Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
Often hailed as the greatest ever British sitcom, Fawlty Towers is closer to the more elaborate tradition of farce. Comprising two series made in 1975 and 1979, the total of just 12 episodes were painstakingly constructed by writers John Cleese and Connie Booth. Unlike most British farce, however, Fawlty Towers deals with the big themes--death, psychology, xenophobia and even sex-o-phobia (Basil's marriage to Sybil is the most sterile ever depicted in a sitcom).Basil's contempt for his guests is, of course, legendary. It takes little from patrons to unleash his sledgehammer sarcasm: "Rosewood, mahogany, teak? Sorry, I was wondering what you'd like your breakfast tray made out of," he sneers at a guest who dares request breakfast in bed. Like every Englishman, he wants to be king of his own castle and resents having to take in lodgers to maintain the place, especially the open-necked younger generation, whom he regards as sub-human. Mostly, though, Fawlty Towers is comedy of exasperation--who can forget the "damn good thrashing" Basil gives his clapped-out car, or the nervous breakdowns he almost suffers trying to make himself understood to Manuel? It's also comedy of embarrassment. The very fear of losing his dignity generally leads Basil into the most spectacularly undignified of predicaments. His inevitable misery is our sheer delight.--David Stubbs
Series 1:
A Touch of Class
The Builders
The Wedding Party
The Hotel Inspectors
Gourmet Night
The Germans
Product Description
DVD BBC, 5014503106423, 1975 PAL Region 2 4
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A superb epitomisation of great British wit, sarcasm and farce. One is never sure whether to laugh at Basil or to feel embarassed for him. The episode with the Irish builder will have even the most humourless of people in tears of laughter. A must buy for anyone with a sense of humour and a perfect introduction for those that haven't. Comedy does not get better.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By JR Anderson
Format:DVD
Maybe this is a coincidence (not likely), but several people I know own this DVD (including myself) and on every one the final three episodes DO NOT PLAY! There is some kind of fault with the menu screen and when you select "The Hotel Inspectors", "Gourmet Night" or "The Germans", the opening music plays but nothing else comes up. Add to that a complete lack of extrras and second rate presentation, I simply cannot say anything positive about it! Of course the show itself is great but unless you want to waste your money on three episodes, get the boxset with everything on.
COMPLETE RIP-OFF, AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
COMPLETE RIP-OFF, AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Sam156
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I would like to second the reviewer who said the final three episodes on this DVD would not play. I wish I had read that before. I ordered the DVD, final three would not play. So I got it replaced by Amazon. Guess what? Final three would not play on that DVD also. What a nuisance having to send it back and wait forever for a refund. Beware of this DVD!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 55 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fawlty Towers
I am still waiting to recieve this but because I am a great fan of it i am looking forward to recieving it.
Published 2 months ago by Big D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Basil Revived.
What can you say about an all time classic series except that the quality of the picture and sound are first rate and
the content of the material is hilarious.
the content of the material is hilarious.
Published 2 months ago by Music Lover
5.0 out of 5 stars
HILARIOUS
Brillaint comedy and fun,even watching it MANY times over which I have done.It never loses its evergreen appeal for all ages.
Published 3 months ago by jimauld
5.0 out of 5 stars
Faulty towers
Do I really need to explain? Comedy gold etc, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah
Published 3 months ago by Dave Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fawlty Towers Series 1
Brilliant, cry with laugther, need to get the other DVD, I would recommend this to everyone. They should have made more
Published 4 months ago by Karen McIntyre
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fawlty Towers DVD
I bought this DVD as a zmas gift to go with series 2. My brother enjoyed both of them. FAB!
Published 4 months ago by julie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fawlty Towers, Series 1
As always, the episodes are brilliant. I never get tired of watching them. The scripts are excellent and guaranteed to make me laugh every time.
Published 6 months ago by Val I
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely classic comedy!
Fantastic entertainment. Very funny, John Cleese at his best. Ultimate feel good, timeless - never get bored. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Fi Reviews.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fawlty Towers, Series 1 (2001) - Almost Fawltless!
Much has been written about Fawlty Towers. I do not intend to repeat all of this in depth, but confine myself to saying that this mid seventies comedy series from John Cleese and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Victor
3.0 out of 5 stars
Vary funny
The series is quite good, hilarious. But it was suppose to have Spanish audio and subtitles what is not there.
Published on 23 Feb 2011 by Marygt
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
