Three Films By Somerset Maugham - Trio / Encore / Quartet [DVD]

---

---

Customer reviews

review by: Oburoni date: 2009-07-04 rating:
Trio, Quartet, Encore
An invaluable collection for the cineaste, these three compilations adapted from W Somerset Maugham's short stories give a fascinating picture of England's tastes, values and attitudes towards class and foreigners. Whether it's Cecil Parker's rural Colonel unable to understand his wife, Dirk Bogarde upsettng his parents by wishing to play the piano as a profession, James Hayter retrieving his dignity after being dismissed from his job as a verger or Nigel Patrick as the very unEnglish Mr Knowall, these films show a postwar Britain reasserting an identity which seems alien today; a world of deference to rank in which all were expected to keep their station.

---

review by: date: 2009-04-07 rating:
Nothing like 'em
I bought my first copy of this collection for my family and me at Christmas 2008 and now I'm back for another copy for my elderly aunt and uncle in Wales. I have loved Somerset Maugham's short stories for years and read them regularly with my young son, and there's nothing more delightful than to find some of them adapted, here, in film with some of the best of British acting talent that I remember from my childhood in the 1960s! And, then, to have the films introduced by the GREAT fellow himself, well this is a gem of a collection that I hold very dear. I hope you enjoy them too!

---

review by: date: 2008-03-25 rating:
Tales From The Master's Pen
This DVD is a gem. It consists of a total of 10 short or shortish stories on 3 discs, originally separate films from the late 1940's. Some are from Somerset Maugham, a few from or adapted by other writers. At least two ( The Verger and The Colonel's Lady) were later recycled into the (also recommended and on DVD) Tales of the Unexpected series of the late 70's and early 80's. The black and white is crisp and clear as can be, the sound likewise. The acting is superb, too, with many famous names appearing, not least Nigel Patrick. br / br /Each film of the three (Trio, Quartet, Encore) is introduced by Somerset Maugham from his beautiful home and garden on the Riviera. How glamorous that must have seemed, looked at from the dingy squalor of much of 1940's Britain! br / br /Superb entertainment and truly enjoyable. Recommended.


review by: Wilhelm Snyman date: 2007-10-25 rating:
Delightful
What a wonderful collection. each DVD is preceded by a short chat by th great man himself, Somerset Maugham, with stories that trasnport you to another era. Of course the fact that the stories themselves ar so cleverly constructed helps enormously, but besides that, the acting and the old world charm of the characters just make this collection of three DVDs a superb gift. Also, the quality is such that you're likely to keep the DVDs and watch them time and again. The films, as with the stories upon which they are based, are timeless. What a brilliant idea to put together this collection.

---

Similar products

The Painted Veil [DVD] [2007]
Alastair Sim - The Comic Icons Collection [DVD] [1951]
The Long Arm [DVD] [1956]
Ladies Who Do [1963] [DVD]
The Happiest Days Of Your Life [DVD] [1950]

---

Similar categories

Video . DVD Blu-ray . Categories . Drama
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . DVD
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . PG
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Box Set
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Region(feature_browse-bin) . Region 2

---