Masterpiece: Mr Selfridge – The Complete Series

DVD Wholesale Quick Overview:

I would have given this a 5-star-plus if the 3rd season wasn’t a part of it. I simply loved the first 2 seasons. Fun, naughty, engaging and full of charisma. Even the misbehaving was forgiven due to the incredible bigger-than-life charm of Selfridge. He’s one of these people that disarms with his million dollar smile that sweeps women off their feet. His indomitable spirit is contagious and his love for staff, family, wife and other women overflows his cup over and over again. When dreaming, dream big and shoot for the stars! There are personal struggles and petty jealousies mixed with the indiscretions, but the overall feel of the series is so upbeat and vigorous that I found myself cheering on each of the characters. Then there’s season 3 when the main writer takes a break. That season couldn’t end soon enough. All the naughty little antics become deplorable. The series became decidedly dark, humorless, and depressing. All those struggling “nobodies” that you were routing for are now getting raped (instead of flirting), getting involved with serious crime (instead of the hopes and hard work of climbing upward), having sullen marriage problems (instead of dalliances), and all the spark and fun has completely disappeared along with the fun affection for the characters. It’s a cold wet blanket to a storyline that where we were all having a blast. Where I looked forward with eagerness to each new episode, I instead found myself stubbornly dragging myself through yet another dreary hour or two just to be done with it (after all the $$ spent). It helped to have the computer on and play bejeweled 3 while keeping one eye and ear on the movie. The fourth season picked up somewhat between the first 2 seasons and the third, but never recaptured the magic of the first two. I was bummed with the ending. NOT at all what I wanted, even if it was the truth. Supposedly this is based on the “real” Mr. Selfridge. I will definitely watch the first 2 seasons again and again just for the fun; I will definitely NEVER watch the 3rd season again; and we’ll see about the fourth.

-Masaka

An excellent series. Well cast, succinctly told tale of an American entrepreneur who in 1908 had a vision. Realising that vision, and making and losing a fortune in the process is accurately told. Staff and family concerns beautifully inter-related into the Selfridge saga making for an absorbing, fascinating twenty-year ride thru an exciting period of British, and world, history. A must buy for anyone interested in power in business and its effects on those dependent upon the decision-makers.

-nelson allen

Having immensely enjoyed this series, I purchased this as a gift for my son, who is an Anglophile and also enjoys history. Mr Selfridge was a marketing genius. He is the one who started selling items at .99 cents and also moved cismetics and fragrances to the front of the store so the lovely scents would attract the ladies as soon as they entered the store!

Linda Cornelio

DVD Wholesale Main Features:

Actors: Jeremy Piven, Ron Cook
Directors: n, a
Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English
Region: Region 1
Number of discs: 12
Rated: PG – Parental Guidance Suggested
Studio: PBS Distribution
DVD Release Date: October 18, 2016
Run Time: 7866 minutes
ASIN: B01ICLU8VE