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Amazon.co.uk Review
In Victor Meldrew, One Foot in the Grave brought us one of the greatest characters in the history of British situation comedy. David Renwick's multi-award winning creation spawned a catch phrase--"I don't believe it"--that vocalised the sentiments of the perennially disgruntled, the irritated or the plain bewildered. Victor is a superannuated security guard struggling to fill his premature retirement usefully, but he is frustrated at every turn. Coincidences, external forces and events and other people conspire against him. Somehow or other, he always gets the blame, leaving a trail of walking wounded in his wake, usually led by his long-suffering wife Margaret.
This first series, originally transmitted in 1990, contains countless comic moments, many of them truly surreal. But Victor is never a one-dimensional target for our laughter. Indeed, as with the best comedy, we mock him at our peril. None of us get through life without our share of Meldrew moments. Thanks to Richard Wilson's performance--which rightly made him a major television star--he is a rounded human being who genuinely can't understand why he is constantly at odds with the world around him, despite his best efforts. And in Annette Crosbie as the increasingly enraged Margaret, he has the perfect screen partner. --Piers Ford
Synopsis
The very first series of One Foot in the Grave starring Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew, an everyman forced into early retirement. He's thrust into hanging around the house, tormenting his wife Margaret (Annette Crosbie) just by existing. Taking odd jobs that somehow don't work out, or courting coincidental mayhem around him, David Renwick's script is wonderfully deak and surreal, full of witty ennui and true-to-life observations. Caught up in his constant bad luck is Margaret's odd friend Mrs Warboys and their strange neighbour Mr Swainey (and his invisble mother).
This DVD contains every episode from series one: "Alive and Buried", "The Big Sleep", "The Valley of Fear", "I'll Retire to Bedlam", "The Eternal Quadrangle" and "The Return of the Speckled Band".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This DVD is the first series of the classic BBC comedy 'One Foot In The Grave', introducing one of the most memorable sitcom characters of all time, Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson) and his wife Margaret (Annette Crosbie).
It all starts when security guard Victor has been forced to retire as his job has been replaced by an electronic box. This then sets Victor on his journey through retirement, trying to cope with various health worries, troublesome youths, a swarm of bees, irritating friends and neighbours and a funny smell by the sideboard.
Overall this is one of the best and funniest comedy shows ever to come out of Britain and is an absolutely essential purchase that anyone young or old should enjoy. It is impossible not to love Victor's constant complaining and it will have you in stitches thoughout each and every episode. Although this series was made in 1989 it still seems very modern and has aged very well indeed and is one that can be watched and re-watched again and again, making this extremely great value for money. I'd give this DVD 10 out of 5 if I could!
It all starts when security guard Victor has been forced to retire as his job has been replaced by an electronic box. This then sets Victor on his journey through retirement, trying to cope with various health worries, troublesome youths, a swarm of bees, irritating friends and neighbours and a funny smell by the sideboard.
Overall this is one of the best and funniest comedy shows ever to come out of Britain and is an absolutely essential purchase that anyone young or old should enjoy. It is impossible not to love Victor's constant complaining and it will have you in stitches thoughout each and every episode. Although this series was made in 1989 it still seems very modern and has aged very well indeed and is one that can be watched and re-watched again and again, making this extremely great value for money. I'd give this DVD 10 out of 5 if I could!
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Starting with Victor's early retirement at 60 after being replaced by a box Victor suddenly finds his world turning completely mad.
The first series is as funny as the rest thanks to brilliant writing, and outstanding talent from Richard Wilson (Victor) and Annette Crosbie (the ever patient Margaret). The format of each episode tends to be a few sub-plots of different events coming together a few mins before the end for the big laugh.
The DVD is nicely put together, the cover looks good and the menu is clear and easy to navigate. The audio is in good sounding stereo (heading for 2 decades old now) and includes English subtitles. Playback is in PAL format and Regions 2 and 4. Presented in its origional full picture (4:3) and consists of 6 episodes (Amazon lists above).
You may be expecting a little more in the extras department, but the 'Britain's best sitcom featurette' rounds the package off nicely.
Overall, a good first series set for any fan of the show. Lets hope series 2 follows soon!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
One Foot in the Grave was probably the BBC's best (or one of the best) sitcoms it has produced in recent years and spawned the unforgettable catchphrase "I don't belieeeeve it!". Victor is one of comedies greatest creations, because he is so funny, and you just have to feel sorry for Margaret for putting up with it all! The scripts are funny, tragic and thought-provoking at the same time, too.
Series 1 in particular is exceptionally funny and I still love to watch it over and over. All in all, a great sitcom. I highly recommend this video. You will not be disappointed!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not my favourite of all the series
Not sure whether it was the collection of episodes or the fact that everything appeared to have been filmed in the dark on this DVD but I did not enjoy it as much as the other... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Reader in Hayes, Middlesex
Disappointing
I was disappointed by this DVD. The programs aired here in South Africa did not include the blasphemy that appeared in this DVD. Read more
Published 12 months ago by BLD
Comedy classic getting into its stride
It's hard to overstate the joy some of us felt when this series appeared in the early 90's. Sitcoms worthy of the name were few and far between at that time. Read more
Published 21 months ago by C. JONES
Subtle
This really is splendid comedy, ever so subtle. Fortunately there are subtitles. Sometimes, however, specific phrases or words are used that refer to UK idiom with which I, being... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Annet Chabot
Good comedy
I think in someway you can relate to this series. It is well done, the actors are really good and the humour at life is spot on. Really good comedy
Published on 12 Sep 2009 by Jax
The Start of a Fine Series
Series One of "One Foot in the Grave" is, perhaps, more subdued than future series and is almost gentle by comparison. Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2006 by Mr. Ross Maynard
Brilliant comedy.
Before I begin, I'd just like to say that I can't change the number of stars I originally gave this (my original DVD was faulty) and so I'll put my new score here: 5 stars... Read more
Published on 24 April 2006 by StormSworder
The BEST TV Show Of All Time
One Foot In The Grave is quite simply the greatest show of all time. It beats all the other 'great' sitcoms. Read more
Published on 19 Dec 2005
Better Than Five Stars
Some years ago a good friend from across the pond turned me on to this show. This hilarious series is an absolutely perfect balance of humor with an ever present reminder of the... Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2005 by Bill W
Early refinement
The very first series of Victor Meldrew's antics is like many first series - raw, experimental and yet to really crystallise into a particular formula. Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2005 by Louise Stanley
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