The Jewel in the Crown
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Movie Reviews of The Jewel in the Crown
Movie Review: I must be missing something!
Summary: 2 Stars
I have to agree with reviewers who complained about the visual quality of the dvd version. In any event, I attempt to focus on the story. Unfortunately, I found myself unable to enjoy this series. The subject matter is fascinating---India at the dawn of independence from Great Britain. The newsreels, which were presented at intervals in the series, enhanced the story and provided historical perspective (from the British viewpoint, of course). However, I found myself annoyed by most of the main characters. Certain story elements were absolutely unfathomable---why would Susan marry Ronald Merrick, for example? He was from a lower social class, and she and her family would have considered him an inappropriate (at best) love interest. Yes, we are aware Susan experienced mental illness, but her family would surely have intervened to prevent the match. Her family was inexplicably accepting of this marriage. Also, why did Sarah allow herself to be seduced by the British officer who treated her so abominably? What on earth would motivate her to accept such abusive treatment?
Although I wanted to feel sympathetic for Barbie Batchelor's character, I simply found her annoying. I don't like it when I can't sympathize with a downtrodden character!
Too little was included about Hari Kumar's experiences, and Daphne's aunt and child flitted through the series so quickly one never knew why they were even included. I really wanted more information about them.
One of the most moving events in the series occurs in the last episode, which concerns Hindu violence against Moslems. I found that particular episode very moving.
For the overall experience, however, I ended feeling rather dissatisfied. I wanted to like this series a lot more!
Movie Review: Great Story, terrible transfer
Summary: 2 Stars
This DVD set is a real heartbreaker!The Jewel in the Crown is absolutely one of historic the highlights of "quality" television. An absolutely arresting story. Wonderful script, wonderful acting, etc. I can't add anything on that count to the reviews already here.
That makes the TERRIBLE quality of the DVD transfer all the more disappointing. This set has literally the WORST video quality I have ever seen on a DVD! Murky, muddy picture with visible scratches and dirt on the film. The soundtrack is a little better. On my home theater setup it sounds like its coming over a half-decent clock radio. Seriously, the picture looks like they took an old VHS tape of the show and just ran it through a disc burner.
No, I don't expect blockbuster quality from an 30-year old BBC film, but I would have expected something more like the recent DVD set of Elizabeth R, which is quite watchable.
Sadly, this is almost surely the only DVD we'll ever see of this marvelous series. I'm going to rent the old tapes of this. They might easily be better. If not, I guess this is what we're all stuck with.
Movie Review: Not for those who like to relax and enjoy happy films
Summary: 2 Stars
I watched all 16 hours because I kept hoping to find somthing to like about it, figuring since friends told me that once Guy Perron came into the story it was fun and romantic. ?! I kept flinching and ducking from all the sadism and mean-spirited people from upper, middle and lower castes/classes launched at me the whole time.
Great drama and acting. My body was literally clenched during most of it.
Rape, persecution of every kind, torture, prejudice, mental illness, war footage --- what's not to like?
I am not suggesting we make only light and airy movies that gloss over the evils of man throughout history. Rather, I am remarking that I don't LIKE to watch movies with the themes listed above, kept hoping something realy nice would happen to someone to right the wrongs, etc, but nothing ever did.
Movie Review: Excellent series - Appalling digital transfer
Summary: 1 Stars
Heed Spoffo's warning.While the series itself is wonderful and certainly worth owning, I have NEVER seen a worse DVD transfer. Even my seedy Madacy Entertainment copy of Fritz Lang's 1226 "Metropolis" is of higher quality. The visuals are fuzzy and grainy at the same time, and there are severe block artifacts everytime the screen gets even slightly dark. All scenes shot at night or in the darkness are almost unwatchable because of the visual noise.
The sound seemed alright to me at first, but then I turned the volume up a bit and found that there is a kind of low-pitch static, like machine noise underneath the vocals and music.
Please buy the VHS tapes - and let A&E know that this is simply unacceptable!