Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
Product Description
All eight episodes of the late-sixties TV series about a girl, holidaying with her family in a remote Welsh valley, who stumbles upon ancient magical forces. Alison (Gillian Hills), along with step-brother Roger (Francis Wallis), are spending a few weeks of the summer in Wales, at a house formerly owned by Alison's late father. After discovering a set of dinner plates in the attic, Alison traces the plates' flower pattern onto paper, discovering that they fold in turn into owls. Soon, the house starts to reveal hidden secrets, compelling Alison to experience an ancient legend brought back to life.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Booklet, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Uncut, SYNOPSIS: The definitive adaptation of Alan Garner's award-winning novel, The Owl Service combines mystery, adventure, history and the legend surrounding a complex set of human relationships. Alison and her step-brother Roger go for the summer family holiday to a remote cottage in the Welsh Valleys. After hearing a scratching noise coming from the attic, Alison discovers some old dinner plates which have a strange floral pattern on them and, when she traces the pattern on paper, discovers that the flowers turn into owls. But what is the connection between the plates, the gardener, the angry housekeeper and the mysterious local legend? ...The Owl Service - 2-DVD Set
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
80 of 81 people found the following review helpful
By G. Thomas
VINE™ VOICE
I was reading "The Owl Service" on holiday in Wales (1978) when, as a total coincidence, I first saw this series. At the time it seemed otherworldly and slightly confusing to an impressionable 13 year old boy. The phrase "She wants to be flowers and you make her owls" has haunted me for 30 years. Finally I can see it all and appreciate that which I was too young to fully understand at the time.
I'm glad to say that the passing of time has not diminished the slightly off-kilter atmosphere of this classic series. Unlike much of "children's TV drama" these days, "The Owl Service" keeps you off-balance and intrigued as to what's actually going on.
This is an intensely claustrophobic story of relationships within a very English (step) family and the staff of their holiday home. Set in an oppressive Welsh valley it focuses specifically on the experiences and tensions between three teenagers who are forced to relive an ancient "mythical" conflict. Using a tale from "The Mabinogion" as the basis for the conflict it explores the difficulty of growing up and dealing with attraction, jealousy, alienation, the pressures of family, responsibility and even national identity but places it all within a subtly creepy supernatural setting.
The acting may now seem slightly stilted and the patronising "Granada-enforced" recaps do somewhat spoil the deliberate ambiguity of certain events but the meaning and power of the story has survived intact and "The Owl Service" provides some of the most "adult" children's TV you will ever have the good fortune to see.
edit: A special honourable mention must be paid to Roger's shorts :)
I'm glad to say that the passing of time has not diminished the slightly off-kilter atmosphere of this classic series. Unlike much of "children's TV drama" these days, "The Owl Service" keeps you off-balance and intrigued as to what's actually going on.
This is an intensely claustrophobic story of relationships within a very English (step) family and the staff of their holiday home. Set in an oppressive Welsh valley it focuses specifically on the experiences and tensions between three teenagers who are forced to relive an ancient "mythical" conflict. Using a tale from "The Mabinogion" as the basis for the conflict it explores the difficulty of growing up and dealing with attraction, jealousy, alienation, the pressures of family, responsibility and even national identity but places it all within a subtly creepy supernatural setting.
The acting may now seem slightly stilted and the patronising "Granada-enforced" recaps do somewhat spoil the deliberate ambiguity of certain events but the meaning and power of the story has survived intact and "The Owl Service" provides some of the most "adult" children's TV you will ever have the good fortune to see.
edit: A special honourable mention must be paid to Roger's shorts :)
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
At last!! This excellent serial is available on DVD. Featuring the gorgeous Gillian Hills, this award winning children's serial is certainly much more than a children's story, just as Philip Pulman's 'His dark materials' trilogy are more than children's books. Multilayered, enigmatic, mystical, the quality of this drama in terms of sound and picture quality is very good considering its age. The dialogue is sharp and the themes very courageous for its day. The booklet included with the discs is an excellent supplement. Definitely not wallpaper TV, you have to sit, watch and concentrate on this. Superb!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Couch Banana
Amazon Verified Purchase
It all looks so old fashioned now, younger viewers may not have the patience to stick with it but I watched this first time round in the 60s when I was about 8 years old and read all of Alan Garner's books.Had a massive crush on Gillian Hills too.I have wanted to get hold of a copy of this for years, it's every bit as good as I remember it.
40 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. M. Leacy
And about time too! Made in 1969, but never released on Video or DVD till 2008. This, the TV adaptation of the award winning novel is a major feat of television. One of the first series ever to be made in colour in the UK, this 8 part story is a magical delight from start to finish. It's quite traumatic in parts and I would recommend caution to younger viewers. Fantastic performances from all - the best ever for a supposed "children's" show and a wonderful feel to the whole thing, which is beautifully shot on location.
The leisurely pace of the episodes adds to the characterisation in a way that I felt the book needed. I first saw this in the late 80s and was about the same age as the main 3 characters and was compelled by them.
The really great thing about this series is that it stands up well to repeated viewing - in fact, it's essential, each time reveals a new layer and a deeper understanding - so it's perfect for a DVD release.
Wonderful.
The leisurely pace of the episodes adds to the characterisation in a way that I felt the book needed. I first saw this in the late 80s and was about the same age as the main 3 characters and was compelled by them.
The really great thing about this series is that it stands up well to repeated viewing - in fact, it's essential, each time reveals a new layer and a deeper understanding - so it's perfect for a DVD release.
Wonderful.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By M Coote
Hauntingly evocative.Time has not dulled the atmospheric edge of this seminal "Kids" series.Rewatching it so many years after it was first shown put me right smack bang into my childhood recalling days off "ill" from school reading the book and later watching the tv series.Where I ask you are its modern equivalents?Our networks should be ashamed of themselves pushing the kind of tripe they do in young peoples direction.Give me The Owl Service anyday over Britains got Talent or The X Factor."I am a Stag of seven tines!" Marvellous stuff!They dont come off the floor like this anymore!!!
27 of 31 people found the following review helpful
For a show that hardly anyone has heard of which hasn't been transmitted for 20 years, Network have put together a surprisingly nice DVD package for the series. It contains:
*The six episodes (split over two discs) with picture and sound as good as can be expected.
*A Granada TV documentary on Alan Garner from 1980.
*A booklet that details (well) the making of the show, and also features modern interviews with Gillian Hills and Raymond Llewellyn, finished off with a review by film critic Kim Newman.
All in all, it's a surprisingly well put together DVD release for a show that was, and is, unlike any other.
*The six episodes (split over two discs) with picture and sound as good as can be expected.
*A Granada TV documentary on Alan Garner from 1980.
*A booklet that details (well) the making of the show, and also features modern interviews with Gillian Hills and Raymond Llewellyn, finished off with a review by film critic Kim Newman.
All in all, it's a surprisingly well put together DVD release for a show that was, and is, unlike any other.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Dark Paths
VINE™ VOICE
This television version of Alan Garner's The Owl Service (adapted by the author) is a haunting masterpiece with fantastic performances, and great locations. Fans of the book will find all the key elements intact, and well represented, while newcomers will marvel at the peculiar quality the series exhibits, even after all this time. Not to be missed by any classic TV fans.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
old age
Saw this when I was young,memories seem different today.Not as I recall ? Got fed up with it after 30 mins very dated.
Published 17 days ago by fencingqueen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just as compelling as when I first saw it
I watched this on TV as a teenager when it was first repeated and it had an exaggerated reality that made a strong impact on me. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Melissa Richardson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Charming but impenetrable
Lovely to watch and charmingly evokative of the period it was filmed and of kids' TV dramas at the time ... but sadly the story is more than a little slow and impenetrable.
Published 2 months ago by Jason Buck
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Good Old Days
This is a breath of fresh air to someone my age, 58, who fondly remembers this adaptation of Alan Garner's great book. Read more
Published 4 months ago by S. M. Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely
My DVD player conked out half way through but weird and true to the spirit of the great book. Recommended.
Published 4 months ago by Chris cole
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dreadful
I'd heard about this from many sources, and everyone I'd read on the internet said what a great, haunting, ground-breaking TV series this had been. Read more
Published 5 months ago by James M
5.0 out of 5 stars
still one of the best things I ever saw
I was a child when I watched this on TV and it was fantastic. I remember taking the book on holiday and then on our return sitting in the cafe at the dover ferry station reading it... Read more
Published 8 months ago by M. Fairman
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Owl Service
I read the book first when it was originally published and found it fascinating. Then I saw the series and the later repeat. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Cw Evans-gunther
2.0 out of 5 stars
Over-acted and Over-rated
Being a fan of 70s british TV mystery/sci-fi/horror titles I came across this series and after reading the Amazon reviews I was excited to start watching. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. T. Pipkin
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Alderley Edge mystic
Several reviewers have already laid out The Owl Service more elegantly than I can. I can only reiterate - this is, along with Potter's Pennies From Heaven and Burnham/Ray's... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ed Alexander
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Film & TV > Television > Drama
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
