The Noel Coward Collection [DVD]

Bought this in 2016. Tried the disks on multi-region dvd player and on my PC. Very few items can be watched. A pity.

If you ever doubted that Noel Coward was a great writer, then buy this collection and be persuaded. Glittering productions of most of his masterpieces, with splendid casts. I missed BLITHE SPIRIT, but I guess you can't have everything (it is represented, however, in a radio production).The collection as a whole is a rave, but I do want to single out a few of my personal favorites: Penelope Keith, who stars in both HAY FEVER and PRIVATE LIVES, is a particular standout; she has the Coward style absolutely to a "T." Rula Lenska (who achieved fame here in the 1970s when she did a series of commercials for Alberto VO5 hairspray) is lusciously luminous in DESIGN FOR LIVING. Joan Collins's anthology series TONIGHT AT 8:30 presents eight of Coward's famous (and not-so-famous but still worthy) one-acts, in perfect productions -- including fine, vanity-free performances from Collins herself that will give you a new respect for her. I could go on an on; suffice to say every item in this 7-disc collection is worth seeing, and many of them are unforgettable.The package isn't flawless; some of the (audio only) radio productions are difficult to access, and the radio PRIVATE LIVES doesn't play in the proper order -- if you don't know the play you'll be awfully confused listening to it (better watch the superb production with Ms. Keith and Alec McCowen first, just to familiarize yourself).All of these productions are British TV productions from the 1970s and '80s that, as far as I know, were never broadcast in the U.S., so every disc is a revelation. If you are a fan of Noel Coward, or theater, or great sophisticated comedy, you absolutely cannot be without this superb collection. It's an embarrassment of riches.And best of all, as great as this set is, enough of Coward's career is left untouched to supply an equally lavish Volume Two. So how about it, BBC...?

I HAVE NOT YET ENJOYED THE WHOLE SET BUT WHAT I'VE SEEN IS EXTRAORDINARILY NICE. I SUGGEST YOU IMMEDIATELY GO TO "HANDS ACROSS THE SEA": A LITTLE PLAY BUT THE FUN IS BIG BIG BIG. THE PLAYS (EVEN IF I DON'T LOVE "DESIGN FOR LIVING") ARE MARVELLOUSLY ACTED. FIVE STARS OUGHT TO BE GIVEN TO THIS SET, BUT I GIVE FOUR, OWING TO THE RADIO PLAYS WHICH ARE TAPED WITHOUT CHAPTERS AND YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE A PAUSE TO YOUR LISTENING! WHAT A PITY.E. G. OPPICELLI / GENOVA CERTOSA, ITALY

The plays and radio plays chosen were generally interesting -- even if more variety rather than sometimes the play and radio version of the same thing on the same disk. But the engineering and production was an abomination. The acts of "Private Lives" on radio were out of order, and the third act of "Blithe Spirit" was left out entirely. In addition, the disks were frequently flawed enough so that they stopped and skipped. It was a nice idea, but the production is bad enough to make us wary of purchasing any BBC Video productions.

Oh if Life could imitate Art then I would live in the world of Noel Coward. Reading his short stories is what spurred me on to order this fantastic collection of a portion of his work. My husband and I and our 13 year old daughter are quiet as mice as we watch these shows. In fact, my daughter is the one that requests we sit down and watch another show of "Uncle Noels". The acting is spellbinding and the Best of British Best are in these shows. Not to diminish their ability, but really, even a rank actor could pull off Coward's work. You can't do much wrong with his writings. It is just that remarkable. It plays itself. I imagine it is like being inhabited by the playwright himself: follow his lead and go. I find myself startled at the genius of Coward. The examination of the human condition, profound. And with this, his work will be timeless and never dated. The era seems almost irrelevant, it is the full understanding of the actions of people and the decisions they make that is compelling and I believe spans to people today in our mad society. Watching these collective disks made me smile with tears in my eyes. I wish I could have met Coward....and I do miss him all the same.

Most of the DVDs had either been used or simply would not play ..I tried on 3 different machines ,,what I saw I liked but very frustrating that on most DVDs I could only see the first 60%

I've purchased this item several times from various sources and all of them have been defective in the same places on the disks. Badly made.

When I bought it I thought it was a little pricey. I was so wrong. It is priceless. It is beautifully packaged and the best thing a Coward fan can possess. It has marvelously filmed, beautifully acted versions of The Vortex and Hayfever on the first dvd (There are seven) and a 40 minute fascinating interview of a mature Coward. Having never seen any of these, I settled down to a fabulous experience. The Vortex is wonderful, intense and was so shocking when it was written Coward had a hard time getting it past the censors.The biggest surprise in all of the presentations, none can be called dated. The clothes and settings are knock-outs. Hay Fever is absolutely riotous. I have watched it 4 times and howled with glee each time. Private Lives, which I have heard of all my life but never seen is wonderful and again, it isn't dated at all.So, bottom line. The $60+ this album costs is a huge bargain. I just cannot praise it highly enough. If you are a Noel Coward fan, this is the first must-have on your list. Do whatever you need to do to get it legally. Amazon is the best place to start. Do not deprive yourself of the treat of a life time.

This set is plagued with bad discs that freeze and won't play through to the conclusion.

This is a terrific collection of Noel Coward plays acted in by many of your favourite actors from the BBC. In one play Hugh Laurie (House) stars. The DVD set contains radio plays as well as an interview with Mr. Coward his fabulous self. I highly recommend this for several nights of thoroughly enjoyable entertainment when you cant get to the theater. Terrific.

Nothing wrong with the production, as far as we could run it. But Disc 1 failed after 39 minutes and wouldn't re-start following specialist cleaning. Life's too short to clown around with other disks, so returned all for refund.