An Outstanding British Seafaring Period Drama!

Reviewed by Tiggah, 2003-06-14

The Onedin Line is an outstanding 1971 BBC production set in 1860s England. The story is compelling and exciting, full of intrigue, ingenuity, suspense and scandal, and it is one which will appeal equally to men and women. It revolves around James Onedin, a shrewd and ambitious but honourable and fair sea captain. James is a no-nonsense man with a head for business. He is also a risk-taker with big dreams--and he has his heart and mind set on being master of his own merchant shipping line. This is no easy task when one is up against established shipping lines who have no desire to relinquish even a part of their business to an upstart. The establishment, in this case, takes the form of Mr. Callon, James' former employer, and James faces an uphill battle as he attempts to horn in on Callon's business.

James has a brother, Robert, a very nervous, cautious man who in many ways is James' polar opposite. A soft-hearted, responsible, and conscientious man, Robert inherited their father's grocery business, and he wants no part in James' grand plans. Robert lives above the shop with his wife, Sarah, and his beautiful but fickle and headstrong sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is afianced to one Daniel Fogarty, a swarthy seaman with a devilish temper who is in the employ of James' rival, Callon. But Elizabeth is also the object of much interest on the part of handsome, charming, and wealthy Albert Frazer, the son of a successful ship builder. Certainly, James would love to ally his family with a family of prosperous ship builders. But whom will Elizabeth ultimately choose?

This boxed set contains four 50-minute episodes, and so does the second set. I'd never seen this series before; but it is one our entire family absolutely loved from the first episode. One can only hope BFS will release it in its entirety. I enjoy the British productions of the 90s, but I've seen few whose stories even approach the quality of those produced in the 70s (and I speak as one who did NOT see any of the British dramas when originally broadcast in the 70s). Though the production values in the 90s may surpass those of the 70s, the stories in each episode combined with faultless acting on the part of all involved more than compensates. I have no hesitation in saying that if you enjoy other classic British 70s productions--shows like Poldark, Upstairs Downstairs, or the Duchess of Duke Street--you will love this one. Go ahead and get both sets, you won't regret it! Just hope and pray that BFS will continue to release more episodes in the future!

Very, very highly recommended to all fans of quality British period drama.

Onedin Line series

Reviewed by Anonymous, 2002-08-16

I loved this series when it first showed in the 70's. Thirty years later, and it still is just as entertaining. There is some difficulty understanding the dialects, English and seafaring, but well worth the effort! To me, it's classic, and I can't wait for more!

Onedin Line series

Reviewed by Anonymous, 2002-08-16

I loved this series when it first showed in the 70's. Thirty years later, and it still is just as entertaining. There is some difficulty understanding the dialects, English and seafaring, but well worth the effort! To me, it's classic, and I can't wait for more!

please can we have some more?

Reviewed by Ann Robinson, 2002-08-03

I was so delighted to find Onedin Line on video, bought it, told all my friends about it, now we want more and it is not there! The music, acting, costumes, plots, are all wonderful. I left UK halfway through the series and now I am in the same boat,(sorry) please help.

More Onedin Line Available

Reviewed by Anonymous, 2002-07-28

The Onedin is great historical TV, but, with only the four earliest episodes in this set, it's ultimately unsatisfying... Apparently these two series are all to make it to video of what was, as broadcast, eight seasons. Alas, the tapes referred to here as available in the U.K. are PAL only so you'll need a multi-system VTR.