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Amazon.co.uk Review
Is it a sitcom? Is it a serious documentary about the Catholic priesthood? No, it's Father Ted. Right-thinking people everywhere cheered in the 1980s as The Young Ones beat the sitcom format senseless, yet the once twee genre returned reinvigorated in the 90s, first as Men Behaving Badly (1991-98), then the affably surreal Father Ted. Ted's the normal one, as evidenced by his moving Song for Europe entry, "My Lovely Horse"--a modern classic if ever there wasn't one. In total there are five cassock-splittingly funny episodes of C4's finest comedy on The Very Best of Father Ted. Gasp as "poor idiot boy" Father Dougal becomes a rollerblading fiend in "Cigarettes And Alcohol And Rollerblading"; be amazed as super Ted saves Craggy Island from an deadly milk-float in the stunning blockbuster sequel "Speed 3" (well, it's faster and more fun than Speed 2); fall off the window-sill as devoted housekeeper Mrs Doyle utters the line that's almost Shakespearean in its sublimity, "Cup of tea, Father?". Meanwhile, Father Jack doesn't need an excuse to hit the bottle (or smash one over someone's head) in any episode. Not saying Mass has probably never been so much fun. --Gary S. Dalkin
Amazon.co.uk Review
Is it a sitcom? Is it a serious documentary about the Catholic priesthood? No, it's The Very Best of Father Ted, a choice collection of episodes from Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews' affably surreal sitcom. Ted's the normal one, as evidenced by his moving Song for Europe entry, "My Lovely Horse"--a modern classic if ever there wasn't one. Gasp as "poor idiot boy" Father Dougal becomes a rollerblading fiend in "Cigarettes and Alcohol and Rollerblading"; be amazed as super Ted saves Craggy Island from a deadly milk-float in the stunning blockbuster sequel "Speed 3" (well, it's faster and more fun than Speed 2); fall off the window-sill as devoted housekeeper Mrs Doyle utters the line that's almost Shakespearean in its sublimity, "Cup of tea, Father?". Graham Norton pops up to annoy everyone in "The Mainland", there's a whole host of Elvis impersonators in "Competition Time", and meanwhile Father Jack doesn't need an excuse to hit the bottle (or to smash one over someone's head) in any episode. Not saying Mass has probably never been so much fun.
On the DVD: The Very Best of Father Ted on disc has six episodes as opposed to five on the video release: the extra one is the Christmas special, "A Christmassy Ted". Extra features are selected commentaries by Graham Linehan and Ardal O'Hanlan, a clip compilation of each character, and a rather poor photo gallery. Picture is 4:3 and sound basic stereo. --Gary S Dalkin
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I am a huge fan of Father Ted and was delighted to get this video for Xmas. But I was a little disappointed by the choice of episodes in the compilation.
I personally would not include "The Mainland" among my favourites, but I acknowledge that that is just a matter of personal taste. However, it is nothing short of a travesty to not include the show's best peripheral character, ie, Bishop Len Brennan. How can such an oversight have occurred?
The other episodes are excellent - especially "A Song for Europe".
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I watched this video when a collegue lent it to me. It was the first time I'd ever watched Father Ted - and I thourougly enjoyed it!
The gags are wild, the characters are crazy and unpredictable (yet quite believable) - you gotta love it!
Favourite bits? Speed 3, Song For Europe and the episode with Richard Wilson (who beats Dermot senseless whenever he says "I don't believe it").
Would make a great DVD if done in the same style as the Men Behaving Badly sets.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In all honesty, if you love this show as much as I do you would be better off buying the complete series’... but nonetheless, this is a great primer! Ted’s magic lies in the concept and the interactions of the characters, working as both a satire of the way in which we view organised religion and men of the cloth, but also, acting as a straight sitcom along the lines of Porridge or the Good Life.
The situations here are much more melodramatic and occasionally, a tad more surreal than what you would normally find in sitcoms of the past... though the archetypes and show-structures are what would be expected of the genre (none of the Alan Partridge experimentation here). However, in true sitcom fashion, the majority of the humour is drawn from the contrast between the slightly deadpan father Ted and the child-like father Dougal... whilst stock characters such as Mrs Doyle the house keeper and the permanently legless father Jack each add to the charm of the comic scenarios.
As for the episodes on this DVD well, we get a strong cross-selection of Ted through each series, but with only six episodes this hardly constitutes as a definitive ‘best of’. The choices made are good ones, with Speed 3 being an out and out masterpiece of TV comedy, while it’s also nice to have the inclusion of the Father Ted Christmas special; in which eight priests (Ted and Dougal included) famously get lost in the lingerie section of a department store... the biggest lingerie department in the whole of the country, or so we are informed.
Two of the episodes have commentaries from co-writer Graham Linehan whilst the ‘lent’ episode has a talk-track from Linehan with co-star Ardal O’Hanlan. Other extras includes are the optional subtitles for the hearing impaired and a ‘best of the best of’ clips compilation... it’s only note worthy merit is the inclusion of the cracking music video to Ted and Dougal’s song for Ireland musical smash, My Lovely Horse. As I’ve previously mentioned, this is an excellent TV show, definitely worth a full five stars.
However, unless you’re merely a casual Father Ted viewer... or can’t spring for the full series price (like me, boo-hoo!) then this probably wont be of much interest. Maybe a few more extras might have clinched it, but sadly not. Four Stars.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great viewing!
I just loved this series. I would have loved being a neighbour of that household. Script writing at it's very best.
Published 10 months ago by N. BAINBRIDGE
A NOW CLASSIC COMEDY
The Very Best of Father Ted [1995] [DVD]A REALLY GREAT COMEDY FROM THE 1990'S,TAKING THE MICKEY OUT OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH,FROM THE LATE DERMOT MORGAN(FATHER TED)A MUST HAVE FROM... Read more
Published 14 months ago by James Toner
great comedy
A great comedy series set on fictitious Craggy Island. The series focuses on the stressed life of Father Ted Crilly. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ms. M. Potter
A must have for all ' Father Ted ' fans
This DVD is a fine collection of the funniest episodes of 'Father Ted'. The classics are 'Competition Time' with the three Elvis Presleys, 'Cigarettes & Alcohol & Rollerblading'... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Arctic Fox
DRINK DRINK DRINK....
Well weare should i start but this is a class A comedy.
very funny and well produced. They all play there parts well. Read more
very funny and well produced. They all play there parts well. Read more
Published 23 months ago by chadiz
The Very Best of Father Ted
It is a laugh out loud rollercoaster ride and even if you are not familiar with this hugely popular show, you will love it!! Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2006 by Tom Messer
An outstanding mix!
This great DVD has a mix of brilliant Father Ted episodes from each season. Also included on the disc is a range of clips in one big feature, commentary and a photo gallery. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2006 by Ben Frost
Not quite simply the best...
It may seem a bit of a cash-in to put the Father Ted Christmas special only available on this Best of compilation DVD, especially as any Father Ted fan will already have the other... Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2006 by Mr. J. WARE
Just plain hilarious!
Look, this is just plain hilarious. The selection is good, just be mindful of who you give it too, its rated a 15 because of the language and some of the situations, so you may... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2006 by A. LaCour
Nothing Beats It!
If you love Father Ted, you will not be disappointed with the chosen eposides! Especially My Lovely Horse!!
Published on 28 Mar 2005
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