Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT SET!!!!, 24 Oct 2003
Definitely one of the best Britcom-DVD-Boxes!
This DVD-Box-Set includes all 4 series (26 episodes) of the
highly successful comedy series starring Rik Mayall as the
ruthless MP Alan B'Stard.
Great characters like his loyal servant Piers (Michael
Troughton), his revengeful wife Sarah (Marsha Fitzalan)
or his creative accountant Norman Bormann (R.R. Cooper),
whose sex changes during the first series, contribute to the fun.
There are also cameos from fellow comedians Stephen Fry
& Hugh Laurie and Chris Ryan (The Young Ones, Bottom).The 1990 one-hour-special "Who shot Alan B'Stard?" is,
thankfully, also included. Strangely, the special is placed
at the end of the 4th disc / series, although it takes place
between the 2nd & 3rd series.
The long deleted video release "The Absolute B'Stard Box Set"
placed the special rightly at the start of the 3rd cassette.
Missing on the DVD-Box is a 15min. Comic Strip-special
"The New Statesman at No.10", but this was no real episode,
and Rik Mayall was acting partly out of character. So there is no real drawback, as you have all regular episodes
together in a box, and the price is unbeatable, considering
what other DVD-Boxes cost.
If you like Rik Mayall and comedy like "Black Adder",
this one is definitely for you!!!
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent series, DVD presentation lacking, 23 Oct 2003
Let me start by saying that the actual content of the DVD set is superb. The New Statesman was an excellent series. The underlying theme of (obviously greatly exaggerated) political corruption is traditionally biting political satire, a look at the absolute worst side of Thatcherite government. This alone would make it an enjoyable sitcom, but what make it a classic are the unmitigated and unrestrained evilness, vindictiveness and cruelty personified by Alan B'Stard MP. No television character has ever had so few redeeming features or so little heart - he has literally no qualms or reservations about anything. Rik Mayall plays his part to absolute sadistic perfection. Alan is ably accompanied by his 'loving' wife Sarah, the only person capable of matching his depravity, and Piers, the rather dim and gullible MP whom Alan regularly exploits and punishes. Any fan of British sitcom or of political comedy should love it.However, the high quality original has been given exceptionally poor DVD treatment. The discs contain nothing but 'Play All' and 'Episode Selection' facilities - there isn't even scene selection. The menu on the first disc is different in presentation from the others, being identical to the DVD of the first series released previously while the others are the 'new release' look. They could have very easily included the 15-minute Comic Relief special, but this is noticeably lacking from the 'complete' series. Also, the feature length special - 'Who Shot Alan B'Stard?' - is in the wrong place. It is at the end of the fourth series on the disc, but comes at the end of the second series chronologically. All in all, I would recommend this set. If you think you might enjoy the series, you certainly won't be disappointed. Also, it's a much better deal than buying the separate series DVDs - I can't see why anyone would want to own just one or two of them. Just be prepared to be let down by its presentation.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sick Humour At Its Best, 21 Feb 2004
By A Customer
If you liked this series when it was on tv, you will love this collection, especially without advertising breaks. What amazes me is the price, if they can give you the complete 26 episodes with the special for less than £16, how can they justify the cost of Blackadder and Only Fools and Horses sets.Its true as someone stated, you can only get scene selection on the first DVD, the others just have episode selection, but let's be honest, at this price, anyone who picks holes has to be a right B'stard!
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