Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53236 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-09-13
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 255 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Television has become so much a part of our lives that it rarely surprises us anymore, so when a series like Queer as Folk comes along--truly shocking and genuinely touching--it's an event to be remembered. Originally broadcast as eight half-hour episodes on Channel 4, QAF follows the lives of three men through life, love and all the travails of such in Manchester. That the protagonists are all gay--and Nathan (Charlie Hunnam) is just 15 years old--is treated as matter of course, and were it not for the fact that every character who is introduced is so vividly realised, it would be the only point. The ultimate triumph of QAF is not that the explicit, explosive subject matter is handled (mostly) tastefully, or that it made it on screen at all--it's that the characters are so intriguing that the unflinching looks at sex and relationships almost fade completely into the background.

The series certainly starts with a bang: in the first episode, young Nathan is deflowered, Stuart (Aiden Gillen) becomes a father and Vince (Craig Kelly) pines away with an unrequited love that quickly establishes itself as the series' main theme. (That Vince spends half of QAF with a boyfriend complicates the situation some.) Nathan has already come to terms with his sexuality by the time the series starts, but that doens't mean that the rest of his family--or his fellow students--have; Stuart, the biggest (or, at least, busiest) stud in town, and QAF's approaches 30 and starts to re-examine his life; and Vince has to live with the rest of them.

The parents, families, friends and co-workers of all involved get plenty of screen time, and occasionally steal the scenes themselves--especially Denise Black (hairdresser Denise Osbourne from Coronation Street).

The DVD includes a Photo Gallery and a handful of interviews, which add little to the package. --Randy Silver

Special Features
Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Surround English
Dolby Surround
Interactive Menus
Scene Index
Photo Library
Cast Interviews

Synopsis
Here's where it all started. Stuart (Aidan Gillen) has everything--he's rich, handsome, and always at the center of attention. Although he's quite arrogant, he also seems to be quite perfect. His best mate Vince (Craig Kelly) is funny, good-looking, and endearing, but unlike Stuart he has no confidence in himself. Vince, of course, carries a torch for Stuart, but nothing romantic has happened between them. They're both in their late-20s, hitting Canal Street every night and just starting to think about where their lives may be going. Suddenly, along comes Nathan (Charlie Hunnam), a young man who has recent come out and parties with a vengeance. Soon Nathan has wedged himself into the lives of Stuart and Vince--changing everything. This release includes eight episodes of the immensely popular series on two discs.

Customer Reviews

Pacy and hard-hitting where TV needs it the most
Well, for starters, this series commences with a lot of almost explicit sex. For those who haven't caught on, this is gay and in it's way, a bit rough. But it is pretty true for some and close to the mark for most.

Queer As Folk is something of a turning point in the presentation of gay lifestyles in the western-world. The oft-though of as bleak Manchester, England is the setting and the many colourful and varied (gay and straight) characters provide an interesting contrast.

The show covers just about everything in modern gay life: heterosexual parents, gay-friendly parents, lesbian mothers, drug use, party-party-party, lust and sex, friendships, work, discrimination, happiness and joy, death, and much more.

Yet what most secured my attention was the similarity that the (otherwise rather ordinary) leading characters shared with myself and many of my friends. The issues faced by them in their pursuit of realising some meaning to their lives were very similar to ours. And although the show was at the centre of controversy for its use of a young teenage character, it was really pitched at the late 20's crowd, represented by the majority of the leading roles. For this reason I think Queer As Folk is a clever and ironic reminder of where gay men are at in their late 20's at the turn of the millennium. Many of the issues are difficult to stomach, even for someone who has faced similar. This is reminiscent of another British television series "This Life" (which is something of a heterosexual equivalent) and in stark contrast with various other gay-themed series or movies that often present the gay lifestyle as either too fluffy or totally miserable.

Queer As Folk touches many people for various reasons and whether you like it or hate it, its real success is in getting people to talk more openly about the issues it presents.

The DVD release of this title was cleaner and had a crisper sound quality to the VHS version, in which the sound seemed to be quite muted. Since there is a lot of music and varying sound levels in the dialogue I would certainly recommend the DVD over VHS.

Wonderfully funny, gritty and so true!!! I LOVED it!
What can I say about one of the most shocking series ever to be shown on TV??? Some much anger about it, so many dicussions, so many baying for Channel 4's blood! "You can't show that sort of thing on TV!!" they all shouted

Well I for one, loved watching it!!!

You wouldn't see anything different really if it had been about straight people. The sex would've been as graphic except showing practicaly every detail of the female body. The under-age issue still counts if the character had been straight as he was 15 which is under age even for heterosexuals. The drug taking is shown in many other TV dramas though they don't always show that just taking drugs once can kill you like QAF did! The promiscuous nature of the characters is no different to many many straight men and women.

So why all the who-ha??? Because is is about Homosexuals!!!! Well, being one, maybe I am biased, but it was so refreshing to see such and honest and factual drama about homosexual life. True, not all homosexuals live like that, and I'm sure some will be angry that it seems to be slightly playing on the stereotypes that all Gay men will sleep with anyone (and do!), but in a lot of cases this is in fact true.

Well the cast did a wonderful job, the characters were well thought out and the script is witty and sharp. The story is complex but well thought out. It has laughter, love, anger, sadness, discrimination, acceptance and lust.

What else can you ask for from a British Drama??

A 100% must for ANY video collection!

Best series on British television by far!
An intriguing journey into the lives of three gay guys. The series, although shocking for some viewers, give an insight to the life of the 20th century "social outcasts". Seems strange describing Stuart as such, since both boys and girls would easily fall madly in love with him...
Arrogant or gentle, out of control or deeply self-conscious, all characters seem to be living the hedonistic lifestyle of manchester's gay village.
Watching it week after week, one thing emerged...Aren't Stuart, Vince and Nathan just like the people we meet every single day? The guy from work that his amazingly perfect style made us suffer for months? The trustworthy best friend, who always stood by us no matter what? The younger "stalker", who made us feel so desirable?
Queer as a folk mirrors the life of the average 20 something in the UK. Hungry for love and companionship...
Thinking about it...an intensely humane story!