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Fawlty Towers: Complete Series 1
Series 1:
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £5.10 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Often hailed as the greatest ever British sitcom, Fawlty Towers is closer to the more elaborate tradition of farce. Comprising two series made in 1975 and 1979, the total of just 12 episodes were painstakingly constructed by writers John Cleese and Connie Booth. Unlike most British farce, however, Fawlty Towers deals with the big themes--death, psychology, xenophobia and even sex-o-phobia (Basil's marriage to Sybil is the most sterile ever depicted in a sitcom).Basil's contempt for his guests is, of course, legendary. It takes little from patrons to unleash his sledgehammer sarcasm: "Rosewood, mahogany, teak? Sorry, I was wondering what you'd like your breakfast tray made out of," he sneers at a guest who dares request breakfast in bed. Like every Englishman, he wants to be king of his own castle and resents having to take in lodgers to maintain the place, especially the open-necked younger generation, whom he regards as sub-human. Mostly, though, Fawlty Towers is comedy of exasperation--who can forget the "damn good thrashing" Basil gives his clapped-out car, or the nervous breakdowns he almost suffers trying to make himself understood to Manuel? It's also comedy of embarrassment. The very fear of losing his dignity generally leads Basil into the most spectacularly undignified of predicaments. His inevitable misery is our sheer delight.--David Stubbs
A Touch of Class
The Builders
The Wedding Party
The Hotel Inspectors
Gourmet Night
The Germans
Editorial
DVD Description
Scene selection
Digitally remastered
Regions 2 and 4
4:3
Dobly Digital Dual Mono
Subtitles: English SDH, English, German, French & Dutch
Editorial
Synopsis
The reigning champion as Most Popular BBC Sitcom is firmly in the grasp of FAWLTY TOWERS. Former Monty Python cast members John Cleese and Connie Booth created one of the most bizarre comedies of all time, wherein Basil Fawlty (Cleese) is in charge of running the Fawlty Towers hotel--into the ground. This collection includes the following episodes: "A Touch of Class," "The Builders," "The Wedding Party," "Hotel Inspectors," "Gourmet Night," and "The Germans."
No Playback on 3 Episodes
Review date: 2008-08-01 Rating: 2 out of 10
From the other reviews it seems this is a common problem. I also bought the DVD and cannot play the last 3 episodes. Very dissapointing, as this is probably the best sitcom of all time!
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Reviews
Yes I agree Faulty batch of DVD's
Review date: 2008-07-22 Rating: 2 out of 10
I was about to buy another copy of this DVD as my copy freezes and read many other people with the same problem! Obviously a bad batch of DVD's The series would get 4 stars if it would play.
Fawlty batch of DVDs
Review date: 2007-11-21 Rating: 2 out of 10
I would like to second the reviewer who said the final three episodes on this DVD would not play. I wish I had read that before. I ordered the DVD, final three would not play. So I got it replaced by Amazon. Guess what? Final three would not play on that DVD also. What a nuisance having to send it back and wait forever for a refund. Beware of this DVD!
DVD is a disgrace
Review date: 2007-10-27 Rating: 2 out of 10
Maybe this is a coincidence (not likely), but several people I know own this DVD (including myself) and on every one the final three episodes DO NOT PLAY! There is some kind of fault with the menu screen and when you select "The Hotel Inspectors", "Gourmet Night" or "The Germans", the opening music plays but nothing else comes up. Add to that a complete lack of extrras and second rate presentation, I simply cannot say anything positive about it! Of course the show itself is great but unless you want to waste your money on three episodes, get the boxset with everything on.
COMPLETE RIP-OFF, AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
It is simply a criminal offence not to own this DVD!
Review date: 2005-08-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
John Cleese is fantastic in this comedy following the life of the bitter and sarcastic hotel owner, Basil Fawlty. This is certainly in the top two best comedy series ever created. The writing is spot on and the performances all combine to create one of the most effective comedy combinations ever. This series will literally have you crying with laughter at Basil's ridiculous antics as he tries to entice a better quality of guest to his hotel to satisfy his snobbish tendencies. Watch it once and be hooked forever.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Andrew Sachs
John Cleese
Connie Booth
Prunella Scales
Creators:
John Cleese (Primary Contributor)
Prunella Scales (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503106423
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2001-10-08
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 180 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1978-02-28
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Spanish (Original Language)