I recall when BR was televised in the early 80s the BBC's lead drama in competition was 'The Borgias' - who remembers that now? With thanks to Granada however, we do have this masterful adaptation and example of crafted television to enjoy. In summary, and in conclusion of the tale, it's a tragedy chronicling the decline of a family torn apart by its Catholic faith, as witnessed by the interloper that is Charles Ryder - suffused throughout though with humour, sometimes love and a lot of loss.

Some 25+ years later, in the light of a new film adaptation, does the original still stand up to any test - undoubtedly yes. The film may appeal more to those who want to witness the romance between Charles and Sebastian and how Charles's rejection of Sebastian triggers the events that follow. The film also reveals the true horror that is Lady Marchmain, which perhaps Claire Bloom in the television series is simply to genteel to hurl at us. But it is, in comparison, a lumpen and patchy affair. Where Michael Gambon is utterly wasted in the role of Lord Marchmain in the film, Laurence Oliver (and all the cast) in the television series had the time to unravel and slowly reveal their characters, letting us see their complication, intrigue, distrust and sometimes a little of their love.

While the headline cast are all superb, I'd pick out supporting cast members such as John Gielgud (utterly brilliant and sorely missed), Phoebe Nicholls as an enchanting Cordelia, Michael Hilton as Hayter and of course Nickolas Grace as being worthy of equal note. In fact, the depth of acting is evident across virtually all the roles.

Whether such television could be made nowadays is moot (for example its duration, range of locations, attention to detail and size of cast). As Waugh said himself, the book was a record of times lost and perhaps also television is structured to differently nowadays to produce anything comparable. I for one though am glad it has been made and that it is still available. Surely it is time for a digital remastering?

Beautiful celebration of a world gone by, this is the only exception to the rule of film adaptation not doing justice to the book I've ever seen. Or rather - the original TV series with nearly 13 hours' run time was. Unfortunately the 'Complete Series' title for the DVD release is misleading because the original TV series run time (11 x 60 min episodes, except 115 min opening and 105min closing) has been cut from 760 minutes to 660 minutes which is an incredible shame. I can understand the budget and time constraints imposed on productions when classic books are adapted to screen, and one settles for the 'central theme of the book was achieved' -result. But I find it incomprehensible why such a unique masterpiece as Brideshead Revisited in its original format has been lobbed off - at times in mid-scene - to fit adjusted episode format.

Other than that, watching this series on a lazy Sunday truly transports you to another time when 'it is always summer, the berries are always ripe and Aloysius is in a good mood'.

I have come to adore the writings of Evelyn Waugh, and watched this for the first time when I was 17 and loved every second of it. I was thrilled to find the DVD set on here for such a reasonable price (at about ??1 per hour...) and snapped it up immediately.

Charles Ryder's narration is imperative, and Jeremy Irons' seductive tones carry us through the story as he meets the Marchmains and how influential they become in his life. I doubt whether there are many people who would watch this, having read the book, and find it unfaithful or very different to how they imagine Brideshead to be.

For me, Charles and Sebastian are perfect, Antony Blanche's stuttering a true gem, Jane Asher is particularly annoying as Charles' wife (as she ought to be) - in essence, the cast are all phenomenal, especially when put against John Gielgud (delicious as Charles' father) and Laurence Olivier.

The best television production I have ever had the pleasure to watch. Buy it whilst you can - the production value of this box set is stunning, both on screen and the box case itself.

Definitely A Must See! Great script and great acting!

p.s. Jeremy was so young at the time

This is a staggeringly good piece of TV drama which has justifiably become a classic. It's hard to imagine any producer today taking the time to explore a novel in the way this adaptation does, a full 11 episodes which allow the viewer to luxuriate in the story and thoroughly explore the characters. There has always been debate over whether there was a mythological "Golden Age of TV", but I think the early 1980s saw something quite remarkable at Granada Studios, at least in the field of period adaptations, and Brideshead might just be the pinnacle.

Evelyn Waugh's novel is a heady evocation of time and place, as well as an exploration of spirituality, and the series captures all this with consummate skill, from the glorious period detail to the brilliant script by John Mortimer. The acting is simply faultless, to be expected when talent like Irons and Andrews stands alongside veteran greats like Olivier, Gielgud and Claire Bloom.

In sum, I enjoyed this series immensely. Craft and class like this don't come together very often, more's the pity.