Flambards - The Complete Series

These books, though covering a harsh class reality prior to WWI, introduced the need for enlightenment and the technological impact and changes that the automobile and early airplane industries helped bring about during this period of great social upheaval and progress. Series is mostly true to the original books. The sound does not adapt well to HD tv sound capabilities

Excellent historical view of airplane development in WW1

Few period dramas exhibit the same strong spell of haunting beauty which swirls around every facet of FLAMBARDS. Based on K.M. Peyton's original trilogy of books, the story, which begins in the Edwardian period, illustrates the shifting values, historical events and technological advances of the era and their ramifications on the Russell family.Pushed from pillar to post since the death of her parents, 16-year-old Christina Parsons (Christine McKenna) goes to live with her embittered, wheelchair-bound Uncle Russell (Edward Judd) and his two sons at Flambards, a sprawling country estate. Due to come into a considerable inheritance when she turns 21, Uncle Russell hopes to eventually marry Christina off to his elder son Mark (Steven Grives) - a wastrel and womaniser - and restore crumbling Flambards to its former glory. But to his frustration, Uncle Russell notices a blossoming flirtation with younger son William (Alan Parnaby), a gentle soul who isn't much interested in the traditional family pursuits of horses and hunting - he has plans on building and piloting new-fangled "flying machines".Eventually the differences between William and his father cause a huge family rift, resulting in Christina and William fleeing Flambards for a new start in Battersea. There, William joins a group of young flyers at Elm Park whilst Christina goes to work at the nearby Chase Private Hotel. With a bright new circle of friends including daredevil pilot Sandy (Peter Settelen) and his vivacious girlfriend Dorothy (Carol Leader), the future looks rosy... until the clouds of WW1 start to gather overhead...A tightly-packed thirteen-part miniseries, FLAMBARDS initially unfolds at a leisurely pace and you may find yourself struggling throughout the first 2 episodes especially ("Christina" and "The Blooding") but the action soon picks up and you'll want to savour each subsequent episode. The performances are first-rate, particularly lovely Christine McKenna who virtually carries the entire story on her slender shoulders (and looks like she has literally stepped from the pages of the books). Alan Parnaby and Steven Grives contrast well but are also believable as brothers. Fondly-remembered former "Play School" presenter Carol Leader is a delight as Dorothy.The music, as other reviewers have mentioned, takes some getting used-to but is probably FLAMBARDS' most fascinating element. Highlighted by the jaunty "Song of Christina" (featured most prominently in the episode "The Edge of the Cloud" where William and Christina fly over the English Channel), the musical score by David Fanshawe is minimalist and beautifully underscores the various characters; but having said that, it's probably the only element which dates the entire series. Still, recommended.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the production, film, story & moral qualities of the Lark Rise to Candleford & Cranford series, I happened upon this series. After the first 2 episodes I was skeptical, but once I started fast forwarding through the music at the beginning & end I found I was drawn into the story. Yes, the music is dreadful. Thankfully there is little to no music during the episodes. Yes, the video quality it not up to 2012 standards...more like 1979 ! BUT, I felt that the acting & story line were fine. There is something strangely compelling about the whole series. It did take me awhile to warm up to it, & I did dislike some of the characters so much that I was almost put off. But the story lines of almost all the characters is resolved in a tidy, pretty satisfactory, if predictable way. I am a sucker for happy endings. So spoiler alert for those for whom it is a "must have".If you are Hugely disappointed in the fact that Christina's first love is "thwarted", then stick with the series till the end. For optimal happiness for those who find Christina's second experience with love to be Vital....you might want to stop watching the series at episode 9, right after a couple drive away in a car with a sign attached to the back of it and mark & Dorothy discuss the signage on the back of the car. Through out this series I liked that The characters go through hard times,but decide how they will let it effect them. I really like that good prevails. I like that they portray that doing what is right & setting your mind to do good, does have a cost, just as it's satisfying to see that evil doesn't always get it's way. There are so few movies & TV series that extol "virtues" and are morally satisfying. Give me characters of quality that take a stand for what they believe and who hold that line even when it's extremely hard..so that's why I like this series

Catchy theme music and great plot. A good way to spend the weekend

I stumbled across this series by chance. Astoundingly, I got hooked right on the first episode. The characters are lovely. Set in the early 1900s Edwardian era, Christina Parsons, an orphan, is a free-spirited 16 year old girl who was sent to live with her distant Uncle Russell at the family estate called Flambards. There, she encounters her two cousins, Mark and William. Mark is a traditionalist, womanizer and bossy person, whereas William, an intelligent and sensitive young man, who dreams of a career in aeroplane design. Unlike his father and brother, William hates riding horses and fox-hunting and prefers doing things against his father's expectations. While interested in new invention of aviation and finds friendship and comfort from William, Christina also finds herself feeling excited about horses and the excitement on hunting days. Christina prefers William's company and with whom she finds a romance. They elope to London so William can pursue his dream career in aviation. They are eventually married. William then joins RFC and becomes a stunning pilot in WWI. However, his strong passion for flying is what got himself killed at such a very young age. Widowed at the age of 21, Christina returns to Flambards. She finally breaks down in tears as she steps inside William's room. She is expecting with William's child. Mark returns from war after being presumed kill in action. He proposes to Christina but she rejects. By the way, this series is absolutely incredible compared to some nowadays television shows. I absolutely adore the loving pair of Christina and William. High reccomend it!

This series was produced in 1979 and focuses on the early 1900's in England. In spite of the fact that there were not the special effects that we've come to enjoy now, available to movie makers then, the photography and sets were quite good. The story itself is a long one, 11 hours to be exact, but I found it quite interesting, even fascinating in some ways. I choose to believe that the acting accurately reflects the expected and acceptable ways of relating socially and intimately. In some ways, the story seemed to drag a little, but still, I was drawn into the lives of the characters and appreciated the emotional and physical struggles that they experienced.I found that there were characters I really disliked, Christina's uncle Russell and her cousin Mark, for instance, and characters I really liked, such as Christina, William and their friends. In that way, I became very involved in the story. For a series made 34 years ago, I believe this production to be very well done. The storyline is interesting and captivating. Love conquers selfishness, and even evil intent. Both my husband and I would have enjoyed this even more if there had been closed captions or subtitles. I would recommend this to those who enjoy period pieces.

Shipping was much faster than I expected.

Arrived in perfect condition.

Sent quickly and I love this old fashioned sort of tv series

A classic. Nice that somebody still sells it