Queer as Folk : The Scripts from the British TV Series

Rating:
Summary: This book is a "must have" if you like QAF!
Review: The British series of QAF is available for purchase on VHS or
DVD. It is worth every hard-earned dollar ([and it] includes the "Making of QAF". If you are financially-
challenged at the moment, then at least purchase this book.
Do keep one thing in mind: the book is not the *exact* script
for the British TV series; actually, that makes it more
interesting because it contains all of the lines that were
removed for one reason or another. As an aside, do a Yahoo
search for the American series on VHS: it is available in a
wonderful, high-quality pirated version that has not been
cut because of time and censorship reasons. I'm much more
partial to the British version; and these scripts make it
even more rewarding.

Rating:
Summary: Useful for the American Ear
Review: The original, U.K. version of "Queer as Folk" broke through many barriers. When I first watched the DVDs for Series 1, Parts 1-4, I had difficulty understanding the Manchester accent and some of the vocabulary. I kept replaying Vince's introductory speech until I could figure it out. The accents got easier with practice, although some characters, especially Donna, Nathan's friendly classmate, were still hard to understand. One gets the gist of it on the first pass-through, but it took more for my American ear to catch all the words. When I got the Series 2 DVD, the same issue arose. So, I checked Amazon to see if there were a QAF script available. There was; so I ordered it.

The good points: The script contains detailed staging and motivation directions. I can understand some conversations better now than before. The script contains Davies's original thoughts. There are some good color photographs inside (although none of them is risque).

The not so good points: The DVD uses a script somewhat different from what appears in the book. For example, Vince's prologue is not in the book. It would have been nice to have had additional, bracketed material to help the viewer parse out what was said on screen if it was not in the original script. The book is only for Series 1; I had been hoping for Series 1 and 2, combined. Finally, the quality of the paper in the book seems low.

Since the series has widespread popular support and since the accent issue is what kept the series off the air in the U.S., I am a bit surprised scripts were not distributed more generally in the U.S. to help potential enthusiasts feel more comfortable in knowing what was happening. Overall the book supplies extra clarity and insight into QAF.

Rating:
Summary: Useful for the American Ear
Review: The original, U.K. version of "Queer as Folk" broke through many barriers. When I first watched the DVDs for Series 1, Parts 1-4, I had difficulty understanding the Manchester accent and some of the vocabulary. I kept replaying Vince's introductory speech until I could figure it out. The accents got easier with practice, although some characters, especially Donna, Nathan's friendly classmate, were still hard to understand. One gets the gist of it on the first pass-through, but it took more for my American ear to catch all the words. When I got the Series 2 DVD, the same issue arose. So, I checked Amazon to see if there were a QAF script available. There was; so I ordered it.

The good points: The script contains detailed staging and motivation directions. I can understand some conversations better now than before. The script contains Davies's original thoughts. There are some good color photographs inside (although none of them is risque).

The not so good points: The DVD uses a script somewhat different from what appears in the book. For example, Vince's prologue is not in the book. It would have been nice to have had additional, bracketed material to help the viewer parse out what was said on screen if it was not in the original script. The book is only for Series 1; I had been hoping for Series 1 and 2, combined. Finally, the quality of the paper in the book seems low.

Since the series has widespread popular support and since the accent issue is what kept the series off the air in the U.S., I am a bit surprised scripts were not distributed more generally in the U.S. to help potential enthusiasts feel more comfortable in knowing what was happening. Overall the book supplies extra clarity and insight into QAF.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Companion to the Video
Review: When the television series Queer as Folk appeared on England's Channel 4 in 199 it caused quite an upheaval. QAF tackles the complex story of three Manchester gay men and their conflicts and relationships. It deals with sex and does not shy away from controversial subject matter. Fortunately, because of its beautiful handling, layered storylines, and complicated characters, it was a huge success. QAF, which follows the characters of Vince (Craig Kelly,) the overly kind and unintentionally celibate grocer, Stuart (Aiden Gillen), a wildly promiscuous executive, and Nathan (Charlie Hunnam), a 15-year old who falls in love with Stuart, is a highly important step for TV. This script is a good addition to the tape or DVD. It makes it easier for Americans to understand some of the British slang.