Upstart Crow - The Complete Series 1-3 And The Christmas Specials Boxset

First you must have a European player since this will not work on US only. Second, this is brilliant. They make the Bard somewhat bumbling and his family the idea generators. His continuing critique of local public transport rings true for us in New York/ New Jersey where public transport is the exemplar of the gross incompetence of Government. Try getting from New Jersey to New York City, you have at best a 50:50 chance of succeeding, before the current plague.For those of us familiar with the Bard the soto voce comments on the plays are mind bending. Hamlet as a comedy! Yep, when you see it the way the Bard's family and friends do it is outright hilarious, it is an example of today's real life television.It does help to know the Bard's work a bit, but even without the comedy is compelling. Worth getting that European player, now!My only nit it that the Bard comments on the French, Welsh, Scots. Never the Irish. Guess we were the forgotten few even then. Yet again, we can really laugh at the English!

A sitcom about a writer trying to create theater ~ and that writer is Shakespeare. Brilliant cast, clever scripts full of appreciation for The Bard.

I love this show! I think it is so original, so imaginative, so clever and funny, superior to much of what is shown on American TV!I don't mean that in a "snobby" way! It just seems that a lot of shows produced here, fit a "formula". Something that worked really well here, once, becomes the template for other spin-offs to follow, that seem less funny and more predictable!I couldn't wait to buy UpstartCrow!, In fact, I would have bought two other sets as gifts, had I been able to play mine.Sadly this wouldn't play on my computer or on my DVD player!I hope someone finds a way to manufacture the DVD so it will play in America. I like it enough that I even wrote to the Amazon suppliers, the BBC Store, and now to Amazon, hoping someone will put this show on a DVD that will play, here in this country. I think there could be a market for it.

I love this series and was thrilled to find the boxed set at such a reasonable price. The less expensive version flashed the big box stating that it was not in my region. THIS version did not flash the region box. I did not scroll down to see that other had difficulty with playing in the U.S. It is in English and has English subtitles. We were able to play it through a laptop attached to view on our T.V., but what a hassle. Still worth it as the only way to view this series. I would recommend for older teens who are studying Shakespeare as they will get a kick out of it for sure. Amazon needs to put the region disclaimer on this page.

Funny, funny series - like most , has a few clinkers in all the jokes but in general David Mitchell does a superb job and this send-up of Shakespeare occasionally borders on brilliance. Sadly, the seller states that it is NTSC format when it is in PAL (and when you receive it, clearly marked as PAL) and unplayable on American DVD players unless they are region-free. 5 stars for comedy, one star for either deceptive or incompetent product description.

As long as you keep in mind that the producers seriously mangled history (especially with regard to Robert Greene), and you know enough Shakespeare to get the underlying themes and jokes, this comedy is truly wonderful. It includes some of the debate over Shakespeare and his writings, as well as his contemporaries, as well as some common frustrations with some of his plays, and punches playful fun at them in doing so.It ends on a sad note, (historical true note) with a "not really that well done episode overall" for a last episode, but if you watch the second Christmas special as the actual 'final episode' (since it was shown months after the series ended) then it's ends on a much more hopeful note. Note: both Christmas specials include uncredited major stars in key roles, watch for them!

When I ordered this, I saw that in two places on the items page, it claimed the video was in NTSC format, which I knew (and confirmed) was North America. I also saw a note that said it “may not” work in my DVD player, but since it twice said it was in the N American format, I chose to trust the listing. In short, it is in the PAL format, and will not play in my DVD player. This listing should be updated.

The program is hilarious and one of the most original sitcoms to come from the UK since Monty Python! Go for it.One important caveat: please be aware when buying this DVD set that you might be getting a PAL version, i.e., a version that plays only on European or International DVD players. It will play in a computer with an app, e.g. VLC player. Even on this site, it is not clear whether the DVD advertised will play in most US standard DVD players.

For the first few episodes, we thought this was pure genius. Ben Elton's writing exceeded (dare I say it?) Blackadder;the acting and characters were superb; it was serious funny. But then a sour taste started coming through. A little at first, which seemed still quite funny, but then stronger, until whole episodes were to make 'politically correct' points - first, anti-religion (well, anti Christian, pro Islam), followed by the usual cocktail of pro-immigration, lumping Jews in the same category as disabled (bizarrely), pro-trans and gender-fluidity. It emerged with force, stopping the humour in its tracks, and making characters speak out of character. To do this was weird. Who wants their comedy interrupted by party political broadcasts? Who wants to be preached at for entertainment? Unfortunately, the BBC, I presume, simply must make everything about it's usual, tired narrative. Mr Elton: you sold your soul.

These series are well-written, beautifully acted, and well dressed. The use made of Shakespeare "stuff" is witty - they have got a nice take on the "Did Marlow write Shakespeare?" thing - and there are some nice angles- I love the stroppy teenage Susannah, and the Will Kemp banging on about modern comedy. in particular. One reviewer has complained about its being politically correct; I can't see that - I think it just brings up/sends up topical issues without being gratuitously unpleasant, and one cannot blame the writer for having opinions which are, in fact, widely current. It also has some depth - the episode dealing with the death of Hamnet was genuinely touching. Hoping for a series 4.

The Upstart Crow is very good and reminds me very much of Blackadder, which, with the involvement of Ben Elton, is perhaps unsurprising!I know a little Shakespeare which does add a little to the enjoyment of the programme but you don't need any. There's plenty of references to plays I haven't seen/read & they're still very funny.The cast is excellent. David Mitchell is always reliable & its good to see harry Enfield on screen again. Liza Tarbuck also very good, and the supporting cast all do a great job too.I hope that once the stage show has completed its season that they make another series.

This is general comedy, with enhancement for people who know the Shakespeare plays and sonnets. I'm sure some of the comedy must be missed by those unfamiliar with the plays which really makes it a bit elitist, but having said that, why shouldn't Shakespeare scholars have their own treat. Spotting such occasions is all part of the fun - e.g. in the episode parodying Romeo & Juliet, WS exclaims "Now cracks a noble heart" which of course comes from Hamlet - this cross-quoting occurs from time to time which IMHO enhances the comic effect. Another major comic aspect is the constant reference to modern-day problems/attitudes couched in the societal norms of Shakespeare's time. Altogether a treasury of comedy although a few characters are weak, because most of them are brilliant. The star of the show after David Mitchell is Gemma Whelan as Kate, the daughter of Shakespeare's London landlady, her yearning to become an actor being a recurring theme.

Upstart Crow is wonderfully written and acted comedy which puts a human face on the Bard and his problems of status and acceptance.As a fairly lowly born writer from the provinces Shakespeare struggles against the pompous, entitled upper classes who only by accident of birth and privilege assume superiority. Anything changed in the last 400 years !! Contemporary comparisons, particularly regarding his regular commute between Stratford upon Avon & London - delays, roadworks, fellow travellers, lack of compensation for disruption, etc., abound and although slightly predictable are nonetheless really hilarious.In addition to Shakespeare, wonderfully played by David Mitchell, all the cast are really fantastic particularly:1. Kate (Gemma Whelan) his landlady's daughter who yearns to be an actress but females are not permitted on the stage in those days !2. Anne Hathaway, (Liza Tarbuck) his calm and understanding wife who stays in Stratford with their children and his parents.3. Ned Bottom (Rob Rouse) his very lowly London manservant who is also, surprisingly an astute critic of Will's rather pompous writing style !!4. Susanna (Helen Monks) the eldest and teenage daughter of Shakespeare & Anne who is a contemporary very stroppy and grumpy teen "bitchington".5. Shakespeare's parents (Harry Enfield & Paula Wilcox).It is a true delight and every episode is laugh out loud funny. My only regret is how did I miss this when it was first shown on the BBC 😒