Product Review: Jeeves & Wooster – Jeeves and Wooster – The Complete Collection DVD set

I say, Jeeves! This is a review of the collection of the full works of the BBC production of P.G. Wodehouse's 'Jeeves and Wooster' novels, starring the justly and widely famed Stephen Fry (as the valet Jeeves) and Hugh Laurie (as the simpering fop and monied idiot Bertie Wooster, not over-burdened with grey matter, but a good sort and a good friend just the same.)

It's a long time since this show was regularly scheduled on terrestrial TV, so it's a while since I'd actually seen it. It was actually my boyfriend who was keenest to get hold of a copy, and bought it as a surprise to me, as he knows how much I love the books. And then we embarked upon a marathon viewing session, of an episode or two a night, cooking, drinking and enjoying the exploits of the charming 30s gentleman, and his gentleman's gentleman.

I must say that the BBC, or the production team involved, or whoever booked the shooting sites – whatevs – did a lovely, bang-up job on the whole production. Everything is rendered and realised with absolutely charming accuracy and verisimilitude – rolling countryside, country houses, town flats, bustling 30s New York, you name it. And there's the rub, at least for my other half. He found the American environment that half of the episodes are set in grating, and a distraction from the story, vastly preferring the English eps with their gentle olde-worlde vibe. But that's just him, because I liked both kinds of episodes just fine!

Both Fry and Laurie's performances in their respective roles are famously definitive and delightful, so you probably don't require me to repeat that for you as a recommendation. However, let me do it anyway – both Fry and Laurie's performances in their respective roles are definitive and delightful, and it's very hard indeed to imagine any other actors ever embodying these roles quite so perfectly again.

One thing I did find just a little jarring, was how often between different seasons of the show a particular role would be re-cast. Now, I understand quite well that career requirements and other priorities may make it impossible to always keep continuity of casting going, season after season. But four different Madeleine Bassetts? Not at all the thing, old chap. Quite confusing, in fact.

(Let me make special mention, however, that every single aunt of Bertie's was an utter joy, and perhaps the highlight of the whole collection.)

In short, a thorough thumbs-up and recommendation from me, and if you're a lover of all things typically Wodehousian, and you don't already own this lovely collection, then why delay? Order it today!