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Porterhouse Blue [VHS] [1987]

David Jason (Actor), Ian Richardson (Actor), Robert Knights (Director) | Rated: Suitable for 15 years and over | Format: VHS Tape

4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)

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Product details

Actors: David Jason, Ian Richardson, John Sessions, Charles Gray, Griff Rhys Jones
Directors: Robert Knights
Language: English
Classification: 15
Studio: Cinema Club
VHS Release Date: 8 April 2002
Run Time: 194 minutes

Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)

ASIN: B00004CYF8
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 177,556 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

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Product Description

From Amazon.co.uk

Based on Tom Sharpe’s satirical novel and set in a fictional, all-male Cambridge College, 1987’s Porterhouse Blue is a crusty delight. Ian Richardson stars as the austere moderniser who takes over as master of Porterhouse with a view to bringing in radical changes; David Jason is Skullion, head porter for 45 years and a bulldog-style traditionalist.

Porterhouse Blue is a wonderfully grotesque and not inaccurate depiction of an Oxbridge college that has set itself resolutely and decadently against the modern world. Crammed with hoggish, port-swilling dons who are more concerned that the college stay "head of the river" than with academic achievement, the highlight of Porterhouse’s year is the Founder’s Feast, in which students and tutors gorge debauchedly on roast swan stuffed with widgeon, to the horror of the new vegetarian master.

Jason’s Skullion looks on approvingly: he’s a stickler for Porterhouse’s inverted values, disapproving, for instance, of student Zipser (John Sessions), the only fellow at the college actually there to work. When the master eventually fires Skullion, the forces of traditionalism gather in sympathy and attempt their revenge.

Unfolding over 190 leisurely minutes, Porterhouse Blue is an elegantly turned comedy in which practically every morsel of dialogue is to be savoured for its delicious tang. Jason and Richardson are reliably excellent in what is an overall exhibition of British TV thespianism at its finest. --David Stubbs

Product Description

When the master of Cambridge college Porterhouse succumbs to a fatal stroke, he is replaced by the progressive Sir Godber Evans (Ian Richardson), who announces such earth-shattering initiatives as female students, a canteen and contraceptive machines. Head porter Skullion (David Jason) is outraged, along with the Fellows, and enlists the help of old Porterhousian Sir Cathcart D'Eath (Charles Gray) in foiling Sir Godber's schemes.

Customer Reviews

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82 of 83 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Dives in omnia 7 May 2001

By "dannyhunter"

Format:DVD

Porterhouse Blue is a classic comedy drama by Channel 4 based on one of Tom Sharpes funniest novels about an ancient university college in Cambridge, steeped in traditions, most of which are questionable, to say the least. David Jason plays the reactionary Skullion, head porter, employed at the college for 45 years and determined to keep the old place just as it is. Ian Richardson plays the radical new Master, who along with his formidable wife plans to sweep the place clean of its expensive anachronisms and introduce a touch of modernity in the form of contracptive machines, female students and a canteen.

This is very funny; one of the best things Channel 4 ever made. And the whole piece (over 3 hours) is punctuated by the perfect harmonies of the Flying Pickets, singing for the most part accapella and in Latin. Had the sound on this DVD not been a big fat mono, I would've given it a 5. Still, its an absolute treat.

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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A funny and merciless satire on British class snobbery and Oxbridge traditions 9 Aug 2007

By C. O. DeRiemer HALL OF FAME TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

The master has just died...of a Porterhouse Blue. That is, of a stroke brought on by overindulgence. Long tradition insists that the masters of Porterhouse College name their successors, and that is to be the last man named by a dying master. Porterhouse, a very traditional college in the Cambridge mode of English privileged education, depends on all of its complacent traditions. "You know my view," says the Dean of Porterhouse, "if a little learning is a dangerous thing, just think what harm a lot of it can do." The college is so traditional, in fact, that its rights and privileges haven't changed in centuries. The deans and tutors seem just as ancient. However, the dying master did not name a successor. With no successor, the Prime Minister steps in and chooses a new one...Sir Godber Evans (Ian Richardson), a weak but sly fox of a politician with a wife, Lady Mary (Barbara Jeffords), who is as strong-willed and zealous as an executioner's axe. Sir Godber, however, is about to come up against two bastions of self-satisfied tradition, the Dean (Paul Rogers) and the Senior Tutor (John Woodnutt). But not even in Sir Godber's worst dreamings could he envisage the real defender of Porterhouse tradition...Skullion (David Jason), the head porter, a man who has been a fixture at Porterhouse for 45 years, who knows all the secrets and who keeps lists. Skullion is not a man to be trifled with.

Sir Godber and Lady Mary are determined to haul Porterhouse into the Twentieth Century. Finding that the college is in debt by a million pounds -- it maintains a fine cellar and chef for the High Table -- doesn't seem upsetting to those who have the long view.... Take the college Feast, a magnificent affair with cooked, stuffed swans with all their feathers replaced, with the great ox cooked on a spit, whose dripping skeleton is festively paraded about the dining hall to the cheers of all. "Don't you find this a little indulgent? Particularly in the present economic circumstances." says Sir Godber. "Oh, we never bother with 'present economic circumstances'." says the Dean. Chimes in the Senior Tutor, "We find that they tend to go away after fifty years or so."

As Sir Godber and his wife set out to bring women into the college, bring financial order to the budget and bring contraceptive vending machines to the student restrooms, The Dean, the Senior Tutor and the other Fellows plot...and Skullion is just about to have a fit. He knows a gentleman when he sees one, and Sir Godber is not doing what a gentlemen does. He embarks on a campaign to see that Porterhouse traditions will be protected and that he'll be able to keep his job. In this vicious, amusing satire on class snobbery and England's Oxbridge ways, no one is spared and a few even die. In fact, one of the funniest turns of the knife depends at the conclusion on another episode of a Porterhouse Blue.

The program was adapted from the novel by Tom Sharpe, an author who specializes in novels which skewer class pretensions. If you like Evelyn Waugh, you'll probably find Porterhouse Blue a rip. David Jason and Ian Richardson are in great form. And only Britain could come up with such a collection of fine actors able to play the aging protectors of tradition and fine wines. I remember years ago seeing Our Man in Havana and being impressed by Paul Rogers, a man I'd never heard of before, playing a key role amidst the star power of Alec Guinness, Ernie Kovacs, Noel Coward and Ralph Richardson. At 70, Rogers plays the Dean of Porterhouse with great, self-serving style and sly humor. He is one of the many actors in Porterhouse Blue who are, as they say, spot on.

The quality of the DVD transfer is not bad, about what you'd expect from a good VHS tape. Read more ›

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic acting does justice to a wonderful script 24 Jan 2010

By Bob Monroe

Format:DVD

I felt moved to write a review as soon as I saw somebody had given it one star. Admittedly my copy is now several years old but the picture quality is fine, bearing in mind this is a 1980s programme, so you can't expect HD!

What makes this series really stand out is the effort that's gone into creating this mad world of academic eccentrics, totally isolated from real life - "Oh we don't worry about economic crises, we find that they usually go away after fifty years." I've no doubt mangled the quote but it gets the idea across wonderfully. The script, the acting and the direction are perfect.

If you like the idea of an academic backwater forced to confront the Thatcherite realities of the 1980s, then don't hold back. Buy it! I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Porterhouse Blue 30 Nov 2009

By Tracy Karen Parker

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Absolutely loved this! Superb casting of (handsome in my eyes) Ian Richardson and nice gentle pomposity of David Jason made this very watchable indeed. Jason stars as Skullion, the head porter at a Cambridge college and Richardson stars as the new Master, anxious to make changes and bring money to the college. Is slightly dated by the hair/clothing of the students but humour and clever writing still stands. Great casting all round for the masters of the Cambridge college - all seemingly stuck in a time warp. A gentle yet satirical drama, clever and funny.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Language disaster! 13 April 2013

By Trevor Taylor

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

The product is not good. Notes on the box are in Dutch (I think).

On the actual dvd, the soundtrack is in English, but subtitles in Dutch (I think).

What we really needed was dialogue AND SUBTITLES in English. So this product is NOT GOOD.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Jason and Richardson - ideal enemies 14 Sep 2011

By RR Waller TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

SAFE READING - NO SPOILERS

"Porterhouse Blue" is a Channel Four, classic comedy drama based on one of Tom Sharpe's funniest novels about an ancient university college in Cambridge; rooted in ancient, eccentric and bizarre traditions it is a story of the old meeting the new.

David Jason plays a long-standing porter of 45 years service, the college gate-keeper in more ways than one, and Ian Richardson plays the new Master, an old boy not remembered with much affection - too much of the grammar school, not the public school.

It reveals much that made Oxbridge tick in a very amusing series and the DVDs are worth the time.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant 28 May 2011

By VeronicaMary

Format:DVD

Had to buy this DVD for prosperity. Watched it a few times on tele in the past. Absolutely brilliant, the story, the acting and the music. Fantastic.

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› See all 37 customer reviews (newest first) on Amazon.co.uk

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› Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews 3.7 out of 5 stars

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars just a classic tv comedy

yes this is brilliant dvd taken from the tv
A classic comedy it cannot be beaten once
you have seen it you will agree ( I hope )

Published 5 days ago by david baston

5.0 out of 5 stars JUST THE TICKET

This is clearly David Jason's finest hour, as Skullion the obtuse and loyal college servant. The book is great; I think the tv adaptation is marginally better. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Michael

5.0 out of 5 stars Didn't Disappoint

Excellent! Time has not diminished this wonderfully entertaining series.You wont regret re-visiting this classic and those who will be watching it fot the first time are in for a... Read more

Published 2 months ago by MR DAVID OWEN

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Programme

One of the best programmes ever made by David Jason. In fact it is his favourite and, you can see why. A masterpiece in character acting from all especially Mr Jason.

Published 2 months ago by MR S KEAN

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Classic

I loved this the first time around when it was broadcast on TV. When I came across the DVD I just had to buy it. I was not disappointed. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Mr. J. C. Sheppard

5.0 out of 5 stars Briiliant

Good to see it again. Just as I remembered it. Excellent. Recommend it to any one that loves Tom Sharp books.

Published 5 months ago by Violet Ellis

3.0 out of 5 stars I was disappointed. Not in the content or quality but it was just one...

Disappointed - thought i would get more for my money. I was under the impression that there was more than one episode. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Wendy Boyd

1.0 out of 5 stars porterhouse blue

much as I would like to rate this dvd I can't as it was all in german.Very disappointed as it was supposed to be a christmas present.

Published 5 months ago by susan dawkins

2.0 out of 5 stars Cambridge `blue`.

Interesting script and some good acting performances, especially from David Jason but did not particularly enjoy the predominantly`dark` comedy aspect.

Published 6 months ago by niggly 54

5.0 out of 5 stars Porterhouse Blue

This DVD is just what I wanted and it has made the transition to DVD from video quite successfully. I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high oe'r vale and hill and all at... Read more

Published 12 months ago by darfieldboy

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