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Amazon.co.uk Review
Although they made their name in the medium of radio, the legendary Goons also made brief forays into the world of television and, with Down Among the Z Men, film. It captures the team at a very early stage in their career, with Michael Bentine still in the fold, and with their unique, anarchic brand of humour still in its infancy. Sadly, the style and feel of the film does little to suit their comedy style. While radio offered an opportunity for their imaginations to run riot, here the four find themselves tied to a few stock characters, most of whom would make a more animated appearances later in their career. The plot--with its tale of eccentric professors and evil spies--sees a series of musical numbers and a variety performance crow barred into the proceedings. Those who wish to add to an already existing Goons collection may want to consider this, but anyone wondering what all the fuss is about should head straight for the many radio collections available and hear the sound of true genius at work.
On The DVD: Down Among the Z Men offers little to recommend, with the DVD lacking in any extras whatsoever. Being taken from an original fifties print, the black and white picture is of reasonable quality yet cannot help but look extremely dated. At best it is the sort of curio that would pass time on a Sunday afternoon but it is hard to consider this a particularly essential DVD release. –-Phil Udell
Special Features
4:3
English
Region 0
English
Region 0
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
There's lots of reasons to like this DVD. First, there's the price. Second, there's several lovely moments with Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. Third, we get to see Spike play a few moments of jazz trumpet. Fourth, we get jazz strumpet -- or rather the next best thing, the lovely dancing Topper Girls. They were excellent. Fifth, did I mention the price? This is really a light variety show, BBC-TV 1950s style. There's a very lose plot that connects events -- but let's not worry about that. The Goons certainly didn't. Michael Bentine is not that funny. But he does try. He certainly tries me. Oh and sixth, it comes in a cardboard sleeve, so the DVD won't take up much space on your shelf. I found the whole thing charming, and I'm happy to have this historical artefact featuring two of my favourite comedians.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Goon show movie is a curiosity. Goon show and/or Peter Sellers fans will want to have it. Others might be disapointed.
It is not very long. (Only 1 hour 7 minutes.) It is quite dated. A paper-thin plot padded out with non-Goon dance numbers and songs. There is a stage show whos only point seems to be to show off Peter Sellers and the dancing girls.
It does have a few interesting bits. Peter Sellers has a monologue with multiple characters in the stage review at the end. There are a few laughs off and on. (Mostly off.)
The Goons humor works better on radio. This movie shows just why.
But I am not sorry I got it. It is a very odd movie that does have a few worthwhile bits and is worth seeing once.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Down Among The Z Men [DVD] [1952]
As a Goon Show fan for over 50 years it was good to see the Goons in action. By today's standards the comedy might seem a bit far fetched but when you compare it the current American tripe that's forced on us on TV the dated movie comes out a winner. Recommend this movie to those who want something different.
As a Goon Show fan for over 50 years it was good to see the Goons in action. By today's standards the comedy might seem a bit far fetched but when you compare it the current American tripe that's forced on us on TV the dated movie comes out a winner. Recommend this movie to those who want something different.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very, very dated
Being a Goon fan, I was looking forward to this but overall it's really very, very pre-Goon period and it shows but none the less for that, it has it's moments but it's best viewed... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Johan Wood
Drivel!!!
I absolutely love the Goons but this is not them. If you need to have this to complete your collection then do so. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lee
Goon but not forgotten
I was, and am, a great fan of the Goons. Their humour though, to me, is at its best when ones own imagination creates the characters and scenery! Read more
Published 11 months ago by The Wychdoctor
utter tripe
what a mess! I love the goons radio show but this bears little resemblance. a big dissapointment, dont bother with it. unfunny
Published on 5 May 2004 by Mr. O. A. Lewis
Dreadful. Truly Dreadful
This is absolutely dire. The entire thing is laboured from start to finish with virtually nothing that could be classed as funny. Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2003 by "alexm286"
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