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Ever Decreasing Circles - The Complete Series
This classic comedy seems to be growing in reputation, and deservingly so. Like all the other great grotesques, Martin is consistent in character and possesses that tiny fragment of pathos that may redeem him. Briers is brilliant, and Penelope Wilton and Peter Egan are impressively skillful at maintaining the difficult balance of their characters. Lots of laughter to be had here.
RRP: £49.99
Evergreen
Review date: 2006-04-03 Rating: 10 out of 10
I've thoroughly enjoyed watching Ever Decreasing Circles again.
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Reviews
ever increasing excellence !
Review date: 2006-03-17 Rating: 10 out of 10
This box set of the complete ever decreasing circles show is excellent , it is funny when watched again and again Briers is funny as Martin, His wife Penelope Wilton is excellent helping him through his world , the world of 'the close' and clubs, groups, important role at Mole Valley Valves and all the time his insecure feelings towards Paul Ryman, Mr smooth and successful, with the ever reliable Howard and Hilda in their matching jumpers. Every episode is a gem ! Also behind the scenes footage and interview from the time such as Peter Egan on the Wogan show. An excellent way to pass the time and look back to the days of good sitcom !
British comedy at its best
Review date: 2006-01-23 Rating: 10 out of 10
Great viewing, funny viewing, hilarious viewing! Richard Briers excels as the neurotic Martin who is slightly at odds with the world. The romantic undercurrent between Paul and Anne is superbly played by Penelope Wilton and Paul Egan. A must for any fan of British sit com
Wonderfully observed and timelessly funny comedy; a must-buy
Review date: 2006-01-03 Rating: 10 out of 10
The Main Feature: A delicious situation comedy – one of the earliest, one of the most oft-forgotten, but unquestionably one of the best. Richard Briers plays the pedantic, officious, but well-meaning Martin Bryce. He lives life in a Quiet English Way, personifies pieces of wood and nails, and views filing as art form. Actually, not art – that’d be a little too left wing - more a necessary accompaniment to life. Martin runs every society in The Close – from the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to the Cricket Club – keeping him busy, in control and the centre of attention. That is, until Paul Ryman moves in next door. Paul is the original Neil Godwin to Martin’s David Brent; he’s everything Martin isn’t - a Cambridge Cricket Blue, effortlessly charming and has a seemingly infinite number of ‘mates’. It is around these unlikely neighbours that the series is based – with Martin’s long-suffering wife, Anne, somewhere in the middle. This is a wonderfully observed sitcom that’s as good the first time you curl up with it on a Friday night, as it is when you’re laughing at it for the twenty-third time on a drizzly Sunday afternoon. As with other great comedies, the premise is a simple one; a glimpse of ordinary people and the way they live their lives together. And that is largely from where Ever Decreasing Circles derives its power and timeless appeal; we all know a Martin, a Paul or an Anne – we may even have a little bit of them inside of us. Although naturally, Martins will do as Martin would, and not even think of admitting it.
Highlights: Writing that deftly shows how the boring bits in life can be funny too.
The ‘Vicars and Tarts Dance’ episode in Series 1, the ‘Cricket’ episode in Series 2 and the final 80 minute episode (shot two years after Series 4) showcase Ever Decreasing Circles at its very best – clever, witty, pacey and gently poignant.
Engaging, often beguiling characters – from the suave Paul, to Howard and Hilda who always wear matching clothes.
Overall Package/Extras: A fairly standard BBC adaptation to DVD that combines all the extras that accompany each of the separate series DVDs:
• A good 1989 ‘Wogan’ interview with Peter Egan that includes some outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage
• An interesting 15 minute exclusive interview with Richard Briers
• A mildly entertaining Christmas ‘Wogan’ feature with Egan, Wilton, Lebor (Howard) and Newman (Hilda)
A slight disappointment only because this is just the sort of Series where you’re dying to know more than you’re ever told.
The DVD comprises five disks; one per Series and one Extras disk. All are packaged in a fairly boring, standard plastic DVD case.
Verdict: Wonderfully observed and timelessly funny comedy - dare I say it, frequently better than much of The Good Life. A must-buy.
Ever Increasing Laughs
Review date: 2004-07-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
The recent purchase of the 'Complete Works'of Martin Bryce brought back to me just how superb this oft forgotten series actually was. The characters are brilliantly written by surely one of the best writing pairings ever of John Esmonde and Bob Larbey( The Good Life, Please Sir! etc.)and the acting comic genius.Richard Briers plays Martin, a man so in tune with his life that Stradovarius could have fashioned him. Ablely assisted by his long suffering but ultimatly loving wife Ann, played with great ability by Penelope Wilton, his life bounces from one catastrophe, in small letters, to the next. His misdoings usually involve his nemisis - the next door neighbour,Paul, a man who gets so far up Martins nose that a surgeon couldn't remove him. Peter Egan plays Paul with great gusto and you can tell he enjoys the part. Incidentally, Peter was actually recommended for the role by Richard Briers - excellent as a casting agent as well. The other strings on Martins fiddle are Howard and Hilda - Tweedledum and Tweedledee in pullovers - who aid and/or disrupt Martins way of life to his delight/disgust in the 26 episodes( plus a final heart-tugging finale)on four DVDs - A must buy item.
Product Details/Specifications
Director(s):
Recording label: Network
Manufacturer: Network
EAN: 5027626216641
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2004-06-14
Number of discs: 5
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 780 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)