The Story of the Costume Drama - The 5-Part Show on DVD, by Itself and With 4 Actual Dramas
The original complete series and a collector's edition will both be available late this month
Posted by David Lambert
7/05/2012
As seen on public television! How the best of them were made, by those who were there. "The costume drama remains the greatest of escapes." - Daily Mail (U.K.)
Peer behind the ornate clothing, sprawling manors, and addictive story lines that have riveted millions of television viewers. Featuring interviews with the writers, directors, and stars of iconic productions, this series reveals how the often controversial sagas altered the television landscape and launched the careers of many young actors.
From 1955's fanciful Adventures of Robin Hood to 2007's racy Fanny Hill, costume dramas have toppled taboos and quickened pulses. Programs like Edward & Mrs. Simpson ruffled establishment feathers, while popular series Upstairs, Downstairs and The Forsyte Saga emptied pubs, wrecked social calendars, and forced vicars to revise parish schedules. Narrated by Keeley Hawes (Wives and Daughters) and seen on PBS, it's required viewing for any fan of British television.
Featuring stars and scenes from Brideshead Revisited; I, Claudius; Pride and Prejudice; The Jewel in the Crown; Poldark; Horatio Hornblower; Elizabeth I; Sharpe; Edward the King; Lillie; Moll Flanders; Doctor Zhivago; My Boy Jack; Cranford; and many more. 5 episodes on 2 discs; BONUS Photo gallery.
Acorn Media has scheduled a July 31st release of The Story of the Costume Drama, a 5-episode series (225 minutes) which will arrive on 2 DVDs. Priced at $39.99 SRP in the USA (CA$52.99 SRP in Canada), it's presented in anamoprhic widescreen video, with English stereo sound, and English subtitles. The episode titles are "The Greatest Stories Ever Told," "The Stars," "Affairs of the Heart," "Picture Perfect" and "A Call to Arms."
On the same day the studio will also release a 15-DVD collector's edition, The Costume Drama Collection, which includes The Story of the Costume Drama, plus several of the actual costume dramas themselves: Doctor Zhivago, Lost Empires, Lillie and Upstairs Downstairs - Series 1. This is priced at $99.99 SRP in the USA (CA$124.99 SRP in Canada). Package art for both of these can be seen below, along with a pre-order button link:
