The Life and Times of David Lloyd George [DVD]

I've been buying many of these older series lately. Many are badly affected by the passing years, and many have either been lost for ever, or restored to reasonable condition. I'm not sure which catagary this one falls into, but it most certainly is most watchable. This great docudrama set new standards in the day, and the choice of actor to play the lead role could not have been bettered. The great Philip Madoc--( no longer with us) was a welshman, and unlike many--spoke the language perfectly. David Lloyd George was a towering political figure for over fifty years, and lived throughout some of the most turbulent times in British and world History, incl the Boar War, WW1 & 2. He held many high political places-including Prime Minister. But this series is not all about politics, he was not without human faults, and considering that this TV series was first transmitted in the late 1970's, it is quite revealing and holds no punches when it delves into Lloyd Georges extramarital dalliances, some of which lasted many years.So, a great politician and orator with human weaknesses, which becomes a conflict of the mind for the viewer, when trying to judge the man as just a human being, or hero. Either way--this is great historic drama, brilliantly told, and acted. P G Croft UK

I enjoyed revisiting this series, the acting is excellent and the life story of Lloyd George is fascinating. I fear leaders of his calibre will never come again. A great example of how life experience shapes someone's vision and destiny to the good of humankind. In sharp contrast to today's leaders (I use the word loosely). However the reason I'm not giving it 5stars is the sound quality, it was dreadful on the DVD set I received. If something is finally going to be released on DVD, it should be of reasonable quality, at times I could not make out what some of the characters were saying at all. This takes away from the enjoyment of the piece, and the DVD is not cheap, so forgive me if I feel somewhat ripped off! if Casablanca and other films over 50years old can be made audible, then it should not be beyond the wit of the manufacturers to make more recent productions passably audible! I have to say in general the sound quality of even up to date productions sometimes leaves a lot to be desired.Subtitles are good, but this shouldn't enable bad quality DVDs to be produced. The sound quality should be up to scratch for everyone.

We watched this series in its day and when we realised it had become available on Amazon we decided to have it and watch it again. So glad we did because neither of us remembered any of it so it was like watching something completely new. What a charismatic man Lloyd George was and how much he achieved for ordinary people. It was also a refreshing relief not to have to watch explicit sex scenes in order to appreciate the womanising side of his character. I wish there were more series produced to this standard that do not rely on unnecessary sex, violence or bad language to tell the story. The theme tune to the series is haunting too, and plays on in your head long after each episode ends! Well done to the late great Elaine Morgan for writing the series and to the late great actor Philip Madoc for his engaging portrayal of David Lloyd George.

Great memories as I was involved in the filming of this series back in 1979-80.Not the BBC’s finest, but still a classic all the same, plus the series theme music, made Chi Mai, by Ennio Morricone , into a big world wide hit.

I missed this series when it was on TV in the early 80s and was delighted when it came out on DVD. Was a bit unsure about buying when I read negative comments about the visual quality . However, I am glad I did make the purchase, the visual quality is perfectly acceptable, indeed no one should expect HD quality from something filmed nearly 40 years ago. I am now half way through disc 2 (of three) and the script follows accurately the best of those biographies on DLG. Recommended.

Biopic that I had not previously encountered due to the fact that I did not know the main actor. I wanted to get an understanding of Lloyd-George's personality having only previously seen him in photographs and black and white film. I will make compare the series to other series about Prime Ministers; in particular Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

Yes, the picture quality is not perfect as the sequences move between good quality film and very mediocre video. Still it’s just about adequate to enjoy the superb acting of Philip Madoc and his fellow actors. Oh for the golden days of Welsh television when such fine programmes were the norm, rather than the mind-numbing junk that’s mostly served up there today.

Looking a little dated now, but nonetheless it tells the life story of one of our greatest Prime Ministers. People laud Churchill for getting us through WWII, but have forgotten that it was Lloyd George who saw us through WWI and was greatly admired by Churchill. Lloyd George it was too who laid the foundation for a welfare state. One cannot help compare him with today's politicians and shake one's head in dismay.