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From Amazon.co.uk
A staple diet of the television schedules, travel documentaries in the company of famous names are clearly nothing new. But do consider making some time for Stephen Fry’s incredibly infectious trip around the United States, as Stephen Fry In America easily makes space for itself in a very crowded genre.
Traveling with the company of his black cab, Stephen Fry In America sees him covering the many States of America, on a mission to get some kind of flavour of US life. His journey takes him on one hand to making his own ice cream, through to spending time with hunters, the Amish community and Navajo Indians and plenty more besides. It’s a breathtakingly broad snapshot, and clearly a fascinating journey.
What really lifts Stephen Fry In America, however, is the joyful intrigue of our tour guide. Fry is an ideal choice for a project such as this, with his mix of intelligence, humour and genuine interest in the subject matter simply hard to resist. By turns fascinating and very funny, it’s a wonderful adventure, and one that always make sure to engage the viewer. Here’s hoping Mr Fry gets a few more stamps in his passport in the years ahead… --Jon Foster
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Stephan Fry
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By Anna
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Stephen Fry is fantastically clever, and witty... he is also impossibly kind, so how much you like this DVD is entirely dependant on your opinion of Fry himself. I feel unabashed adoration, so perhaps my impending glowing review is slightly biased, but if you're not a fan of his, there are a myriad other "travel" shows you'll prefer.
It's impossible to say how long Fry actually spent in the States, but there are 6 episodes in which he visits all 50 states (travelling east to west) so it's very much made to appear he makes only whistlestop visits. He doesn't dissect each state historically/politically/religiously/etymologically; rather, he introduces us to one defining feature of each. For example, in Maine he takes us lobster fishing with a 3rd generation lobster baiter (heh. "Lobster baiter". Sounds a bit rude); in Florida he takes a drive through Miami and almost weeps at its anodyne ugliness and soullessness; in Louisiana we visit New Orleans' Mardi Gras and a peculiar voodoo woman with freaky eyes and sunken cheeks...
This isn't meant to be an indepth exposition - it's just a wonderful, loving skate across the surface of all things American, as seen by the most English man in the world. Well, no, he and James May run about even on that one, but his absolute Englishness contrasts perfectly with what he's introduced to. If that implies there's a degree of scorn, that's entirely my error: he is clearly enormously fond of, and intrigued by, the USA.
When I said Fry is impossibly nice, he really is.... Read more ›
It's impossible to say how long Fry actually spent in the States, but there are 6 episodes in which he visits all 50 states (travelling east to west) so it's very much made to appear he makes only whistlestop visits. He doesn't dissect each state historically/politically/religiously/etymologically; rather, he introduces us to one defining feature of each. For example, in Maine he takes us lobster fishing with a 3rd generation lobster baiter (heh. "Lobster baiter". Sounds a bit rude); in Florida he takes a drive through Miami and almost weeps at its anodyne ugliness and soullessness; in Louisiana we visit New Orleans' Mardi Gras and a peculiar voodoo woman with freaky eyes and sunken cheeks...
This isn't meant to be an indepth exposition - it's just a wonderful, loving skate across the surface of all things American, as seen by the most English man in the world. Well, no, he and James May run about even on that one, but his absolute Englishness contrasts perfectly with what he's introduced to. If that implies there's a degree of scorn, that's entirely my error: he is clearly enormously fond of, and intrigued by, the USA.
When I said Fry is impossibly nice, he really is.... Read more ›
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Fry Fan
Format:DVD
I am an American fan of Stephen Fry, and I ordered this from Amazon UK as it is not available for sale in the states. I was a bit worried this would be a sarcastic or patronizing look at some carefully selected American oddities. Rather, it was a kind-hearted look at some well-chosen slices of American society -- some a little quirky, but none so far off the mark as to be non-representative.
It moves a bit quickly through some states (such as mine, Delaware: we got about 2 minutes, if that), but is still an amusing overview of the country as a whole.
We enjoyed this series very much, and would recommend it.
It moves a bit quickly through some states (such as mine, Delaware: we got about 2 minutes, if that), but is still an amusing overview of the country as a whole.
We enjoyed this series very much, and would recommend it.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Stephen Fry once said, there are so much Europeans (and especially Brits) who think of Americans as dumb, fat, humourless, pompous people and how angry makes him these sterotypes.
Fry shows the far more attractive things and people of the US, never confirming typical sterotypes in an arrogant or mocking way - one of his true strenghts.
Kind, subtle, witful and never arrogant Fry shows us America through his open-minded eyes. Of course, some bits are too small and maybe to Fry-centered. But hey: If you're fan of Stephen Fry, it is a must-have.
A joy to watch the perhaps kindest but also most witful British actor. Highly recommended for those who cannot wait for the next Kingdom series.
Fry shows the far more attractive things and people of the US, never confirming typical sterotypes in an arrogant or mocking way - one of his true strenghts.
Kind, subtle, witful and never arrogant Fry shows us America through his open-minded eyes. Of course, some bits are too small and maybe to Fry-centered. But hey: If you're fan of Stephen Fry, it is a must-have.
A joy to watch the perhaps kindest but also most witful British actor. Highly recommended for those who cannot wait for the next Kingdom series.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Thor*74
Format:DVD
An amusing and entertaining (if not overly informative) series that fans of Mr.Fry will enjoy. However, I can't help but feel that a slower pace and perhaps a few more episodes would have delivered an exceptional, rather than simply good, series. The speed of the tour feels a little disjointed and doesn't sit too comfortably with Mr.Fry's affable cosy charm.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By BA
Format:DVD
This is an excellent TV series. It's a unique look at the side of American life that you rarely see & Stephen Fry is the ideal host, injecting his unique perspective & brand of humour. Unlike other series, looking into America, he hasn't gone for the obvious subjects. Instead concentrating on the people & their different ways of life. His love for the country & its people is apparent & his presentation of a different side of America (away from the usual stero-typical over weight arogant race we're normally presented with) is both fascinating & informative. The filming is beautifully shot, with some stunning views (this weekends episode featuring Monument Valley was simply stunning & makes you want to jump on the next plane over there). I can't wait to get the DVD to watch even more & look forward to more of Stephen Fry presenting in the future. The natural successor to Palin. Highly Recommended !!!!
26 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Rowena Hoseason
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
The BCC made two documentary series about the USA this year. This one is the light-hearted, fast-paced one, which sees Stephen Fry gallop about the country in a black cab stopping for short segments in different states, trying to convey a flavour of America rather than the detailed historical persepctive of Simon Schama's alternative series (see Simon Schama's The American Future: A History
Stephen Fry in America is very entertaining, always presented with a wry smile and a witty comment. It contains some stunning photography of the landscape and some interesting interviews with local characters as well as Fry's two-minute historical overview of the area.
The programmes cover the West, the Mountains and Plains, the Deep South, New England, the Missisipi and the Pacific. Memorable moments include his visit to Morgan Freeman's blues bar and seeing the reality of Angola prison, going to the civil war battlefield and going underground into a missile base. Even milking sheep!
However, this programme really does try to cram too much stuff into too little time. It would have been so much better as 12-part series. Most of the interviews just get going and -- wallop! -- you have to gallop onto the next bit. Some states don't even get a look in (and some of the editing choices are bizarre. There's a lot of time spent gawping at the voodoo ritual, for instance, and Fry has plenty of time to make smart-alec jokes about sheep's private parts but barely a moment to discuss how the cheese is actually made...).
Overall though this is entertaining and informative, if rarely revelatory. It offers a window through which we can understand American culture a little better.
7/10
Stephen Fry in America is very entertaining, always presented with a wry smile and a witty comment. It contains some stunning photography of the landscape and some interesting interviews with local characters as well as Fry's two-minute historical overview of the area.
The programmes cover the West, the Mountains and Plains, the Deep South, New England, the Missisipi and the Pacific. Memorable moments include his visit to Morgan Freeman's blues bar and seeing the reality of Angola prison, going to the civil war battlefield and going underground into a missile base. Even milking sheep!
However, this programme really does try to cram too much stuff into too little time. It would have been so much better as 12-part series. Most of the interviews just get going and -- wallop! -- you have to gallop onto the next bit. Some states don't even get a look in (and some of the editing choices are bizarre. There's a lot of time spent gawping at the voodoo ritual, for instance, and Fry has plenty of time to make smart-alec jokes about sheep's private parts but barely a moment to discuss how the cheese is actually made...).
Overall though this is entertaining and informative, if rarely revelatory. It offers a window through which we can understand American culture a little better.
7/10
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3.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fry in America
Really good.A bit rushed, but 50 states on a BBC budget!!!Mr Fry is just a class act. I liked all the little stories and people he met.
Published 3 months ago by Vivienne Dickinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great quality product
Great product.Very interesting.High quality DVD
If there is further DVD's like this I would think about purchasing them
Price was reasonable as well
If there is further DVD's like this I would think about purchasing them
Price was reasonable as well
Published 5 months ago by sandra stockbridge
4.0 out of 5 stars
America by taxi
I love Stephen Fry. His trip to every state is hurried at times, but fascinating when he stops. I always learn something and am always entertained when Stephen holds the stage.
Published 8 months ago by Mississauga Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who could do it better?
I liked Palin's travels but Stephen Fry gives this whole travelogue a different dimension with his 'eccentric' English style and his London Taxi. Read more
Published 12 months ago by M. Heaney
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Englishman In America ......
I've seen Stephen Fry in Last Chance To See and I was immediately impress and hook by his easy going nature. Read more
Published 15 months ago by AL.B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good buy
The price for this DVD was excellent and it came very quickly. i would recommend this buyer and look for their name again.
Published 17 months ago by Mrs. J. Morgan
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but I just wanted a little more America
I have been a Fry fan for some years now, television programmes and non-fiction books, and usually enjoy his intelligence and erudition; I looked forward to this series - over six... Read more
Published 18 months ago by RR Waller
5.0 out of 5 stars
christmas pressy
my sister asked for it when i said to her what would you like for christmas so i got it for her
Published 18 months ago by J. S. Langley
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too rushed
This could have been a very good series if it just hadn't been so rushed; the quality suffered as a result
Published 19 months ago by DreamingMarianne
4.0 out of 5 stars
A OK!!
The dvd of Stephen Fry in America is an excellent way to learn about America by a European view on that strange nation called USA.
Published 20 months ago by Carlo
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