Upstairs Downstairs Series Three To Five - The Memorable TV DVD Review

GORDON JACKSON as Angus Hudson / JEAN MARSH as Rose / SIMON WILLIAMS as Captain James Bellamy / ANGELA BADDELEY as Mrs Kate Bridges / DAVID LANGTON as Lord Richard Bellamy / RACHEL GURNEY as Lady Marjorie Bellamy / NICOLA PAGETT as Elizabeth Bellamy / LESLEY-ANNE DOWN as Georgina Worsley / JENNY TOMASIN as Ruby / CHRISTOPHER BEENY as Edward / JACQUELINE TONG as Daisy

WHAT’S IT ABOUT THEN?

30 years in the life of the Bellamy family and their below stairs servants between the years 1903 and 1930. An incredibly popular series in the UK and abroad with the episodes taking in all the key historical moments with the first Mrs Bellamy being on the Titanic went it went down, several of the household getting caught up in the carnage of world war one and later James Bellamy losing all the family money in the Wall Street Crash. More personal moments included James getting maid Sarah pregnant, and at the series end butler Hudson getting married to cook Mrs Bridges.

SO IS IT ANY GOOD?

Uinversal round off their release of one of TV's most loved shows Upstairs Downstairs with series 3 - 5 released in three 4 disc sets.

Created by Jean Marsh (who played Rose in the series) and fellow actress Eileen Atkins the series quickly caught the imagination of the public especially in the US where it won scores of Emmys during its run. Wonderfully nostalgic now and still just as enthralling the downstairs goings on still seem the more enjoyable too although series three does see the addition on the beautiful flapper Georgina Worsley (as played by Lesley Ann Down).

By series three the cast and crew had obviously all become very comfortable with their roles, the budget increased in line with the shows standing and there was more use of location filming whilst season four is without question the series at it's best covering the the years of World War One 1914-18 and seeing the show going through a kind of transition as all of the occupants of Eaton Place are affected on one way or anther by the war. The final series broadcast in 1975 covered the 1920's with Hudson and Mrs Bridges reaching retirement and Georgina almost growing up and getting married. The show actually ended on a downbeat note as Eaton place is sold off to pay for James' mounting debts. A classy show then and a classy show now.

ANY SPECIAL FEATURES?

None unfortunately?