UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS, SERIES 4

The four CDs in Series Four cover the years of the First World War (1914-1918). Some regard this Series as the best of Upstairs, Downstairs. As the title implies, it deals with the upstairs and downstairs residents of 165 Eaton Place in the wealthy and fashionable Belgravia section of London behind Buckingham Palace (Downton Abbey’s Aunt Rosamund lived in this same neighborhood).Upstairs are members of the Bellamy family: Richard (whose wife Lady Marjorie Bellamy died on the Titanic), James Bellamy and his wife Hazel, and Georgina Worsley (step daughter of Lady Marjorie’s brother). The downstairs staff includes Angus Hudson (butler), Rose Buck (lady’s maid), Daisy Peel (parlor maid), Edward Barnes (footman ), Kate Bridges (cook), and Ruby Finch (scullery maid). In such a small household, the butler is very actively involved in domestic affairs, and the downstairs staff often interact with the family upstairs and have to assume various duties.Although it covers the same period as Downton Abbey, Upstairs, Downstairs is much more concerned with external events, including the war. The Bellamys take in a family of Belgian refugees, household members are involved in war work--Hudson as special constable, Rose as a bus conductress, Ruby as a munitions factory worker (in the Silvertown munitions factory, where she is nearly killed in the famous explosion). There are romantic relationships between Edward and Daisy, Rose and Gregory Wilmot (an Australian soldier), Hazel and pilot Jack Dyson, and Richard and navy widow Virginia Hamilton. The war affects the household in many ways. Edward and other apprehensive soldiers board a train for France, while scores of seriously wounded men return to London on a hospital train. Georgina works at an army field hospital in France where some wounded soldiers must lie on the ground outside because there is a shortage of beds. James and Edward have devastating experiences in the army. James turns up wounded after being missing in action; Edward is shell shocked. During the dress rehearsal for a fund-raising tableau, the Bellamy house is hit by a bomb. As a Member of Parliament and Civil Lord of the Admiralty, Richard is involved in political and naval affairs, and advises Virginia when her son Michael is court martialed for cowardice. The household is affected by anti-German hysteria, rationing, and ersatz food (one recipe calls for fatted bacon, stale bread, oatmeal, and leftover vegetables—ingredients which normally would have gone into the trash).In addition to 13 individual episodes (with optional English subtitles), there are several extra features: (1) The Making of Upstairs Downstairs, Series Four (50 minutes); (2) Russell Harty interview of Jean Marsh (Rose) (11 minutes); (3) Russell Harty interview of Angela Baddeley (Kate Bridges) (11 minutes). But there is no list of individual episodes]]It should perhaps be noted that, Downton Abbey, which is largely a soap opera in an aristocratic setting, definitely excels Upstairs, Downstairs in sets, costumes, music, and cinematography, whereas Upstairs, Downstairs excels Downton Abbey in its attention to social and historical context.It is interesting to note that, when writing Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes did not plagiarize from Upstairs, Downstairs, but he probably drew ideas from it. Consider the similarities: In both the wealth comes from the woman's side of the family. Both Richard (U/D) and Robert (DA) are in precarious financial situations: When Marjorie dies (U/D), the family fortune goes to Richard's children. Without a male heir, Downton Abbey will go to another branch of the family. In both programs: (1) family members die (or appear to die) on the Titanic, (2) the young men are involved in World War I (in each, the principal young male character, after being missing in action, returns home gravely wounded; in each household, one of the domestic servants suffers from shell shock); (3) a young female member of the family becomes a wartime nurse; (4) a young woman dies from influenza; (5) there is a downstairs romance; (6) the chauffeur goes into the automotive business; (7) a male aristocrat refuses to take responsibility for a child he has fathered by a maid; (8) an adventurous young daughter gets into trouble from her involvement in the suffrage movement; (9) the cook is courted by an unworthy suitor; (10) the question arises as to who will fill in for the ailing butler; (11) the family suffers from making bad investments; (12) an unsatisfactory nanny has to be dismissed; (13) the downstairs staff engages in séances; (14) a footman eventually becomes a butler; and (15) in both U/D and the new DA movie, the king visits the family.

Not as good as Downton Abbey But still a good one about that period of time

I loved the entire series. I came across it after finishing Downton Abbey. Actually, found the remake first, that was made shortly before or about the same time as DA. I liked that one, not as much as DA, but it did start growing on me. Then when that ended, I found the original Upstairs Downstairs. Different feel, and film quality, but I fell in love with it. Some of the episodes with Elizabeth grated on me... Overall, it was just a very well done series.I watched every episode of all five seasons, and was so sorry to see it end!! But the ending of the series was done so well. After finishing THAT one, I was feeling lost, and then I found Thomas and Sarah. Of course I had to watch those shows as well...and I believe there was only one seaon?

Discs in good shape. This was my favorite series ever. Wonderful performances and characterisations. World War One changes England

I did not watch this movie..we saw the trailors and it was ordered through a glitch in our computer when trying to order or pre order a 4TH season of Downton Abby. Sorry, but we won't be watching it either.

I really like this old drama. It is well-cast and and acted. It is in part like a painless history lesson. Some would say its a soap opera. I would not. It is refined and elegant and a wonderful period piece.I've been happily watching episode after episode free via my Amazon Prime Membership. All of a sudden something went wrong and I can only find it for $1.99 and episode and I have many seasons to go. I'm so anxious to see what happens next.

More than 40 years before Downton Abbey, there was Upstairs, Downstairs; set in an upper class London home. The series followed the lives of the aristocratic Bellamy family and their servants and stands as a document of the social and technological changes that occurred between 1903 and 1930. Wonderful characters, scripts and performances. A "must see" if you're a Downton Abbey fan.

This is my second time through this wonderful production. I watched it all for the first time a few years back. I have come to feel like part of both the upstairs and the downstairs characters on my second time through. I even feel a little British. I can't stop watching and am sorry it's coming to an end on my second time around.

This is one series to which I keep returning,over and over again.I never tire of the slow pacing and wobbling sets,the somewhat contrived cockney accents and the wonderful Hudson,who is the rock upon which the whole enterprise seems to rest .Compared to today's period offerings,Upstairs Downstairs is the real thing .Everyone knew their place and there was no holding back of views which today would be considered rather unacceptable; but then the scourge of PC did not stand in the way of honesty and forthright opinions. . But it succeeds mainly as a glorious pageant of old fashioned manners,cut glass accents and servants who knew their place below stairs.The added bonus of special interviews with some of the cast, writers and producers provides interesting background information and humorous anecdotes concerning the whole production.

This is an astonishingly evocative portrayal of life during World War I. The writers and directors interviewed WWI survivors in order to make the episodes as realistic and convincing as possible, and based on accounts I heard from elderly relatives when I was a child it seems that the period has been captured very well indeed. The episode whereby Georgina observes the hospital trains returning from France bearing wounded soldiers is very powerful, as are the scenes in which Christopher Beeny portrays a shell-shocked young soldier so very movingly. Daisy and Hazel suffer stoically at home as their husbands risk their lives abroad, an ageing and patriotic Hudson is desperate to do his bit, as is the simple Ruby, who courageously applies for a role in a munitions factory, despite the danger of being targeted by enemy bombs.Series Four made me feel rather humble and in me it brought about a new respect for the people who lived through that challenging time. It also taught me a great deal about the history and politics of the period without being tedious or preachy - there are still funny interludes and interesting stories about the personal lives of the characters.

Upstairs Downstairs is my absolute favourite serie, I've taped them all and believe me it's quite a lot of tape, but I watch it over and over again !!! It takes me to a time I would have loved to live in, life was more relaxed then and so many novelties were about to be discovered! I imagine myself also working downstairs with Rose, Mrs.Bridges, Mr. Hudson and all the others.Allthough they 'fight' a lot among each other, they form a family of their one..they go through so much together and with the Bellamy Family!!! I can't help myself..I love that series!!Finally it's appearing on DVD and I can watch it over and over again....super!!!!!!!!!Frans Berkers - Holland

This series/season has just been as great as the last 3 series/seasons with great cast of Jean Marsh as Rose,Angela Baddeley as Mrs Bridges,Simon Williams as James Bellamy,Lesley Anne Down as Georgina Wolsley,David Langton as Richard Bellamy and the great Gordon Jackson as Hudson..From beginning Series 1 to Series 5, this series has intrigued as I am born about 60 years after it started about 1903 what it must have been like to live and work at the turn of the century..with the class divide..A masterpiece of workmanship from Jean Marsh and Eilen AtkinsThey certainly don't make them like that anymore..TV IS TOO COMERCIALLISED TODAYroll on UPSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS..A CLASSIC

I just happen to like period dramas. I never had time to watch much tv when the series first came out.I have been looking at the series when it was on recently but missed the earlier parts. I bought part 1 from Amazon.to get the story line.I did enjoy series one but did think it was a bit amateurish. However as the series progressed you could see the cast settling into their roles. I did enjoy it and have to say it was suitable for families to watch together. I cant imagine younger kids watching it but if it is authentic to history then it would have some use in the classroom as an educational programme.