DVD Review: Jeeves & Wooster Complete Collection

 

Hugh Laurie (House) and Stephen Fry (The Hobbit, 24, Bones, Sherlock Holmes) star in Jeeves & Wooster Complete Collection on DVD on November 25, 2014 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Based on P.G. Wodehouse’s timeless tales, this marvelous British comedy series follows a boneheaded aristocrat and his brilliant valet. The ITV series earned four BAFTA awards throughout its four series run (1990-1993). In the U.S., it aired on A&E. This DVD 8-disc set features all 23 episodes plus, as a bonus, episode one of P.G. Wodehouse’s Blandings, Series 1 ($59.99, AcornOnline.com). Acorn TV, the premier British streaming service at www.Acorn.TV, also features all four series to stream any time.

Set in 1920s England and New York, Golden Globe^® winner and seven-time Emmy^® nominee Hugh Laurie plays bumbling aristocrat Bertie Wooster alongside BAFTA Award nominee Stephen Fry as his trusty valet, Jeeves. These delightfully daffy adaptations star the two comedy legends at their finest. Containing all four series of the show, this collection follows Bertie from one predicament to the next. Whether he’s fending off the ever-present threat of matrimony, facing the disapproval of his domineering aunts, or even appearing in a Broadway play, Bertie frequently teeters towards disaster. Fortunately, the unflappable Jeeves is always on hand with a clever plan to save Bertie from himself.

BONUS: Episode 1 of P.G. Wodehouse’s Blandings, Series 1 (31 min.) and photo galleries for each series

Street Date: November 25, 2014                             SRP: $59.99  

DVD 8-Disc Set: 23 episodes – Approx. 20 hours, plus bonus – SDH Subtitles

UPC 0-54961-2260-9-2                  ISBN 978-1-62172-260-1

My Thoughts

I never saw Jeeves & Wooster before getting this DVD set, and I can't believe I was missing out on such a great series for so long. Filmed in the nineties and set in the roaring twenties, this duo is terrific and the show is filled with classic British humor and slapstick comedy at its best. In this show, Wooster is the rich aristocrat who never worked a day in his life and Jeeves is his loyal valet who always manages to get his boss out of trouble. There are twenty-three episodes in this set that spanned the four seasons.

Throughout the series you follow this unlikely team through all types of scrapes. Rooster is always trying to avoid getting tied down and trying to get away from his aunts who want to marry him off.   There are too many episodes to go into detail on all of them, but some highlights include Bertie's Broadway visit and when Bertie goes to recover an antique cow from one of his aunt's friends. These are only a few examples. Every episode is outstanding and will have you laughing out loud.

All the actors did an amazing job, costumes and sets are stunning, and guest stars are plentiful. This is a great series. The DVD set even includes a bonus episode of Blandings. This is just an all around great show and getting the whole series in this one package is a awesome deal.  If you'd like to grab a copy of this hilarious box set for yourself, it's available on Acorn Media or on Amazon.