See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

20 used & new from �0.98

See All Buying Options

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

See larger image

Share your own customer images

Black Books [2000]

4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.

5 new from �2.00 15 used from �0.98

Rent DVDs from LOVEFiLM.com

Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	44% buy Black Books Complete Box Set [DVD] 4.6 out of 5 stars (57) �9.98
	34% buy the item featured on this page: Black Books [2000] 4.7 out of 5 stars (26)
	12% buy Black Books: Series 1 [DVD] [2000] 4.9 out of 5 stars (7) �4.98
	5% buy Black Books: Series 3 [DVD] 4.8 out of 5 stars (4) �4.98

Explore similar items

Product details

Classification: 15

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

ASIN: B00005V8VI
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 36,425 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

This is item 1 in The Black Books Series.

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
How can the concept of a drunk owning a bookshop be surreally funny? Well, Black Books may be owned by Bernard Black on screen, but off screen it belongs to writer/director Graham Linehan of Father Ted fame, that’s how. His writing partnership with Dylan Moran (Black) produced the strangest situation comedy of 2001, fully deserving its BAFTA.

The almost blissfully vague plotline begins when stressed out office worker Manny Bianco (Bill Bailey) accidentally swallows The Little Book of Calm. Somehow his beard and Bernard's booze get on well enough for them to work together in the shop. They're ably assisted/distracted/confused by the hormonal interruptions of neighbouring storeowner Fran (Tamsin Greig). And that’s about it. But across six episodes this first year crammed in an enormous amount of insanity and sight gags.

Definite highlights include Fran's over-the-radio seduction by Shipping News broadcaster Howell Granger, a good cop/bad cop Sweeney spoof and a cameo by Nick Frost (Mike in Spaced) as a more than slightly OTT Security System Installer. The standout episode is "The Grapes of Wrath" when Bernard and Manny agree to baby-sit a valuable wine cellar. No prizes for guessing what happens! Kevin Eldon guest stars as The Cleaner, declaring the shop to be "DIRTY". Manny already knew that. When he made the appointment he had to confess, "Right now I'm eating scrambled egg with a comb out of a shoe." --Paul Tonks

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Black Books - The Complete Series 2 [DVD] [2000]

DVD ~ Dylan Moran

4.9 out of 5 stars (14)

Black Books: Series 2 [DVD] [2002]

DVD ~ Dylan Moran

4.5 out of 5 stars (2) �7.27

Bo Selecta - Series 2 - Complete [DVD] [2002]

DVD ~ Leigh Francis

4.4 out of 5 stars (16) �19.99

Il Postino [DVD] [1995]

DVD ~ Massimo Troisi

4.8 out of 5 stars (20) �3.98

Life Is Beautiful [DVD] [1999]

DVD ~ Roberto Benigni

4.4 out of 5 stars (116) �3.98

› Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

(What's this?)

Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.

bill bailey(1)

black books(1)

comedy(1)

dylan moran(1)

See all 5 tags...

Customer Reviews

26 Reviews

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (26 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have you ever eaten scrambled egg with a comb out of a shoe?, 21 Feb 2002

By	Mr. A. Privett "I only drink until the scream... (Pub) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

I've just watched the re-run of series one on Friday nights, and it was a delight the second time around. Now I will buy it to own for all time!

This is my favourite situation comedy for years - and what situations! Manny (Bill Bailey) swallowing the "Little Book of Calm" and becoming serene as his body absorbs it; getting caught in the clutches of a beard fetish photographer. Bernard (Dylan Moran) trying to order books from a wholesaler, cutting the telephone receiver cable with a pair of scizzors to end an unwanted conversation about his tax returns. Fran (Tasmin Grieg) getting rather excited by the voice of the Radio 4 shipping forecaster.

This comedy is delightfully surreal, much like Dylan Moran's stand-up. Bill Bailey takes a little longer to get into the rhythm of acting, which is new to him; but it doesn't destact from the humour or the enjoyment.

Personally, I can't wait for the second series to start. 1st March, I think. Channel 4 I'm sure!

I enjoyed it more than "Spaced" (which is excellent) and as much as "The League of Gentlemen."

If you like your comedy a bit off the wall, this is definately the one for you!

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extremely funny show made by extremely funny people !, 19 Mar 2002

By A Customer

I first saw Black Books properly for thhe first time when the recent second series began and found it to be a highly inventive and original take on the sitcom format, the three leads; Dylan Moran, Tamsin Greig and Bill Bailey work exceptionally well together and the funny lines just keep on coming.
Anyone who has seen this first series on T.V. will know that no other actor can play a drunk like Dylan Moran's 'Bernard Black'
This dvd has some funny out-takes, but it's the cast audio commentary that is absolutely fantastic ! Moran, Greig and Bailey are so self-deprecating about their performances and are constantly ribbing each other. Moran keeps commenting on how badly written the script is and seems to act exactly like Bernard Black would if he was asked to do an audio commentary ! Tamsin Greig makes fun of Bill Bailey's hair and says that Dylan Moran looks like he was on drugs during the series.
This could very well be the best comedy dvd on the market, i just could'nt recommend it more highly. Buy Now !

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very happy family from Oxfordshire, 21 May 2003

By	Mrs. L. J. Houghton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Black Books series 1 has my husband and I and our four children laughing almost continuously throughout the whole six episodes. Bernard as the drunk, dischevelled, chain-smoking, customer-hating book shop owner, Manny as his down trodden and kind hearted assistant and Fran (brilliantly played by Debbie from the Archers) as the slightly mad shop owner next door, all make a fantastic team with each episode being as bizarre and funny as the other. We cannot wait for the 2nd series to be available on DVD - hurry up Channel 4!

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 26 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Black Books series 1
It was good to go back to the beginning and trace the increasing anarchy of the series. It has several laugh out loud moments mixed with pathos. Read more

Published on 20 Sep 2005 by M A ODRISCOLL

5.0 out of 5 stars SIDE-SPLITTING
I don't know how I missed this series when it was being shown on tv. Thank goodness it's available on dvd. Read more

Published on 26 Jun 2005 by kehs

5.0 out of 5 stars Why isn't this available in the States yet?!
This show ran very briefly late nights on Comedy Central and I found it to be the most brilliant comedy on TV right now. Read more

Published on 18 May 2005

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly suprised
I have to say that i was interested in watching this after seeing Bill Bailey live. (who is FANTASTIC by the way) Anyway this series is very funny and as it says on the cover it... Read more

Published on 5 Oct 2004 by J. Penn

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Sitcom ever.
The best sitcom ever! Bar everything else, this is brilliant.
Proper Comedy that actually makes you laugh.

Published on 26 Sep 2004 by Reviewer

5.0 out of 5 stars Utter madness!
Black Books is a hilarious comedy with some brilliant scripting. Bernard Black (Dylan Moran), eternal drunk and customer hating bookshop owner inadvertently hires ex-accountant... Read more

Published on 27 Jul 2004 by poorsod

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't be any funnier
Whoever decided to put Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey together as a sort of dysfunctional 'Bert and Ernie' deserves a medal; Bailey's upbeat, enthusuastic Manny is the perfect foil... Read more

Published on 19 Jul 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT but inconsistant...
The first 3 episodes were BRILLIANT, episode 4 5 and 6 had highlights but for the most part were miss and hit. Read more

Published on 18 Jul 2004 by Huston Huddleston

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant comic talents
To be honest, this show shouldn't really work.....there's never much of a plot or storyline & I'm convinced that a lot of the time the script isn't funny either..... Read more

Published on 19 Mar 2004 by Russell Tit Davies

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Books Black Wit
A truly fabulous English comedy that captures the full extent of our dry black humour in ways wasted on the no so English. Read more

Published on 11 Jan 2004 by Mr. Daniel R. Franks

› See all 26 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; }

Customer Discussions

Beta (What's this?)

This product's forum (0 discussions)

	Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
	No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Topic:

First post:

Prompts for sign-in

[Cancel]

Guidelines

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
television Brotherhood	0	1 hour ago
television Tv shows that are not on dvd , but should be .	784	2 hours ago
television Characters from TV shows you find oddly attractive	77	12 hours ago
television best tv shows no-one else remembers....or do they???? lol	5	12 hours ago
television Name of TV Programme?	0	14 hours ago
comedy What comedies do British people usually watch on Christmas?	37	15 hours ago
comedy spitting image - should we bring it back	28	15 hours ago

Related forums

comedy (17 discussions)
television (184 discussions)

Listmania!

Sitcoms: A list by "mikeyllewelyn"
things to revolutionise your existence...maybe: A list by "twilight_terror"
favourite tv shows on dvd: A list by "benedictef"

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

DVD & Blu-ray > Comedy
DVD & Blu-ray > Television > Comedy

Feedback

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

Let Olay Amaze You

Amazon.co.uk sells all your favourite ranges from Olay, including Regenerist and Total Effects.

›Discover Olay at Amazon.co.uk

Up to 50% off Dental Care

Put a sparkle in your smile with up to 50% off selected Oral-B and Philips rechargeable toothbrushes.

›Up to 50% off power toothbrushes

Treat Someone

With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

Where's My Stuff?

track your recent orders
view or change your orders in Your Account

Delivery and Returns

see our delivery rates and policies
thinking of returning an item? (See our Returns Policy)

Need Help?

Forgot your password?
Buy Gift Certificates.
still have questions? Visit our Help Pages

Your Recent History

(What's this?)

You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

4.5 out of 5 stars (75)�3.86

Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer

4.1 out of 5 stars (464)�6.49

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

4.1 out of 5 stars (165)�3.99

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

4.2 out of 5 stars (83)�3.86


Amazon Home

International Sites: United States \| Germany \| France \| Japan \| Canada \| China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon \| Fulfilment by Amazon \| Join Associates \| Join Advantage

Customer Service \| Help \| View Basket \| Your Account

About Amazon.co.uk \| Careers at Amazon


Amazon Home

International Sites: United States \| Germany \| France \| Japan \| Canada \| China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon \| Fulfilment by Amazon \| Join Associates \| Join Advantage

Customer Service \| Help \| View Basket \| Your Account

About Amazon.co.uk \| Careers at Amazon