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Hippies : The Complete Series


RRP: £12.99
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Hippies after nine whole years!
Review date: 2008-09-27 Rating: 8 out of 10

This show was first aired in 1999 before much of the cast hit it big e.g Simon Pegg. First of all if youv'e seen Father Ted or Black books, then you'll probably enjoy this as it's written by the co-writer of Father Ted and as for Black books, that was written by Graham Linham (the other writer).
Anyhow about the show, it's based in 1969 (the hieght of hippiedum) and sets about ridiculing the Hippie way of life and with hilarious performances from teh cast: Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Spaced), Sally Phillips (Smack the Pony and Green Wing), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing) This is well worth a try and in my opinion a lost gem from the nineties to be rediscovered.

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Reviews


where it all began
Review date: 2008-08-07 Rating: 8 out of 10

Although this isn't written by Simon Pegg, you can see that this was where he began to hone his comic trade with all his Pegg like mannerisms, line delivery etc. The same goes for Rhind-Tutt who took some of his seeming slight detachment with him to the brilliant Green Wing. The support cast are spot on. This should have been seen by more people when it was first aired but it's good to be able to see it at all. I don't know if a second series would have worked as the idea is a bit of a one idea thing, and the various scenarios one might have expected were probably played out in these 6 shows.It's just good to see it again.

Canned Laughter
Review date: 2008-06-02 Rating: 2 out of 10

This show really needs canned laughter because its really lame. After the genius of Father Ted this show is a complete let down. Awful script and unfunny slapstick; my recommendation, there's far better comedy series out there.

Great early days in several comic careers
Review date: 2008-04-21 Rating: 6 out of 10

I can't get enough of Simon Pegg, so I was thrilled to find this quirky little series available on DVD, only to discover that the co-stars are none other than the amazing Sally Phillips (she of the radiant smile), Julian Rhind-Tutt and Darren Boyd, all of whom I have watched and adored in their various guises for many years. There are some hilarious moments in this series, showing glimpses of what was to follow from all the performers in higher profile comedies later on. The comedy is a little self-conscious and laboured at points (each episode takes a theme from the 1960s, such as festivals, sex, beards (?!) and squeezes out all the possible humour from each concept) but generally it's lively and will satisfy the thirst of comedy fans who just want MORE from the likes of these brilliant actors.

No deep message, but wonderfully nostalgic nonetheless
Review date: 2008-03-16 Rating: 8 out of 10

This DVD is a quick watch: just six episodes plus one extra consisting of a David Frost show extract. The first two episodes are magnificent -- I particularly enjoyed the one where Ray is directing a Hair-style musical in a village hall. The low point is, sadly, the music festival, where the show has nothing new to say about music, drugs or camping, although there are several good gags about the ultra-reliable new East German car that Ray didn't even bother taking out insurance on.

I get the impression that the writer (Arthur Mathews) is really finding his feet with this series, creating six episodes around six cliched themes of the Sixties: pop festivals, nude theatre, sex, obscene publications etc. Simon Pegg is obliged to perform various banana-skin-type slapstick falls that add little. The penis references were probably a little too strong for the American market. And when it came to finding six new themes for a second series, the writer was probably struggling.

But the characterisations are really wonderful. Although the tumble-down squat scenario, and Sally Phillips' violence towards Ray, are perhaps too close to the 'Young Ones' for comfort -- Phillips even levitates at one stage from drug use -- the sitcom I found myself strangely reminded of was 1970s 'Butterflies'. Bizarre I know, but I found the two unemployed sons of Wendy Craig and Geoffrey Palmer irresistibly cool back then. Julian Rhind-Tutt's ultra-laid-back old Harrovian is strongly reminiscent of their attitude.

Anyway, this is a hugely enjoyable short series.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Sally Phillips
Julian Rhind-Tutt
Darren Boyd
Simon Pegg

Creators:
Simon Pegg (Primary Contributor)
Julian Rhind-Tutt (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Fremantle Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Fremantle Home Entertainment
EAN: 5030697012623
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-03-10
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 180 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)

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