Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11128 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-04-28
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 195 minutes

Synopsis
Based on Alan Garner's novel, THE OWL SERVICE tells the story of Alison and her step-brother Roger. They go on a family holiday in the Welsh Valleys and stay in a cottage that has it share of supernatural secrets. Features the complete series.

Customer Reviews

Childhood revisited
I was reading "The Owl Service" on holiday in Wales (1978) when, as a total coincidence, I first saw this series. At the time it seemed otherworldly and slightly confusing to an impressionable 13 year old boy. The phrase "She wants to be flowers and you make her owls" has haunted me for 30 years. Finally I can see it all and appreciate that which I was too young to fully understand at the time.

I'm glad to say that the passing of time has not diminished the slightly off-kilter atmosphere of this classic series. Unlike much of "children's TV drama" these days, "The Owl Service" keeps you off-balance and intrigued as to what's actually going on.
This is an intensely claustrophobic story of relationships within a very English (step) family and the staff of their holiday home. Set in an oppressive Welsh valley it focuses specifically on the experiences and tensions between three teenagers who are forced to relive an ancient "mythical" conflict. Using a tale from "The Mabinogion" as the basis for the conflict it explores the difficulty of growing up and dealing with attraction, jealousy, alienation, the pressures of family, responsibility and even national identity but places it all within a subtly creepy supernatural setting.

The acting may now seem slightly stilted and the patronising "Granada-enforced" recaps do somewhat spoil the deliberate ambiguity of certain events but the meaning and power of the story has survived intact and "The Owl Service" provides some of the most "adult" children's TV you will ever have the good fortune to see.

edit: A special honourable mention must be paid to Roger's shorts :)

Best Childrens series ever
And about time too! Made in 1969, but never released on Video or DVD till 2008. This, the TV adaptation of the award winning novel is a major feat of television. One of the first series ever to be made in colour in the UK, this 8 part story is a magical delight from start to finish. It's quite traumatic in parts and I would recommend caution to younger viewers. Fantastic performances from all - the best ever for a supposed "children's" show and a wonderful feel to the whole thing, which is beautifully shot on location.

The leisurely pace of the episodes adds to the characterisation in a way that I felt the book needed. I first saw this in the late 80s and was about the same age as the main 3 characters and was compelled by them.

The really great thing about this series is that it stands up well to repeated viewing - in fact, it's essential, each time reveals a new layer and a deeper understanding - so it's perfect for a DVD release.

Wonderful.

A decent DVD release...
For a show that hardly anyone has heard of which hasn't been transmitted for 20 years, Network have put together a surprisingly nice DVD package for the series. It contains:

*The six episodes (split over two discs) with picture and sound as good as can be expected.
*A Granada TV documentary on Alan Garner from 1980.
*A booklet that details (well) the making of the show, and also features modern interviews with Gillian Hills and Raymond Llewellyn, finished off with a review by film critic Kim Newman.

All in all, it's a surprisingly well put together DVD release for a show that was, and is, unlike any other.