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Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the few genuinely outstanding British comedy shows of the past decade, Black Books unites excellent comedic performances, very funny scripts, and plenty of rewatch value. The concept is simple enough. Bernard (expertly played by Dylan Moran) runs a bookshop. The only problems are he can't stand people, hates customers, and would far prefer to be barking out cutting remarks and drinking wine. Still, it's after drinking much of the aforementioned wine that he offers Manny (Bill Bailey, again in terrific form) a job. Manny accepts, and finds his daily life involves taking abuse from Bernard, while remaining strangely and resolutely upbeat. Fran (Tamsin Greig) meanwhile also likes her wine, and finds herself stuck between the two of them, with a few odd encounters of her own thrown in too.
So far nothing particularly out of the ordinary, right? Well, mix in some of the creative force behind Father Ted, combine those aforementioned performances, and simmer to the point where episode after episode garners a cocktail of sniggers and belly laughs, and you have something really rather special. Like many of the best shows, the curtain has come down on Black Books after only three series. But the long-lasting legacy are episodes that are set to be enjoyed for a long, long time to come. --Simon Brew
Synopsis
The Black Books - Complete Box Set DVD contains every episode from the first three series of Black Books--an hilarious series which follows the adventures of bookshop owner Bernard (Dylan Moran), his assistant Manny (Bill Bailey), and Fran (Tamsin Greig) who works in a new age shop next door. In this entertaining and surreal comedy, Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey make a great double act, delivering the tightly written script (by Moran and Father Ted, co-writer Graham Linehan) with consummate ease. Meanwhile, in the role of Fran, Tamsin Greig does an admirable job of diffusing the tensions which arise between Bernard and Manny.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As with the Spaced box set I bought this completely blindly. And as with the aforementioned box set I consider this 3 series box set of Black Books to be one of my most worthwhile video purchases.
Dylan Moran is exquisite as misanthropic bookshop owner Bernard Black, his sense of surrealism and wordplay used to maximum comic effect. The ever affable Bill Bailey is also on form as well meaning but put-upon stooge Manny Bianco as is Tamsin Greig as neurotic and ditzy neighbour Fran Katzenjammer.
The writing by Moran and the always popular Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan never flags and the characters and situations are always kept on the right side of ludicrous while still retaining enough human drama and realism to resonate with the viewer.
The chemistry between the three leads is one of the biggest draws of the series, regularly oscillating between comedy gold and askewed human drama. But it's in Bernard's carefully constructed verbal assaults on his friends, customers and anyone else unfortunate to come across him on his turf that are loaded with comedy platinum. A particluar favourite of mine is this improvised chant sung to some passing Milwall fans;
"Milwall, Milwall
You're all completely dreadful
And all your girlfriends are unfulfilled
And alienated"
Across all three series we are also treated to a range of memorable cameos from such comedy stalwarts as Simon Pegg, David Walliams, Peter Serafinowicz, Jessica Hynes, Martin Freeman, Nick Frost, Olivia Colman, Rob Brydon and Lucy Davis (and that's just off the top of my head).
Special features are sparse but worthwhile. Commentaries by Moran, Bailey and Greig are dispensable but fun (though curiously missing from season 3) and the short film Bernard's letter is good for a belly laugh.
In conclusion Black Books is (was) quite possibly one of the best Brit-coms of all time and if you like your comedy with a touch of surrealism this three disc set could be the thing that adds meaning to your life.
Dylan Moran is exquisite as misanthropic bookshop owner Bernard Black, his sense of surrealism and wordplay used to maximum comic effect. The ever affable Bill Bailey is also on form as well meaning but put-upon stooge Manny Bianco as is Tamsin Greig as neurotic and ditzy neighbour Fran Katzenjammer.
The writing by Moran and the always popular Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan never flags and the characters and situations are always kept on the right side of ludicrous while still retaining enough human drama and realism to resonate with the viewer.
The chemistry between the three leads is one of the biggest draws of the series, regularly oscillating between comedy gold and askewed human drama. But it's in Bernard's carefully constructed verbal assaults on his friends, customers and anyone else unfortunate to come across him on his turf that are loaded with comedy platinum. A particluar favourite of mine is this improvised chant sung to some passing Milwall fans;
"Milwall, Milwall
You're all completely dreadful
And all your girlfriends are unfulfilled
And alienated"
Across all three series we are also treated to a range of memorable cameos from such comedy stalwarts as Simon Pegg, David Walliams, Peter Serafinowicz, Jessica Hynes, Martin Freeman, Nick Frost, Olivia Colman, Rob Brydon and Lucy Davis (and that's just off the top of my head).
Special features are sparse but worthwhile. Commentaries by Moran, Bailey and Greig are dispensable but fun (though curiously missing from season 3) and the short film Bernard's letter is good for a belly laugh.
In conclusion Black Books is (was) quite possibly one of the best Brit-coms of all time and if you like your comedy with a touch of surrealism this three disc set could be the thing that adds meaning to your life.
87 of 91 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
My other half bought me the previous version of this box set as an anniversay present. She chose brilliantly. The writing here is incredible - I laughed so much that I literally ached for ages afterwards. Even now, we will quote to each other sections of this. The true testament to Black Books is to be found in the roll call of guest stars, many of whom have gone on to much greater things, including approximately half the stars of "Shaun Of The Dead"! Black Books humour works on so many levels that it can't fail to raise a laugh. Look out for Bernard, Manny and Fran dancing on disc three, and Manny's attempts to avoid the heat on disc one. And the attempt at producing Frankenstein's wine. And the results of Manny's coffee machine combined with The Sweeny. Hell, there are too many highlights. Just watch it and enjoy.
68 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I had never watched or really heard of Black Books when it was originally on as I was at university. But when Amazon sent this as a recommendation and looked at the cast who I knew and like from shows/films Dylan Moran (Shaun of the Dead), Tamsin Greig (Green Wing) and Bill Bailey (Nevermind the Buzzcocks & Hot Fuzz). I thought based on this it was worth a try and was extremely happy I did.
The first series was created by Father Ted and IT Crowd creator Graham Linehan and Dylan Moran. It all starts of in with a small book shop owner Bernard Black (Dylan Moran), the owner of a bits and bobs shop next door Fran (Tamsin Greig) and a stressed out accountant Manny (Bill Bailey). Manny ends up getting a job with Bernard in the shop and becomes his tortured and foolish assistant. In the first series there are lots of funny story lines involving priceless wine, impersonating a policeman and installing a new security system. In this series there are guest appearances from Martin Freeman (The Office) and Nick Frost (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz).
In the second series the relationship between Bernard and Manny becomes even more like a married couple. The second series see Black books get even funnier with some hilarious episodes based around teaching a gangster to read, a sleazy landlord, the bookshop becoming like a mini starbucks and going on holiday. In this series there are again plenty of great guest stars in episodes with Johnny Vegas (Ideal), Rob Brydon (Marrion & Geoff) and Jessica Stevenson (Royle Family & Spaced).
The third and final series has some of the best episodes but the overall quality isn't quite as high. The series starts with Manny having left the book shop to work for an evil chain book shop as he cannot put up with the way Bernard treats him. The episode where Manny & Bernard write a book is one of the funniest things I've ever seen and consistently makes me laugh whenever I see it. I think the series saves the best to last and it manages to answer a lot of questions especially about Bernard which is done brilliantly. The guest stars in this series pick up in series 3 with Simon Pegg (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), Lucy Davis (The Office Shaun of the Dead), Annette Crosbie (One Foot in the Grave), Keith Allen (Robin Hood) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing).
It's a great shame that I as I'm sure there are other who discovered this gem of a comedy after it's original run but if you like shows like Father Ted, Spaced, Extras and Blackadder I think you'll love black books.
The first series was created by Father Ted and IT Crowd creator Graham Linehan and Dylan Moran. It all starts of in with a small book shop owner Bernard Black (Dylan Moran), the owner of a bits and bobs shop next door Fran (Tamsin Greig) and a stressed out accountant Manny (Bill Bailey). Manny ends up getting a job with Bernard in the shop and becomes his tortured and foolish assistant. In the first series there are lots of funny story lines involving priceless wine, impersonating a policeman and installing a new security system. In this series there are guest appearances from Martin Freeman (The Office) and Nick Frost (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz).
In the second series the relationship between Bernard and Manny becomes even more like a married couple. The second series see Black books get even funnier with some hilarious episodes based around teaching a gangster to read, a sleazy landlord, the bookshop becoming like a mini starbucks and going on holiday. In this series there are again plenty of great guest stars in episodes with Johnny Vegas (Ideal), Rob Brydon (Marrion & Geoff) and Jessica Stevenson (Royle Family & Spaced).
The third and final series has some of the best episodes but the overall quality isn't quite as high. The series starts with Manny having left the book shop to work for an evil chain book shop as he cannot put up with the way Bernard treats him. The episode where Manny & Bernard write a book is one of the funniest things I've ever seen and consistently makes me laugh whenever I see it. I think the series saves the best to last and it manages to answer a lot of questions especially about Bernard which is done brilliantly. The guest stars in this series pick up in series 3 with Simon Pegg (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), Lucy Davis (The Office Shaun of the Dead), Annette Crosbie (One Foot in the Grave), Keith Allen (Robin Hood) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing).
It's a great shame that I as I'm sure there are other who discovered this gem of a comedy after it's original run but if you like shows like Father Ted, Spaced, Extras and Blackadder I think you'll love black books.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The whole ensemble
The best of the best, Black Books is just marvellous. All here together in one box set, and a bargain price for sure. Recommended.
Published 16 days ago by bluecooperfan
gives a laugh everytime
Very fast delivery and as ever Black books never fails to make me laugh. Wish there was more series but 3 is better than none.
I live over seas and checked amazon. Read more
I live over seas and checked amazon. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs S Tumalty
Not a good 'item'
How would I rate this item? 5/5 for the actual tv show. However, 1/5 for the case(item) as all of the dvd covers were smashed to bits when I received it.
Published 2 months ago by Teemu
classic but had to send back twice
Cant believe that I had two box sets where disc two was faulty. Third time lucky I hope as I love this sit com. timeless genius,
Published 2 months ago by Jessica
Good comedy. Good extras and funny outtakes.
I enjoyed series 1 and 2 very much. haven't completed series 3 yet.
I felt that Dylan Moran slightly overplayed his part, even considering the eccentric Bernard he has to... Read more
I felt that Dylan Moran slightly overplayed his part, even considering the eccentric Bernard he has to... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Say No More 67
Great Value
What great value for money. A classic comedy series that I never tire of. The box set arrived within the specified time given and in perfect condition.
Published 3 months ago by silver lady
A good gift
We bought this for ourselves earlier last year and thoroughly enjoyed the parts that we viewed (not yet finished. Read more
Published 4 months ago by A. H. Chew
Canned laughter
I recently purchased this series having watched just one episode some years ago. I remembered it fondly and was looking forward to a treat, the whole series! Read more
Published 4 months ago by ADH64
Canned laughter
The canned laughter makes it unwatchable and is irritating beyond human endurance.
This is such a shame as the reviews promised a treat in store.
This is such a shame as the reviews promised a treat in store.
Published 4 months ago by Mr. S. Patel
Wonderful !
I only got into Black Books when they were repeated on TV, and so hadn't seen all the episodes. To have all 3 series, totaling 18 episodes is fantastic - and a bargain too ! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mascalzone
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