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Synopsis
A welcome DVD release for the 1981 drama series which won a posthumous British Television Society award for screenwriter Jack Pulman (I Claudius). Set during World War II, Private Schultz tells the tale of a conman involved in a plot to destabilise the British economy by flooding the country with fake five-pound notes. It's a darkly comic drama, based on an actual Nazi plan, and it features some excellent British actors in supporting roles; Ian Richardson (House of Cards) plays an incompetent SS officer and Billie Whitelaw (Frenzy) is excellent as a brothel owner.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Making Of, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Popular comedy drama series from the early 1980s, which won a posthumous British Television Society award for writer Jack Pulman, about a WWII conman reluctantly seconded into the SS, who dreams up a plan to swamp Britain with fake five-pound notes. When convict Schulz (Michael Elphick) is released from his work in an underpants factory into the caring arms of the SS, he hopes he can simply sit out the war and maybe accumulate some illicit funds along the way. Soon though, he's helping to capture British agents and bugging the rooms of the German soldiers' favourite brothel. When he witnesses the British dropping propoganda leaflets on the German population, he has an inspiration, coming up with the idea of flooding the British Isles with fake fivers. Always at odds with his incompetent SS boss Major Neuheim (Ian Richardson), Schulz eagerly sets out to get his plan off the ground, and hopefully line his pockets at the same time. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Private Schulz
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
90 of 90 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This DVD release has been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.
Buyers should be aware that the original series was produced in a mixture of video and film which is evident in some episodes (it is explained in the additional notes on the DVD) but the overall qulaity is good.
The series itself is fantastic and has lost none of its ironic and sometimes dark humour with the passage of time. Dealing with incompetence, greed and brilliance on all sides during the war,it often appears that a lovable conman (Schulz) is the only sane and rational person in a world gone mad. As the principal character (Schulz)says at the begining 'it was only a week before the lunatics took over completely'.
The series is interspersed with UK, USA and German newsreel footage which nicely sets the scene where the episodes is to be set during the 1939 to 1950 period.
The performances of Michael Elphick as Schulz and Ian Richardson as Major Neuheim complement each other wonderfully, in addition to which Richardson plays some cameo roles, showing a diversity of talent with a common character theme of incompetence which can only be likened to Alec Guiness in 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'
I saw this series on the Beeb back in the 1980's and what I would add is that having watched it again on DVD I now note how good the camera work is, for example Neuheim accusing Shulz of greed with a finger covered in expensive rings (war booty) and adds another dimension to the story themes.
This DVD has been too long coming and I would say that whether you watched it in the 80's or have just heard about it, it is well worth adding to your DVD collection
Buyers should be aware that the original series was produced in a mixture of video and film which is evident in some episodes (it is explained in the additional notes on the DVD) but the overall qulaity is good.
The series itself is fantastic and has lost none of its ironic and sometimes dark humour with the passage of time. Dealing with incompetence, greed and brilliance on all sides during the war,it often appears that a lovable conman (Schulz) is the only sane and rational person in a world gone mad. As the principal character (Schulz)says at the begining 'it was only a week before the lunatics took over completely'.
The series is interspersed with UK, USA and German newsreel footage which nicely sets the scene where the episodes is to be set during the 1939 to 1950 period.
The performances of Michael Elphick as Schulz and Ian Richardson as Major Neuheim complement each other wonderfully, in addition to which Richardson plays some cameo roles, showing a diversity of talent with a common character theme of incompetence which can only be likened to Alec Guiness in 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'
I saw this series on the Beeb back in the 1980's and what I would add is that having watched it again on DVD I now note how good the camera work is, for example Neuheim accusing Shulz of greed with a finger covered in expensive rings (war booty) and adds another dimension to the story themes.
This DVD has been too long coming and I would say that whether you watched it in the 80's or have just heard about it, it is well worth adding to your DVD collection
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Fantastic script laden with timebomb gags that you get a second or two later, oh-so subtle sight gags, notice the way Hitler holds his cup for example, a desperately excruciating plot for the unlucky(?) hero, superb character acting and humour from a great cast, by turns gentle, warm, hilarious and outrageous.
Certainly this was the wonderful Michael Elphick's finest hour (or six) and Ian Richardson's funniest one.
They didn't make too many like this and as I said above it is simply a real joy to watch it again, for me the first time since it was first broadcast when I was a teenager.
It's also entertaining watching it now to see the many other character actors in the cast who were fairly unknown at the time but who went on to do other things. There are at least four from "Eastenders" and two from "The Bill" among others. Not that either of those shows can ever shine a candle to this on any level.
Buy it.
PS: I've also just watched The Counterfeiters which deals with the same events in an altogether more realistic and serious way. It is stunning and also just has to be seen.
But I'd watch "Schulz" with it's innocence, gentleness and warm humour first, otherwise you'll just be crying too hard...
Certainly this was the wonderful Michael Elphick's finest hour (or six) and Ian Richardson's funniest one.
They didn't make too many like this and as I said above it is simply a real joy to watch it again, for me the first time since it was first broadcast when I was a teenager.
It's also entertaining watching it now to see the many other character actors in the cast who were fairly unknown at the time but who went on to do other things. There are at least four from "Eastenders" and two from "The Bill" among others. Not that either of those shows can ever shine a candle to this on any level.
Buy it.
PS: I've also just watched The Counterfeiters which deals with the same events in an altogether more realistic and serious way. It is stunning and also just has to be seen.
But I'd watch "Schulz" with it's innocence, gentleness and warm humour first, otherwise you'll just be crying too hard...
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This TV series from 1982 is full of brilliant acting and dialogue. It has some of the funniest throw away lines I have heard in ages. Example: exhausted prostitute "what do you want? I am tired; I haven't been on my feet all day". Ian Richardson is perfect as the ambitious Nazi officer. Overall well worth watching again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The counterfiters
I like black humor but this series falls short. Take a look at the real movie. This movie even uses he real life counterfeiters name but makes it look like Sgt Bilko.
Published 1 month ago by Barry A. Kinsella
Private Schulz
Was looking forward to viewing this DVD having missed the programme when first broadcast, however, I found it very disappointing such that I have not watched the final two episodes
Published 1 month ago by M. F. Gill
Forge ahead!
Despite adapting I, Claudius for the BBC as well as their epic adaptation of War and Peace BBC [DVD], Jack Pulman's name seems increasingly forgotten these days, which is a pity... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Trevor Willsmer
Private Shulz
First class short serial originally released about 1980, brilliant casting. Gentle ironic humour, Nazis finding the only folk who could produce top quality fake white fivers... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Flibberty
Private Schulz
I remember watching this as a teenager when it first came out and the late Michael Elphick was as good then as he later was in Three Up, Two Down and Boon. Read more
Published 5 months ago by John C
Superb BLACK comedy/drama
I watched this when it was first aired as a 14year old boy and LOVED it then. Well time has not diminished my thoughts, I watched this in one go - all 6 episodes back to back -... Read more
Published 5 months ago by David Taylor
Private Schulz is brilliant
Brilliant!! However I have a question. Why was Neuheim wearing his SS uniform without the SS runes? His right collar patch is left blank. I have seen other SS uniforms the same. Read more
Published 6 months ago by zulu
oldie but goodie
I enjoyed this in the US when I first saw it with Alistar Cooke hosting Masterpiece Theater. It was fun then and it is fun now!
Published 8 months ago by laura b
schulz
I remember the original showing of this excellent show---though I also recall at the time finding the first two episodes a bit on the slow side. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Edward Ashmore
Thoroughly Enjoyable!
Minor technical issues aside, and they will not spoil your viewing, this survivor of the Beeb's golden age is an absolute delight. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Oldends
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