Masterpiece: Victoria

I would give this five stars IF it were the same as the show being broadcast on PBS, there are unnecessary edits that make no sense for something being sold on blue-ray. (Note to PBS - usually when something is released on dvd or blue-ray there are ADDITIONS to the product, not cuts.) I give the original broadcast 5 stars - but this version is frustrating, because the edits are BAD. I'm going to see if I can purchase the original through amazon.uk.

I love this series so much that I preordered it ,but I am not pleased that they cut out scenes from many episodes ! This makes no sense at all when you show the episodes in there entirety on PBS why would you cut it up on the DVD I payed for ! Really not happy ,this has nothing to do with this amazing show just the quality of the DVD .

I love this series; that said, the DVD completly omits the scenes where Albert goes to the brothel, as well as the courtship, where the negotiations concerning title and financial arrangements were made. That is a lot to omit, so much that I won't be buying Season 2.

Love it BUT... the Blue Ray DVD is an edited version of the PBS Masterpiece broadcast version. It's still a great telling of a visually stunning love story and affirmation of the interconnectedness of women in history. While the parts edited out, may some people's mind, not be essential to the plot. I cannot support that notion. I purchased the DVD as the "Full UK" version thinking there could be more scenes not less. When I purchased the Full UK version of Poldark last year, I got the additional scenes - scenes that were not broadcast on my local PBS Station. I wish the FULL VERSION could be defined. I also thank PBS / Masterpiece for broadcasting Victoria in full version WISH they'd do the same for Poldark. Here's the challenge... The cut pieces add depth to the characters and the story. For example, in Episode 4 after the Victoria & Albert's wedding, when trying on the Queens floral head band and Mr. Francatill walks in. She explains to Mr.Francatelli. "the Queen wants these dipped in wax before the flowers fade" and Mr. Francatelli responds, "Don't you want to get out of here before you fade?" In the DVD version all you see is her crying the "bonnet room" but on the PBS Broadcast version you see Herr Lohlein (Prince Albert's valet) comes in and comfort here, offer her a handkerchief and says to her in German, "I think you are safe here". A very tender moment that gives weight to the choices Miss Skerritt is faced with... I'd like to find a FULL VERSION DVD.

This is one of my all-time favorite Masterpiece works. However, this DVD is edited considerably and some of the better scenes, in my opinion, are edited out!!! It jumps from one scene to another so abruptly that it is difficult to follow the story line. Not a good and accurate story-line reproduction. Hopefully, the second series will be more accurate. I give this reproduction only 2 stars!

I would give Victoria 5 stars for the quality of the cast and production except that this disc sold by PBS is not the PBS Masterpiece edit of the series. It is the UK-length edit which is significantly shorter and eliminates many critical scenes. Having seen the full edit on PBS, the tighter edits make no sense and seem to rely on information that is only explained in the longer version. It shouldn't be sold as "PBS" Victoria when it isn't that edit. It's misrepresentative to the people who think they're buying what they watched on PBS.

This does not have all the scenes that are being scene in America. That was the full product I was buying. This has missing scenes. Very Disappointed

I was so happy to see this available on Amazon I snatched the whole season up. Come to find out - as I am watching there is about 50 minutes total in time that is missing. Some very key scenes! So I compared the running times from Amazon and those of PBS and they (not sure who but I feel this is false advertising as "Full UK Length Edition") shaved episode 2 through 8 down to a flat 46 minutes from it's original running times. There are no episodes that aired in the entirety that are 46 minutes. Sadly disappointed, I thought Amazon was better that this.

Jenna Coleman is every inch a queen in this wonderful ITV first series of "Victoria". Spread over eight episodes, this series covers Victoria's rise from reclusive teenager to a queen, wife and mother. Covering the emotional journeys Victoria had with her father-figure Lord Melbourne and the start of her epic love story with Prince Albert, mixed in is a colourful cocktail of political intrigue, royal power-grabbing, and fast changing social and economic development. There is a lot going on throughout the eight episodes.The sultry Jenna Coleman is magical in her portrayal of a young Victoria. She captures the mixture of feelings and emotions Victoria must have felt - one minute she was literally a girl, then suddenly a queen. Tom Hughes expertly plays Prince Albert, complete with a convincing German accent and authentic piano playing skills which enhanced his musical related scenes. Coleman and Hughes engagingly show a young couple who came together in circumstances not far off an arranged marriage, and after a rocky start discover that they are insperable.Rufus Sewell is fantastic as the debonair and infatuated Lord Melbourne - the Prime Minister who would do anything to assist Victoria. Peter Firth plays a buccaneering and swashbuckling Duke Of Cumberland, Paul Rhys plays a menacing Sir John Conroy and Nigel Lindsay portrays the Prime Mnister-in-waiting and surprise ally of Victoria and Albert - Sir Robert Peel. There is not a weak acting performance to be seen.Computer generated images were used for many scenes, and although it is very well done, it is very noticeable at times that it is not real. The London skyline images are completely CGI, as are the exteriors of the palace buildings. Many crowd and audience scenes are CGI, especially at the wedding and coronation. And, some of the interiors of the palaces were enhanced with CGI. This is probably one of the few weaknesses of the production, as nothing replaces using real locations for period drama - at times things do not look 100% authentic.The interior set of Buckingham Palace was constructed within an aircraft hanger, and overall it was done very majestically. The corridor of candles in Buckingham Palace was incredibly atmospheric - a magical fairy-tale look. In fact, there were hundreds of candles in many different scenes - it set a romantic and glowing backdrop. Costumes were very colourful and intricate and appeared to very accurately reflect the dress trends of the time.Memorable scenes included the regal coronation and grand wedding displays, as well as the magical balls complete with multiple glittering crystal chandeliers. The proposal scene when Victoria loses her poise when proposing to Albert is incredibly romantic, and truly captures the nervousness the young Victoria may well have felt at the time.The extras section is very interesting, with informative interviews from all of the leading actors, and other information from behind the scenes.Overall a tremendous first series of "Victoria" - bring on series two.

When I first watched this when it was broadcast on ITV, I didn’t think I was going to like it, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Does Gemma Coleman look like Queen Victoria? No. Did half of the events in this drama take place? No, but did knowing all that spoil the enjoyment of the drama? No. I do however think the programme makers could have put a slight bit of prosthetic makeup on Gemma’s nose just to fit in with what Victoria really looked like. Tom Hughes does a good job of Albert, but it’s Gemma’s ski slope nose that lets it down for me. Yes, I’m being too picky maybe, but it’s just so obviously wrong. The settings and costumes are fantastic, and the writing is superb. Loved every minute.

Very good DVD however I first viewed the series on PBS Masterpiece where the episodes were longer. There has been editing done to this DVD but at least it does not detract from the overall story. If you enjoyed this series, I would recommend purchasing it. Do not purchase the DVD of this series offered by PBSMasterpiece as the editing done here literally destroys the story; many CRUCIAL scenes missing.

A sympathetic treatment of the 19th century's great love affair; Jenna Coleman is petfect in her role as the young Victoria. The juxtaposition of glimpses of intimacy between the characters with the pomp and gravitas of matters of state works well, and increases one's admiration for the young queen. A very fine cast, great writing, beautiful production. I saw the programme on TV and am delighted to now have it on DVD.

I really love this programme. Great actors! Greatest performance of Rufus Sewen (Lord M). A pity he did not appear in the last 3 episodes. I, for one, did not wish Prince Albert, (the excellent Tom Hughes) to come to scene until the new series.Does someone know if the Victoria TV series will soon be available in other countries like 'Little Dorrit' and 'Downton Abbey' before? That would be great as the series deserve a worldwide audience!