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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Biographies, Box Set, Deleted Scenes, Interactive Menu, Multi-DVD Set, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Well known faces within the British media each embark on individual journeys to answer some questions in regards to their own family history. An interesting and intelligent programme for any budding genealogists out there! SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Who Do You Think You Are? - Series 1-4 - 12-DVD Box Set ( Who Do You Think You Are? - Series One, Two, Three & Four ) ( Who Do You Think You Are?: Series 1 - 4 & How To Trace Your Family )
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The first four series are included in this set, although this still leaves them well behind the tv series which has now reached number seven. The series maintains a high standard, largely because of the BBC's selective policy in which, apparently, they research the lives of far more people than are actually shown. Then they weed out those whose ancestors are deemed to be dull to leave just the interesting ones. If you're interested in family history, then you could question this policy. The journey is often as interesting as what is found out and learning about ordinary folk in the past could be as informative as hearing about the people who changed history, but there's no doubt it leads to an entertaining program.
In common with other productions such as Coast the series then takes the uncovered history as a springboard to look at a time and place, which either provides a bit of history that you didn't know about or provides a more personal angle on events you did know about. The great success of the show for me is that it doesn't necessarily follow that you need to like or be familiar with the work of the people featured. Often the ones you had preconceptions about turn out to have the most fascinating journeys and when they are filmed in emotional and trying situations it lets you understand who, as they title says, they really are.
Obviously the central conceit of the featured person discovering everything themselves is a little strained at times (try wandering into places and demanding to be shown everything about your ancestors this minute and see what happens!) but it does keep the pace going and adds a structure to the show.
The first series was perhaps the best with Amanda Redman and Moira Stuart being particularly good. Series two was short but the highlights were Stephen Fry and Julian Clary. Series three had a strong line-up including Robert Lindsay and David Tennant and series 4 featured Griff Rhys Jones and Sir Matthew Pinsent. But those people are only the tip of the iceberg of around 30 odd personal histories, and it's guaranteed that a lot of those 30 will fascinate you.
The full list is:
Series One: Bill Oddie, Amanda Redman, Sue Johnston, Jeremy Clarkson, Ian Hislop, Moira Stuart, David Baddiel, Lesley Garrett, Meera Syal, Vic Reeves
Series Two: Jeremy Paxman, Sheila Hancock, Stephen Fry, Julian Clary, Jane Horrocks, Gurinder Chadha
Series Three: Barbara Windsor, Robert Lindsay, Colin Jackson, David Tennant, David Dickinson, Nigella Lawson, Jeremy Irons, Julia Sawalha, Nicky Campbell
Series Four: Natasha Kaplinsky, John Hurt, Griff Rhys Jones, Carol Vorderman, Alistair McGowan, Graham Norton, Sir Matthew Pinsent
In common with other productions such as Coast the series then takes the uncovered history as a springboard to look at a time and place, which either provides a bit of history that you didn't know about or provides a more personal angle on events you did know about. The great success of the show for me is that it doesn't necessarily follow that you need to like or be familiar with the work of the people featured. Often the ones you had preconceptions about turn out to have the most fascinating journeys and when they are filmed in emotional and trying situations it lets you understand who, as they title says, they really are.
Obviously the central conceit of the featured person discovering everything themselves is a little strained at times (try wandering into places and demanding to be shown everything about your ancestors this minute and see what happens!) but it does keep the pace going and adds a structure to the show.
The first series was perhaps the best with Amanda Redman and Moira Stuart being particularly good. Series two was short but the highlights were Stephen Fry and Julian Clary. Series three had a strong line-up including Robert Lindsay and David Tennant and series 4 featured Griff Rhys Jones and Sir Matthew Pinsent. But those people are only the tip of the iceberg of around 30 odd personal histories, and it's guaranteed that a lot of those 30 will fascinate you.
The full list is:
Series One: Bill Oddie, Amanda Redman, Sue Johnston, Jeremy Clarkson, Ian Hislop, Moira Stuart, David Baddiel, Lesley Garrett, Meera Syal, Vic Reeves
Series Two: Jeremy Paxman, Sheila Hancock, Stephen Fry, Julian Clary, Jane Horrocks, Gurinder Chadha
Series Three: Barbara Windsor, Robert Lindsay, Colin Jackson, David Tennant, David Dickinson, Nigella Lawson, Jeremy Irons, Julia Sawalha, Nicky Campbell
Series Four: Natasha Kaplinsky, John Hurt, Griff Rhys Jones, Carol Vorderman, Alistair McGowan, Graham Norton, Sir Matthew Pinsent
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
After seeing the first few episodes of the American adaptation of this series, I decided to order this set and see whether (as is usually the case) the original British version was even better. I've not been disappointed. Even though I don't know who many of these celebrities are, their stories still fascinate me, and I'm learning more about British history with each episode.
For anyone like me who lives in the U.S. and would like to see this version of the series, the only thing to be aware of is that the discs are encoded in the PAL video format. If your standalone DVD player can only decode NTSC video and not PAL, you might have better luck playing them on a computer instead. Despite what Amazon says, the discs in this set are actually all-region (not just region 2), so that shouldn't be a problem.
For anyone like me who lives in the U.S. and would like to see this version of the series, the only thing to be aware of is that the discs are encoded in the PAL video format. If your standalone DVD player can only decode NTSC video and not PAL, you might have better luck playing them on a computer instead. Despite what Amazon says, the discs in this set are actually all-region (not just region 2), so that shouldn't be a problem.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Just as researching one's family tree is addictive, so is this series. Quietly fascinating and a wonderful way to learn about historical events in a very personal and moving way. I know an American version is now being aired but I wish there was an Australian one too! I found the extra DVD about tracing your family tree on the light side but the internet links are great.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Occasionally cringe-making, but mostly inspiring
Compelling viewing and a diverse range of historical backgrounds to a diverse range of `celebs'. It does not show the hours of research that go into producing an hour long... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Abroad in the Yard
Who do you think you are collection ( Series 1-4)
Love it! Lots that I'd missed first time round and those that I had seen were great to watch again. A great present for anyone who loves to trace their family history.
Published 15 months ago by Pat
Fascinating Stories!
This is a great buy for anyone interested in history. I thought I wouldn't be interested in other people's family history, but these programmes really bring their stories to life... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mrs. J. R. Larner
essential viewing
what better , a visual guide of how to trace your family history. i loved it ! i am waiting for the next few series to come out on dvd
Published on 11 Mar 2010 by Ms. M. French
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