Elizabeth R

It was well worth importing. True, the limitations of 1970's BBC production values do irratate a bit at times, but the quality of the drama - the supremely intelligent dialogue, and above all Jackson's acting really make you forget this after a short time. The reason is of course is that this belongs to a tradition that we're not so used to seeing today - the theatrical. For this is a theatre production with a camera instead of a live audience, where the dialogue, and above all the acting are made to shine and where the background is essentially irrelevent. The costumes are, however, superlative.

I really can't praise this drama enough, it's completely spellbinding. The historical accuracy is excellent, but above anything else it's Glenda Jackson's performance which is the real standout here, and moreover once you read the historical accounts you realise how astonishingly accurate Jackson's performance is - she simply *is* Elizabeth. You cannot take your eyes off her when she's onscreen - her expression of face, eyes, her voice, they all convey a myriad of things all at once.

This really is essential viewing, not only as a marvellous drama but for Jackson's extraordinary portrait of this most extraordinary woman.

Another plus about this set is that it includes the A&E Biography, which is excellent, and will provide some helpful background information before you watch the miniseries itself. Before I watched these DVDs, I had no idea who Elizabeth was. Now I want to watch them again and I'm looking for biographies. This series is definitely worth every penny.