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Upstairs, Downstairs: The Complete Series - 40th Anniversary Collection (1971)

Gordon Jackson , David Langton , Bill Bain , Christopher Hodson  |  NR |  DVD
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (259 customer reviews)

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Upstairs, Downstairs: The Complete Series - 40th Anniversary Collection + Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey Season 3 DVD (Original U.K. Version) + British Cinema Collection: 8 Acclaimed Films
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Product Details

  • Actors: Gordon Jackson, David Langton, Jean Marsh, Angela Baddeley, Christopher Beeny
  • Directors: Bill Bain, Christopher Hodson, Derek Bennett, Raymond Menmuir
  • Format: Box set, Black & White, Color, NTSC
  • Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 21
  • Rated: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: Acorn Media
  • DVD Release Date: March 29, 2011
  • Run Time: 3250 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (259 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B004H0ZHD4
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,601 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "Upstairs, Downstairs: The Complete Series - 40th Anniversary Collection" on IMDb

Special Features

25+ Hours of New Bonus Material
"The Making of Upstairs, Downstairs"
24 Episode Commentaries
25th Anniversary Retrospective "Upstairs, Downstairs Remembered" including interviews with the stars, composer, and editor alternate pilot episode
Essay by star and cocreator Jean Marsh
SDH subtitles

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This seminal British television series is just as enjoyable now as when it first aired in the early 1970s. Richard (David Langton), Lady Marjorie (Rachel Gurney), and their son James (Simon Williams) comprise the aristocratic Bellamy family that reside upstairs while their loyal servants--including butler Hudson (Gordon Jackson), cook Mrs. Bridges (Angela Baddeley), and housemaid Rose (Jean Marsh)--maintain the household from downstairs. The series follows the upper-class family's troubles as times change and the ongoing lives of their resilient staff. Upstairs Downstairs: The Complete Series contains 68 episodes on 20 DVDs, as well as the series retrospective Upstairs Downstairs Remembered: the 25th Anniversary Special. Initially set in 1904, the first season comprises 13 episodes, 5 of which are 5 black-and-white episodes not aired during the first season of the original U.S. broadcast. The second season's 13 episodes cover various relationship problems and an appearance of King Edward VII. The third season's 13 episodes follow the London household through the prewar years (1912-1914). Outstanding cast performances and the dramatic backdrop of the Great War give the fourth season, set in 1914 to 1918, its reputation as the best of the five. Due to limited filming budgets, the war is largely seen through home-front activities. The 16 episodes of the fifth and final season cover the swinging '20s to the stock market crash (1919-30). The episodes of the fifth season are more self-contained than other seasons' and every bit as entertaining. The series ends with Rose locking up the empty house, closing the door on one of TV's most popular and acclaimed shows. Whether you first met the Bellamys and their delightfully enjoyable downstairs entourage in the 1970s or are just getting to know them now, the superb acting and compelling character development will always be the real reason to watch Upstairs Downstairs. The megaset was rereleased in 2005 along with the spinoff series, Thomas and Sarah. --Tara Chace

Product Description

"Great fun and marvelous television" --The New York Times

"One of the brightest gems ever to come over the ocean from the British" --The Washington Post

Upstairs: the wealthy, aristocratic Bellamys. Downstairs: their loyal and lively servants. For nearly 30 years, they share a fashionable townhouse at 165 Eaton Place in London’s posh Belgravia neighborhood, surviving social change, political upheaval, scandals, and the horrors of the First World War.

The most popular and successful British drama series in television history, Upstairs, Downstairs won seven Emmy® Awards, a Golden Globe, and a Peabody. This epic saga of life and love in Edwardian England captivated viewers for five heart-tugging, humorous, and satisfying seasons. Seen by a billion people in over 40 countries, it’s beloved around the world.

The ensemble cast of top British actors includes Jean Marsh (Agatha Christie’s The Pale Horse), Pauline Collins (Shirley Valentine), David Langton (The Spoils of War), Gordon Jackson (The Professionals), Simon Williams (Sword of Honour), and Lesley-Anne Down (North and South).



Customer Reviews

It is a great story and wonderful acting and directing. P. J. Belland  |  48 reviewers made a similar statement
WE have watched the first 12 episodes and just love this collection. Cork S  |  31 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
231 of 235 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have DVD Set December 5, 2005
Format:DVD
I have no idea why some of the reviewers are complaining about the audio and video quality of these DVDs. Because of those reviews I almost did not buy this set. That would have been a grave error. I suppose, if you are some type of audio/video expert you might find a few reasons to complain, but this is a 35 year old British TV show. If you expect special effects, buy Star Wars, not Upstairs Downstairs. The quality of the audio and video was quite acceptable and certainly better than when it originally aired. (It should also be remembered that the first season was filmed during a technicians strike.)

As for the show itself, Upstairs Downstairs is one of the greatest TV shows ever filmed. It is an extremely entertaining examination of the British class system from 1900 to 1930 (particularly what happened to it as a result of WWI). After you have watched a couple of shows, you will have difficulty turning them off.
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312 of 324 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I suspect that many people shopping this new release of "Upstairs, Downstairs" for its fortieth anniversary commemoration (which happens to coincide with a new version coming to PBS later in 2011) will already be familiar with the series. Many, like I do, might already own the previous version of the complete series on DVD. It's been out of print for several years, so I'm thrilled to see this magnificent and ground breaking series back on the marketplace. If you have never seen or do not own "Upstairs, Downstairs"--then my recommendation is a no-brainer. Get it! However, what I wanted to know and any previous owners might be itching to know--is it an upgrade worthy of reinvestment?

While I love my current DVD collection, it's not a particularly high quality transfer. After researching this new set through PBS directly, I am reporting that there are NO promises on the reworking of visual or audio components. The same proclamation that was on the last DVD issue is on this one--"digitally remastered for presentation on DVD." So it appears to be a strict reissue, not new re-mastering. It does, however, seem to be drawn from a clearer source material with a cleaner picture quality thankfully. The features of the 68 episodes on 21 DVDs include a 5-part documentary "The Making of Upstairs, Downstairs," 24 episode commentaries, 25th anniversary retrospective "Upstairs, Downstairs Remembered," Interviews with the stars, composer, and editor, Alternate pilot episode, and an essay by star and co-creator Jean Marsh. Obviously the 25th anniversary retrospective was included on the prior release--so that leaves the documentary, some interviews, and commentary and as much as I love "Upstairs, Downstairs"--I can't justify repurchasing the set for this reissue.

In no way, however, would I discourage anyone from enjoying the goings-on at 165 Eaton Place. Smart and sophisticated, this saga told through five seasons (1971-1975) is the epitome of quality television. What many may not realize however, is how truly progressive it was--how "of the time." It covered several controversial issues that were considered taboo for traditional network fare in the seventies. Impressive for its huge and talented cast, stellar scripts, and exquisite use of period details (Titanic, Wall Street), this Edwardian soap opera set the standard for British drama and was embraced by American audiences as well. Set initially in the years preceding World War 1, "Upstairs, Downstairs" really engaged the viewer and adopted to the historical significance in each season culminating in some strong war period episodes in Season 4. But by embracing the inhabitants--both masters and servants--at Eaton Place, "Upstairs, Downstairs" undeniably succeeds at human drama with fully realized portrayals. The winner of 9 Emmys, "Upstairs, Downstairs" has earned its place in TV history. If you don't own it, why not? KGHarris, 1/11.
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112 of 114 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fine, fine series well-remembered from the 70s. July 14, 2003
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It wasn't commercial. It wasn't conventional. It dealt with issues not often talked about in the early 70s, both the social issues that permiate through the series, and also such issues, in certain episodes, as prejudice, suicide, and homosexuality.

This is the story of the Bellamy household at 165 Eaton Place, London, both the upstairs family (the Bellamy family, led by Richard Bellamy, a member of Parliament) and the downstairs family (the servants, led by Angus Hudson, the butler, who in his way is more aristocratic than the aristocrats). Yet in many ways, they are a single family, and we see them from the period 1905 to the 1920s, an era of profound social change, and we see the effects such changes have on this household, from a time when going "into service" was routine to the time when having half a dozen servants for a small upper middle class family such as the Bellamys was beginning to be the exception, not the rule.

The series includes rarely shown episodes from the 1st season, as well as the special, Upstairs Downstairs Remembered: The 25th Anniversary Special. While the special is included with the first series episodes, I would advise waiting until you have viewed the entire series before watching the special, to avoid any plot points being given away.

The acting is wonderful, led by Gordon Jackson (as Hudson, the butler), David Langton (as Richard Bellamy), and Jean Marsh (as house parlormaid Rose Buck). Marsh also originated and guided the series. These three characters seem like rocks, upon which the waves of the social changes beat. Yet they are worn and changed by the events of this incredible era. Nonetheless, this is very much an ensemble cast--no character appears in more than 60 of the 68 episodes.

The first season seems almost experimental--many of the episodes have specific themes, such as those mentioned above. A couple were unsuccessful and their events are never referred to again (for example, "The Swedish Tiger"). In the remaining seasons, events tend to build over the thirteen episodes, to culminate to some extent in the final episode of the season, which usually deals with a major event in the world (for example the King's death at the end of the second season, the start of the war in the third, the end of the war in the fourth).

Perhaps the most powerful episodes are those dealing with World War I, and the profound waste of the war, as many of the best of the generation are lost. By the end of the War, there has been tremendous tragedy, and even the most ardent supporter of the war doubts the justice of the war. But do not underestimate the fifth season, as the social structure crumbles. The signs of this crumbling are seen throughout the earlier episodes, but they come to a head in the fifth season.

I have tried to avoid discussing the plot, so as not to give away the plot events that should come as a surprise to you. But suffice it to say that this is one of the first series when anything can happen within the framework of the series, when you could not count on everything ending happily by the end of the hour--or at all.

Brilliant. Brilliant.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend
As a fan of Downton Abbey, I decided to revisit Up Stairs,Down Stairs. I found it to be just as enjoyable. The added adventures of Thomas and Sara were great!
Published 1 day ago by Peg Samuelson
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic
Purchased this with a birthday gift card. I never watched the series when it originally aired so I figured this was the best way to watch it based on my schedule. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Frederich K Sundermann
4.0 out of 5 stars Better than what I expected
I looked online to see if I could get DVDs of past seasons of Upstairs/Downstairs and was disappointed to find that the first version that came out was so badly rated. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Gloria Reed
5.0 out of 5 stars As good now as it was then
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed Upstairs, Downstairs. The characters are true to life for the era they were portrayed in. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Deanne Adler
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
Saw most of these in real time back in the day and it's a treat to visit again. The precursor of Downton Abbey and worth a look.
Published 28 days ago by Snow_Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Series
After watching all the Downton Abbey that was available, I ordered this set and have really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone that is hooked on Downton Abbey
Published 1 month ago by LynnJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Upstairs, Downstairs
For years I was hoping to one day be able to see this series. I have been watching for a few weeks and I am almost finished. Watching Downton Abby gave me reason to order it now. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Irene Zayas
5.0 out of 5 stars enjoyed it.
Somehow I never really got into this when it played on Masterpiece Theater back in the 70s. However, since I am such a fan of Downton Abbey, I thought I would give it a try. Read more
Published 1 month ago by MK
5.0 out of 5 stars The 1970s version of Downton Abbey
This complete series starts in 1903 and ends in 1920, featuring a family who lived in a great house in England ~ the lives of the people living upstairs and the completely... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Carole Stewart
2.0 out of 5 stars Upstairs, Downstairs
Slow, slow, slow - not what I've come to expect from British television. Looks like they've come a long way since this series!
Published 1 month ago by Dreamer
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Price increase of $50
NPR commenting good or bad on the release would probably not affect a price change. It is also unusual for a price change that fast. Unless your few hours was before midnight last night and you came back to it in the morning. For the umpteenth time, Amazon's prices (like any legit retailer)... Read more
Apr 9, 2011 by Eric Pregosin |  See all 3 posts
Hazel
She died of the spanish flu in Series 4, just as World War One came to a close. A tragic loss to the series, in my opinion. She was my favorite character.
Nov 22, 2011 by K. Kaun |  See all 4 posts
to understand the dialogues
Amazon has nothing to do with subbies or captions. As I have said before, they SELL DVDs, they DO NOT MANUFACTURE them. If you are concerned about subtitles or captions, you should be making your statement to manufacturers. They may listen to you. Besides, Amazon does not read these postys.
Sep 7, 2011 by Eric Pregosin |  See all 2 posts
DVD Region?
Yes they are. In case nobody told you, legit retailers are only allowed to sell DVDs for their (and ONLY their) region. Your question is being asked on Amazon US, which means Region 1 only. Marketplace Sellers on the other hand are third parties who can sell anything they please. Moreover,... Read more
Apr 2, 2011 by Eric Pregosin |  See all 13 posts
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