Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #135536 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-05-28
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Colour, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 312 minutes

Customer Reviews

Quirky, brilliant script, cool jazz and a dog called Jason.
I suppose the Beiderbecke series (there were three) have become a kind of cult classic, for a very small cult. They were never likely to find a bigger audience: the unique, gently skewed quality of Alan Plater's writing isn't the sort of thing with mass market appeal, but as with jazz itself, the Beiderbeckes have become practically a language for a small core of followers.

It's set in Leeds, in the early 1980s, and the main characters are a couple of secondary-school teachers. Beyond this, it gets hard to summarise. Not to give too much away, it involves a Cubs football match, a multi-storey car-park, a policeman with a University degree, a dog called Jason - and the music of Bix Beiderbecke, the first great white jazz musician: they said his playing sounded like bullets, shot from a bell.

I'll stop trying to explain it. The series is unique. You'll run into Beiderbecke fans in unlikely places for the rest of your life. They're good people. Try it.

At last The Affair To Remember!
The emergence of DVD is at last allowing TV's archives to be plundered for real gems like this offbeat comedy thriller. With the release of this and 'A Very Peculiar Practise' viewers are being given a chance to once again enjoy series made without the input of the focus groups and the influence of the destructive ratings wars. A time before the era of endless programmes about doctors, vets and lawyers.
Alan Plater creates real people, flawed, humourous, even sometimes dull and allows his plot to meander over six episodes into an examination of local politics, corruption, relationships and jazz.
Barbara Flynn and James Bolam are excellent in the lead roles, ably supported by Terence Rigby and Sue Jenkins. Its offbeat, low key and a real treat. You won't be sure what happens next and you won't care because you'll be enjoying it too much.
Extras aren't needed because at this price and 300 minutes of 'The Beiderbecke Affair' you have real value for money. Imagine 'The Long Goodbye' meets 'Last Of the Summer Wine' with a Kenny Ball soundtrack. Do indulge yourself and buy it.

Fab, down to earth, intelligent TV. With a Jazz soundtrack!
The mean streets of 1980's Leeds play a comedy backdrop to this off the wall, but homely personal TV favourite. I cannot recommend it too much. The trio of Beiderbecke series explore serious very relevant issues, but do it alongside gentle comedy, romance, and the mystery of what connects everything back to Bix Beiderbecke the Jazz musician. Alan Plater writes three dimensional, quirky, surprising but satisfying parts for all his actors. And there is a great soundtrack.

A perfect antidote to the modern day soaps and cookie cutter rehashed rubbish that sits smugly across our modern day TV schedules. Remind yourself that TV used to be capable of intelligence and originality.