Customer Reviews

The House of Eliott - Series One

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I first saw this show on on A&E several years back and taped it then. The DVD version has a few small scenes that were cut for A&E commercials,the story is great , the digital color remastering is superior!!! The only thing I miss is the commentary at the beginning and end of each episodes by Jean Marsh which was part of the A&E presentation. I also hope and pray that Acornmedia will also put out the second and third seasons of this great drama....If you love costume design, this is the one to watch!!!!!!!!!!!!

For some bewildering reason, the transfer for this wonderful series has very poor sound. One has to raise the volume to the max, to even begin to hear it. Much of the dialogue is swallowed.

A pity. And no, I am not going deaf: when you put another DVD title in, at the same sound level, the track is deafeningly LOUD.

Otherwise, a terrific romp through the '20s.

Although this series is from the early '90s, I only recently discovered it. A timeless story about coming of age - for both of the main characters, as well as the transitional time period of the 1920's for women. The story caught me immediately as I could relate to the characters struggle. While the two sisters have grown up comfortable and sheltered, their father's sudden death leaves them with an uncertain future. Their realistic fate greets them with constant challenges to be overcome. The older sister Beatrice has a great deal of emotional baggage from having to raise her sister and missing her chance at marriage. According to her time period she might be considered an old maid, so she is understandably a little bitter and uncompromising. However, she is a likeable character with much creativity and sensibility. Evangeline, the younger sister, seems intelligent but often immature. Portrayed as most young adults as being opinionated without experience, but her innocence makes her charming and creative. She is free from the baggage that her sister carries, however life will not leave her unaffected. Obviously it is on this age difference and maturity that the sisters often clash despite their close relationship. The series also delves into the 1920s lifestyle describing women on the verge of independence. Some are clinging to the outdated traditions, while others are embracing the change. Needless to say that the sets and fashions in the series are excellent.

The DVD visual quality seems adequate, although I agree with another review that the sound quality is poor. Music seems loud, while taking too low. I've had the volume at max as well. And a shame there are no captions or subtitles to make up for this audio lack. I also wish there were some extras to go with the series.

Overall, I would highly recommend the series. I watched it with my mother, so its a great show to share with someone else.

This fabulous series, a hit around the world, was not filmed in London, but in my ex home city of Bristol, in the Clifton district and in the country houses of Wiltshire, such as Stourhead, and surrounding countryside to be exact. Many locations I know well and recognise. Clifton is a mini Bath, with similar fashionable features, buildings and parks, and my distant ancestor, the Spanish Empress Eugenie also lived there in the 19th century. However, it provided the BBC with an ideal place to film this series and it created a gripping rags to riches tale of two sisters making it in the 1920s fashion trade, and the stunning costumes were second to none. An added dash of romance, a horrible villan who got his just deserts, a gorgeous damsel, the perfect English rose at his mercy, plus lots of other characters providing fun and entertainment and plenty of meaty story lines, not to mention glamour by the bucket load, and you have a dvd set to treasure. Having the series on dvd now, means it is preserverd for future generations and the picture will never fade. Once again, this is the BBC at its very best, justly proving its reputation for great drama at home and abroad. The dvd set is a worthwhile addition to any home collection and I will certainly be adding each set as they come.

...far more complex and feministic than the "girls and flapper fashions", would have you believe. Needs to be seen in it's entirity and revived for a modern audience as the series is now an overlooked gem. The leads are excellent and follow in the best traditions of such British historical series such as "Upstairs Downstairs". If you have never seen it you will not be dissapointed and the lead actresses are extremely good, both RADA trained and both have worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

If you love British costume drama, this is for you. Set in the roaring 20s, the story of the two Eliott sisters starting their own fashion house is a delight. Their challenges - professional, social and personal are set out in 12, hour-long episodes.
The cast are all competant actors, the script and story well set up, not to mention the gorgeous dresses! This is a quality BBC production.
I agree with another reviewer that the sound can be a bit variable at times. A minor annoyance. In every other way, technically sound.

This remarkable series is almost impossible to stop watching. Our family has already watched it 3 times and can easily watch it again. Always captivating, never boring, and completely interesting, even if the subject of fashion is not your favorite. This series will hold an honored place in your collection too.

The house of Eliott is an excellent British series about two sisters suddenly left penniless in postwar England. To make ends meet they take in sewing, and eventually open a dress shop. The two sisters are very good friends with the older sister (Bea) being the more practical sister and the younger sister (Evie) more impulsive and kind hearted.

I liked the series a great deal. The costumes, historic detail and characters are wonderful. At times I found myself annoyed by Evie (who I thought was occasionally inconsiderate and selfish), but that's what makes great characters. They are memorable and flawed. I also didn't care for the suffragette character who was a bit harsh in her judgement of her fellow man. Sometimes listening to her scolding other characters for their selfish ways ruined the mood (at least for me). While I concede poverty and inequity are serious issues, having her bray about it bored me.

5 stars. Excellent.

I love this series. It is so wonderful, with it's great storyline, beautiful costumes and set designs.

It is such an accurate document of the fashions of the time. I love the clothes from the 20's and have been trying to recreate them. This series has helped me tremendously.

I am quite sure there is a second series, which I have not seen, and would love to get the videos (if they are out).

This is must see if you are a 20's sort of person, it will surely delight and help.

The casting and performances by all major characters (Gonet as Beatrice a favorite) were excellent, but the screenplay, although full of life and potential, leaves something to be desired. Several story threads were never fully developed and just suddendly dropped off, leaving one wondering what happened for the rest of the story. Toward the end, the presentation gets choppy - flashing back and forth between story threads of different characters too frequently, as if the producer was running low on budget and had to fit everything in - in record time. The rather sudden ending does not satisfactorily wrap up the open plot threads and results in an unfinished feeling.

I visited www.amazon.com to determine if I am missing the last tape volume or if there is a sequel to this story that may provide a better conclusion. No such luck.