Product Description

This 2-disc set includes the laughs, tears, and nail-biting suspense of Armistead Maupin's beloved best seller in 1970's San Francisco. Included is over 4.5 hours of running audio commentary by Maupin, stars Olympia Dukais, Barbara Garrick, and Laura Linney, deleted scenes, exclusive behind-the-scenes rehearsal & film footage, production photo and props gallery, documentary, set blueprints and video tour, and cast and prouction bios including interactive video Q&A with Colin Ferguson, Thomas Gibson, Nina Siemaszko, Whip Hubley, and Paul Hopkins.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26184 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-11-09
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 290 minutes

Customer Reviews

More than the first one, a first rate miniseries!
I thought this series was an overall improvement over the exceptional "Tales of the City", even though different actors play Mona Ramsey, Brian Hawkins, and Michael Tolliver. The change was a little hard to accept at first, particularly with Mona and Michael, as I liked the actors in the first mini-series, but as I watched all the episodes, I got used to the new actors and they did an equally fine job as the ones who originated the roles.

I'm especially glad that Laura Linney continues her role as Mary Ann Singleton, as she is one of my favorite actresses by virtue of her wise choices in picking roles in films that I happen to want to see. She's great in everything I've seen her in thus far, and she nails the character of Mary Ann Singleton in this series. Olympia Dukakis is also another hold over from the original miniseries, which wouldn't be the same without her presence. She simply is Anna Madrigal...elegant and mysterious as the landlord everyone would be lucky to have.

What makes this miniseries an improvement over the first one for me is the brilliant casting choice and performances of the lady who plays Mother Mucca, and Colin Ferguson as the oddly naive Burke Andrew. First, Mother Mucca is a pure delight to watch. She's a crusty old lady with a mouth on her and a wicked wit that just makes you laugh. She doesn't take much from anyone, and even though she's oddly moody and mouthy, you can't help but love her and want to get to know her. She is the one actor who singlehandedly make this series a must watch show. That's not to take away from the rest of the cast, because they all did exceptionally well. This is as fine acting as you'll ever see in any film...and Mother Mucca is the funniest one of the lot.

Colin Ferguson perfectly captures his character from the novel. With his facial expressions alone, he physically displays his discomfort and boyishness that seems a bit odd for a man in his late 20s, but as we see the reason why, it all makes perfect sense. Why isn't this actor in more films? Other than that over-hyped and quickly cancelled "Friends" knock-off ("Coupling"), I haven't seen him in anything else. This guy can act and casting directors should get his number and put him in their film projects! He and Laura Linney have great chemistry together, and his journey in the film represents is fun to watch to its morbidly funny conclusion.

After watching this one, I look forward to "Further Tales of the City" and hope that its just as good as the previous two miniseries. These tales are joyous to watch, and high quality acting and production values are apparent throughout. Well done!

A Beautiful Series - A must have
I had always heard of this series from Showtime. Then I finally got a chance to watch the series. I figured I would watch one episode a night. The first episode was so good that I watched the second, third and before I knew it I had watched both discs. This is a great value, very captivating series. I loved every episode and I could easily watch all the episodes again!

Continuation of the Wonderful Tales of the City
Again, you have the warmth, laughter and wonderful characters from "Tales" coming back into the second installment. I am sorry there weren't more of the original actors from the original PBS series, but we have the pleasure of seeing Olympia Dukakis, Barbara Garrick, Laura Linney, and Thomas Gibson returning in their respective roles. This installment shows the influence Alfred Hitchcock had on Armistead Maupin's work; part romance, part mystery, with many scenes that will leave an indelible impression. Who will ever forget the meaning of "Transubstantiation" or the macabre scene in the church? I imagined the blue-haired ladies fainting in their pews if such an appendage were to seemingly fall from the sky and plop onto the altar...it's also a rather campy commentary on the church that Maupin slyly slips in. And once again, Mr. Maupin makes another Alfred Hitchcockish appearance in this film.
The actors do a great job, even the ones who replaced Mona and Michael Tolliver. I highly recommend this DVD.