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Fawlty Towers - Series 1 [1975] [DVD]
 
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Fawlty Towers - Series 1 [1975] [DVD]

DVD ~ John Cleese
3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

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The Complete Fawlty Towers [1975] [DVD]
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Fawlty Towers - Series 1 [1975] [DVD]
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Fawlty Towers - Series 1 [1975] [DVD] 3.3 out of 5 stars (10)
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Fawlty Towers - Series 2 [1979] [DVD] [1975] 3.2 out of 5 stars (4)
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Product details

  • Actors: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth, Ballard Berkeley
  • Format: Full Screen, PAL
  • Language English, Spanish
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: 2 Entertain Video
  • DVD Release Date: 8 Oct 2001
  • Run Time: 180 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005NGUO
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 10,375 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #2 in  DVD > Television > TV Series > Fawlty Towers

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Often hailed as the greatest ever British sitcom, Fawlty Towers is closer to the more elaborate tradition of farce. Comprising two series made in 1975 and 1979, the total of just 12 episodes were painstakingly constructed by writers John Cleese and Connie Booth. Unlike most British farce, however, Fawlty Towers deals with the big themes--death, psychology, xenophobia and even sex-o-phobia (Basil's marriage to Sybil is the most sterile ever depicted in a sitcom).Basil's contempt for his guests is, of course, legendary. It takes little from patrons to unleash his sledgehammer sarcasm: "Rosewood, mahogany, teak? Sorry, I was wondering what you'd like your breakfast tray made out of," he sneers at a guest who dares request breakfast in bed. Like every Englishman, he wants to be king of his own castle and resents having to take in lodgers to maintain the place, especially the open-necked younger generation, whom he regards as sub-human. Mostly, though, Fawlty Towers is comedy of exasperation--who can forget the "damn good thrashing" Basil gives his clapped-out car, or the nervous breakdowns he almost suffers trying to make himself understood to Manuel? It's also comedy of embarrassment. The very fear of losing his dignity generally leads Basil into the most spectacularly undignified of predicaments. His inevitable misery is our sheer delight.--David Stubbs

Series 1:
A Touch of Class
The Builders
The Wedding Party
The Hotel Inspectors
Gourmet Night
The Germans

DVD Description
Scene selection
Digitally remastered
Regions 2 and 4
4:3
Dobly Digital Dual Mono
Subtitles: English SDH, English, German, French & Dutch

Important note: This DVD will suffer from freezing on the following DVD players only:

Sony RDR-GX120

Samsung DVD5600

Cinetec 5050

Power DVD V7 (PC DVD Player)

Panasonic DMR E55, E15

Please note this is a player-specific problem, rather than with the DVD.

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Customer Reviews

10 Reviews
5 star:
 (5)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
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 (4)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.3 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars First class, side splittingly funny, 23 Aug 2001
By marc_freeman@hotmail.com (leicester, England) - See all my reviews
A superb epitomisation of great British wit, sarcasm and farce. One is never sure whether to laugh at Basil or to feel embarassed for him. The episode with the Irish builder will have even the most humourless of people in tears of laughter. A must buy for anyone with a sense of humour and a perfect introduction for those that haven't. Comedy does not get better.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Fawlty batch of DVDs, 21 Nov 2007
I would like to second the reviewer who said the final three episodes on this DVD would not play. I wish I had read that before. I ordered the DVD, final three would not play. So I got it replaced by Amazon. Guess what? Final three would not play on that DVD also. What a nuisance having to send it back and wait forever for a refund. Beware of this DVD!
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars DVD is a disgrace, 27 Oct 2007
Maybe this is a coincidence (not likely), but several people I know own this DVD (including myself) and on every one the final three episodes DO NOT PLAY! There is some kind of fault with the menu screen and when you select "The Hotel Inspectors", "Gourmet Night" or "The Germans", the opening music plays but nothing else comes up. Add to that a complete lack of extrras and second rate presentation, I simply cannot say anything positive about it! Of course the show itself is great but unless you want to waste your money on three episodes, get the boxset with everything on.
COMPLETE RIP-OFF, AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Faulty Fawlty
I have just played my THIRD copy of Fawlty Towers Series One. and like the others I cannot play the last three episodes

This is scandalous and I am amazed that the... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ronald Ellis

1.0 out of 5 stars No Playback on 3 Episodes
From the other reviews it seems this is a common problem. I also bought the DVD and cannot play the last 3 episodes. Read more
Published 11 months ago by I. M. Knight

1.0 out of 5 stars Yes I agree Faulty batch of DVD's
Amazon refused to change my DVD although it was obviously faulty from new. The law states that in these cases it should be replaced even if its outside the usual guarantee period... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mr. M. D. Kincaid

5.0 out of 5 stars It is simply a criminal offence not to own this DVD!
John Cleese is fantastic in this comedy following the life of the bitter and sarcastic hotel owner, Basil Fawlty. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2005 by Adam Crosher

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
I am a huge fan of this TV show. Although I wanted to say that this dvd does not have any extras. I brought it and was dispointed that it didn't have any.
Published on 22 Feb 2005 by P. Bradley

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
We could not stop laughing with J.Cleese,his humour and his typical English attitude.Every episode has a different concept and it is sure that it will be seen more than once!
Published on 26 Mar 2003 by Gr

5.0 out of 5 stars It belongs in any Comedy collection.
Aside from it being incredibly funny, the scripting is worth at least a thesis. The compact irony, the depth and strength in which it deals with the (our) prejudices and obviously... Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2001

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