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I bought this because I love the US Queer as Folk and would have never gotten a chance to see the british version unless I had bought it! I am glad I did! It is very different from the US one yet the same. One thing that confused me is how they represented it as a series. I am not aware of how British shows do their series, but this one only has about 5 episodes total including set #2. They run a little over an hour, which made me wonder if they are just half an hour episodes pushed into an hour.
Aside from that little confusing matter, the show itself is superb.

I had seen 'Queer As Folk' in its original cut in the U.K., and I was dutifully impressed by how realistic, breezily fun and uncompromising this series was. As sexy, glitzy and prettily-cast the American version is, it doesn't have the heart or depth of the British original.
One of the most obvious things the U.K. version develops better is its characters. The non-chalant and irresponsible Stuart is not as cut and dry as his American counterpart (though I personally find the American Brian to be more attractive), and the multi-dimensional character is served by a more interesting actor. The hapless character of Vince, with his babbling unease, obsession with 'Doctor Who' and endearing modesty is never hard to watch, and he is played with absolute earnest by Craig Kelly. Nathan, as played by Charlie Hunnam (late of Fox's 'Undeclared') is a fresh-faced and honest character with a well developed transformation from innocent boy to more worldly young man.
Without the need to stretch stories out for whole seasons at a time, this miniseries is able to spend just enough time on all the fun and serious moments which comprise the plots of these 8 episodes. While this series isn't as graphic or as dependent on sex as the Showtime version, it certainly has more than its fair share of controversial situations and characters, and as a result it is a far more daring and relevant production.
The DVDs are a bare-bones presentation of the series, condensing all 8 episodes into 4, and editing some scenes while severely altering the soundtrack into basically a series of generic (read: cheap) dance tracks. While the original score is left largely untouched, there is no 'Sexy Boy' or 'It's Raining Men' for instance in the C1 version, which is disappointing to say the least, as the songs chosen for the original soundtrack added so much. There are no extra features of any kind on the DVD - a scene selection menu and subtitles would have been in order at least.
In the end, this is a must-see miniseries, a triumph for television and a tribute not only to the gay lifestyle, but to good old-fashioned smart dialogue and honest characterization. The skeleton DVD and the annoying C1 edits may diminish things slightly, but not to those who have never seen it before - it's such a compelling and sincerely fun series. Gritty, frank and unapologetic, the British 'Queer As Folk' is a testament to truth and realism, obscuring nothing but serving to open many eyes.

There are moments in every episode where you think "Nothing on tv well ever be better than this" (that is before you see the next episode).
The American version of Queer as folk is simply not comparable to this one.
Every second of the UK version is worth watching. Not every episode of the US version is worth watching. That¡¯s the difference.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Sophisticated Series
While the American version of QAF focuses on sensationalism and sleaze, the original British version takes a more artistic approach to presenting gay life. Read more

Published on Jun 17 2004 by John L. Hughes, Jr.

1.0 out of 5 stars ?
Why do people like this? Its not like real life at all and in fact has done nothing but stain the reputation of hard working, moral, intelligent gay men.

Published on May 4 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Different, but good
Having been a major fan of the American QAF, it was great recently to see the British.

Like a lot of folks have said, the initial story line is almost identical, just treated in... Read more

Published on Mar 9 2004 by Dave

2.0 out of 5 stars They Really Liked This?
Apparently all these rave reviewers can somehow get past the fact that the "hot" central character (Brian's counterpart in US version) is a very average looking guy. Read more

Published on Aug 21 2003

2.0 out of 5 stars They Really Liked This?
Apparently all these rave reviewers can somehow get past the fact that the "hot" central character (Brian's counterpart in US version) is a very average looking guy. Read more

Published on Aug 21 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars really funny...worth taking a look at
i have seen the first season of queer as folk from showtime and it follows pretty close to this series, except the american one is a lot longer. Read more

Published on Aug 12 2003 by Dustin Merton

5.0 out of 5 stars Far Better
As a fan of the Showtime series I was curious as to how the British (and original) series fared. I happened upon a copy @ Borders, bought and loved it! Read more

Published on April 25 2003 by Darchie

4.0 out of 5 stars Good... not great, but good
My initial introduction to Queer as Folk was through the American version produced by Showtime, which I fell completely in love with. Read more

Published on April 9 2003 by Steve Hunter

5.0 out of 5 stars For every QAF fan, how it all began
Every viewer of the American Queer As Folk has probably wondered how the British version holds up. Since it's not likely that it will be played on American TV any time soon, this... Read more

Published on April 5 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Vastly better than the US Showtime version
This original UK version stands head and shoulders above the US version. The cast is amazing and the performances deeper, sleazier, funnier, warmer. Read more

Published on Dec 31 2002 by DonMac

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