Mind Your Language: the Best of (Box Set) [DVD] [1977]

I used to watch Mind Your Language when I was a kid and I remember it was very funny. I bought the dvd set and after watching it, it takes me back to my youth. My daughter, who is 14 years old, just loves it and has been watching it constantly. I must say though that in this day and age it may not be politically correct, however what you have to remember it is that it was filmed in the 1970s. I wouldn't recommend it if you are easily offended. I am of Pakistani background and I thought it was hilarious.

Mind Your Language - Complete LWT Series [DVD]

I have many BBC/ITV sitcoms on dvd. The majority of them are from the golden era of sitcoms, the 1970s. "Mind Your Language" is right up there with my favourites, I don't know how anyone could be offended by it, but each to their own. The very catchy and uplifting opening theme tune is almost constantly stuck in my head too, excellent.

Not really much to add, because there are many great reviews already that tell newcomers all they need to know. I love it though, warmed to all the characters after a few episodes. Watching them try and learn the English language and misunderstanding almost every word is hilarious, sometimes I have to rewind to see how they misunderstood something. Sometimes the teacher "Mr Brown" get's so used to them misunderstanding that he mistakingly repeats some of their catchprases or mannerisms, very funny.

Episodes rarely go out of the classroom which is a good thing. I just wish the fourth and final series from the 1980s would get a dvd release to complete the collection.

A thousand apologies if someone's already listed the episodes below:

Series One: (30th December 1977 - 24th March 1978)

Disc 1:

1) The First Lesson
2) An Inspector Calls
3) A Fate Worse Than Death
4) All Through the Night
5) The Best Things in Life
6) Come Back All is Forgiven
7) The Cheating Game

Disc 2:

8) Better To Have Loved and Lost
9) Kill or Cure
10) Hello Sailer
11) A Point of Honour
12) How's Your Father?
13) The Examination

Series Two: (7th October 1978 - 25th November 1978)

Disc 3:

1) All Present If Not Correct
2) Queen for a Day
3) Brief Re-Encounter
4) Many Happy Returns
5) Don't Forget the Driver
6) A Hard Day's Night
7) Take Your Partners
8) After Three

Series Three: (27th October 1979 - 15th December 1979)

Disc 4:

1) I Belong To Glasgow
2) Who Loves Ya Baby?
3) No Flowers by Request
4) Just the Job
5) Guilty or Not Guilty?
6) Repent At Leisure
7) The School Fete
8) What a Tangled Web

I was privileged to grow up with this series played usually on a Saturday afternoon when originally transmitted. As a child I chuckled and that was without understanding any of the 'adult references', so when I bought this box set I could relive it all over again but with a greater understanding of the grown up stuff.

Basically, it starts with a newly appointed English teacher Mr. Brown (Barry Evans) at a night school teaching a healthy mixture of foreign students. His efforts are met with constant frustration as he is often misunderstood with the words and phrases he is trying to teach. However a wonderful relationship grows throughout the series between teacher and students where his patience with them pays off, especially when they show their loyalty towards him. For example, the rather stern school principal 'Miss Courtney' makes various attempts to replace Mr Brown but the students simply cause havoc for any substitute until their beloved Mr Brown is reinstated again.

In no way was this series designed to mock foreigners, instead it displays in a very innocent manner the barriers that can be discovered between cultures and the sheer humor that develops from misunderstanding. Arguments have been raised about country 'stereotypes' but as with all comedy a subject or person is chosen and their quirks are exaggerated a little to create the desired effect. If anything, most of the mocking is towards the English language and how aspects of it don't make sense to the rest of the world, but it's all done in a very funny way.

How could anyone not laugh when 'Miss Courtney' addresses 'Taro' (Japanese student) and asks - "Taro, how many p's in a Pound? to which he replies, "It depend on size of peas-o!". Or perhaps when the Indian lady is asked by a substitute teacher - "You there, what is the opposite of a coward?" and she replies, "A bull herd". The characters in this are simply a riot, you will love them all and my personal favorite is 'Whan Cervantes' (Spanish student). He often appears to be the thickest of the group but likes to remind his teacher - "I am plenty shmart eh? Soright!

Basically, if ever there was a comedy made for everyone it is this, and anyone who possesses a dvd player should buy this magical box set. Who knows, if we can all sit down, watch this, and have a good laugh at our petty differences then maybe the world can come closer together in the future.