HOME   News   Reviews   Adv Search   Features   My DVD   About   Apps   Stats     Search:
  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Full Frame
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
    English
  Extras
  • Animated menus

Keeping Up Appearances - The Complete Series 1 & 2

BBC/Roadshow Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 465 mins . G . PAL

  Feature
Contract

Keeping Up Appearances is a British series focusing on the life of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) and her ever suffering husband Richard. The show aired from 1990 to 1995 and was a huge success in the UK and worldwide. Contained on this three disc set are the six episodes from series one and the ten episodes from series two. Each episode runs for approximately 30 minutes and each is easily accessible from the main menu.

"I’m having one of my candlelit suppers."

Click here to enlarge and send to a friend
The Bouquet residence, the lady of the house speaking!

There are several main characters in this series so here is a brief breakdown of each.

Hyacinth Bucket – Hyacinth is a snob and proud of it. She believes that her breeding is pure and that her siblings are somehow an accident of nature. While not excluding them all, she will do all in her power to not let them embarrass her.

Richard Bucket – The mild mannered husband of Hyacinth who constantly has to put up with her idiosyncrasies.

Rose – The nymphomaniac sister of Hyacinth who has more dates than a desk calendar.

Daisy – The slob sister with a big heart and devoted wife of Onslow.

Onslow – Daisy’s even slobbier husband who considers formal wear to be a cardigan over his vest.

Elizabeth – The nervous next door neighbour of Hyacinth who bumbles her way through afternoon tea, simply because she is too scared to refuse the invitation.

Emmet – Elizabeth’s brother who is equally terrified of Hyacinth.

Violet – Hyacinth's well to do sister who owns a Mercedes. This is the sister who has the correct bloodlines in the family. Violet is married to a turf accountant who has a penchant for wearing Violet's clothes.

Sheridan – Hyacinth and Richard’s absent son. He is never seen, but is often on the phone asking for money. Sheridan is away at college and lives with his friend Tarquin, Hyacinth oblivious to Sheridan’s sexual orientation.

The series looks at the problems encountered by Hyacinth and her need to always appear to be upper class. Her family continually give her cause for alarm, but she handles each situation as only a proper lady could. There are many mishaps along the way and Hyacinth is repeatedly put to the test, always managing to come out on top in the end.

Click here to enlarge and send to a friend
Mind that pedestiran dear!

This BBC series was filmed in the glorious town of Northampton in England, I have to say glorious as it is my hometown. But seriously, the town is perfect for the series, having some stunning country scenery along with run down council estates. Patricia Routledge is incredible as Hyacinth and, quite frankly, it would be hard to picture anyone else in this role. The entire cast are well suited, Clive Swift as Richard, Judy Cornwell as Daisy, Geoffrey Hughes as Onslow, not to mention Shirley Stelfox and Mary Millar as sister Rose, the first from series one and the second from series two. Josephine Tewson and David Griffin also deserve a mention as neighbours Elizabeth and Emmet. There really are no passengers when it comes to the cast - all are extremely well suited - but it is Patricia Routledge who drives the show and stands out accordingly.

  Video
Contract

Being a television series, Keeping Up Appearances is presented in full frame and it looks terrific. The BBC have generally done a great job with their DVD releases and this is another quality release. Colours are bright and natural and well saturated. The picture is always clear, with only a small instance of grain and loss of detail on outdoor location scenes. There is occasional aliasing, but this is never really an annoyance. Subtitles supplied are accurate to what is said on screen and no layer change was detected on these dual layer discs.

  Audio
Contract

As expected, the audio supplied with this release is Dolby Digital stereo and it sounds great. Dialogue is clear at all times and synch is never a problem. There are no dramas with hiss or distortion and the small amount of music used is crystal clear and well suited. There really isn’t much else to say other than it does what it needs to do and does it well.

  Extras
Contract

There are no extras with this release.

  Overall  
Contract

This is great value for fans of British comedy. It is a wonderful and humorous show that will be enjoyed by most. Picture and audio quality are of the usual BBC standard and although there are no extras, this is still a terrific purchase containing 16 half hour episodes in total. The remaining series' are sure to be released in the near future, so be sure to add this one to the collection.


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=3094
  • Send to a friend.

    Cast your vote here: You must enable cookies to vote.
  •   
      And I quote...
    "The wonderful BBC series with the irrepressible Hyacinth Bucket is here and this little pack contains series one and two – great value!"
    - Adrian Turvey
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DVP-NS305
    • TV:
          AKAI CT-29S55AT 68cm
    • Receiver:
          Sony STR-DE685
    • Speakers:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Centre Speaker:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Surrounds:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Subwoofer:
          Sony SAVE815ED
      Recent Reviews:
    by Adrian Turvey

    The Rise & Rise of Australian Rugby - The Bledisloe Cup: Deluxe Edition
    "This is a quality package for fans of rugby, as well as fans of Australian sporting history."

    Youssou N'Dour - Live at Union Chapel
    "The talented African singer gives a fine performance in this show."

    The Wailers - Live
    "Keep the pizza delivery phone number handy for this one!"

    Matchbox Twenty - Show: A Night in the Life of
    "Great band, great spectacle, great sound, great show!"

    Manchester United - Beyond the Promised Land
    "Fans of Manchester United should enjoy this release, for others it may induce vomiting! "

      Related Links
      None listed

     

    Search for Title/Actor/Director:
    Google Web dvd.net.au
       Copyright © DVDnet. All rights reserved. Site Design by RED 5   
    rss