The Onedin Line Set 1 VHS

This tremendous British-Australian BBC series from 1970 was always like nothing else -- one third sea adventure and two thirds high-class Victorian soap opera, beautifully acted and produced.Somehow it manages a seamless mix of shrewd realism about human motives with the plot twists and suspense of good escapist entertainment.This is the story of rough-hewn James Onedin's attempts to start a shipping line from nothing at the very end of the age of tall ships, his humanizing marriage to the plain but sterling Ann (originally, to obtain her father's ship), and the complicating affairs of his relatives, particularly his exquisite sister Elizabeth. There's a nice balance between the masculine adventures at sea and some very strong women's parts on land. (Thirty years ago, and the writers understood how to give women good, gutsy parts that still feel right for the period, not just modern women grafted in -- why are current historical dramas so much less sophisticated?) The dialogue is a tad expository at times, but at least it has a good feel for the Victorian milieu.And those ships! The outdoors shots are a tad grainy (they always were -- transferred from film to tape?) but do not spoil the spectacle of these beautiful vessels. And the indoor scenes are of dazzling, direct-broadcast quality.If you've seen DVDs of other BBC classics from the '70s, like I, CLAUDIUS or the Shakespeare Plays, you know how mysteriously bad they look -- like video tapes you made yourself from the PBS station one town away, over a hill. NOT THIS TIME. This time they've done it right. This is an excellent transfer. Good show, good DVD, grab it.

I remember coming across this years ago on PBS or some other channel that broadcast this type of show. I wasn't even sure what it was about but by the end of the first episode I was hooked. The problem was that I couldn't always find it when it was on so I didn't get to see them all. I'm not sure what it is about this series but I know that it really keeps my interest. It is about a less than likable sea captain who takes a gamble to get his own ship and the ups and downs of his life. He marries a spinster to get the ship which at first seems to be a marriage only of convenience but slowly becomes more They go through so much adversity and turmoil to achieve their dreams and each episode is a big part of the overall story.The problem with this is that it is not the complete set, it only has a part of the overall series and at these prices I doubt that I will ever get to enjoy the rest of it and finally find out what happens to the Onedin clan.

This is one of the best series I have seen, a sea captain getting his start with his own shipping line, his crew, his wife, drama with a touch of comedy, I was lucky to find the entire series in the USA, it's a shame the USA only sells the 2 sets when there are many more. The USA needs to take a good look at BBC period pieces and its way overdue the film industry here in the USA would make some of our own, not many done, can't think of ten of them.

Great story, lots of actions, great cast of actors. Only problem, can't seem to find additional seasonal episodes in the US DVD regional format (Region 1). For some reason, they are only available in foreign formats, such as, region 2, region 3, region 4, etc. I am damned annoyed and disappointed about that situatioin. It does not make sense for the Amazon or whomever to advertise products in the US market that willl not play on our machines. Bummer!!! Color me pissed - big time!1

Soap-opera like story based on the real politics of the 1800's trade industry involving sailing vessels and the commerce that resulted. The story is interesting as it shows the impact this kind of life had on the families and ocean-side communities as the world "matured" in some ways and "got more greedy" in others. I recommend it.

At first I thought that this order had been lost! i.e. Ireceived the shipping notice, but then no delivery! I was surprised to discover when it was delivered that it had been shipped from Sweden, so customs delays should be expected.This is an excellent series for those fans of BBC drama!

The acting is excellent (5 star) but the quality of the DVD was 3 star.

See my review for Set 2. This applies also to Set 1. This review applies because the first two sets are so even in high quality and high standard in every way.

Happy with item, thank you.

I did enjoy the first part of this series. The acting was very good and the script was interesting. However, there were only four episodes and at the cost that meant about $10 per episode. Because of that I am not ordering the next part of the series.

Several years ago I bought Set 1 & 2 of Onedin Line - not realizing that I could not get further sets from Amazon.We loved the 8 episodes: The Wind blows free, Plain Sailing, Other Points of the Compass, The High Price (Set 1)and Catch as Can, Salvage, Passage to Pernambuco, Homecoming (Set 2).We were left hanging as Amazon does not carry the further sets. Makes me wish I never bought the first two sets.When all the sets will be available for Canadian Customers?

Excellent program as expected but a few little glitches in the DVD. Not a big problem but not perfect either.