Tipping the Velvet : The Complete BBC Series [2002]

Sarah Waters is one of my favourite novelists and "Tipping the Velvet" was the first of her books I read. I love the book and I have to admit that I was both excited by the idea of the TV adaptation but also worried that it might be done in a sensationalist way. I was wrong. The adaptation was pretty good and I was glued to the TV when it was first shown. Rachael Stirling is brilliant as Nan and the rest of the cast are good too. Nan's affair with Florence is handled so well and with great sensitivity, it is really touching to see it and it made me cry. I must also mention Anna Chancellor too. She is perfectly cast as the imperious Diana Leatherby. This DVD is an essential for any collection in my opinion, not only for those of us with a personal interest in the subject but also for anyone who likes period drama away from the "crinolines and bonnets" genre.

I cannot give enough praise for both the book, `Tipping the Velvet', by Sarah Waters and of the 3 part TV series, sensitively adapted by Andrew Davies, available on this DVD. Set in the music halls of the 19th century, covering important topics such as the difficulties of lesbian relationships, political poverty etc. the story is superb and so is the acting by the brilliant actresses, Rachael Stirling, Keely Hawkes and all the cast. It is interesting, moving and full of tension and surprises. It is without doubt one of the most amazing dramas ever to have been on BBC. It is also one of the most emotional, dramatic lesbian dramas ever to have been done on film or television. I highly recommend it.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this cheeky fanciful romp of Victorian lesbian sexuality. I wasn't sure what to expect and bought the DVD from the reviews. The episodes differed slightly in their context. They started off as semi serious with Nan being seduced by the sophisticated and glamorous stage performer Kitty. She is introduced to the bright lights of the London music hall where she discovers a hidden vocation as a male impersonator. My only criticism was the director (?) failed to capitalise on Nan's humble origins as a wench serving in a seaside family oyster bar. Why do director's think that sticking the character in a dowdy frock, whilst retaining a flawless complexion and make up that would have graced a West End beauty parlour, represents working class? Had the contrast between Nan's origins and her eventual migration to the sophistication of London society been better handled it would have added much to the believability and depth. The second episode is more comedic as, betrayed, she takes to the heartless streets of London for survival. Before long she's rescued by a despotic lesbian wealthy widow, who demands her utmost loyalty and total sexual subservience. The decadent house parties were a hoot, was there ever so much fun in Victorian London? In episode three, she is cast aside and thrust once more, penniless back onto the streets in poverty stricken areas of London, fortunately retaining her unblemished beauty. Finally she finds true love and restores her dignity, once more on the stage. The programme could so easily have degenerated into farce but it didn't and managed to combine an engaging storyline with just sufficient smattering of credibility. Excellent acting, good settings and a tight well written script. Although not an expert on the subject I strongly suspect there was a lot of historical creative licence throughout the story. But that's fiction for you. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the whole programme immensely, a host of fun and saucy entertainment with touching sensual romance.

I liked it a lot, the subtitles in English are available but not in other languages. The quality in video is ok, considering the year of the serie. I loved this story, mostly the end.

A decent enough series with some nice acting but nothing more than that. I think the director did a good job here portraying the blossoming love between 2 young women - nice job.

There is a point at which the BBC transcends its remit; to inform, educate, entertain in that order, according to Reith. That point is the late nineties and early nougthies when the corporation no longer felt shackled by outmoded concepts of supposed morality. To broadcast such a drama, which highlighted the very real persecution and the depth of love which 'homosexuals' (or lesbians) feel for each other, was a landmark for which the BBC should feel proud. Yes, 'Oranges are not the only fruit' explored the same territory but without the explicit physical nature of the attraction, which perhaps would be excluded by the very nature of the BBC; a 'Public Sector Broadcaster' and therefore 'guardian' of the nation's morality. 'Tipping the Velvet' is well acted and entirely believable. It is ultimately a love story, which has an ending which, if you have a heart, you will truly long for; whatever your gender. Oh, and hats off to the director for the rose!

I loved this film series when it was first shown, and the price was great, so it's a welcome addition to my collection.

this film is brilliant it shows how she pulls herself up from nothing into finding the love of her lfe. her sex life is amazing and realistic. you have got to get a copy of this.

bbc gets a gold star for airing this. 10 gold stars actually. what a succulent romp through victorianna! tipping the velvet is visually rich in hue, costume and setting, only to complement the plush plot, script and convincing acting. {a sensual tour-de-force!}. it has what many great classic stories have- love, betrayal, hope, shattered dreams, loss, struggles, [and hot sex sceens,] along with growth within the characters. you instantly fall in love with the main character, nan. she's a creative fighter, and lovely to look at. you see her rise from seaside working class to selling herself to endearing friend and lover all in this fantastic series. i only wish it was a longer run. i could watch this for hours. rent it, buy it, just don't be surprised at how fantastic and entertaining it is! why don't we have good [free] programing like this in the usa???

In inglese con sottotitoli in inglese. Molto carino e ben recitato. Ottima trasposizione.

Ok

2002版 英語字幕あり リージョンフリーのプレーヤーでないと再生出来ませんでした。 (冒頭にFBIの警告文がありますので、NTSC リージョン1かもしれません) BBCによって映像化された、サラ・ウォーターズ原作の作品で、 エピソードが3つに分かれていますが、若い女性NANの物語です。 日本語字幕で見た、荊の城、が本当に面白かったので、こちらも 何の知識も先入観もなく見てみましたら、本当に面白かったです。 英語がそれ程堪能でなくても、細かいところがわからなくても、 引き込まれるように見てしまいました。 (割とゆっくりめで、聞き取りやすい英語だと思います) イギリスの片田舎の海辺で家業を手伝ってカキの殻を剥いていた NANが、旅興業で劇場に来ていた一座の男装芸の麗人に心惹かれ やがて同じ道に・・・。 愛、裏切り、絶望、希望、そして本当の愛に目覚めていくストーリーが コメディータッチな作風で描かれています。 原作、脚本がしっかりしていると、こうも面白くなるのかとリピートしています。 女優さん達もそれぞれいい味を出されていると思います。荊の城もそうですが、 この時代のイギリス物独特の雰囲気が醸し出されていると感じます。 心癒される名作の一品だと思います。

Als ich den Film zum ersten Mal angeschaut habe ging es mir wie bei manchen CDs. Ich musste ihn nochmals anschauen und danach war ich Feuer und Flamme. Überraschender Weise sind auf zwei DVDs eine Geschichte entstanden die über zwei Frauen handelt die sich zu einander hingezogen fühlen, aber durch verschiedene Lebensabschnitte gehen müssen was dem Zuschauer aber nicht langweilig verkauft wird sondern eine Story erzählt wird die einen mitreissen muss. Leider auch hier viel Eifersucht, Betrug, Leid, aber auch Durchhaltevermögen, Willenskraft und den Mut zu was anderem. Der Zuschauer wird von Minute zu Minute immer mehr polarsiert, ja und stellt sich am Ende auf eine Seite des guten!! Ich würde die DVD jederzeit wieder kaufen!! Wie gesagt, man muss den Film in Ruhe anschauen und wahrscheinlich auch ein zweites Mal damit alle Zusammenhänge verstanden werden.