Highly Overrated But Still Good

A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

There was a re-run of this series on Drama TV starting just after the New Year and showing one episode each week day. I was laying in bed ill and saw the first episode was on that day. I remembered it back in the 1970's and I also remembered even though I was only nine years old when the first series aired, I was taken by it but I couldn't remember why. So I watched the first episode and I was hooked....I recorded each episode each week day and watched them in the evenings. The last episode showing last Tuesday.Gemma Jones is superb in the role. Having seen Gemma Jones being interviewed a few times over the years I was struck how refined and softly spoken she was. Louisa Trotter on the other hand is a handful which is what makes Gemma Jone's ability to act all the more impressive. I have noted a negative reaction to this series in relation to the early storyline where Louisa falls into an affair with the Prince of Wales. However to view this as "disgusting" is to completely misunderstand the era and the class pressures of expectation in society at that time and the outcome had Louisa not agreed to the affair - superb storyline and whilst we can all frown upon such behaviour, none the less it is without doubt accurate to the sort of dalliances that took place in society of that era......blackmail to a degree......but what choice would a woman in that era have when the suffragist movement was but a embryo and there was certainly no "Me Too" movement!!!The series is enchanting, the characters, whilst possibly stereotypical, delightful and engaging and the writing exceptional. Gemma Jones without doubt carries the series and in my view deserves such credit.......one of the best character actresses of our time. I remember now why I was so captivated as a young boy watching this, only this time, I understood the plots !! :-) Brilliant.

One star. Warning: contains spoilers. I write this review as a warning to viewers who might react similarly to me.I'm the only reviewer so far giving the bottom rating, so I better explain why. The series got off to a great start in episode 1 and immediately drew me in. I was willing to overlook the very poor video quality of the version I watched in the USA from Amazon Prime. The characters were engaging, and I looked forward to the story unfolding.But I quit after episode 2, which completely blew me out of the water. The motivations and actions of the main characters disgusted me. I couldn't relate to them, respect them, or watch them any longer. Louisa, Augustus, and the Prince engaged in a corrupt relationship, supported by those surrounding them. The cumulative weight of the following events overwhelmed me, all in just one TV episode.1. Louisa Leyton, the assistant cook, married Augustus Trotter, a man she didn't love, with the intention of also becoming mistress to the exploitative Prince of Wales, just to further her career ambitions. Had she no respect for marriage, love, or the human soul?2. Augustus Trotter, the butler, married Louisa, a woman who didn't love him, and agreed to her becoming the Prince's mistress. How could any husband demean his wife like this and stoop to such depravity?3. Louisa's mother, Mrs. Leyton, was more interested in her daughter's social status than happiness.4. Louisa's father, Mr. Leyton, was a complete wimp. He let his wife and daughter walk all over him regarding Louisa's marriage, even though he suspected wrong motives.5. The Prince of Wales used his dominating position to satisfy his lusts at the expense of ruining the lives of Louisa and Augustus, lower level people. He schemed to get them married in order for him to take Louisa as his 'respectable' mistress. What about adultery is respectable?6. Monsier Alex's housekeeper, along with an upper class man, both of whose names escape me, cravenly joined in the plot to marry off Louisa to Augustus, knowing its corrupt purpose.Goodbye, The Duchess of Duke Street. I sadly deleted it from my watch list.

This was a well-made series on a typically small British budget.A working-class cockney matriarch suddenly finds herself catapulted into control of the most fashionable hotel in Georgian London. An' don't she know how to keep them toffs in line? You betcha.The first part of the series is a comedy of manners that plays-out the contrast between upper-class sensibility and arrogance against uncompromising no-nonsense working-class pragmatism for all that it is worth. Later episodes tend to centre upon relationships, as the gap between our host's and her guests disposition and manners gradually begin to narrow.The programme was made with panache and excellent performances were given by all involved. It just tended to go on for a bit longer than the ideas entertainment value. As most dramas tend to do.The Yanks seem to have liked it though!

If you loved the BBC mini-series "Upstairs, Downstairs", you will adore "The Duchess Of Duke Street". Produced by some of the same people, with many of the same actors popping up in character roles, it almost feels like a re-visiting of the Bellamy household to some extent. It's the same Victorian-Edwardian time period, similar examinations of the class differences between servants and masters, same colorful, plucky people going through life discussing politics, war, scandals, etc. Gemma Jones as Louisa Trotter is utterly fantastic in her role, showing multi-layers of this Cockney girl's character that are absolutely fascinating to watch. Gemma had the role of a lifetime in Louisa, and she is simply unforgettable. Christopher Cazenove is so handsome as Charlie Hazelmere he just about takes your breath away. He brightens up every scene he is in with his presence, adorable smile and flashing eyes. Joanna David is touching as the tragic and anorexic Margaret. All the secondary characters will touch your heart and leave a lasting impression: Mary, Starr, The Major, and the hysterically funny Mr. Merriman (same actor who played Soames' father in the original "The Forsyte Saga"). This series is definitely worth the money to obtain all 31 episodes in the currently offered two VHS boxed sets. Just wish it were on DVD. After I purchased mine I watched the entire series straight through on one weekend; it was completely addictive. The video prints for Duchess are of much better quality than the ones for Upstairs, Downstairs, which were grainy and off-colored for the most part. Plus another positive: each tape has three episodes blended into one, without being interrupted by end titles and music. This allows for smooth transitions and a more enjoyable viewing experience, almost like watching a movie. Duchess Of Duke Street is a must-have series for all people who love quality British television.2006 Update: there are now DVDs for this series, Series One. Hooray! We're anxiously awaiting a DVD box collection here in the US for Series Two.