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Black Books [2000]
 
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Black Books [2000]


4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Classification: 15
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005V8VI
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 44,563 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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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

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Customer Reviews

25 Reviews
5 star:
 (19)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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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!

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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 !
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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!
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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 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

5.0 out of 5 stars A Yank's praise
The investment in my region-free DVD player was fully justified when upon a friend's recommendation, I purchased series 1 of "Black Books". Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2004 by Reine des Coeurs

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