Product Details

• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: September 27, 2011
• Run Time: 473 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0056G1APC
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,922 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

“Compelling” —The New York Times

 

“Dynamite drama” —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 

“Frank, witty, intelligent” —Los Angeles Times

 

“Considerable complexity, insight, poignancy, and humor” - Los Angeles Times

The original UK television phenomenon that inspired the American remake, this groundbreaking, award-winning series celebrates gay culture—openly, often hilariously, and with no apologies. Aidan Gillen (The Wire), Craig Kelly (Titanic), and Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) star. Seen on the Ovation channel. “Compelling”—New York Times. 6 episodes, 5 ¾ hrs (plus 2 hrs of bonus material), 3 DVDs, SDH. Mature audiences.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Audacious Trailblazing Classic Finally Gets An Official, But Belated, U.S. Release July 6, 2011

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

In 1999, TV wunderkind Russell T. Davies (who went on to re-imagine and reinvigorate the Dr Who franchise and its various sequels including Torchwood) presented a truly audacious new show that took the United Kingdom by storm. Taking on Manchester's lively gay scene, "Queer as Folk" startled with its aggressive and unapologetic tone and created one of the most maddening TV antiheroes that you're likely to encounter. Telling the story of best friends Stuart (Aiden Gillen), a consummate player, and Vince (Craig Kelly), his loyal sidekick--the narrative was trailblazing in its frankness and presented an in-your-face and visceral experience. Lives were further complicated when Stuart picked up an underage one night stand (Charlie Hunnam) who soon ingratiated himself into the central relationship. Davies' screenplay uses scathing wit to delineate the complicated bonds of friendship and the responsibilities inherent in sticking with pals who present themselves as virtually unlovable.

But despite becoming a cultural phenomenon, the original "Queer as Folk" never got an official U.S. release. Yes, the show did inspire Showtime's five season hit of the same title. If you watched the American version, the early episodes adhere closely to Davies' vision (although with some of the underage controversy tamped out). But through the years, both fascinating and frustrating, the American version clearly took on its own identity by necessity. But, for my money, if you haven't seen the originator--this is a can't miss proposition. Over ten years ago (before the Showtime series), I purchased the DVDs from the international marketplace. And the experience of watching this show initially is something that I'll never forget--that's how confrontational the show can be.... Now, with this belated release, I hope many more will be able to tune in to this wildly exciting program.

IMPORTANT: Beware, however, of the Complete Series label. Series One consists of only eight episodes (about 240 minutes total), while Series Two is only two episodes (about 90 minutes). If you're expecting something comparable to an American season, you might be disappointed at content length--so I wanted to issue an advance warning. There are, however, over 130 minutes of bonus material planned that includes deleted and extended scenes with commentary, a "What the Folk...?" feature, various interviews, trailers, photo galleries, and a 20-page booklet with notes by series creator and writer Russell T. Davies.

The show won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama TV Show and star Gillen picked up well deserved BAFTA nomination as best lead actor. Gillen has since done some great things on American TV (The Wire and Game of Thrones) while Hunnam currently headlines Sons of Anarchy. This is a chance to get a peak back at some of their best work. Of course, this program is graphic in terms of language and nudity--don't think I have to mention that, but just in case you are completely unaware of what this is! A true classic that paved the way for more explicit, more frank, and more honest gay entertainment--this allowed a full bodied portrayal of real guys that was alternately identifiable, repugnant, hysterical, brutal, and (most importantly) human. KGHarris, 7/11. Read more ›

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Beware of editing changes here September 26, 2011

By [e-mail]

Format:DVD

While the U.K. original of Queer As Folk is far superior to the American remake in my opinion, be warned that this DVD set containes major editing changes from what aired (and was sold on DVD) in the U.K. Some of the sex is trimmed just a bit here and there, but even worse, almost all of the music had to be changed due to copyright issues that are different in the United States. Unfortunately, a big part of the original charm of the series was the dramatic club music showcased so well that they spawned a couple of hit albums. The terrific original songs are gone and have been replaced by inferior generic music due to rights issues (it would have cost too much in royalties so they just replaced the music). This DVD set is pretty much identical to the one that was put out here in America by C1TV a few years ago.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "How The Story Began" July 5, 2011

By Terry Richard TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

In December, 2000 television's Showtime network debut the very first hour long drama that dealt with homosexual issues in a blunt but tasteful fassion. That show was called "Queer as Folk" and ran for a successful five seasons and aired 83 episodes. What many don't know is that the series was actually based on a British series, also called "Queer as Folk", but that was more like a mini-series because it only ran for 8 episodes back in 1999 and then it returned to UK television for 2 more episodes so the writers could wrap things up.

Now the Russell T. Davies' original series comes back to DVD in a complete series set featuring all 10 shows plus a slew of bonuses on 3 dics. What's amazing about the UK series is how closely the writers and producers of the American version followed the plots of the original during its first year on the air. While watching you will have no trouble believing who Brian was based on or Michael for that matter. My only problem with the British version is the dialect, but that passes within moments of the first show.

The bonuses include deleted and extended scenes with commentary, a featurette, interviews, trailers, and a 20 page booklet written by Davies. The episodes here are presented in their beautiful widescreen presentation, have english stereo sound, and english subtitles are included.

Anyone who ever watched the American version needs to watch how it all began with this amazing DVD box set. "The New York Times" calls the show, "Compelling!".

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Sadly, this collection fails to feature the 4th member of the UK QAF cast: the choons! November 21, 2011

By Adolfo A. Franco

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

It can never be said enough how amazing and ground-breaking it was to watch this show when it first appeared.

Having scored bootled vhs copies of the show (vh-what?) and then going out to buy the region 2 definitive collection, obviously have a soft spot in my heart for this amazing show. Imagine my surprise when I originally tuned in and heard the most amazing music blaring from every radio, club scene, and car stereo during each episode. Literally was ready to pack my bags and head off to this wunderland that I was SURE had to be waiting for me if i JUST decided to take that chance (how Vince)!

Sadly, something seems to have been lost in translation at some point and almost ALL of the amazing "of the moment" tracks from the late '90s/early '00s britpop heyday have been replaced with generic (substandard, imo) club-thumping instrumentals that wouldn't be played in the worst gay dives. It seems like the ONLY music they kept were for tracks that are tied into specific moments (like a music video on tv, the drag performance at vince's birthday, etc.) which gives you just a TASTE of what the original was chok-a-block full of.

Not sure if this occurred before or after the definitive collection rerelease overseas, but be warned, you'll never know how good you could have had it unless and until you track down original broadcasts of this show.

as for this release, to quote young nathan, "what are you LIKE?"