Customer Reviews
What happened to the time line? - By: C. Bennett, 23 Feb 2008 
Oh I loved this book! I was so pleased to hear it was being adapted for TV & then horribly disappointed, the plot swapped backwards & forwards, in the book Jake has won Gold at the Olympics BEFORE he leaves his wife for Helen. And what happened to Billy's wife's affair with his sponsor??
If you haven't read the book then this makes for enjoyable viewing, Michael Praed is very enjoyable as "Gypsy" Jake, Marcus Gilbert however is less believable as Rupert Campbell-Black, & Jilly Cooper fans everywhere will be shouting "That didn't happen then you idiot!" at the TV. On it's own merits, enjoyable, as a faithful replication of the book, incredibly poor!! Sorry!!
A decent film if you've never read the book - By: lucy.darling__x3, 30 Jan 2008 Okay, if you're going to watch this, watch it with an open mind- especiallly if you've already read the book. The casting is alright but the best matched characters are Helen, Fen, Jake & Billy Lloyd-Foxe. The others leave a lot to be desired shalll we say.
The plot is good in places, sometimes it matches exactly to the book & others it's about as far away as you could possibly go. The acting is as corny as it comes, with certain actors holding the story up. Janey & Billy's relationship is COMPLETELY inaccurate, since when did Janey sleep with Rupert as a trick? And aswell, Rupert & Janey get along right through the book pretty much, & dare I say that we remember the foursome between Helen, Janey, Rupert & Billy? NOT INCLUDED.
Just keep thinking that this is a low budget adaptation, funny in some places, annoying in others. Then you'll be able to watch it.
Jilly Coopers Riders - By: , 15 Mar 2006 Phew!!!!, just watched Riders on DVD. This is a must for Michael Praed fans as he just looks absolutely gorgeous in those jodhpurs. The story itself wasnt bad, but if you had read the book, you already have an impression on what the character is like in their heads as I found when I watched "misery" on TV, the ending was nothing like the book. With alll that put aside I found it very entertaining. Rupert Cambell-Black was a cad, but I would imagine a dreadful kisser (in my opinion) & he came across a bit wooden (oh dear). Its a must for the ladies.
They lost the plot - totally! - By: , 07 Feb 2006 
The DVD version of Riders is a light & mildly pornographic few hours of entertainment but will probably be a disappointment for anyone who has read Jilly Cooper's Riders. It's almost as if the main characters from Jilly's book were taken out & parachuted into a completely different plot. I'd have liked more showjumping & horsey scenes & there was no sign of Rupert's black labrador Badger. The action is set in the 1980s (check out Grania Pringle's purple lycra dress) even though the book starts out in the 1970s & finishes in the early 1980s.
The character who came across best was Michael Praed's Jake Lovell but the rest were disappointing. Arabella Tyje's Helen was good, but the screen Helen left the viewer feeling sorry for Rupert being married to such a harridan! Marcus Gilbert's Rupert was flat & wooden & only came to life in the bedroom. I admit that it would be hard for any actor to bring Jilly's Rupert to life, particularly in this adaptation of Riders. If you enjoyed Dalllas or Dynasty in the 80s & haven't read Jilly's Riders, you'll enjoy this DVD.
Great Fun - By: Lady Jane, 29 Nov 2005 
The characters were great, made me howl with laughter at the antics. Jilly Cooper carry on the great work.
