The Jewel In The Crown: The Complete Series

I bought this DVD set in response to a televised review of memorable Masterpiece productions. The positive comment is this DVD set arrived two weeks prior to the announced anticipated delivery date, fourteen days via snail mail from Great Britain, and the envelope was still mostly intact. The DVD does play on my Pioneer DVD player and responds to remote operation. Also, it affords opportunity to look at old-timey newsreels of India's history with the British. My negative impression is without doubt the series Masterpiece developed however this DVD version appears to have been edited and piece together by amateurs, hence the good price. Film stutters, then a black screen appears, a sharp cue whistle is heard, and the film continues. There is no paper description to what is on each of the four discs. The story line is interesting, acting is good, costumes, hair and makeup are genuine for the period but two hours in the production is a disconnected tiresome disappointment.

They sent a copy that will not play on my dvd. I understand it is for England not America. Would like to have it replaced.

The discs will not play in my 1 year old Sony blu ray player. I suspect that the format is not appropriate for US players, which is something which was not mentioned on the screen when I ordered it.

The DVD will not play in America!!

The DVD set was properly packed and arrived in good shape.

Waited weeks for this to arrive...turns out from the UK and it won't play on our DVD player.

NO INDICATION on Amazon (US) that this is Region 2! As a result, I can't play it.

Product would not function on numerous different DVD players.

.....historical story set in india during the 1940’s, the WW2 years. Politics, the Independence of India, the Victorian legacy, Britain, power, the military, double standards, mores, racism, citizenship, respect, women, mixed marriages and relationships taboos, the long term effects on children growing up, poverty, wealth, snobbery.Art Malik, Tim Piggot-Smith, the brilliant acting of vulnerable people and of those with with disturbing personalities.Facing and/or denying the realities, and at the same time “keeping up appearances”.The Indian dilemmas of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, seeking independence from British rule.Geraldine James, is in this and also appears in the Film, Gandhi.In this, she plays the part of a British daughter, older sister, a military family.The dilemmas she faces.Respected and well known older female actors of the time this was made, impressive acting.This is historical, set in time and place, based on novels.Authentic film and news footage also used to depict the real time issues of the day.Disturbing, thought provoking, giving insights.Beauty, along with degradation.Frightening times, mental health, crime, justice, “cover ups”.I would like to read the books, but not sure how graphic and disturbing they might be.The partition of India remains in living memory of the families affected today.There is no “one story”, as Richard Attenborough quoted at the beginning of his film Gandhi.The Jewel in the Crown mini series prompts further questions and discussions, and still is relevant watchable in 2021.

'The Jewel In The Crown' is in my opinion one of the finest television drama series ever made. It is an accurate representation of Paul Scott's 'The Raj Quartet' and does it full justice.The script is gripping and the acting excellent throughout. It made a star out of four relative unknowns - Art Malik, Tim Pigott- Smith, Geraldine James and Charles Dance and watching it over again I can certainly see why. The commentaries by these four actors are also illuminating. A great television programme.

Hard to see why this was so popular in the 1980s. With its relentlessly bleak view of the British Raj, the British class system and British people generally the only sympathetic character is Sarah Layton, played by Geraldine James. Naturally, given the tone of the enterprise, Sarah Layton has socialist sympathies. It should be remembered that Granada Television, producers of Jewel in the Crown were noted for the generally left wing character of their programmes. So we are left with the clear impression that the British in India (and probably everywhere else) were little more than selfish, cold-hearted, racist snobs (unless they could show some hint of the saving grace of socialism).

Who can doubt that this is British television at its very best, not unlike, say, the adaptations of Le Carre or our splendid comedies ('Steptoe And Son', 'Dad's Army', 'Porridge' and so on)?Superb performances all round, even from the many extras, but Malik is stunning - the more so as I think he was pretty much at the beginning of his career. Tim Pigott-Smith is also oustanding as the complex Ronald Merrick, and Susan Wooldridge is superlative as the tragic Daphne.Highly recommended viewing.

It seems that everybody wants this DVD set to make , as it does, for many a perfect evening during the Coronavirus lockdown. I was very lucky to get my copy at a reasonable price. So buyers would do well to wait and choose wisely.Everything that can be said about this TV masterpiece has already been said. A terrific story about the transition from imperial India to the present day nations of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a backdrop of World War 2.An outstanding cast. Some glorious scenery and filming, and a thoughtful approach that makes me feel that makers of 21st century TV dramas could benefit from going back to this film and watching, listening and learning!