Customer Reviews:
Simply a Must.......2008-01-19
This is really a must, you have no excuse why you have not seen it yet. So:
If you are gay you probably have it already. If you don't just get one asap. You will wonder why on Earth you did not buy it earlier and ask for more. Fortunately, there is one more season waiting for you and the US version as well.
If you aren't gay the best solution is to order it as a gift for a gay friend (if you think you haven't got any gay friends you probably have been lying to yourself since you turned 15 or some of your friends have been lying to you which is even worse but this series may help you understand why and change your ways) and have a sneak preview for one. A word of warning! You may want to keep it afterwards but don't worry. Your gay friend most probably has it already anyway.
The original.......2007-12-15
Of course, an old 90s Channel 4 show does have its imperfections. Mostly in the first episode when you cringe and wish that Nathan would just stop talking, once he's been invited into Stuart's flat. At the end of the first episode it's obvious that these writers know how to make an audience watch until the very end; when Nathan says: "How I suppose to know? Stuart Allen Jone, in sixth months' time, was begging for me to stay?" especially when you've just seen Stuart trying to get rid of him as soon as humanly possible.
The acting is not perfect, again, but it seems realistic to the characters they are acting. The story itself, quite simple, though through the episodes you can get quite annoyed about how it randomly switches to Nathan for less than ten seconds. And the ending is brilliant, the last few episodes bring out the ending plotline and leave you guessing until the last episode. And once you've got that guess right, they've got a lovely twist waiting for you at the very end. I mean, the VERY end. Seriously. Personally I think the ending makes up for anything that went wrong earlier.
As for sex scenes, there's enough. Not too much, just right - and of course, it's a 15 so it's not too graphic (for those people who prefer not to watch it). And the comedy is lovely.
(Extra note: All modern Casualty fans will notice a nice young Maggie and Stitch. I just thought I'd add that.)
Customer Reviews:
Top class........2007-01-16
I cannot recomend this DVD enough. It combines an intelligent script with excellent direction and fine acting. The story revolves around two gay men and their lives on the gay scene in Manchester. It is both funny and touching. Although the gay sex scenes may offend some people, they are intrinsic to the plot and not at all gratuitus. Buy this if you appreciate British drama at it's best.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Television has become so much a part of our lives that it rarely surprises us anymore, so when a series like Queer as Folk comes along--truly shocking and genuinely touching--it's an event to be remembered. Originally broadcast as eight half-hour episodes on Channel 4, QAF follows the lives of three men through life, love and all the travails of such in Manchester. That the protagonists are all gay--and Nathan (Charlie Hunnam) is just 15 years old--is treated as matter of course, and were it not for the fact that every character who is introduced is so vividly realised, it would be the only point. The ultimate triumph of QAF is not that the explicit, explosive subject matter is handled (mostly) tastefully, or that it made it on screen at all--it's that the characters are so intriguing that the unflinching looks at sex and relationships almost fade completely into the background.
The series certainly starts with a bang: in the first episode, young Nathan is deflowered, Stuart (Aiden Gillen) becomes a father and Vince (Craig Kelly) pines away with an unrequited love that quickly establishes itself as the series' main theme. (That Vince spends half of QAF with a boyfriend complicates the situation some.) Nathan has already come to terms with his sexuality by the time the series starts, but that doens't mean that the rest of his family--or his fellow students--have; Stuart, the biggest (or, at least, busiest) stud in town, and QAF's approaches 30 and starts to re-examine his life; and Vince has to live with the rest of them.
The parents, families, friends and co-workers of all involved get plenty of screen time, and occasionally steal the scenes themselves--especially Denise Black (hairdresser Denise Osbourne from Coronation Street).
The DVD includes a Photo Gallery and a handful of interviews, which add little to the package. --Randy Silver
Customer Reviews:
Amazing!.......2005-05-08
This was probably the most fresh and daring thing any TV creator has ever done. Its funny, heartbreaking, shocking and oh so damn sexy. The cast deliver an amazing performance in this short series. A must buy.
Wonderfully funny, gritty and so true!!! I LOVED it!.......2002-09-26
What can I say about one of the most shocking series ever to be shown on TV??? Some much anger about it, so many dicussions, so many baying for Channel 4's blood! "You can't show that sort of thing on TV!!" they all shouted
Well I for one, loved watching it!!!
You wouldn't see anything different really if it had been about straight people. The sex would've been as graphic except showing practicaly every detail of the female body. The under-age issue still counts if the character had been straight as he was 15 which is under age even for heterosexuals. The drug taking is shown in many other TV dramas though they don't always show that just taking drugs once can kill you like QAF did! The promiscuous nature of the characters is no different to many many straight men and women.
So why all the who-ha??? Because is is about Homosexuals!!!! Well, being one, maybe I am biased, but it was so refreshing to see such and honest and factual drama about homosexual life. True, not all homosexuals live like that, and I'm sure some will be angry that it seems to be slightly playing on the stereotypes that all Gay men will sleep with anyone (and do!), but in a lot of cases this is in fact true.
Well the cast did a wonderful job, the characters were well thought out and the script is witty and sharp. The story is complex but well thought out. It has laughter, love, anger, sadness, discrimination, acceptance and lust.
What else can you ask for from a British Drama??
A 100% must for ANY video collection!
Best series on British television by far!.......2002-09-17
An intriguing journey into the lives of three gay guys. The series, although shocking for some viewers, give an insight to the life of the 20th century "social outcasts". Seems strange describing Stuart as such, since both boys and girls would easily fall madly in love with him...
Arrogant or gentle, out of control or deeply self-conscious, all characters seem to be living the hedonistic lifestyle of manchester's gay village.
Watching it week after week, one thing emerged...Aren't Stuart, Vince and Nathan just like the people we meet every single day? The guy from work that his amazingly perfect style made us suffer for months? The trustworthy best friend, who always stood by us no matter what? The younger "stalker", who made us feel so desirable?
Queer as a folk mirrors the life of the average 20 something in the UK. Hungry for love and companionship...
Thinking about it...an intensely humane story!
Nowt so queer.......2001-12-11
Watched this series over the course of one weekend and thought that it was brilliant! It captured perfectly the anxiety, no the sheer terror, of being OUT THERE looking for love, and being willing to trade sex for the slim chance of a meaningful relationship. TV like this makes me really appreciate the fact that, despite all its faults, I live in the UK.
So many incidents rang true, it was liking watching a replay of my own life, and I'm a straight female! Compelling stuff! And really raunchy! In fact, it gave me some ideas...
Watch It, Enjoy It, Love It.......2001-08-30
Oh, my God. What can I say about this. This is the best TV series I've seen in this decade and I've seen far too many for my comfort. A gay soap opera of sorts, it revolves around the lives of three gay men: Stuart Alan Jones (Aidan Gillen), Vince Tyler (Craig Kelly), and Nathan Maloney (Charlie Hunnam). This one is just simply amazing. I love it completely and thoroughly. It's true that a large number of gay men never lived this way, but for the the ones who do, this show is as real and gritty as life itself. Let me end this with only one thing: you simply *have* to watch it.
Customer Reviews:
Superb Day Drama.......2006-05-04
When Queer As Folk catapulted onto British television in 1999, I was 19 years old and had only just "come out of the closet" to family and friends. Quite strange that immediately afterwards, this show began its 8 episode run on the Britsih network, Channel 4. It all seemed so parallel to what I was going through at that time and if anything was a real eye opener for me as then just being a naieve, innocent 19 year old.
Of course the opening episode sparked off outrage from critics and even the governement were not happy with the graphic content of the series with even talk of the series being taken off the air. I have a message to them - its simple, just switch t.v channels! The obvious level of concern stemmed from one of the characters wittingly seen having sex with a mere 15 year old schoolboy. No matter how immoral these situations seem, they do inevitably occur and thats all the writer of the series, Russell Davies was intending to draw upon.
The action is set in the heart of Manchester, namely Canal Street, a gay village thats awashed with nightclubs and gay bars. I, myself live in Bolton, a few miles away from Manchester and have to say I absolutely love Canal Street and is not a bit unlike how it seems in the series. The night life is positively buzzing, the music always divine and certainly there are always some interesting characters to meet. Myself and a large group of friends regularly hit Canal Street every weekend and dance the night away at bars such as The Union, Mantos, Via Fosser, Metz and Hollywood Showbar, most of which are seen in this series.
The absolutely drop-dead gorgeous Aidan Gillen plays Stuart, an arrogant, unlikeable character who is nearing thirty and has yet to come out of the closet to his parents. Despite how nasty he can become you can almost forgive all from his sheer good looks. In the first episode he scores the night with 15 year old schoolboy, Nathan Maloney. There are some graphic sex scenes with these pair of characters and if you're offended by homeosexuality in any way, its probably best you avoid the series full stop. As the series progresses, Aidan conveys a more two dimensional character, showing that Stuart was infact lonely and screwed up, which most likely stemmed from fear of telling his parents that he was gay. The role is played well and beleavably.
Craig Kelly plays the much more likeable, Vince Tyler, whose bubbly personality really shines through and is a fun part in the series. His laughable obsession with Doctor Who and his frequent bad luck whenever he takes a man home for a spot of passion, makes amusing viewing and his timing is impeccable. Its made blatantly obvious from episode 1 that Stuart is madly in love with Stuart, who he has been best friends with since the age of 12. However his affections are sadly not returned by Stuart who prefers to sleep around with the entire gay village rather than settling down into a relationship.
Charlie Hunnam takes the role of 15 year old, Nathan Maloney who is struggling to cometo terms with his homeosexuality and most likely had a host of teenagers identifying with his character. He literally crow bars his way onto the infamous gay scene in Manchester and becomes unhealthily obsessed with Stuart. Charlie plays the naieve schoolboy well and beleavably and causes some amusement throughout the series.
Amongst the rest of the cast includes Denise Black as Vince's fun-loving, down-to-earth mother, Hazel and is utterly fantastic in the role, conveying a likeable two dimensional character. Her witty one-liners and timing is superb and injects a refreshingly fun side to the series. Carla Henry also causes some amusement as Nathans best friend, Donna, whose loyalty to Nathan is actually quite touching.
The first four episodes are seemingly fun and games, following the gang as they plod along Canal Street and inevitably touches on prejudice towads gay men. There is a much darker undertone in episode 3 where the character, Phil, overdoses on heroin. In episode 4, the scene of the funeral takes place and is played out almost like black comedy.
From episode 5, the series settles down and concentrates on a host of subplots that all shrewdly link up to the final in the series such as centering on Vinces relationship with a sueve Australian businessman, played by Aussie T.V veteran, Peter O' Brian and Stuarts troubled relationship with his family.
The writing is impeccable as are all the performances. Many fun and games to endure as well as moments of genuinely compelling drama. Russell Davies shrewd observation on gay life is overly accurate but in no way is this the be all and end all to how gay men live so view it with an open mind. One of the fun aspects of the series are the characterisations where any gay man will be able to identify with at least one of them.
On the whole an impressive series, thats certainly colourful, has many laughs to enjoy and is accompanied by a sizzling soundtrack. The ambience of the nightclubs and drug culture are shrewdly evoked. Without doubt, a classic!
The Best drama ever!!.......2005-03-18
Queer As Folk was designed to shock from the very first episode on late night ch4. But these DVDS are absolutely the best money you would ever spend on a drama. Yes its about the lives and loves of a group of gay friends in Manchester, and it is set around their partying on Canal Street, but it doesn't matter whether you're Gay/Straight/Lesbian/Bisexual/Human/alien, this drama can appeal to anyone, simply because it is well written, well acted and has some fantastic music as its soundtrack. There are a few down to earth with a bump moments which is true to any life, but watch out for some classic side splitting moments. This is the best thing Ive watched in years...and it will take something good to knock this off top spot. Seriously worth investing in these dvds...Then see what you've been missing!!!.
number one fan of qaf.......2004-11-01
this whole series is an absolute must see, whether you are gay,straight or bi-sexual it makes no odds.in every episode you will find something that you can relate to.each charicter has there owm qualities whether its shy vince who lives in the shadow of overly confident (and permiscuos) stuart alan jones or teenage nathan who comes bursting out of the closet with such an impact which dominates throughout the series and in my opinion cames close to alot of situations which gay adolecents have to tackle when coming out.such as the reactions of his parents, school friends and also the predudices of a certain teacher who with the help of stuart and vince give him the confidence to confront the teacher and leave him writhing in his seat!It shows the impact of many subjects on the charictors lives and tackles many issues with raw and even somtimes laughable truth. The subjects highlighted are surrogacy,drugs,underage sex and alot of teenage angst curteous of a mr nathan molony! the casting director must be hailed as an inspiration as do the actors who play stuart, vince, and nathen as there superb acting ability is what really brings the script alive. the only downside is that the writer decided to stop at the ten episodes as the second two part series really lackes the magic of the first and it is painfully obvious that the material he had written was squashed together for to fit into a two parter and the ending is a bit too camp for my liking. What would sturt think???? i know i must be one of if not the biggest fan of qaf as i know both series word for word!!!!! and i find it bitterly disssapointing that the ending was so rushed and also that channel four didnt have the guts to commission any further series as for the writer claiming he wanted to end it on a high i didnt realise that meant having a chitty chitty bang bang style jeep what were you thinking? it is a travesty the best show EVER broudcast should end like that. though i should really salute you on making the first 8 episodes truly insparational.queer as folk will live down in history for being the first programme to tackle such important issues in such a true to life way minus the flying car of course.
excellent re-release.......2004-03-28
I hesitated a long time before I bought this issue as I already own the previous DVD incarnations of both series. But I am glad I bought it. Not only the transfer is better, is 16:9 anamorphic and subtitles are included. But also commentaries on this set are priceless (and very entertaining), especially those of Russel T Davies where he explains what he meant by what scene.
Queer as Folk - Absolutely Superb!.......2003-12-16
After seeing a small clip of this on TV I was intrigued to get the whole box set. I'm so glad I did. What an amazing series - and of such quality. I'm a straight, married woman with children so you might say I may not be the typical audience for this - but all I can say is I've rarely seen such quality drama. I was totally transfixed with the story of the three characters and their lives. It can stir just about every possible human emotion. Well done Channel 4!
UK DVD:
- Queer as Folk: The Complete First Season [2001] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Queer As Folk: The Complete Series (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Queer As Folk USA - Season 1 Box Set
- Queer As Folk USA - Season 2
- Raffi in Concert With the Rise and Shine Band [1988] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Reception
- Sharpe - The Complete Series (15 Disc Box Set)
- Shock To The System [2006]
- Sitting Fit Anytime (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Soldier's Girl [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
UK DVD List
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Queer As Folk - Series 2 [2006]
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Queer As Folk 2 - Same Men. New Tricks [2000]
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