Customer Reviews

Mulberry: The Complete Series

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

One great British cult favorite. An offbeat comedy nicely described above in the "Editorial Review"; however, the hook of the series is absurdly given away above in the "Plot Summery".

Indeed, this delightful series is about a mysterious stranger (Mulberry) who insinuates himself into the household of the elderly Miss Farnaby.

Mulberry is the surprisingly cheerful son of "Death" training for the day he takes over Dad's job. His father insists that the taking of a life is not a punishment. "It's just the way things are." However, Mulberry is determined to allow the reclusive and cantankerous Miss Fanaby a chance to enjoy life before completing his assignment.

Slowly in each episode Mulberry draws out Miss Farnaby as well as her two surly servants; and so ironically, the "Son of Death" improves everybody's lives.

"Mulberry" could have been weird, grim and macabre a la "The Aadams Family". Instead, this British gem is quirky, funny and utterly charming. Despite the fantasy element of death personified "Mulberry" is more like the series "As Time Goes By" then other fantasy shows like "My Hero"; the humor on "Mulberry" is gentle sometimes bittersweet rather than ironic or absurd.

Recommended if you liked "On the Up", "Waiting for God" or "As Time Goes By".

Mulberry was one of those brilliantly unique television programs that only the Brits seem to be able to do well, or to do at all. It's a quiet and gentle show about death coming to take an elderly woman- and then staying around to make sure she gets a bit of happiness in her life first. Chances are your local cable or PBS station will never carry it, so buying this DVD might be the only chance you ever have to see it.

When Mulberry aired in the U.S.A, it captivated viewers with its unusual premise and the wonderful ensemble acting of the four main characters; Rose Farnaby, Mulberry, Bert and Alice. Geraldine McEwan and Karl Howman had perfect comedy timing and filtered it through a sweetness of spirit and the whole thing was just odd enough to keep the audience guessing about the outcome. There's kite flying, tandem riding, dinner guest dying and nude modelling just for starters. Fans have waited a long time for a DVD release. And PBS - if you're reading... schedule the series again!

This delightful series celebrates Mulberry days----the best days of one's life.

Miss Farnaby is a spinster, for whom bitterness has become a habit until her life is turned upsidedown----for the better----by a stranger, Mulberry, who arrives to fill the perpetually vacant post of her personal assistant. Mulberry, however, at the behest of his father, a mysterious and persistent stranger, has a darker agenda that he must reluctantly fulfil.

Geraldine McEwan's poignantly nuanced portrayal of Miss Farnaby is complemented by Karl Howman's Mulberry, whose slightly daffy antics eventually win her heart, while, at the same time, they drive Bert and Alice----Miss Farnaby's benignly conniving servants----to distraction. The viewer, however, is driven to a point halfway between laughter and tears.

My only complaint is that the series ends too soon. It also ends at a point which seems to ask questions that are yet to be answered. I was so hoping, in the last episode, that Miss Farnaby would recognize Mulberry and go with him willingly.

But how often do we get a series that leaves us asking for more?!!!

First, I love this series. But...

I have to ding Amazon for some errors in their details for this series. First, this is a 13 episode program spanning two sereis, not 9 episodes on 1 disc (unless the subtitle of "the complete series" is wrong on the DVD cover. This is backed up by two things:

1 - 377 minutes divided by 29 minutes per episode equals 13, and...
2 - I have 12 of the 13 from old PBS airings and know I'm missing the final one.

Now for the "he should really stop being so picky" part. This is an absolutely wonderful program -- as discussed nicely by others. Like a number of other British comedies, this bears up well under repeat viewings. Karl Howman is wonderful as the son of Death on his first and very reluctant assignment. Geraldine McEwan is a joy mixing an almost pixie-like twinkle and sense of humor combined with putting up a front of being a very proper, older British woman.

Having all episodes will show the only glitch in the two series, that being the departure of the original actress portraying "Alice" and her replacement. I was never really sure why Lill Roughley left after the first series. But a momentary suspension of "why" is all you need to get use to Alice #2. Otherwise, I can't fault it.

While I wholeheartedly agree that this was an all-too-brief show, I wonder if it could have maintained it quality much beyond a third series. Of course, they could have wrapped up a few things if they had 6 or 7 additional shows. Or even a special made for the Christmas viewing season like so many other Brit-coms.

Ah, well!

A gently metaphysical comedy with irresistible work by Karl Bowman, Geraldine McEwan, and the (occasionally changing) supporting cast. If Garrison Keillor were British and writing teleplays, you might get Mulberry -- and perhaps would have gotten more episodes of this too-brief series.

Note: For years I've been begging my local PBS affiliate to re-run this sweet-natured British series -- not only have I not seen it for years, I MISSED THE FINAL EPISODE. I'm not sure you can imagine just how happy I am to see this available for (pre-)order. Thank you, thank you, thank you BBC! Oh, I'm going to be humming that theme song for the next month...)

I caught this show on PBS many years ago and found it thoroughly enjoyable. I'm so thrilled that this is coming out on DVD! I find the show to be one I don't mind going back and watching over again.

It's a pity that only two series were made.

Even though it is primarily a comedy show, there are very touching moments and some serious moments.

For me, the only show that is better is the Yes, Minister/Yes, Prime Minister series.

Our family LOVED Mulberry when we first saw it on PBS. It is one of the funniest shows I have ever seen, while at the same time being completely appropriate for any audience. Karl Howan and Geraldine McEwan are superb, with perfect comic timing and incredible chemistry between them. Only the British could take a show about Death coming for an elderly woman and turn it into a delightful, laugh-out-loud comedy. It's not all humor though; there are some genuinely touching moments as Mulberry determines to help this elderly woman learn to enjoy life.

It's a shame that the BBC discontinued the show after two seasons. It is a true gem and I am delighted to see it again.

I am so sorry this British Comedy only made one series. It was definitely a big hit in our home. In a way, it sort of reminds me of my Mother. Before she passed away, she was quiet, and kept to herself a lot. Then us kids started to tell her to get out, go to events with the church. She did. Then she met someone like Mulberry who would egg her on. Mulberry is great and can be a real friend to anyone. Even if it's just for a short time, keep living. And Death is awesome when he come's to visit and have dinner. I can't inagine what it would be like to have such opposite parents, (Spring & Death). That would have been a few episodes to tell how that happen. Even to have a few more flashbacks of when she was little and with her sisters. It was a great comedy. Thank you

I first saw this series on public television and was captivated by it's quirky humor. I'm happy to see that it's finally coming out on DVD. I've always wondered how the series ended since the TV reception on our local PBS channel didn't always come in well and I missed the last few episodes. This is a truly funny, sweet series, and one of the few British comedy shows that I really enjoy. (I usually don't get British humor.) I hope this isn't one of those cheap DVD's with no extra's that's hard to navigate. I look forward to recieving the DVD's and finding out.