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Amazon.co.uk Review
Basil Fawlty, as created and performed by John Cleese, is the rudest, most boorish, most hilariously obnoxious man on the face of the planet. What a natural for a TV sitcom! His screen wife, Sybil (Prunella Scales), put it best in the episode "The Psychiatrist": "You're either crawling all over them, licking their boots, or spitting poison at them like some Benzedrine puff adder." He mockingly replies, "Just trying to enjoy myself, dear." With his gangly frame and contortionist abilities, Cleese brilliantly punctuates Basil's outrageous faux pas with absurd gymnastics and turns Three Stooges-style pokes and kicks into a slapstick ballet. Scales's Sybil is the genial but obliviously chatty voice of reason and Andrew Sachs mangles the English language as the Spanish bellhop Manuel, whose struggles with simple directions results in comic lunacy reminiscent of Robert Benigni. After a six-episode run in 1975, Cleese and co-writer and co-star Connie Booth (who plays Polly, the maid all too often pulled into Basil's ridiculous plans) reunited the cast in 1979 for another six episodes without missing a punch line. Remember to watch the opening credits of each show to spot the creative misspellings on the hotel sign (our favorite: "Fatty Owls"). --Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com
DVD Description
This Special Edition marks the 30th anniversary of one of the greatest situation comedies British television has ever seen. Every episode of the BAFTA-winning sitcom has been fantastically remastered and for the first time ever John Cleese provides audio commentaries on all 12 episodes.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Remastered version
- Exclusive commentaries by John Cleese
- 2009 Extended Interviews
- Includes exclusive interview with Connie Booth
- Accompanying booklet
- Interviews with John Cleese, Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs
- Series 1 director’s commentary by John Howard Davies
- Series 2 director’s commentary by Bob Spiers
- Artist profiles
- Out takes
- Torquay Tourist Guide (short documentary film)
- Cheap Tatty Review
- Audio Description & Navigation Option
Starring John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs and Connie Booth
Series One: Written by John Cleese and Connie Booth. Directed and produced by John Howard Davies.
Series Two: Written by John Cleese and Connie Booth. Directed by Bob Spiers. Produced by Douglas Argent
2009 interviews originally filmed for “Fawlty Towers: Re-opened” for GOLD. © UK Gold Services Limited MMIX
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
66 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is something 'Fawlty Towers' fans have been waiting for for a long time: ALL twelve episodes with complete audio commentaries from the genius himself 'John Cleese'
These new audio commentaries are worth the asking price alone as it is just like having John sitting next to you & watching with you. In fact even if you are not a fan of 'audio commentaries' you must make a point of watching 'Basil The Rat' with the Cleese commentary, as John says this is his favourite episode & it does show as his laughter during the episode has to be heard to be believed.
With the new 'Cleese' commentaries it almost like having twelve new episodes of 'Fawlty Towers' to watch as they are so good & as you will hear John is VERY thankful to all the cast & crew who were involved with the show especially: 'Ballard Berkeley'/'The Major' & 'Connie Booth'/'Polly'
In addition the remastered picture & sound is fantastic with some excellent sharp and bright images compared with the previous releases on DVD & videotape.
Finally the interview with Connie Booth/'Polly' is a very welcome addition simply because she has refused to talk publicly about Fawlty Towers or thirty years due to her new career as John explains on one of his audio commentaries, he also says she sends us all her love !
These new audio commentaries are worth the asking price alone as it is just like having John sitting next to you & watching with you. In fact even if you are not a fan of 'audio commentaries' you must make a point of watching 'Basil The Rat' with the Cleese commentary, as John says this is his favourite episode & it does show as his laughter during the episode has to be heard to be believed.
With the new 'Cleese' commentaries it almost like having twelve new episodes of 'Fawlty Towers' to watch as they are so good & as you will hear John is VERY thankful to all the cast & crew who were involved with the show especially: 'Ballard Berkeley'/'The Major' & 'Connie Booth'/'Polly'
In addition the remastered picture & sound is fantastic with some excellent sharp and bright images compared with the previous releases on DVD & videotape.
Finally the interview with Connie Booth/'Polly' is a very welcome addition simply because she has refused to talk publicly about Fawlty Towers or thirty years due to her new career as John explains on one of his audio commentaries, he also says she sends us all her love !
213 of 217 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
There's little one can say about 'Fawlty Towers' that hasn't been said already - 30+ years later, it is still regarded as one of the finest comedies ever produced, the envy of so many writers and performers, and beloved by millions. The care and attention lavished on the writing of the series by John Cleese and Connie Booth, as well as their fantastic performances (aided and abetted by Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs) have helped the show achieve its iconic status. The shows are endlessly repeated on TV, and released on video and DVD. So, what makes this new DVD set worth your time and money?
The original DVD release of 'Fawlty Towers' was several years ago, and whilst the overall package was good, the picture and sound quality of the episodes was not as good as it could have been, particularly when it came to the outdoor scenes shot on film. For this new release, the episodes have been given fresh transfers, with both the videotape and film elements sourced from superior materials, and restored where appropriate - all are now completely unedited, including a line (" Is it your legs?") mysteriously absent from earlier DVD releases. In short, this set is a definite improvement on earlier releases, and is probably about as good as the series will ever look on DVD.
All the extras from the previous set are retained here - including cast interviews, commentaries from Series 1 director John Howard Davies and Series 2 director Bob Spiers, out-takes and other bits and pieces - but with the addition of some very exciting new material. Firstly, there are extended versions of the interviews conducted with the cast for the 2009 retrospective documentary 'Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened' (including Connie Booth, not featured in the earlier interviews). Secondly, and most exciting, is the addition of exclusive commentaries on every episode by John Cleese. These are, for me, the set's big selling point, and happily, they don't disappoint. Solo commentaries can be awkward and even dull at times without anyone else for the commentator to discuss things with, but Cleese is on fine form here - very well-prepared and insightful, he's full of interesting anecdotes and observations, and there's never a dull moment across the 12 episodes. Additionally, he draws attention to little details, jokes and background performances that one might easily have missed, and one's enjoyment of the series is greatly enhanced as a result. I don't think it would be overstating it to say these are some of the best commentaries I've ever heard on a DVD.
Put simply, this is an essential purchase for fans of great British comedy - and even if you've already bought the series on DVD before, the improvements and additions to this set make upgrading to this remastered edition very worthwhile.
The original DVD release of 'Fawlty Towers' was several years ago, and whilst the overall package was good, the picture and sound quality of the episodes was not as good as it could have been, particularly when it came to the outdoor scenes shot on film. For this new release, the episodes have been given fresh transfers, with both the videotape and film elements sourced from superior materials, and restored where appropriate - all are now completely unedited, including a line (" Is it your legs?") mysteriously absent from earlier DVD releases. In short, this set is a definite improvement on earlier releases, and is probably about as good as the series will ever look on DVD.
All the extras from the previous set are retained here - including cast interviews, commentaries from Series 1 director John Howard Davies and Series 2 director Bob Spiers, out-takes and other bits and pieces - but with the addition of some very exciting new material. Firstly, there are extended versions of the interviews conducted with the cast for the 2009 retrospective documentary 'Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened' (including Connie Booth, not featured in the earlier interviews). Secondly, and most exciting, is the addition of exclusive commentaries on every episode by John Cleese. These are, for me, the set's big selling point, and happily, they don't disappoint. Solo commentaries can be awkward and even dull at times without anyone else for the commentator to discuss things with, but Cleese is on fine form here - very well-prepared and insightful, he's full of interesting anecdotes and observations, and there's never a dull moment across the 12 episodes. Additionally, he draws attention to little details, jokes and background performances that one might easily have missed, and one's enjoyment of the series is greatly enhanced as a result. I don't think it would be overstating it to say these are some of the best commentaries I've ever heard on a DVD.
Put simply, this is an essential purchase for fans of great British comedy - and even if you've already bought the series on DVD before, the improvements and additions to this set make upgrading to this remastered edition very worthwhile.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Every episode in crystal clear view. Wonderful. The extras dvd has in depth interviews with the cast, the interviews are a little "Alan Partridge" in tone, but enjoyable. You will never regret buying this, all episodes are just as funny every time.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
THIS ONE IS FAULTY.
Fawlty Towers, yes one of the best bits of comedy on television for years.
Features.
John Cleese. Connie Booth. Prunella Scales. Andrew Sachs. Read more
Features.
John Cleese. Connie Booth. Prunella Scales. Andrew Sachs. Read more
Published 1 day ago by DOGBERRY
Thoroughly enjoyable viewing!
This re-mastered version is definitely very good. The improved sound quality makes a very big difference to the viewing pleasure, but more importantly John Cleese, Prunella Scales,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr Amato
Old Favourite.
This one does not cease to amaze me. The collection is well made with nice illustrations. The picture has been enhenced, as you know we cannot get HD as it was not in exitence at... Read more
Published 2 months ago by A. Kwabula
|It was well worth buying it again.Great commentaries!
The commentaries are superb. John Cleese does a wonderful job on each of the 12 episodes. He adds lots of interesting behind the scenes info and always in perfect timing. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Say No More 67
awsome
i was looking this dvd can find on amazon very reasonable price and i would like if any one like those comedy must buy it
Published 4 months ago by zain
Fawlty Towers - Remastered.
I bought this product as a stocking filler for my Husband's Christmas, as he used to be a big fan when it first appeared on our television screens 37 years ago. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. Linda Brown
Fawlty
The Fawlty Towers series was amongst the funniest and endearing on TV. To have the improved quality of the remastered
DVD, just helps to make the enjoyment od the episodes... Read more
DVD, just helps to make the enjoyment od the episodes... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dave
Absolute classic
Probably one of the best British comedy series. Oh to have some modern day PC free equivalent. Still as funny as the first time round.
Published 5 months ago by anon
A Fawlty Towers treat!
If you know John Cleese and you love Monty Python, I dare say this is a natural follow-up for any fan. This old TV series is a wonderful way of entertaining yourself. Read more
Published 5 months ago by EvansJJ
A Fawlty DVD from the BBC
With so many reviews of such a well-known programme series, there is very little one can add which will be helpful. Read more
Published 5 months ago by RR Waller
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