Very good, but far from 'the best'. That honour, in my opinion, would go to 'I,Claudius' and include 'Elizabeth R', 'The 6 Wives of Henry VII', and 'Upstairs, Downstairs' among others. Frankly, the story is not that compelling and the acting can be way over-the-top, even for that period of BBC drama. But then, for every show in existence, you will find someone who will call it 'the greatest of all time', so to each his own.
Life sucks, then you're reincarnated
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maryann-parker
12 years ago
Oh yes, I, Claudius is unbelieveable; Derek Jacobi is amazing - I own the DVD set; I also own Six Wives of Henry 8 and Elizabeth R (Glenda Jackson), both fantastic. I also purchased the Pallisters, The Grand, Lillie, Anna Kareina and Forsythe Saga. I didn't get Upstairs Downstairs, though I remember how good it was.
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fubared1
12 years ago
I believe it's 'The Pallisers' not 'Pallisters'. And I'm guessing you're into the whole 'romance' thing, which I definitely am not (not hetersoexual romance anyway). I prefer a good historical saga or a good spy series or a good mystery any day. Anything but these 'romance' epics. So, as I said, it's all a matter of taste.
Life sucks, then you're reincarnated
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maryann-parker
12 years ago
Yes, Pallisers (just checked my DVD) - Well, I love any shows about Kings and Queens of England which are historical. I admit I love a little of romance. Can you recommend any other good historical sagas that are on DVD for me? I don't care for spy or mysteries.
Thanks
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greenegg
9 years ago
I love so many series for so many reasons that I gave up trying to find "the best." I purchase all the series I adore so I never have to miss them when I need a fix. The whole list would swamp the page, but I find myself watching I, Claudius; Elizabeth R; Six Wives...Henry VIII; Upstairs Downstairs; both versions of the Forsyte Saga (I still prefer the original); The First Churchills; By the Sword Divided; Poldark; the Duchess of Duke Street; Edward the King; A Fall of Eagles; the Pallisers; Flambards; A Horseman Riding By; To Serve Them All My Days; the Gaskell, Austen, Eliot, Dickens collections; Love in a Cold Climate; Rumpole; Inspector Lewis; The Moonstone (70s version); A Family at War; Homicide: LOTS; The Jewel in the Crown; and The Good Soldier, among others, at least once a year. They always feel like old friends.
I don't consider The Pallisers a romance; it's a family saga set in an intriguing period. Flambards is a short family saga; A Horseman Riding By is also a family saga, as are By the Sword Divided and A Family At War.
Put puppy mills out of business: never buy dogs from pet shops!
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supergran
9 years ago
Hi greenegg!
Great list!
I avidly followed A Family at War around 1970. Excellent series. And To Serve Them All My Days is one of my all-time favourites. A few years ago, we found the graves of the real life Algernon Herries and his wife (real names HARRIES). They are situated close to West Buckland school which was the inspiration for Bamfylde.
You may find this BBC radio documentary interesting. I hope this works in America:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01wsg12
If there aren't any skeletons in a man's closet, there's probably a Bertha in his attic.
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greenegg
9 years ago
Greetings, supergran! Thanks for the link! How exciting to connect with the real life inspiration for Algy and Ellie; I just loved them. Such an embarrassment of riches!
Put puppy mills out of business: never buy dogs from pet shops!
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TrentinaNE
9 years ago
That's so cool about finding the Harries' graves. I adored To Serve Them All My Days. Haven't seen it for a few years -- might be time for a rewatch!
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visualcookie
9 years ago
I really like your list and would agree with most of them, there are some I haven't seen, but I notice you haven't included many mystries or spy stories in this list. Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, Miss Marple, Partners in Crime and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy were some of my favourites as well.
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greenegg
9 years ago
Sorry about skipping some of the mysteries. I love all of those you listed. I guess I ran out of steam with my other list. I've been an avid watcher of all things British since I was a child. My mother and grandmother loved mysteries, too. We all adored Inspector Morse, as well. I wish PBS still had a separate Mystery series. It never seems to be enough of them when they have to split the season with the Contemporary and Classic series. I'm really enjoying Endeavour these days. The Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine mysteries were also marvelous, as were the PD James, with Dalgleish and Unsuitable Job for a Woman. The Inspector Lynley series also was good. I still miss Jeremy Brett as Holmes. I find the current Sherlock just way too precious; it doesn't hold my interest.
Put puppy mills out of business: never buy dogs from pet shops!
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visualcookie
9 years ago
Just thought of two more series that were great, Prime Suspect and All Creatures Great and Small. I haven't seen the new Sherlock, I don't really watch any kind of serial television anymore, I just read (happier marriage that way), so I can't comment on any of the newer series out of Britian. I only watched the new Poldark because I had seen the previous adaptation and read the books.
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greenegg
9 years ago
You're so right about Prime Suspect and All Creatures Great and Small, vc! How could I neglect those? The new Sherlock hasn't attracted me; Jeremy Brett will always be my favorite Holmes.
Put puppy mills out of business: never buy dogs from pet shops!
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visualcookie
9 years ago
Jeremy Brett was the perfect Holmes, wasn't he? I think the new And Then There Where None will be very good, judging from the cast. Charles Dance as Mr. Justice Lawrence Wargrave is going to be perfect and so of course will Aidan Turner be as Philip Lombard. It's nice to know there is still quality dramas being produced and that not all television has been reduce to that "reality" rubbish or shows that are nothing but sex and gore.
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