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The Brittas Empire - The Complete Series 1 [1991] [DVD]
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This first series introduces Brittas, whose arrival at the new Centre prompts a rash of resignations as his petty and pedantic managerial methods constantly rebound on him. Mishaps in these episodes include a malfunctioning set of automatic doors, a disastrous wedding in the pool and a lost baby. Somehow, however, Brittas' strange sense of idealism keeps him bobbing up as all others sink into despair. The Brittas Empire could either be seen as a satire on the new tier of superfluous middle-management types who flourished in Tory Britain, or a 90s update of the old stereotype of the bureaucratic buffoon. Compared to, say, Alan Partridge, Brittas seems a bit broad and one-dimensional, a sketch-show character stretched beyond its limits. The rest of the cast don't offer much in the way of resistance or support and Brittas very swiftly becomes very annoying. Despite all problems, however, The Brittas Empire was an immense success, attracting over eight-million viewers at its peak. On the DVD: The Brittas Empire include some perfunctory, text-only items, including a Chris Barrie biography and a Brittas Fitness Quiz, as well as a sketch performed at the Royal Variety Performance of 1996, in which Brittas reveals himself as an enthusiast for conformity with EEC regulations. --David Stubbs
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £2.59 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Broadcast between 1991 and 1997, The Brittas Empire is a sitcom set in Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. It stars Chris Barrie as Gordon Brittas, the prattish, blazered manager who remains loudly oblivious to the fact that his high-handed efforts at running the place result in utter calamity. As his gin-supping, nervous wreck of a wife observes, he thinks he's the oil that lubricates the machine but in reality he's "a bag of grit".
I LOVE BRITTAS EMPIRE!
Review date: 2007-12-31 Rating: 10 out of 10
I love it. I wish they would make it for region 1. Chris Barrie is super funny.
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- The Brittas Empire - Series 2 [Single Disc] [DVD] [1992]
Reviews
Great family comedy, bargain price!
Review date: 2007-12-26 Rating: 6 out of 10
Given that I was just six years old when this series began and have only vague recollections of watching repeats on the TV, I was pleased to see I could watch The Brittas Empire Series 1 in its entirety for a bargain price.
The great thing about this series is you don't need an ounce of intelligence or maturity to `get it.' I'm not, of course, saying you're thick or immature - I'm just saying that The Brittas Empire is just a pure and simple comedy. There aren't any `in' jokes, or even anything particularly rude. It's not filled with sexual innuendo or taking the piss out of people like so many modern series. The humour of The Brittas Empire relies on its simplicity, and the madcap ways of its main character, Gordon Brittas.
A very annoying, somewhat arrogant, and completely oblivious leisure centre manager, Gordon Brittas is just trying to "do what's best." However, things always seem to go wrong, mainly due to Brittas' interfering ways. He's not mean or callous, he just honestly believes that he's helping people. But when they end up with their finger stuck in a filter in the bottom of a swimming pool, or crashing to the ground from the top of an inadequate fire escape, you have to suspend disbelief. It's just slapstick humour and great for the whole family to watch.
It's been compared to Fawlty Towers, and although I can see the similarities, there are enough differences to make it worth while watching both. It's refreshing to have humour that's just in your face and will give you laughs-a-plenty.
With some reasonable extra features on the disc, if you're into this kind of humour it's definitely worth buying the DVD to add to your collection. You and your friends and family will giggle yourselves silly - even more so if you've been drinking.
EXCELLENT! THE GREATEST SHOW IN THE WORLD!
Review date: 2006-02-20 Rating: 10 out of 10
A great start to a great series. The Brittas Empire is PACKED-FULL of great characters, jokes and wonderful ideas!. This first series features some of the funniest episodes, but remember, the first series is where the cast are just getting use to there roles, and in fact come series two the character Angie was replaced with Julie, a much stronger character. This first series see's Brittas less likable, but very funny. You'll soon warm to him and all the great characters, but Brittas in more of a likable character series 2 onwards. You can't compare The Brittas Empire to any exsisting Sitcom, it's a star in it's own league. It's Unique, and combines a mixture of dark edgy moments, with fine humour with a hint of darkness, can you think of any other Sitcom that is packed full of explosions, fires, floods electrocutions, cows giving birth and falling water tanks, along with great characters, great jokes and throw in hilerous situations, comedy wit, and superb acting and you've got yourself a winner, and the show is packed full of plenty more great ideas to!. The series is however generally better series two onwards, but this first installment is still GREAT and one of the funniest out of the seven!. Worth getting, but Series 5 is by far the best.
Brittas never never will be enslaved!
Review date: 2005-02-18 Rating: 8 out of 10
This series is one of my childhood favourites; along with Red Dwarf, it marked Chris Barrie's (entirely inaccurate) typecasting as the archetypal...well...uptight git.
The first series is interesting to watch, as it deals with the opening of the Fawlty Towers-esque Whitbury leisure centre and is more of a mini-series than what I remember of the other series. Like the first series of Red Dwarf, it is more concerned with character interaction and development than formulaic slapstick (if only Fawlty Towers itself could have been more like this!). Indeed the end of the series raises a question mark over its whole future - perhaps the writers weren't confident of a second series - and made it an excellent example of Britcom writing at its best, and a good programme for aspiring comedy writers to learn from.
One star off for the irritating theme music which pervades every inch of the DVD outside the episodes, though...not one of the Beeb's finest, unlike the AbFab "Wheels on Fire" or Red Dwarf's hymn to nonsense.
Another great tv comedy.
Review date: 2004-03-16 Rating: 8 out of 10
Although better known as 'Rimmer' in 'Red Dwarf' Chris Barrie excels as the overly caring Gordon Brittas, manager of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. Of course, it's because he cares so much that he irritates everyone & messes everything up!
Even if you don't think this series is the best or funniest you've ever seen, stick with it as it does get better!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Stephen Churchett
Julia St. John
Tony Arunah Abbey
Creators:
Stephen Churchett (Primary Contributor)
Tony Arunah Abbey (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: Eureka Entertainment
Manufacturer: Eureka Entertainment
EAN: 5060000401707
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2003-07-21
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 171 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1991-01-03
Language: English (Original Language)