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The League of Gentlemen -- Christmas Special [1999]
![The League of Gentlemen -- Christmas Special [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FM9WYFJ4L._SL160_.jpg)
On the DVD: The League of Gentlemen Christmas Special on disc contains the hour-long main feature accompanied by a diverse and entertaining array of extras. There's another illuminating group commentary; a 20-minute documentary "Tales from Behind the Crypt", in which we get to see excerpts from the team's first ensemble effort, "Highgate House of Horror"; a chat with composer Jody Talbot; and the League themselves "In Conversation" with Paul Jackson in the complete Radio 4 broadcast. A selection of out-takes, extended scenes, character biographies and a photo gallery are all worthwhile, but best of all is a Jackanory special with Mark Gatiss as the Victorian Dr Chinnery telling the Gothic tale of "The Curse of the Karrit Poor", a spot-on Arthur Conan Doyle spoof. --Mark Walker
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £9.89 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
A Gothic-comedy masterpiece, The League of Gentlemen Christmas Special is a horrific anthology of three related stories, all set in Royston Vasey, which takes its inspiration as much from the writings of MR James and Edgar Allan Poe as the low-budget Hammer and Amicus shockers that the team parody so affectionately. The stories are all linked by the Dickensian device of Reverend Bernice receiving unexpected guests on Christmas Eve: the first concerns troubled married couple Charlie and Stella becoming unwittingly involved in voodoo and witchcraft; the second features the horrendous Herr Lipp in a Nosferatu skit that reveals the terrible truth about what really goes on in Duisburg; while the third, and best, tells of the horrible hereditary curse that afflicted Dr Chinnery's great-grandfather. This one-off special distils all the League's penchant for disturbing, twisted characterisation and macabre humour into a single hour; the result is one of the most daring "comedies" ever seen on British TV.
Christmas Classic with All the Trimmings!
Review date: 2007-12-17 Rating: 10 out of 10
This DVD is the the League at their very best. Elegant plotting, subtle acting and pacy editting means there is little flab to the 3 stories. Arguably series 3 is a slight dissapointment and even the second series isn't entirely successful but this seasonal offering is great. Charlie & Stella's sub plot is funny and has a genuinely scary twist; Her Lipp handles his part magnificently (well he would ... woudn't he ?) and Dr Chinnery's tale is a lesson to be careful about working with animals. Quite simply it is perfect - no flat jokes, no bad acting. It's just a shame that since then their output has dried up. (Series 3 takes itsself WAY too seriously and their movie and live dvds are good but not great.
It has the best selection of extras of any TV show I have ever seen. A commentary, a lengthy radio interview, a documentary on the influence the Amicus horror movies had on the show, a "jackanory" version of the third tale, loads of deleted scenes & easter eggs a plenty. Even the pre-FX and after FX footage is interesting.
Unsuprisingly its rating were dissapointing as it was scheduled in a graveyard slot. It's a shame as it deserves a wider audience and why it didn't it win a BAFTA? If you watch this and respond by saying "baah ...humbug" you deserve a good stuffing you turkey ... (Herr Lipp has a pair of rubber gloves ready.)
Similar Products
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Reviews
A Christmas present from LOG
Review date: 2006-06-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
This i think is the turning point that the League of gentlemen decided to change the layout of there programmes from funny to a little bit more serious but still with the humour and it works. This Christmas special is set in Royston Vaseys church on christmas eve with the vicer getting ready to close for the night when she is visited by 3 men who each tell there tale about christmas.
The first of the 3 is Charlie who has taken up dancing to Stellas disgust and to get back at him shes enlists the help of on odd bunch of people who use a vodoo like treatment.
The 2nd is from a visitor of herr lipps home town and he tells us of a christmas a while back and and Incident that happend when he stayed in herr lipps house.
The last and my favourite tale from the christmas special is told from Mr chinnary and we find out why he is like he is with animals, this tale is set back around 200 years and includes a few familier faces.
I suggest you buy this DVD its "a real good treat!"
The true spirit of Christmas
Review date: 2006-03-25 Rating: 8 out of 10
The LoG have never been afraid to push the boundaries as far as comedy goes (which is why they are so brilliant), and this Christmas special from 2000 just serves to prove that point perfectly (unlike Little Britain, which I swear used to be funny.)
Beginning in Vasey,this takes its structure purely from the hammer horrors of the 70s, Tales from the Crypt in particular. Charlie and Stella do line-dancing, a young boy thinks that Herr Lipp is trying to suck him (because he's a vampire obviously), and we discover the root of Chinnery's curse.
This is brilliant, and if new to the League probably not the best place to start. You need to adjust to the macabre humour and surrealism that makes them stand out from the crowd. A good hour's telly though, and bizarrely still made me feel all christmassy inside!!
This is not funny it scared the hell out of me
Review date: 2006-01-28 Rating: 2 out of 10
I'am a hardcore comedy fan (see Laurel and Hardy collection and Little Britain) but this is one of the scariest comedies I ever seen. I mean there is no christmas stories in this. One night in the church the reverend is staying in thinking about a bad christmas past when her mother was abducted by a stranger. Then 3 visitors come in to tell three blood curdling tales about christmas. The first one is when a dancers wife tries to ruin her husbands dance at the competition. Two is when a boy is convinced that his parents are vampires. Three is about the victorian days. The reverend is then filled with the christmas spirit. But unfortunely there is another visitor. It's Papa lazarou the one that scared me the most. It's the one who abducted the reverends mother then it abducts the reverend. At the end of the credits Papa Lazorou's eyes appear on the screen which scared me too. Why don't you go buy real comedy like little Britain my favourite. For all you comedy fans, do not buy this or papa lazarou will give you the heebie jeebies.
THE BEST LOG EVER! BUY THIS TODAY, YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!
Review date: 2005-11-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is the LOG at their best! 3 perfectly crafted stories, all just as great as the other. Much Much better than the recent movie, which is LOG at their worse. The witty storylines, excellent casting of extras, and sinister laughs will be of no disappointment, BUY THIS TODAY, you will love this!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Corrie Greenop
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503105020
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2002-11-25
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 60 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000-06-19
Language: English (Original Language)