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The first series of the elegant sitcom-cum-farce-cum-sophisticated political satire Yes Minister, setting off Paul Eddington's Jim Hacker, Minister for Administrative Affairs, against Nigel Hawthorne's discreetly obstructive civil servant Sir Humphrey. Series One features the pilot episode, "Open Government", curious in that it contains different and distinctly inferior opening and closing credits to the rest of the series. You also sense that Mrs Hacker was originally intended to have a larger role, with comedy focussing on the clash between political and domestic commitments, until the writers wisely decided to focus on the stand-off between Jim and Sir Humphrey, with Derek Fowlds' mousy private secretary Bernard making occasional interjections.
While the series doesn't quite come fully to light--Sir Humphrey is at times a little too sinister for sitcom consumption--all the classic features quickly show up. Hacker's occasional Churchillian bombast, followed by panicky blank double-takes when flummoxed, Sir Humphrey's unflappable verbosity as he brings the dead weight of civil service bureaucracy to bear against Hacker's naively optimistic schemes for open government, Quangos and slashing red tape in episodes like "The Economy Drive". Ironic, that when this was first screened in the 80s, it was during the rampages of early Thatcherism in which Government had never been less like the ineffectual politicking satirised here.
On the DVD: Full screen, no special features except scene selection and straightforward text profiles of the principal actors here. --David Stubbs
Product Description
All seven episodes of the classic BBC sitcom. In 'Open Government', the Rt Hon Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington), newly appointed Minister for Administrative Affairs, finds his idealism challenged from the start. 'The Official Visit' has Jim receiving an African President who turns out to be a friend from his university days. 'The Economy Drive' sees Jim attempt to initiate an economy drive within the Civil Service. 'Big Brother' finds Sir Humphrey (Nigel Hawthorne) concerned about a new National Integrated Database. 'The Writing on the Wall' has Jim consider the introduction of identity cards. 'The Right to Know' sees Sir Humphrey bothered by the controversy surrounding an endangered badger colony. Finally, in 'Jobs for the Boys', Jim seeks help from a banker when a pet project seems near to collapse.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. Guy Mcevoy
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was a wee nipper when this first series was released so missed out first time round. I was expecting it to be too dated to move me. Not a bit of it. This is classic, well written, well observed comedy. If you want an insight into the real working of the British Constitutional balance and the independent role of the civil service, then as satire goes this is a masterpeice. I can't wait to see the rest.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
A highly intelligent delightful comedy about the intrigues of the political office.It is a satire on how the Minister of a government Department runs his Department or so is led to believe by his Undersecretary. A dazzling display of wit by Nigel Hawthorne who plays the undersecretary and schemes behind the back of the Minister and in fact runs the Ministry by playing the the minister like a puppet. The undersecretry's objective throughout the episodes that follow is how to housetrain the minister, while in meantime the minister slowly realises the game and resists.there is an endles amounts of quid pro quo in the endless battle of wits betwen the elected member of parliament and the goverment bureaucracy. Although a comedy, it appears to be a good reflection of political life and is an informative must see for students of political science and politics at large.i remeber watching this about 12 years ago but even watching it again now, it is still hugely funny and with an amazing repetoire of wit.It holds very true to the books of the same name.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Even after 20 years, the scheming Sir Humphrey is still fresh. The way he uses his knowledge to hinder and ultimately help his Minister out of a 'mess' is just priceless. Anyone who is looking for a career in the Civil Service, or any other government organisation, should view this 'training' DVD. Great viewing, superb scripts, fantastic acting. The best BBC sitcom ever. Can't wait for series 2 and the Yes Prime Minister series.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
classic comedy at its best!
Again, this was for my mum and dad. This was a much better choice as it's 80's humour and political satire written well. We have also got the whole set and love it1
Published 2 months ago by JR
2.0 out of 5 stars
Too special language
This DVD should never been exported. The spoken dialogs are very difficult to follow in this typical kind of English.
Sorry I bought it.
Sorry I bought it.
Published 2 months ago by Robert de Jonge
3.0 out of 5 stars
Question about audio in the Open Government episode
Is the OPEN GOVERNMENT episode a pilot episode? Did anyone notice lip-sync problems in the OPEN GOVERNMENT episode? I noticed this audio problem in this episode.
Published 16 months ago by NewDeep
5.0 out of 5 stars
yes minister series 1
I bought this dvd for someone who had broken their previous dvd. So it was a replacement copy for them. We both love this series.
Published on 10 Sep 2010 by Mrs. Wendy Hope
5.0 out of 5 stars
Political gold
Yes, Minister is one of my all-time favourite sitcoms and this DVD includes all seven episodes of the shows first series, including the pilot episode. Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2007 by T. R. Alexander
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb!
Yes Minister is one of the best examples of British comedy ever made. It is definitely up there with the likes of Fawlty Towers and Dad's Army. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2007 by R Cunningham
5.0 out of 5 stars
marvellous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh, god, i am so grateful for this series, i've just finished watching the "big brother" episode and i have to say that was the first time in ... Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2004 by Michael Krammer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best British Comedy Ever...
The "Yes, Minister" Series are considered as the best british comedy-show. It has everything that u'll ever need: politics, "british english" :), irony, reality and endless... Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2004 by ALP ATALIK
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious
I've just watched this series again, and it doesn't go stale with repeat viewings. What's amazing is that more than 20 years after the series first aired, the jokes seem more... Read more
Published on 30 July 2004 by The Fisher Price King
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top British Sitcom.
This is what the British do best. Yes Minister 1 - 3 are probably my most watched DVDs. Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne (both greatly missed) were superb in this classic... Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2004 by Silas Wegg
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