Review of Queer As Folk

Video

The acclaimed Channel 4 drama series Queer As Folk, often hailed as the next `This Life`, has finally been released on DVD. VCI had put the release date back three times in succession due to production delays. The VHS version had been out a while, but the DVD was eagerly awaited for the extras that were to be included.

This eight part series is split over two DVDs and is nicely packaged in an Amaray case no thicker than a normal DVD. The presentation is in the familiar 1.85:1 widescreen that was shown on the TV, and picture quality is excellent, well worth the wait.

Audio

Sound is Dolby Digital Stereo (or ProLogic) only, as being a TV series, no thumping 5.1 mix was available. However the sound quality is good, and all the great dance tracks featured in the series come across well. Interestingly, it has been noted that some of the dance tracks have been changed from the TV series - one example being a track by Steps on this DVD, that was substituted for the track featured in the TV series. One can only assume there were copyright issues involved for this DVD release.

Features

The menus are static, with the theme tune playing over the top. You get 20 photos on each disc, and also 2 short documentary and interview features, one on each of the discs. The documentaries feature on location interviews in Manchester`s Canal Street with the actors, and the writer and director.

Conclusion

Hopefully this set will start the trend for all future TV series to be released complete on DVD, not like the usual trick of 3 episodes at a time like VHS has seen. It looks like this is to be the case, as the soon to be released DVD of the BBC TV series `The Planets` looks to be packaged in a similar fashion.

The series is quality drama, and rumour has it that series two will be a full length feature film broadcast over the New Year. The only point to note is that I found the index points a bit temperamental. When searching for say, episode 3, it often started about three seconds into the opening credits rather than dead at the beginning. This minor gripe over, the disc is a high quality product, and hopefully one of the first of many more popular TV series to reach the DVD format.