Product Details

• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: May 1, 2012
• Run Time: 667 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B007701RFS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,164 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A Woman of Substance
Determined to ruin the upper-class Fairley family who wronged her, Emma Harte (Jenny Seagrove) aims to become one of the richest women in the world. Although anachronistic for a woman born around 1890, it is exhilarating to watch her think and act like a contemporary woman with the benefits of late-20th-century feminism. In just over five hours, this Emmy-nominated version of Barbara Taylor Bradford's bestselling novel A Woman of Substance traces Emma's life from overworked Yorkshire maid to the triumphant 79-year-old matriarch (Deborah Kerr) of a vast business empire. Married twice, but only truly loving a man she could never marry, Emma devotes herself to building her business empire. Surrounded by a loyal few, including Irishman Blackie O'Neill (Liam Neeson), Emma lives her life as a strong, uncompromising protagonist similar to Gone with the Wind's Scarlett O'Hara in a social environment reminiscent of Upstairs, Downstairs. Her life is a sort of feminist retrospective on the social issues of 1890s-to-1930s England--poverty, illegitimate children, illness, anti-Semitism, World War I, whether to marry for security or passion, the role of women in the workplace, and such--making A Woman of Substance a historical and inspiring film to watch.

Hold the Dream
The love of her life was there all along, she just didn't know it. As sequels go, Hold the Dream is a little like the sequel to Gone with the Wind: it's not devoid of merit, but it's not as captivating or enthralling as the original. Paula Fairley (Jenny Seagrove) inherits and runs the retail empire built by her grandmother, Emma Harte (Deborah Kerr). This somewhat lackluster tale of dutiful, hard-working Harte versus undeserving, greedy heirs set in the rather sterile world of 1980s New York City penthouses and English country manors lacks both its precursor's production budget and inspiring poor-girl-makes-good conviction. On the other hand, the love story between Paula and Shane (7th Heaven's Stephen Collins) manages to transcend the miniseries' weaknesses. Overcoming obstacles, tragedy, and deceit on numerous fronts, Paula remains driven by her sense of duty and business acumen. Finally learning that she cannot live on work and her grandmother's dream alone, Paula slowly warms to the possibility of true love. Her most loyal supporter and lifelong friend Shane helps her see that her own dreams can be the most rewarding. Wonderful performances by Seagrove and Collins make Hold the Dream a heartwarming tale about a powerful businesswoman learning to look beyond the bottom line and accept the love of a man who has loved her in silence her whole life.

To Be the Best
In the close of the trilogy, To Be the Best, Paula (Lindsay Wagner) comes into her own as a woman, mother, wife, and businesswoman. While not as captivating as the first parts of the trilogy, To Be the Best offers a satisfying close to the story and has its strengths, including a standout performance from Academy Award® winner Anthony Hopkins, who plays Paula's chief of security. Thanks to Hopkins's performance, what might otherwise have seemed like a long-lost episode of Dynasty is also part espionage thriller. As Paula gets inveigled into a series of compromising business situations in Hong Kong, it is her dapper and debonair chief of security who repeatedly saves the day. --Tara Chace

Product Description

Propelled by star-studded casts and rich period detail, these brilliant adaptations of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s bestselling novels bring to life two of her most unforgettable heroines. The beloved trilogy that begins with Emma Harte’s remarkable rise from servant girl to international retailing magnate comes full circle when Emma’s granddaughter must struggle against powerful enemies to keep the family’s corporate empire from collapsing. From beginning to end, these are inspiring stories of love, power, and determination.

Three Complete Miniseries:

A Woman of Substance—Hailed by TV Guide as "drama that approaches the best we ever get to see on the small screen." Starring Jenny Seagrove, Liam Neeson, Deborah Kerr, and Barry Bostwick.
Hold the Dream—The passionate sequel called "absolutely addicting" by TV Guide. Starring Jenny Seagrove, Stephen Collins, Deborah Kerr, James Brolin, and Liam Neeson.
To Be the Best—The final chapter in a storytelling masterpiece. Starring Lindsay Wagner, Anthony Hopkins, Stephanie Beacham, and Christopher Cazenove.

"Absolutely addicting" —TV Guide

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars New package, lower price, complete dramatic trilogy, 7 episodes March 18, 2012

By Harold Wolf TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

A trilogy of substance. 3 Barbara Taylor Bradford books adapted to mini-series, now a complete epic. In bonus film of the author, she praises adaptations, she always influenced content, and her husband produced 2 & 3. "It was faithful to the book."--BTB. Bradford said Jenny Seagrove was indeed the young Emma she envisioned. Long novels, therefore some cutting. What's left is great British drama of not a women's libber, but a driven woman successful in a man's business world.

Cast is stellar. Jenny Seagrove is flawless as young Emma in #1, then Gr-daughter Paula in #2. Deborah Kerr is 1980s Emma in #1 & #2 (her last performance ever). Diane Baker played Laura, but was the force behind the series' start. Biggest surprise is Liam Neeson a new face in his 30s, as Blackie, lifetime lover/friend to Emma. He was as good then as he is today. Meg Wynn Owen (Upstairs, Downstairs), Peter Chelsom, Steven Collins, James Brolin, Claire Bloom (King's Speech), Christopher Cazenove, Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Monarch of the Glen), Bionic Lindsay Wagner, Anthony Hopkins...well, many & more.

SUBTITLED. My wife and I enjoyed all 3 series. #1 `A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE' best, #2 `HOLD THE DREAM' almost equally but you do have to get used to the lead actress changing roles, & #3 `TO BE THE BEST' perhaps not the best, but a modern finish to the saga. Comparisons one to the other can/& are written, but it's best to simply enjoy the DVDs, not as the novels, but as video entertainment well worth the price.

A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE-3 episodes In 1905 young Emma is maid at Fairley Hall, Squire (Peter Egan), alcoholic Mrs (Nicola Pagett) & 1 good son (Chelsom), 1 bad (Christopher Gable). Builder Blackie (Leeson) arrives for repairs meeting Emma, who's Ma (Meg Wynn Owen) is seriously ill. There are secrets, ambition and love to encounter.
In ep 2 Emma leaves facing problems & new beginning. 1906 moves through arson, a rapid business climb, WWI and Emma makes a shrewd mill purchase for war garments.
Ep 3 Widow Emma inherits more property as wounded brother (Mick Ford) returns. Death, financial gain, remarriage, & Emma's hatred of Fairley's cultivates in surprises in lusts of love, money, & power. War ends. Personal battles grow. Love rendezvous, disaster, WW2 and a 1980s attempted business takeover.

HOLD THE DREAM-2 episodes Kerr in a larger role, Seagrove in a new, with other family returning but played by new actors. Neeson is an older Blackie, still perfection in the role. He competes with Kerr & Seagrove as show anchors. A new generation of affairs, business tycoons, Harte-Fairley feud. 1980s loves lost as fast as new lusts begin. Worldwide business managed by Emma's grands. Gran-Paula (Seagrove) becomes an Emma clone, including marital issues. Matriarch Emma mellows. Who can hold another's dream? Business gets physically rougher.

TO BE THE BEST-2 episodes Paula (now Lindsay Wagner) continues taking on a modern business world. Competition becomes violent and deadly. Players in this game are in London, Hong Kong, NY, & Indiana (rudely misrepresented as a mix of a southern/Country Western state) about 1990. International intrigue within family lines, high finance garnished w2ith adultery. A dramatic contemporary change from Emma's quaint beginning.

Bonus interviews Baker 22min; Author BTB 59 min -all subtitled. +Text bio & book list.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A lot of substance, but not a lot of quality April 5, 2005

By R. Johnson

Format:DVD

I bought this trilogy on the strength of the 5 star review I had read. To save someone else the disappointment I received, I am writing my first review.

The first of the 3, the title piece, was worth watching and on it's own might rate 4 stars. But the quality of the other two fell off dramaticly and I wouldn't give either of them more than 2 stars. Have our standards changed so much in the last 14-20 years since these were made and first broadcast, or would they have seemed just as insipid to me if I had seen them then, I wonder? I suppose if you have read and enjoyed the books (which I have not) you might have a different opinion. But I found the story rather contrived, the acting mediocre, and the characters underdeveloped and unappealing. Even the love scenes were uninspiring. The worst part, though, I think would have to be the cheesy background music which made it impossible to forget that I was watching a repackaged 80's miniseries.

So buy it only if you are a big Barbara Taylor Bradford fan and can overlook some major shortcomings. This trilogy has certainly not made a fan of me.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly wonderful June 5, 2012

By Hog Fan Forever

Format:DVD

This is a wonderful series.
It is indeed a rags to riches.... In reference to the previous review: when did pulling oneself up by the bootstraps not involve some serious sacrifice & hard work?

My Mother recorded this on VHS years ago & I can hardly wait for it to arrive on DVD. ----------- I found it inspiring, motivating & most entertaining.