DUCHESS DUKE STREET: COMPLETE COLLECTION DVD

This is definitely one of the best British TV Series that I have viewed ! Acting is superb, story is well done, and the episodes are the perfect length. There are 31 hour long episodes in the complete series so it does take a bit of time to enjoy all of the stories. Fortunately, each episodes stands on its own and is not dependent on previous episodes in order to follow the self contained stories. In the way of very minor criticism, I wish that the series had sub titles. The dialogue is fast paced so perhaps it would have been difficult. The Cockney accent is hard to follow and I feel that I have lost a bit by not understanding all that is said. Nevertheless, the other British accents are very discernable and easy to follow. It does take a bit of getting used to and as the stories move on, I have become somewhat more comfortable in appreciating the dialogue. In particular, Louise Trotter, and Mr. Merriman are the most difficult to follow. The "Major" is an especially interesting character and I believe could be the subject of his own series. He is certainly a mystery man. Overall, the series fully merits the unusually high five star rating !Series 2 is even better (both series are in the complete set). The series follows up with events and activities of the player during WWI with many surprises. The cast of characters is able to skillfully deal with all of the many circumstances and situations which confront them and the usual humor, drama, and suspense is ever present in each of the episode. There are 31 episodes in the set; getting to the last episode is defintely worth going through all of the 31 episodes. I actually thought that series 2 was much better than series 1, perhaps because the actors had become more familiar with their roles or perhaps because having WWI as the background period made it much more dramatic and intense. Lotte emerges in the final episodes and adds a great deal to the stories.This was one of the BEST ! Don't miss it !

I didn't think that I could like anything better than Upstairs Downstairs but I was so wrong. This series is so much more visually appealing. The detail of the furnishings and period clothing alone make it worth viewing.Gemma Jones who plays Mrs. Trotter, The Duchess of Duke Street, is good, to be sure, but we all have our favorite characters and mine is Merriman the butler played by John Welsh. His understated manner and wit had me chuckling as I viewed each episode. As in Upstairs Downstairs, though, there is one servant who is treated badly. In UD, it was Ruby; in the DODS, it was Merriman. Granted, some of it was good-natured teasing but much of it was not. The disrespect that was shown to an octagenarian is disgraceful.Some of the episodes were difficult to watch especially during the WWI episodes; a lot of death and tragedy but then, that's war, isn't it? I will say that the last 5 episodes took a turn that I didn't particularly care for but if I tell you what they are, it will spoil things for you. I can say, however, that the character of Lottie is most disagreeable. She has aspirations of becoming a professional singer and the woman who played her, Lalla Ward, *cannot* sing. Her voice is weak, thin and trembly and I should think that they could've cast someone better for the part. In my opinion, she dragged the series down but I still gave it a 5 star rating because she didn't enter the picture until close to the end. Had she been introduced earlier, I may not have liked the series so much.I feel sad having come to the end and will definitely view this series again this winter during the cold, snowy months, sitting by the fire while sipping some English tea. A must see and worth every penny.

For those who recall this series back in the 1970's you will be pleased to travel back to, not only the story based on a TRUE story, but also experience the outstanding acting of Gemma Jones. This tells of the story of a rise from kitchenmaid to owner of a real prestigious hotel/eatery in the vicinity where there is a plaque erected today. We are often amazed how this all has been so overlooked over the years, but promise it to be a memorable delight! Rosa Lewis, the real "Dutchess of Duke Street" that this story portrays, was an absolute marvel in the kitchen with her innovative culinary creations that were well ahead of the times during this Edwardian era. The costumes alone are fabulous, as well, and not to be unappreciated for those interested in period fashions. This is one set of 27-hours that will endure once you have viewed it - and likely want to share it with others as I am doing. Hope this is helpful to anybody uncertain about a purchase, as we most certainly highly recommend this DVD set!

The quality of this DVD set is borderline. Sometimes the episode is very clear and sometimes the episode is really blurred and not great to watch. I have a Blu-ray DVD player and this could be the reason as it is not Blu-ray. That being said, the series itself is good. I found some episodes to be a little too much and boring so I did a FF thru some of it but on the whole it's a good series and a long series. It is based on a true character and so that made it more interesting because she, the Duchess, is something else. She's quite the lady and let's absolutely no one get the better of her........you end up really liking her even though some of her ways are a bit much and sometimes she gets carried away. She certainly had her work cut out for her and she met the challenge head on. When all is said and done, I would have liked to have been a guest at the hotel and I would have liked to have known her. Many other interesting characters in it also. Her mother was a real gem......!!! While it's not one of my favorites, one that I shall watch over and over, it is still a very good series and I would recommend it.

This is one of my favourite series. Social obstacles, romantic encounters, elaborate Victorian cuisine, and the trials and heartbreak of World War I. Based on a true story.

Missed it when it was on TV - happy to have caught up with it now. Fascinated to see a young Martin Shaw - all curly perm and east end accent - but what a nasty character he played - and played well. Several really well known faces in the cast - Christopher Casanove, Richard Vernon, Anthony Andrews, to name but a few. Series One was excellent. Series Two became progressively tired - but watchableHow ever - I was shocked that the BBC chose to insult that fine actress - Gemma Jones - who was the star of the series, by putting a photo of Jessica Benton on the cover of the DVD. Benton, who was not really known about much until after The Onedin Line, only appeared in two episodes and didn't exactly cover herself in glory in either of them.Gemma Jones, on the other hand, carried the series through a few badly written episodes and rescued it - like the star she is. It is for Gemma Jones that I award the five stars!

A beautiful series

Serie degli anni 70, molto ben realizzata. La versione è in inglese con sottotitoli facoltativi in neerlandese. Da osservare che l'accento cockney di molti personaggi può essere talvolta di difficile comprensione per chi avesse una conoscenza superficiale dell'inglese.

I watched this as a kid with my mum and loved it, watching this again took me right back and it was just as I remembered it so happy, quality is great