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Amazon.co.uk Review
Volume One of Not the Nine O'Clock News comprises 98 minutes of early material from the sketch show that ran between 1979 and 1982. Starring Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys-Jones, Mel Smith and Pamela Stephenson and coscripted by Richard (Blackadder) Curtis among others, it wasn't especially ground-breaking by the standards of Monty Python or contemporary series such as The Young Ones, but it did provide some pretty blunt belly-laughs at the major social and political concerns of the era: Thatcher, Reagan, police brutality, the prospect of nuclear war. The latter makes for an excellent Question Time spoof, in which, with the four-minute warning having sounded, a panel of politicians continue bleating on their own agenda ("Three million people are going to die unemployed!").
Atkinson's stuff is among the best here, be it as a hideous young Tory, or as Gerald the Gorilla, now civilised to a fault by the captor who caught him in the wild. ("Wild? I was livid!") The much-repeated bit of him walking into a tree, however, doesn't work as he clearly anticipates the collision. While the musical elements look inevitably dated and a lengthy sketch on darts players boozing reaches the "Yeah, we get the point" mark long before it reaches its end, it's surprising how topical much of this material remains decades on--a sketch involving an agonising gay vicar springs to mind--while time hasn't eroded the quality of much of the writing.
On the DVD: Not the Nine O'Clock News on disc comes with no extra features. --David Stubbs
Special Features
English
Region 2
Region 2
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Although this comedy was made in the late 1970s/early 80s the writing remains fresh, the satire sharp, and the show itself hilarious. Obviously the picture and sound quality are not quite as crystal clear as recent releases, but the driving forces of inspired writing and fantastic performances (especially a youthful Rowan Atkinson)carry it along.
A minus-point is that the only special features are chapter selection (although there are only 6 chapters, and at least twenty sketches) - especially given its £15 RRP.
However, classic sketches such as 'Super Duper', 'Are You A Gay Christian?', and that one at the dinner table where everyone starts plugging products to the wall, whilst Atkinson looks on aghast (I don't know its actual name) are still hilarious and anybody that hasn't seen them are missing out.
This is obviously from the Thatcher period of British politics, however the core satire and political values remain fresh, sharp and hysterically funny - although perhaps the figureheads that it mocks have changed.
Despite it being a vanilla release, this is one of the best British comedies ever, and its stars Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys-Jones, Mel Smith and Pamela Stephenson have, for the most part, gone on to international fame. Sublime.
A minus-point is that the only special features are chapter selection (although there are only 6 chapters, and at least twenty sketches) - especially given its £15 RRP.
However, classic sketches such as 'Super Duper', 'Are You A Gay Christian?', and that one at the dinner table where everyone starts plugging products to the wall, whilst Atkinson looks on aghast (I don't know its actual name) are still hilarious and anybody that hasn't seen them are missing out.
This is obviously from the Thatcher period of British politics, however the core satire and political values remain fresh, sharp and hysterically funny - although perhaps the figureheads that it mocks have changed.
Despite it being a vanilla release, this is one of the best British comedies ever, and its stars Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys-Jones, Mel Smith and Pamela Stephenson have, for the most part, gone on to international fame. Sublime.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I disagree strongly with any assertion that the 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' sketches are dated. They have, if anything, improved with time, and if you are new to the programme, or wish to revisit the series, this DVD is a great place to start. It contains such classics as the darts sketch (which had such an impact at the time it temporarily ruined the reputation of the sport), the racist policeman, and Rowan Atkinson's brilliant turn as a Conservative politician addressing the Tory conference. It is a reminder of what classic sketch comedy is all about, and what Richard Curtis was capable of in his early career (though he was admittedly only one of a vast number of writers - who included members of the public).
It's a shame there are no extra features - I remember watching a very good documentary about the impact of the programme a few years back, and wonder why it isn't included. However, this is still well worth buying - and better than volume two.
It's a shame there are no extra features - I remember watching a very good documentary about the impact of the programme a few years back, and wonder why it isn't included. However, this is still well worth buying - and better than volume two.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Firstly, Not The Nine O'Clock news deserves a 10 star rating IMHO, as one of the best comedy shows of the last 30 years.
But this DVD release is a pretty poor effort from the BBC.
But this DVD release is a pretty poor effort from the BBC.
This DVD is a DVD release of the 1995 NTNOCN video "The Gorilla Kinda Lingers" The only feature apart from the quality comedy from the NTNOCN team, is a "scene selection" which allows you to skip forward in chunks, however it only allows a certain selection of the material. Very disapointed to see no other footage available! It is well worth buying to replace VHS or if you dont have the video releases, but little to justify paying full price for it, apart from the main episodes themselves!
Not The Nine O Clock news deserves a better tribute than this!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
He bloody does eat daffodils
Maybe it's just me, but a lot of comedy from this era seems to not work now, even if you can remember the context.
Again, maybe just me, but this is brilliant. Read more
Again, maybe just me, but this is brilliant. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Benedict Carey
Good entertainment
I was a little reluctant to buy this DVD, but today they are still as funny as 30 years ago.
Published 6 months ago by Poul Thisted Kristensen
fantastic memories
good to see the old ones again good to re jog your memory still as funny today as when first shown
Published 7 months ago by anistasia
I have in despair turned to the purchase of this product.
Now, please from my rather morbid title do not read that I have, or have ever had, any objection to the television series 'Not The Nine O'Clock News. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Petunia Poppleworth
Not The Nine O'Clock News - The Best of Not The Nine O'Clock News -...
Very funny old school comedy sketch show. Some brilliant sketches and some really funny songs too!! I like the way that it mostly motivated by news at the time and also the... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Phantom Scribbler
Hialrious and clever
My goodness, it 's been a long time since I watched these first time around.Browsing through some clips on the internet persuaded me to purchase both Volume 1 and Volume 2 and I... Read more
Published 15 months ago by DavyA
I'de like to buy a 'Gramofone' please!
Sorry Grandad we don't sell any GramOfones here mate!'Well whats that?' 'Well about 34 years and a plastic cover for you cheif! Read more
Published on 26 April 2010 by Mr. Anthony Cox
Frighteningly Funny after all these years
After almost 30 years I was concerned that this would seem somewhat dated. Whilst many of the topics undoubtedly were, the laughter wasn't just canned with the product and fresh... Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2009 by Bob Grigson
Some of it lasted well, some didn't
The talent of the four, especially Atkinson is without doubt. However, I had forgotten that the butt of some of the jokes was God, not the church, but God. Read more
Published on 9 July 2009 by Censuwine
Oh shut up about your bloody evening classes Gerald...
"Not the Nine O'Clock News" was comedy at it's best; intelligent, topical and hilarious showcasing the many talents of Rowan Atkinson,Mel Smith,Griff Rhys Jones and Pamela... Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2009 by L. Davidson
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