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The Parole Officer [DVD] [2001]
 
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The Parole Officer [DVD] [2001]

DVD ~ Steve Coogan
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
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Customers buy this item with A Cock And Bull Story [DVD] [2006] DVD ~ Steve Coogan

The Parole Officer [DVD] [2001] + A Cock And Bull Story [DVD] [2006]
Price For Both: £8.96

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Product details

  • Actors: Steve Coogan, Lena Headey, Emma Gilmour, Susan Jane Tanner, Iain Mitchell
  • Directors: John Duigan
  • Writers: Steve Coogan, Henry Normal
  • Producers: Andrew Macdonald, Callum McDougall, Duncan Kenworthy
  • Format: PAL
  • Language English
  • Subtitles: English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Vision Video Ltd.
  • DVD Release Date: 18 Mar 2002
  • Run Time: 128 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005Y415
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 8,797 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Although there are one or two belly laughs along the way, for the most part The Parole Officer gets by on the pleasantly old-fashioned charm of a latter-day Ealing comedy. And despite a handful of gross-out moments (involving a roller coaster at Blackpool, a severed head and a wasp) most of the humour comes from the interaction of a good ensemble cast.

It’s the first big-screen vehicle for Steve Coogan, who plays the titular officer as a watered-down, more likeable version of his most famous creation, Alan Partridge. After being set up by a corrupt detective Coogan’s hapless Simon Garden--in fact always identified as a Probation Officer, so presumably the film’s title is an attempt to attract a transatlantic audience--must recruit a motley gang of his ex-con clients to plan and execute a bank robbery in Manchester. Indeed, one of the film’s principal attractions is its affectionate use of that city centre as a setting instead of the more usual seedy London locations of most British caper-comedies.

Coogan’s gang are a familiarly dysfunctional bunch, redeemed by sympathetic performances from, notably, Om Puri as irascible serial bigamist George and the young Emma Williams as serial car thief Kirsty. Not enough effort goes into fleshing out the characters, though, and in particular Lena Headey as Coogan’s policewoman girlfriend is far too thinly sketched to seem convincing. However, much fun is had by all as the team bond, bicker and construct, A Team-style, the tools they need for the big heist. The bank raid itself is the film’s highlight and features a surprising deus ex machina appearance from a very distinguished guest star.

If The Parole Officer never stretches to the sublime heights (or psychological depths) of I’m Alan Partridge, it does play out in a brisk 90 minutes like an extended episode of Coogan’s Run; which is to say it’s got plenty of easygoing charm even if it never pushes any boundaries.

On the DVD: the handful of extra features include a surprisingly serious commentary from Coogan, cowriter Henry Normal, director John Duigan and producer Duncan Kenworthy. More interesting is the handful of deleted scenes, in which we find that some precious character development was sacrificed in the interests of pace (as well as a couple of perfectly good jokes). There's a 22-minute featurette, which isn't really a "making of" but just a series of interviews with the principal cast, plus the trailer and Atomic Kitten's "Eternal Flame" video. The picture is a good anamorphic (16:9) ratio with Dolby 5.1 sound. --Mark Walker

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Making of Feature--22 minutes
Atomic Kitten Promo "Eternal Flame"
Hidden bonus scene (Easter Egg)
Commentary featuring Steve Coogan (Writer & Star), Henry Normal (Co-writer), John Duigan (Director) and Duncan Kenworthy (Producer)
Deleted Scenes--six separate scenes, eight minutes of unseen footage, with optional commentary

See all Reviews

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Customer Reviews

20 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
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2 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars - great british comedy, 3 Jan 2006
By Mr. D. A. Cure "Sir Danalot" (Droitwich) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
If you like Partrdige or Coogans run, you'll like this. If you like good English comedy films such as The Full Monty or Jonny English, then you'll love this, as its one of the best Ive seen in the last few years. The plot is basically a social worker who see's the good in others and has to fight his former employer over possession of a video tape that will send him to jail where he belongs. Its a great cast and a fantastic script, and Coogan is on top form, so buy it now while its on such a great offer!
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9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic, 14 Mar 2002
By argylealex@aol.com (Brixham, Devon) - See all my reviews
This is the only film i have ever seen that i am able to watch over again and again and still have the same reaction, it just gets better and better every time.
Coogan is hilarious as always, Lena Headley is gorgeous and brilliant, and the supporting characters are excellent, especially east is east's OM Puri as George.
The funniest bit is the rollercoaster scene, but more than that the comedy is witty and clever, it is a script that is well written and directed.
It looks like such a great film to have made, there is a truly horrible villain that you can't wait to be brought down and most importantly it leaves you with the warm fuzzy feeling that you love from the movies.
In short, i can't recommend it enough.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars How Good Was The Best Film Ever?, 25 Aug 2003
This review is from: The Parole Officer [VHS] [2001] (VHS Tape)
My older brother came home one day after a visit to the cinema. He said to me 'I've seen the best film ever, even better than Toy Story Two!' (lol) So he recieved the DVD of The Parole Officer for his birthday and together we witnesed the greatest film ever made.
The story takes place in Manchester where we meet the hero, Simon Garden (Steve Coogan) working as a parole officer. Simon is a hilarious character who manages to muck up every move me makes. Simon somehow finds himself in a spot of trouble when he is accused of a murder he didnt commit. The only proof of his innocence is a security video - but the tape is locked inside a bank vault. He gathers his ex-clients who have all succeeded in breaking their way out of crime and are conquering the businness world. Asking for their help in breaking into a bank was a difficult move for Simon, but as he explains his situation they eventually agree to help. This is no easy task for master criminals,for a bunch of losers, it's a mission impossible!
This film is for audiences of all ages that will make u laugh and cry ( with more laughter! hehe ). It's packed with stunts, action, romance and loads of laughter! Thankyou for reading my review.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Funny - It Made The Whole Family Laugh !
A Great film this. I've lent this to other friends and family members to watch and they loved it. It is very good - it would definitely be a great present for someone.
Published 10 months ago by Brendan T. Hole

4.0 out of 5 stars Largely underrated comedy
From the tone of some of the negative reviews, there's no pleasing some people. 'The Parole Officer' is exactly what it looks like, a quirky and professional vehicle for Steve... Read more
Published 21 months ago by lexo1941

2.0 out of 5 stars The Parole officer
I thought the film was below average for Steve Coogan and there were not many laughs. The only thing that kept my interest was trying to see the number of times they padded out... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Mr. J. A. Stevens

4.0 out of 5 stars cheered me up
I've had a terrible week this week and watching this really cheered me up. The Parole Officer is not Alan Partridge the movie but a fairly safe british comedy. Read more
Published on 6 May 2007 by Mr. A. P. Venables

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Comedy
Well this film just had me in laughs from starts to finish. It all starts with Steve C in an Office and leaning back in a chair as he falls back he says 's*it' in a innocent... Read more
Published on 6 April 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars the parole officer
well this may just be the funniest film i have ever seen steve coogan is fantastic.
steve coogan is a pareole officer who witnesses a murder wanting to lock the person up who... Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars The Parole Officer
Above average British comedy.

Steve Coogan's prescence makes anything watching, but it is a sad trend that the only British films that get limelight are either peroid dramas,... Read more

Published on 15 Jul 2004 by Mr. S. Armstrong

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality Comedy
You'd think that a man, who has just been punched on the nose by 2 scary looking guys and is trying to make a dramatic escape from the top of a roof, would do a bit more than say,... Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2004 by Doi Ling

5.0 out of 5 stars I LIKE IT!!
Well, what can i say, the master of comedy in a film, as soon as i found out the film stared the ultra-funny steve coogan(Alan partridge)i bought it, i can tell you i was NOT... Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2003 by imarealidiot

5.0 out of 5 stars Could it get funnier?
This film is one of the most fantasticly brilliant film ever produced. Steve Coogan is a miracle in this film, Oh and the roller coaster scene will have you in stitches

I could... Read more

Published on 17 Jun 2003 by imarealidiot

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