Cheap The Grand - Series One: 2 Volume Gift Boxed Set (DVD) (Douglas Mackinnon, Ken Horn, Indra Bhose) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Grand - Series One: 2 Volume Gift Boxed Set

Grand Style
The Grand is an "Upstairs/Downstairs" type series, set in 1920's, and revolves around the owners of "The Grand Hotel," their staff, and the hotel guests. Just like Upstairs/Downstairs, social station, the war, and family issues are the hot plot topics for this series. The most sympathetic characters are that of the hotel owner John, Charles' fiancee Ruth, and the servants. My only peeve with the series? That its way too short. There are only 8 episodes in the first season set which makes the price a little steep. Also, Unresolved plot threads... Such as the poor drunk girl who had the 'appendicitis' trouble. I wanted to see the villian in that ep get what he deserved. Unfortunately no resoultion. Also...As usual, the poor folks show much more spine than their snobbish and rich 'patrons,' which was a little predictable.

Still, this is an excellent series, sure to delight viewers who also like Upstairs Downstairs.

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Check into The Grand
"The Grand" is certainly addictive -- thanks to the interesting writing and fine performances from all involved. One caveat: Initially, even the villainy is enjoyable, but by the end, the series turns quite dark and disturbing.

My personal favorites among the actors: Tim Healy is excellent as the heart of the hotel; interestingly, as his character becomes a bit looser in "The Grand: Series Two," he becomes less affecting. Mark McGann is an extremely interesting villain -- he manages to keep you wondering if, in fact, there are redeeming qualities in the character. He's a scene stealer, but Julia St. John, as his love interest (and his brother's wife), more than holds her own. Rebecca Callard is extremely appealing as one of the hotel servants. Stephen Moyer invests much depth into his character of the former soldier -- it becomes apparent just how much when you view "The Grand: Series Two," where his character is played by another actor of lesser caliber.

As others have mentioned, you'll soon be hooked and find it hard to stop watching until you have finished the entire series. And you'll be sure to want to check in again for "The Grand: Series Two." But that's the point where you might be somewhat disappointed, and not only because two characters (one mentioned above) are played by different, less-effective actors.

In the initial episodes of the second series, the tone seems off. While the first series managed to feel like drama rather than soap opera, the second dives wholeheartedly into the soapsuds and becomes more episodic. Some characters even seem to act in ways inconsistent with their previous actions. It almost feels as if a new production team had taken over, although that's not the case.

Luckily, the second series hits its stride with the fourth episode and, for the most part, sustains it until almost the very end (with some nifty surprises and plot twists along the way). There's some very enjoyable writing throughout -- great credit goes to Russell T. Davies for staying true to his period and not trying to impose modern sensibilities on his characters.

For example, the character who reveals his gayness is utterly confused and conflicted in a way that seems consistent for an uneducated worker in 1920s Britain; his self-hatred and seemingly unresolvable sense of isolation are never glossed over.

By the end of the second series, it becomes clear, though, why there were only two series of "The Grand." Just about every avenue of development had been explored and there was little ground left to cover with the characters. So, you check out of The Grand generally satisfied with your stay, but feel fine not returning for another.

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Soap opera, and nothing more
All of the other reviews on this page have rated this DVD highly, and I would like to offer an alternate opinion. As another reviewer said, if you're expecting a "classic", you'll be disappointed. It's a soap opera, pure and simple, with everything you can expect to find in a soap opera -- barely credible plot turns and acting ranging from very good to school-play wooden. To be fair, I will say that the story itself is engaging, and keeps the viewer interested in what will happen next, but the same can be said for any soap opera.

I bought the DVD on the strength of the reviews on Amazon. I like Masterpiece Theater-type miniseries, and thought that The Grand sounded promising, especially since it was written by the author of Queer as Folk. I was mistaken. This miniseries is not up to the level of most British miniseries, where excellence is the standard. I don't think there was a standard for The Grand.

My advice is to rent it, and then decide for yourself.