Mulberry: The Complete Series (DVD)

I can't imagine why the main review calls this both morbid and joyful. It's charming, life-affirming, and funny. Not morbid at all, unless you believe any mention of death is automatically morbid.Mulberry is the son of Death and Springtime. Death wants Mulberry to start taking over the job. But Mulberry takes after his mother, and Death finds him a frustrating apprentice. Mulberry would actually be much more suitable as an apprentice to Springtime.Mulberry's first assignment for his father is Miss Farnaby, a crabby old lady whose time is up. (Actually she cannot be as old as she appears to be at first. She and her sisters were children together and played childrens' games together. Her sisters are definitely middle-aged, not old. At the most Miss Farnaby could have been somewhat older, but not a great deal older. I think she feels and acts older than her real age. Maybe this would have eventually been addressed in the series.)In any case, anyone less suited to telling anyone their time is up would be hard to imagine. Instead Mulberry wants Miss Farnaby to come out of her shell and really live before she dies. In a way, you could say that as Springtime's son, Mulberry wants Miss Farnaby to experience her own Spring.There are really two story lines here. First, will Miss Farnaby be granted any extra time, and if so, what use will she make of it? And second, will Mulberry be forced to take over for Death when he doesn't want the job and isn't suited for it?Both leads are delightful and play off each other beautifully. It's maddening that the BBC cancelled this series when it was doing well. I really wanted to know what happened. I expect Springtime would have been more than a match for Death, and Mulberry would eventually have been able to choose his own path. After all, can Springtime really be put off forever?As for Miss Farnaby, I imagine that when it really was her time, someone who loved her would indeed be there to open the door for her. In the end it might not have been Mulberry's real job, but it's a job I believe he would gladly do for Miss Farnaby.

This is one of the most original storylines I've ever come across: Death's Doorman who refuses to accede to his position's requirements, wearing brightly coloured vests over his black clothing and coaxing a withdrawn, bitter old lady into vibrant involvement with life and living it to the full.It is so sweet, touching, and brilliantly written.Sadly, it was never brought to its conclusion and the wonderful Lil Roughley, who played one of the main characters, left the cast unexpectedly before the second season, leaving a real hole in the ensemble. Her replacement was funny, but so different from the original actor that it never felt quite right with her there.This is a must see for those who enjoy intelligent, truly witty and unexpected hilarity. One of a kind.

Mulberry never quite got to its foregone conclusion. With two seasons and just 13 episodes, it still managed to make quite an impression thanks to a brilliant cast.It's a macabre idea, a junior Grim Reaper bungles his first assignment because he likes her too much and feels, even though elderly, that she hasn't quite go her full enjoyment out of life yet. He makes it his mission to see to it that she gets to do a little more living before she dies. Death gives his son until spring and then he has to bring her over.It's surprising just how cheerful they can make a death sentence seem. A third season was planned then cancelled. I'm still deciding if that was a bad thing or a good thing. This way we can think that Bert, Alice, Mulberry, and Miss Farnaby are still carrying on until eventuality catches up with them.In Geraldine McEwan's case, sadly, she died on the 30th of January of this year from a stroke. She remains one of my favorite actresses.

One great British cult favorite. An offbeat comedy nicely described above in the "Editorial Review"; however, the hook of the series is absurdly given away above in the "Plot Summery".Indeed, this delightful series is about a mysterious stranger (Mulberry) who insinuates himself into the household of the elderly Miss Farnaby.Mulberry is the surprisingly cheerful son of "Death" training for the day he takes over Dad's job. His father insists that the taking of a life is not a punishment. "It's just the way things are." However, Mulberry is determined to allow the reclusive and cantankerous Miss Fanaby a chance to enjoy life before completing his assignment.Slowly in each episode Mulberry draws out Miss Farnaby as well as her two surly servants; and so ironically, the "Son of Death" improves everybody's lives."Mulberry" could have been weird, grim and macabre a la "The Aadams Family". Instead, this British gem is quirky, funny and utterly charming. Despite the fantasy element of death personified "Mulberry" is more like the series "As Time Goes By" then other fantasy shows like "My Hero"; the humor on "Mulberry" is gentle sometimes bittersweet rather than ironic or absurd.Recommended if you liked "On the Up", "Waiting for God" or "As Time Goes By".

i love british comedies this one is one of the best. pbs showing only a few epsiodes, i wanted the whole much too short series. great writing. i have heard from some people that didnt understand the show,in short it is about "death" coming to a woman because it is her time to go but not used to being " death'" mulberry takes a liken to her and isnt ready for her to die, he wants her to enjoy the time she has left so he does what ever he can to make her enjoy life more. since she has spent many years in her mansion .it is beautiful to see her enjoy the little things in life, it makes us think that we she enjoy every part of our lives , because we do not know when our time will come.so make every day of your life a "mulberry day". please give this show a chance. i loved this show soo much i named my cat "mulberry"

Mulberry was a family favourite series. We are very happy to watch it again at our leisure. the video arrived within the delays and in perfect condition.

DVDs arrived on time in excellent condition

I loved this series when it was originally shown & was so thrilled it was available on Amazon.I'm wondering whether the BBC ever regretted not allowing it to go on to the end. Made no sense to methat it was cancelled & left everything hanging - it was quite obvious how it would end , so there was no reason for itto be cut that way.It was also strange to have a different Alice in series 2 , but that really didn't take away from the basic story line .Great characters & wonderful acting - so happy to add it to my collection.

I love Mulberry when it on PBS so when I saw the series for sale I jumped at the chance to buy it. British comedies are the best and this has good light hearted humor.

Very sweet series. Pity it wasn't allowed a final series to wrap up the story of a lonely, isolated woman approaching the end of her life.