The Bretts
(1987 - 1988/Acorn DVD Set) + Upstairs,
Downstairs (2010 remake/BBC DVD Set)
Picture: C/C+
Sound: C+ Extras: D/C Episodes: B/C+
Taking
place at a time when acting was not considered the most respectable profession,
The Bretts and a two-season series
from England with Norman Rodway and Barbara Murray in the leads as the head of
a family in the 1930s with some wealthy, more problems and five children also
trying to get into the act. The result
is a very watchable show that holds together better than it might otherwise
have.
Though
some points are more typical, I was pleased how much energy the show had and
how good it was about portraying the time it takes place in. The actors are good, production itself is
fine for a TV mini-series and it is an overall fine work co-written by Upstairs, Downstairs writer Rosemary
Anne Sisson, I liked how the profession was portrayed, how filmmaking slowly
creeps into their world and how well this is all subtly integrated as the show
moves on. Those interested will not be
disappointed.
In
speaking of Upstairs, Downstairs,
the BBC classic from the 1970s that surprised the whole TV world by being a hit
on PBS at a time when it was thought they could not have big hits. The network decided to remake the 1936
upscale soap opera drama for HD in a new production that is somewhat ambitious,
but this new shorter version does not have the energy, chemistry or surprise of
the original. Eileen Atkins and Jean
Marsh (co-creators of the original classic) show up in the acting cast that
includes Art Malik and newer names who are not bad, but all I could think of
was the original and wanted to see it again instead. Still, it is worth a look for fans and the
curious.
The 1.33
X 1 image on Bretts is from a PAL
analog master that is not in the best of shape and is down a generation unless
it just aged that way. Though color is
good, it is softer than expected for the age of the show and even the back of
the case has a small print note about the image limits. The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image on
Downstairs is shot in HD, is not as
colorful, is on the soft side in its own way, has some motion blur and both
detail and Video Black are limited, yet it looks a little better overall. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono on Bretts is not as bad as its image, with
only minor flaws and a decent recording despite some compression issues and
other flaws, while the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo on Downstairs is clearer and cleaner; it is not really that much
better overall with a simple mix and good recording. There are no extras on Bretts, but Downstairs
has a 35-minutes long behind-the-scenes featurette called Behind Closed Doors.
- Nicholas Sheffo
