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PR The Story of the Costume Drama and The Costume Drama Classic Collection on DVD Jul 31

Acorn Media

Featuring interviews with the writers, directors, and stars of the most beloved British costume dramas, the behind-the-scenes documentary, The Story of the Costume Drama. The Costume Drama Classic Collection is a value-priced 15-disc DVD collection featuring four Masterpiece Theatre series--over 36 hours of quality British programming including Doctor Zhivago, Lillie, Cranford); Lost Empires, and Upstairs, Downstairs, Series 1.

Captivating new documentary tells the stories behind iconic productions

The Story of the Costume Drama

On DVD July 31, 2012

Featuring stars and scenes from
Brideshead Revisited; I, Claudius; Upstairs, Downstairs; Pride and Prejudice;
The Jewel in the Crown; Poldark; Doctor Zhivago; and many more



Silver Spring, MD -- Featuring interviews with the writers, directors, and stars of the most beloved British costume dramas, the behind-the-scenes documentary, The Story of the Costume Drama, debuts on DVD from Acorn Media on July 31, 2012. The first episode aired on PBS stations in spring 2012; however, Acorn is releasing the complete five-episode series on DVD. Narrated by star Keeley Hawes (Ashes to Ashes; Upstairs Downstairs), these five episodes give an inside look beyond the ornate clothing, sprawling manors, and addictive story lines that have riveted millions of television viewers for decades and reveal how the often controversial sagas altered the television landscape and launched the careers of many young actors.

The DVD 2-disc set features stars and scenes from Brideshead Revisited; I, Claudius; Pride and Prejudice; The Jewel in the Crown; Poldark; Horatio Hornblower; Elizabeth I; Sharpe; Moll Flanders; Doctor Zhivago; My Boy Jack; Cranford; and many more, and includes a bonus photo gallery ($39.99, www.AcornOnline.com). The Costume Drama Classic Collection, a value-priced DVD 15-disc collection, which includes four celebrated period dramas (Upstairs Downstairs Series 1, Lost Empires, Lillie, and Doctor Zhivago) plus The Story of the Costume Drama, is also being released on July 31st ($99.99).

From 1955's fanciful Adventures of Robin Hood to 2007's racy Fanny Hill, costume dramas have toppled taboos and quickened pulses. Programs like Edward & Mrs. Simpson ruffled establishment feathers, while popular series Upstairs, Downstairs and The Forsyte Saga emptied pubs, wrecked social calendars, and forced vicars to revise parish schedules. The Story of the Costume Drama is required viewing for any fan of British television.

THE EPISODES: The Greatest Stories Ever Told; The Stars; Affairs of the Heart; Picture Perfect; and A Call to Arms

Street: July 31, 2012 SRP: $39.99 BONUS: photo gallery
DVD 2-Disc Set: 5 episodes - Approx. 225 min. - 16:9 widescreen - SDH subtitles

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Four celebrated, star-studded Masterpiece Theatre period dramas,
Plus DVD debut of new making-of documentary, The Story of the Costume Drama

The Costume Drama Classic Collection
On DVD July 31, 2012

Value-priced collection includes more than 36 hours of star-studded programming

Silver Spring, MD -- Representing the finest of the captivating costume drama genre with sumptuous costumes, lavish sets, and addictive plots, The Costume Drama Classic Collection arrives in a value-priced 15-disc DVD collection from Acorn Media on July 31, 2012, featuring four Masterpiece Theatre series--over 36 hours of quality British programming. The collection includes Doctor Zhivago, the 2002 adaptation starring Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean, Atonement); Lillie, the BAFTA-winning 1978 drama with Francesca Annis (Wives and Daughters, Cranford); Lost Empires, starring Colin Firth (The King's Speech) and Laurence Olivier in a coming-of-age story from 1986; and Upstairs, Downstairs, Series 1, the iconic British drama's original 1971-1972 series. Coupled with a new, bonus making-of program, The Story of the Costume Drama, a rare behind-the-scenes peek at even more of these beloved productions including stars and scenes from Brideshead Revisited; I, Claudius; Pride and Prejudice; Poldark; and many more, this collection is a must-have for British costume drama fans ($99.99, www.AcornOnline.com). The Costume Drama Classic Collection is also debuting on DVD as a standalone 2-disc set on July 31st ($39.99).

THE DRAMAS
Doctor Zhivago--Keira Knightley stars as Lara in this acclaimed adaptation of Boris Pasternak's famous love story, written by celebrated screenwriter Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones's Diary). Includes 70 min. of bonus. English subtitles & [closed captioned] (main program)

Lillie--The BAFTA-winning tale of the incandescent Lillie Langtry (Francesca Annis), who was mistress to a king but master of her own affairs. [closed captioned]

Lost Empires--Oscar(R) winner Colin Firth and the legendary Laurence Olivier star in this haunting coming-of-age story set on the eve of World War I. SDH subtitles

Upstairs, Downstairs, Series 1--The first season of the iconic British series introduces the elegant Bellamy family and their crew of loyal and lively servants. Includes over 6 hours of bonus material. SDH subtitles

PLUS The Story of the Costume Drama--Including interviews with the writers, directors, and stars of landmark period dramas, this documentary is required viewing for any fan of British television. The first episode aired on PBS stations in spring 2012; however, Acorn is releasing the complete five-episode series on DVD. Narrated by star Keeley Hawes (Ashes to Ashes; Upstairs Downstairs). SDH subtitles

Bonus Features:
Cast and crew interviews for Doctor Zhivago (70 min.) & over 6 hours of bonus material for Upstairs, Downstairs, Series 1

Street: July 31, 2012 SRP: $99.99
DVD 15-Disc Collector's Edition: 5 full-length programs - Approx. 36 hours, plus more than 7 hours of bonus


"Acorn Media - chief curators of the best Brit TV" - Time

About Acorn: Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., Acorn Media U.S. specializes in the best of British television on DVD/Blu-ray. 2012 releases include a bonus packed 35th anniversary edition of I, Claudius; the Blu-ray debuts for the original Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and the first six series of Agatha Christie's Poirot; the U.S. debut of Monroe; Judi Dench in Love in a Cold Climate; The Best of Foyle's War; The Story of Costume Drama; Damian Lewis in The Forsyte Saga; and more episodes from Garrow's Law, Midsomer Murders, Murdoch Mysteries, Doc Martin, George Gently, and New Tricks. Acorn's DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn Media at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com. Select series are available for streaming at Acorn TV, http://acornonline.com/TV

Acorn Media

Posted by: News Editor - July 28, 2012, 10:52 am - PR
Keywords: documentary, drama

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