entire series at one pop. Also, don't miss the "Reunion Special" that was subsequently released.

So once again, if you're looking for a show with plenty of love, laughter, and charm, then this is definetly the one to try. Go out and get a copy today; you won't regret it.

Smash B

We could have purchased each of the seasons of "As Time Goes By" separately, but my husband and I waited until this complete collection was available so that we could have the entire set in one neat box. We've been watching the episodes from the beginning -- enjoying those we've seen before and discovering the ones we'd missed along the way -- and it has become a special part of our evenings together as we watch 2 or 3 at a time. It's so nice to have them on DVD to watch at our convenience. Public television plays them fairly regularly, but often at a time when we're not free to sit still and view the program.

Of course, we love this series. Even though we're younger than Jean and Lionel, we see ourselves in them. It's such refreshing writing for a comedy series as it finds something amusing in our human interactions as opposed to inventing impossible situations for the sake of a laugh, relying on bathroom jokes, or resorting to insults.

Since ordering Series 8 and 9 (which was released the same day), have previously ordered 6 and 7 from here, and bought 1 through 5 on my first trip in years to Ohio a few years ago. I do not need this well priced collection (and it IS well priced). However I should include a review, as this is one of my favorite britcoms, else I wouldn't be buying it on disc. You get 11 discs (2 of which will be released as 1 set on the same day as this collection). From what I see on the picture of the "Series 8&9" 2 bagger just displayed today, the Series 9 will also contain the retrospective "You Must Remember This" which previously released separately (between the releases of series 5 and 6) and included 3 other episodes (1 of which was the finale of series 6 which at the time was not on DVD). Thus making the separate disc of "You Must Remember This" nothing but window dressing. Of course, until the 8&9 set was announced, there was no way to know, so most of us (me included) bought the other disc. Once I got my copy of 8&9, I gave the "12th disc" away. So if you have not gotten any of the series, buy this collection, and you will get it all at a great price. If you are only missing a few installments, buy the ones you are missing, but skip the separate "You Must Remember This" disc, as the episode will be included on the last disc. After you buy this set, if you haven't already done so, buy "Reunion" on the PBS label and OFFICIALLY complete the series.

Months ago I caught a few episodes of this show on PBS and fell in love with it. The playtimes on PBS were sporadic so I bit the bullet and bought the entire series. It is probably the best money I have ever spent for any entertainment product. The show is delightfully funny with just the proper touch of pathos. It is the story of two middle age people who rekindle a long lost romance that, by the hand of fate, ended before it had a chance to truly blossom. Bring into that a young daughter, some very entertaining family and friends and you have a mixture of characters and stories that will keep you entertained for many, many hours. All of the actors are superb and unbelievably talented, but the story is really carried by Dame Judi Dench and Geoffery Palmer. The lively banter between these two is funniest part of the show. And throughout the nine seasons they never seemed to tire of their roles and the writing never sags. It is just a very funny, well done TV show and well worth the investment to buy it. I actually was sad to watch the last episode. If you want 60 plus episodes of excellent comedy, buy the entire series.

This was unlike any series during the decade that it graced our televisions. I can't remember any shows airing on American TV. at that time having a unique story of two long lost loves meeting after decades apart? A lost letter separated them during the Korean War and their lives took very different directions. When they get reacquainted the rich characters are flushed out with some deep laughter. The awkward courting of Jean by fumbling Lionel, the match making of born romantic Judith who wants to see her mother with Lionel, the vivascious book publisher Alistair driving Lionel crazy, the perky secratary Sandy, and Lionel's lively, eccentric father round out an excellent cast of characters. Each one adds a blend of qualities that are opposite the others yet compliment each other. EX: Lionel's dour caution and Alistair's positive can do spirit. Jean's worrying and Judith's follow your heart above all else made this show humorous and unpredictable. For me the best show from English TV. since the frenetic Fawlty Towers.

I am so enjoying the opportunity to see this wonderful series from beginning to end once again. The acting is superior, the language exquisite, and the humor, dry and biting as I like it. The ensemble is excellent and their characters so well developed, and Dame Judi could spit on toast and be delightful. Here she shines and uses the twinkle in her eye to grab your heart. I know she doesn't favor herself an intellectual, but charming she is!

Award winning actors Judi Dench (Jean Pargeter) and Geoffrey Palmer (Lionel Hardcastle) star as a pair of onetime lovers who met before Lionel was to ship off to Korea in 1954. Through a mishap with the Royal Mail, Lionel's letter wanting to continue the relationship is lost. Both believe the other was not interested and move on.

The first episode of this series is 38 years later, Lionel is needing a secretary to help him write revisions on his book. By chance, he hires "Type For You", an agency owned by Jean Pargeter, to do the work. They meet and the relationship is re-kindled.

The series deals with an aging couple rekindling an old romance. Both characters are somewhat curmudgeonly and there's just as much fussing as cuddling as well as a lot of fun in between. Jean's daughter Judith, her secretary, Sandy, and Lionel's publisher, Allister Deacon, round out the quirky cast of characters.

This is a series that never fails to amuse or inspire. It's a good watch on a rainy day or when you're just needing a laugh. The whole set is definitely a keeper.

This beautiful visit to your British friends, brings you into a world where adults are allowed to stumble, grumble and mumble all day and still be comfortable with themselves and others. Of course, it is a great love story, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. This "family" brings you into their midst and allows you to enjoy their vulnerability to one another and life in general. It's okay to speak your mind and still be loved and respected. You can even be petty at times in their home and you will be understood and "let off the hook", eventually. If you love foibles, you will love these folks. Slouch on the couch in your comfy clothes and be ready to fit in with Lionel and Jean and the rest of the crew. Laugh, yes, cry, yes, sigh, yes and even be perturbed at times, but you will love visiting this bunch over, and over, and over again. I am in love with this series and have watched it multiple times on PBS on Britcom night. I have and will continue to visit these friends numberous times now that I have the complete series and the Reunion. The series should be really be rated at an 11!

I do not know why the American television people can not have television shows such as this one. Before I went and purchased the entire series of "As Time Goes By", every Saturday night my 81 year old mother, my 34 year old daughter and my 9 year old granddaughter and I would hurry up and finish eating so that we could watch this show and "Keeping Up Appearances". Now we no longer have to wait until Saturday night to have a Truly Funfilled Family Night. This series as you can see is for anyone from age 81 down to 9 years. I can hardly wait until the Reunion DVD is out; I know I will be one of the first in line to purchase it.

If you have not seen this British comedy yet, you are in for a real treat. I have seen it more than 10 times in its entirety and each time I view it, I see new things, and laugh out loud, still. The acting is superb, the lines are very real and to the point and the humor is very spot on. Because PBS does not show this often, I have purchased the whole set to be able to watch when I want.