Down To Earth - Series 1 [DVD] [2000]

An exquisite gem of a series, they simply don't make TV dramas like this anymore.Finely drawn characters, superb acting from the whole cast and last, but by no means least, an excellent quality of writing rarely seen these days.These first 2 series of the drama set in Devon could have been the start of a truly great, long standing series. Contrary to much of the criticism which has been made more recently, this is not and never has been a romanticised and sentimental vision of life in the country. Its strength is that the plots often focused on issues of great relevance to contemporary and modern country life. This is not the saga of a typical urban couple (the family start off in London) who, having uprooted themselves completely from the Big Smoke, suddenly and miraculously make the immediate transition into successful small holders in a remote part of the idyllic Devon countryside. Instead, it tells the bittersweet journey of an urban family completely out of their depth without any expertise or knowledge of rural life to draw on whose lives throw up almost as many problems as the ones they were seeking to escape in London. Along the way the audience is introduced to a plethora of real world contemporary issues which people living in this kind of remote rural landscape today would find very familiar - eg the deprivation and poverty caused by decades of economic downturn in the farming community leading to many smallholders simply selling up and moving on. It is this realism which gives the series part of its charm and stops it descending into the sorts of sugar coated, sanitised dramas which we see so much these days in imported US shows and British soaps. Sadly, what the BBC did to it after Series 2 comes close to the criminal since they effectively destroyed the entire original format, (along with its cast) and reduced it to exactly the sugar coated, sanitised drama populated almost every few weeks with well known celebrities which I have just been talking about. What they were thinking of I simply don't know. But anyway, that's really the subject for a discussion in a review of Series 3 onwards rather than this one. To conclude, this DVD of Series 1 makes a superb family gift and is a drama to be cherished.

As most things Warren Clark did and same with the wondeful Pauline Quirk I was optimistic about this purchase and I have not been disappointedIt's gritty funny and really draws the viewer in acting is superb from all members of the cast .No violence etc so you can sit and watch with your family without fear of anything inappropriate suddenly appearing on screenThe photography is superb and it's a joy to watchAm limiting myself to one episode a day to make it last longerWonderful production, great scripts and superb performancesIn short , loving it

Superb series, I write this before the dvd has reached my hands, but I remember the stories well enough to comment. It's about time the BBC brought this series to DVD, the first three seasons being the best, the remainder being somewhat dull and not worht the bother.This season focuses on Faith and her family who move to rural devon from busy london, and the trials they face as country dwellers. The second season (which I hope they release) follows on, and the third season sees the family bow out in favour of some relative who comes to stay at their old place. After that it becomes the Ricky Tomlinson/Denise Welch show, and is really not woth bothering about, but up to this point we have the engaging tales of characters we come to care about.Very loosely based on the Faith Addis books of the same name, it's a formula that actually works.

ohh dear.. I loved this eries when I first saw it years ago an thus decided I want it in my library of delights.. it arrived on time an in good nic.. an all time favourite this series is.. cheers hmac

Loved it need to find where to get the 2-5

Down to Earth is an absolutely brilliant series. I remember watching it when it was first on the BBC and it brings back so many good memories from the Summer in 2000. Pauline Quirke and Warren Clarke are charming as Faith and Brian Addis, as are the actors who play their children. I'm so glad this has been released on DVD, I only wish they would release series 2 & 3 aswell. I'm over the moon i've been able to watch this again, it's inspirational.

Remember this series and enjoyed watching it again. A bit like 'The Good Life,' but this time right out in rural, lovely Devon. Pity the second series is not out on DVD.

Down to Earth – Series 1, just what the doc ordered for those dark winter nights, a brilliant family entertainment videoLooking forward to Series 2 when it’s released????