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Ever Decreasing Circles - The Complete Collection
RRP: £49.99
Our Price: £26.30 (subject to change)
Intelligent and witty
Review date: 2008-01-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
I saw two episodes when a friend bought this set round one night and really enjoyed the easygoing scripts, the affection and rapport between the characters, and the clever undercurrents always just beneath the surface. I ordered it for myself and spent a very pleasant couple of months steadily going through the whole run and also the final special. I loved it all. It was a comedy for grown ups from the theme music onwards and was rewarding to enjoy. Subtlety is missing from much of today's tv, and this shows up so much of the comedies on offer these days. I found myself wondering how such a comedy would be done today, 20 years after it actually aired!
The extras are light and trivial but little nuggets of their time. Appearances on the Wogan show are squeezed on and although they're not too enlightening and if anything they're embarrassing in places, they're still nice to see.
There are some commentaries over a few episodes which are okay and nice to listen to but I do wish the 'interviewer' could either have done some research or found a way to kep the conversations going. There are some long pauses while the cast's main trio watch themselves and giggle away, which is alright once or twice but becomes frustrating after too many.
It's a very enjoyable set and unfairly forgotten, I feel. Treat yourself to this and you won't be disappointed.
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Reviews
The BEST comedy series ever!
Review date: 2007-04-28 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is without doubt the best, under-rated comedy series ever made by the BBC. At last we have a complete BBC release of the entire collection in one edition containing not only the four series broadcast between 1984 and 1989 but the two Christmas specials from those years as well.
As a reminder, this is the gem of a series that contained classics such as Martin getting to grips with the housework while Anne is in hospital (and with such funny lines in it Peter Egan is killing himself with laughter at some points), the first Christmas special when loads of Paul's house guests descend upon Martin for the festive season, Cavaliers and Roundheads and the Neighbourhood Watch classics.
Wonderfully inspired casting included Stanley Lebor as Howard and the team gelled together like nothing I have seen before or since.
Although these episodes have previously been available as individual series, this is an offial BBC release edition which apparently also includes comentary on selected episodes from Richard Briers, Penelope Wilton and Peter Egan.
I urge you to treat yourself to this set, you will not be disappointed - and you can enjoy the 'will they, won't they?' chemistry between Ann and Paul all over again with Martin blisfully unaware that anything is wrong!
11/10 - they just don't make series like this anymore and it is to be cherished forever.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Richard Briers
Peter Egan
Penelope Wilton
Recording label: Cinema Club
Manufacturer: Cinema Club
EAN: 5014138305963
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 5
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2007-04-30
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Language: English (Original Language)