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A Gothic-comedy masterpiece, The League of Gentlemen Christmas Special is a horrific anthology of three related stories, all set in Royston Vasey, which takes its inspiration as much from the writings of MR James and Edgar Allan Poe as the low-budget Hammer and Amicus shockers that the team parody so affectionately. The stories are all linked by the Dickensian device of Reverend Bernice receiving unexpected guests on Christmas Eve: the first concerns troubled married couple Charlie and Stella becoming unwittingly involved in voodoo and witchcraft; the second features the horrendous Herr Lipp in a Nosferatu skit that reveals the terrible truth about what really goes on in Duisburg; while the third, and best, tells of the horrible hereditary curse that afflicted Dr Chinnery's great-grandfather. This one-off special distils all the League's penchant for disturbing, twisted characterisation and macabre humour into a single hour; the result is one of the most daring "comedies" ever seen on British TV.
On the DVD: The League of Gentlemen Christmas Special on disc contains the hour-long main feature accompanied by a diverse and entertaining array of extras. There's another illuminating group commentary; a 20-minute documentary "Tales from Behind the Crypt", in which we get to see excerpts from the team's first ensemble effort, "Highgate House of Horror"; a chat with composer Jody Talbot; and the League themselves "In Conversation" with Paul Jackson in the complete Radio 4 broadcast. A selection of out-takes, extended scenes, character biographies and a photo gallery are all worthwhile, but best of all is a Jackanory special with Mark Gatiss as the Victorian Dr Chinnery telling the Gothic tale of "The Curse of the Karrit Poor", a spot-on Arthur Conan Doyle spoof. --Mark Walker
Product Description
DVD Warner Bros, Region 2, 1999 60 mins SEALED
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By No Quarter
Format:DVD
The League of Gentlemen do it again! This Christmas Special shows just howvital the quartet are to the British comedy scene.
At the time this was a big departure for the Gents - losing the 'sketch'feel of previous series', ditching the often annoying laughter track andreplacing them with deeper characterisation and a film-like narrativetelling three 20-minute stories. A risky business, but they pull it off sowell you wonder why they don't just do things this way all the time!Series 3, which followed this, was definitely on par with, if not betterthan the Special, although some people strangely dislike it.....what theymust put in their cornflakes I have no idea. Maybe Mr. Briss's SpecialStuff...
If you watch this you, like me, won't be able to wait for their muchanticipated full movie which is planned for cinema release next spring.They've yet to put a foot wrong in my eyes.
At the time this was a big departure for the Gents - losing the 'sketch'feel of previous series', ditching the often annoying laughter track andreplacing them with deeper characterisation and a film-like narrativetelling three 20-minute stories. A risky business, but they pull it off sowell you wonder why they don't just do things this way all the time!Series 3, which followed this, was definitely on par with, if not betterthan the Special, although some people strangely dislike it.....what theymust put in their cornflakes I have no idea. Maybe Mr. Briss's SpecialStuff...
If you watch this you, like me, won't be able to wait for their muchanticipated full movie which is planned for cinema release next spring.They've yet to put a foot wrong in my eyes.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Glenn Reuben
Format:DVD
The League of Gentlemen depart from their two previous series for the first time. Gone is the sketch show crossed with soap opera, bringing us instead this wonderful seasonal special. Despite both these series providing viewers with enough comedy to merit Jeremy Dyson, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith as brilliant writers who have created a cult classic, this Christmas Special shown in 2000 did enough to propel them to even greater heights. Here, they use an increased budget and several horror influences to deliver a genuinely unsettling, though strangely gripping experience.
Set on Christmas Eve in the dark and strange northern town of Royston Vasey, the unsympathetic Reverend Bernice (Shearsmith) is about to settle down to a quiet night in, until three unexpected visitors arrive and treat us to an hour of scary stories in a similar, though far more macabre way, to "A Christmas Carol".
Firstly, a depressed Charlie Hull (Pemberton) tells of a "cheese-dream" where his jealous wife Stella (Shearsmith) ruins his chances at a line-dancing competition through a strange group known as "Solutions"...
Next, an elderly man named Matthew tells of his terrifying experiences in the German town of Duisberg during Christmas 1975, at the hands of German exchange teacher Herr Lipp (Pemberton) and his wife Lotte (Gatiss), who may or may not be vampires...
Then, as the night closes in, hopeless veterinary Mr Chinnery (Gatiss) explains the reason behind his own misfortunes, dating back to Victorian London, a practice called Purblind, Boothby and Canker, and the mysterious curse of Karrit Poor...
... Read more ›11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By "benz65"
Format:DVD
What makes the "League of Gentlemen" so successful is their ability to continually re-invent themselves and their characters. Too often successful tv shows stick to the same formula series after series.
The Christmas Special was a bold attempt to create a dark, gothic Hammer or Amicus style horror tale. The special is split into three main stories with Reverend Bernice providing the linking mechanism between them in a portmanteau style. The League of Gentlemen imitated this style of horror superbly with some very funny and dark storylines.
The DVD contains very interesting special features which any fan of the "League" would enjoy. These include an hour long radio interview with the "League" revealing fascinating insights into their past and how their characters evolved etc.. Also included are out-takes, extended scenes, an interview with the composer Joey Talbot and an interview with the "League" showing extracts from an early collaboration called "Highgate House of Horror"
For fans of League of Gentlemen this is a must-have buy and is a thoroughly enjoyable DVD for all fans of dark humour.
39 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This superb Christmas special features everything that is great about The League of Gentlemen, past, present and future.
Loosely themed around ‘A Christmas Carol’ we visit Royston Vasey in the present day for the tale of Stella and Charlie, a marriage made in hell. Charlie loves line dancing, Stella loves… another man. The obvious way out of their predicament is to visit the local women’s group ‘Solutions’. With her Spiderman mask Stella trots off for advice, guidance, and the threat of Anne Robinson in case they swizz her.
We then visit Herr Lip, his wife Lotty, and of course his church full of choir boys. The usual torrent of ‘innocent’ misunderstandings commence, with Herr Lipps new house guest getting more than he wanted for Christmas
We return to Royston vasey for our final story, and at long last discover the reason for Mr Chinnerys absolute incompetence, a real treat as we get to meet a Victorian Barbara who is having trouble with her bustle, not to mention the Victorian Pauline and Mickey (love)
All stories are intertwined by extremely entertaining links delivered by the wonderful vicar, Bernice (and friends).
A superb special that needs no introduction, or indeed prior knowledge of the series, you’ll either love seeing your old favourites, or be left regretting not watching the previous series
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Something I'd always wanted and is the best one-off special ever made.
The DVD arrived on time (if not earlier?), was brand new and is just amazing!!! So funny AND scary - the perfect Christmas viewing.
Published 5 months ago by Carl Jeavons
4.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Christmas treat
I watched this when it was first shown more than 10 years ago, and have just watched it again on the DVD, and it's better than I remember: funnier, cleverer and scarier. Read more
Published 22 months ago by downkiddie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hello Dave? It's a saga now, Dave.
When I saw the first episode of the first series, I laughed 'till it hurt and when Dr Chinnery put down Farmer Tinsel's dog I nearly passed out from an excess of mirth. Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2010 by Crookedmouth
5.0 out of 5 stars
League of Gentlemen
I bought this DVD for my nephew for his birthday as he is a really big fan. I have been watching the League of Gentlemen for years and even went on honeymoon to Royston Vasey!!!!! Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2010 by cdee375
5.0 out of 5 stars
what can i say its the league of gentlemen
i loved the league of gentlemen since it first came on the bbc all those years ago. As expected this is not the usual type of christmas special, in keeping with the leagues type of... Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2009 by Miss S. Valentine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas Classic with All the Trimmings!
This DVD is the the League at their very best. Elegant plotting, subtle acting and pacy editting means there is little flab to the 3 stories. Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2007 by D. Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Christmas present from LOG
This i think is the turning point that the League of gentlemen decided to change the layout of there programmes from funny to a little bit more serious but still with the humour... Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2006 by Drunken Vet
4.0 out of 5 stars
The true spirit of Christmas
The LoG have never been afraid to push the boundaries as far as comedy goes (which is why they are so brilliant), and this Christmas special from 2000 just serves to prove that... Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2006 by "littlemissjohnson2001"
1.0 out of 5 stars
This is not funny it scared the hell out of me
I'am a hardcore comedy fan (see Laurel and Hardy collection and Little Britain) but this is one of the scariest comedies I ever seen. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2006 by Katie Rose Brien
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE BEST LOG EVER! BUY THIS TODAY, YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!
This is the LOG at their best! 3 perfectly crafted stories, all just as great as the other. Much Much better than the recent movie, which is LOG at their worse. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2005 by The Uptons
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