40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Included Episodes, June 3, 2005
This review is from: The Darling Buds of May Collection (DVD)
FYI:
1. The Darling Buds of May
2. When the Green Woods Laugh
3. A Breath of French Air
4. Oh! To Be in England
5. Stranger at the Gates
6. A Season of Heavenly Gifts
7. The Happiest Days of Your Life
8. Cast Not Your Pearls Before Swine
9. Climf the Greasy Pole
10. Christmas is Coming
11. Le Grand Weekend
Only complaint: No Closed Captioning or Subtitles for hearing impaired.
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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comfort Viewing, November 23, 2004
This review is from: The Darling Buds of May Collection (DVD)
After emigrating to Canada in 1991, the Darling Buds of May was recorded near to my old home town of Ashford in Kent, England. My family always raved about it. I was finally able to watch this wonderful series on PBS with a friend a year or two later.
I fell in love with this family, especially Pop, the most considerate,caring, funny and yes, even sexy,character there could be.
I bought the complete series as soon as it was available here and I have now lost count of how many times I have watched it.
My husband has to travel a lot for business, so I watch the series every time I am lonely or can't get to sleep for any reason.It is my "Comfort Viewing". I only wish they would make more episodes or maybe a movie one day.That would be "Perfik".
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best British Comedy-Dramas Ever!, July 23, 2002
Set in idyllic Kent (the Garden of England) in the 1950s, The Darling Buds of May is truly one of the sweetest, most relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable British comedy-dramas on the market. Indeed, if you enjoy classic shows like All Creatures Great and Small or The Irish R.M. for example, I really think you'll enjoy this lovely series that's perfect for the whole family to curl up and watch time and time again.
The series revolves around the ever-growing Larkin family. David Jason (A Touch of Frost, Only Fools and Horses, Open All Hours) stars as patriarch Sydney "Pop" Larkin. Jason is a wonderful actor (one of my favourites), and if you're familiar with (and enjoy) his other roles, you'll enjoy him here, for he embues Pop with his distinctive touch of comedy. Pop is a bit of a character, to say the least. He pays no income tax, he's not above a little wheeling and dealing, he often rides a little too close to the line, and his farm is somewhat ramshackle. But he's got a heart of gold, and he's kind and generous to a fault. What's more, he's a man with a strong sense of personal integrity who knows what is important in life--friends, family, and their idyllic way of life--and he's not above running a little scam of his own if it's to even the score with someone who's taking advantage of one less fortunate.
Then there is Ma Larkin, a very rotund, jolly woman who, for all the children she's got, is not actually married to Pop. Somehow, though, it just doesn't seem to matter--at least not to them nor to us. As for Ma's weight, it just isn't an issue either (which, I might add, is a refreshing change!); in fact, if anything, it`s evidence of health and heartiness. Ma and Pop are a somewhat eccentric couple, however. Ma's a fantastic cook and she and Pop aren't ashamed to eat--even in the bathtub or in bed. Then there's Pop's penchant for the odd "extramarital" kiss, which is done with Ma's full knowledge and consent. Odd as his actions may be, they really aren't as immoral as they may sound; rather, they provide further evidence of his caring nature, for as often as not, Pa's attentions serve to bring a little joy to a few otherwise very lonely and neglected wallflowers.
Other family members include the beautiful eldest daughter, Mariette (played by a 22-year-old Catherine Zeta Jones), the pretty but boy-crazy Primrose, son Montgomery, the twins Zinnia and Petunia, the youngest daughter Victoria (who does enjoy playing the odd prank on her older siblings), and Oscar (the newest addition).
The series was filmed in 1992 and consists of nine 100-minute episodes (each of which is split into two 50-minute parts), one 50-minute Christmas Special, and one concluding 50-minute episode. The Christmas Special (which is the first episode on the last tape) should be watched after the third episode entitled "A Breath of French Air," as that is where it fits in chronologically. As a point of interest, fans of David Jason may be interested to know that his real-life elder brother (Arthur White) plays Pop's brother in the episode entitled "When the Green Woods Laugh."
In conclusion, this is a lovely, warm-hearted series which celebrates life in a simpler time--a time one wishes one could hold onto forever. And it reminds us of what really matters in life. It's perfect for unwinding at the end of a long day--or as Pop would say, it's "perfick"! Extremely highly recommended. (And if you enjoy the series (and I'm sure you will), I strongly recommend the novels by H.E. Bates upon which the first few episodes are based--they're simply wonderful!)
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