Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5385 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-09-19
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 650 minutes

Synopsis
Features the complete thirteen episodes from the first series of the popular television drama. Episodes include: 'On Trial', 'The Mistress And The Maids', 'Board Wages', 'The Path Of Duty', 'A Suitable Marriage', 'A Cry For Help' and 'The Love Of Love'.

Customer Reviews

The best we will ever get.
Although I already own the VCI DVD releases of Upstairs Downstairs I bought this straight away and wasn't dissapointed. The picture quality hasn't greatly improved but having all the title cards even for the advert breaks means we are seeing it just how it was. The extras were the reason I bought this because I know so little about the show except for what I've seen. The commentries are fun and don't have any long pauses that ruin some. Its great to hear the people we never see (the writer) and the actors really give a feel for what the series was like. The newly made documentary produced just for these new releases was fantastic and very well made. Overall if you are simply happy with the episodes and have the VCI collection then stay with it but if you want the full Upstairs Downstairs experience then buy this.

Upstairs Downstairs-The Complete First Series
"Upstairs Downstairs" was the classic period drama set at 165 Eaton Place,London dealing with the Bellamy family,Lady Marjorie Bellamy(Rachel Gurney)Richard Bellamy(David Langton)and their children,free thinking rebel daughter Elizabeth (Nicola Paget)and wasterel son,James(Simon Williams).
The series starts off around 1904 and over its five series dealt with the build up to World War One,the war years themselves and finished just before the start of the 30s.
The servants below stairs were Hudson the snotty butler,(great performance by Gordon Jackson)Mrs Bridges,the temperamental cook,(wonderful Angela Baddeley)Rose the reliable house parlour maid(Jean Marsh,who as well as giving a great Acting turn,co-created the series with Eileen Aitkens) cheeky,footman Edward (Christopher Beeney)neurotic maid Miss Roberts(Patsy Smart)and in the first series tragic,Irish kitchen maid,Emily(Evin Crowley).
The first episode "On Trial" sees the arrival of Sarah(Pauline Collins)the cheeky,story telling,girl who longs for excitment and to escape from a life of pretending not to be there.
Sarah is very endearing and after a brief flirt with James(which later turn into a full blown affair)leaves for a few episodes but does return in "A Voice From the Past" when found starving in Whitechapel by Elizabeth.
There was an ITV strike through the first series so the first six episodes were made in black and white although "On Trial" was remade in colour.
One of them is "A Cry For Help",which sees a young maid Mary (Susan Penhaligion)pregnant after being raped by her former employer and Richard Bellamy's attempt to help her get justice all come to nothing and the girl ends up on the street.
In "I Dies From Love",Emily commits suicide after being banned from ever seeing her love again,this is a real shock as the death from a recurring character,isn't expected ,so early on in a series.
The only weak episode is "The Swedish Tiger",the plot just drags and is well know to UD fans as a very weak story.
The first season ends on a happier note with Elisabeth marrying poet Lawrence Kirkbridge(Ian Oglivy) but the marriage in't going to be a happy or indeed a proper marriage....
A great start to a great series,the docummentary and commentaries all a great bonus too.

Unexpectedly enjoyable.
I received this box set as a Christmas present - much to my astonishment - I was too young to have watched the early episodes first time round (although I do remember some of the later ones). Having reluctantly decided to watch the first DVD while ironing - to my children's horror - black and white - what's that? I actually watched 2 episodes and thoroughly enjoyed them. My husband commented that he would far prefer to watch Upstairs Downstair than Eastenders et al. I am now a definite fan and will ask my Mum for set 2 for my birthday!