Rating: 
Summary: Classic British Character Comedy!
Review: Anyone who has ever watched Open All Hours or Keeping Up Appearances will already be familiar with writer Roy Clarke's distinctive brand of humour, and if you've enjoyed the type of humour in either of these two shows, Last of the Summer Wine is certainly worth checking out. Humour aside, however, this series is somewhat different from the other two. It's overall a very laidback, gentle series filled with some extremely scenic views of the Yorkshire dales and the loveliest theme music of any Britcom. One ought not to expect, therefore, to find a powerhouse (like Arkwright or Hyacinth) leading the show (oh, they are here--and in greater numbers than in the BFS boxed set which contains the earliest episodes--but they're relegated to supporting roles!). Rather, the series revolves around the humorous adolescent antics and "philosophical" musings (if one can call it that) of three carefree, lay-about geriatric men.
Most memorable is the tatty, peg-toothed Compo Simonite (Bill Owen, who sadly died at age 85 of pancreatic cancer in 1999--like most, he was with the show till the very end), who's spent his life on the dole, is the most rangy-tang and mischievous of the lot, and is forever dreaming of his neighbour, Nora Batty--wrinkled stockings and all. Then there is Norman Clegg (Peter Sallis), a man who's terrified of women--which is unfortunate as he is constantly called upon by his neighbour Howard (the epitomy of a hen-pecked husband) to assist Howard in communicating with his "young lady" friend, the man-eating Marina. Lastly is Foggy Dewhurst (Brian Wilde), a humorously regimental (but totally inept) ex-military man, without whom the other two would never do anything and there'd be no show! Wilde, who left the show for a brief period from 1985-90, retired permanently in 1997.
Though series is still in production after more than 30 years, the years from 1990-1997 (the Howard & Marina/Foggy Dewhurst years) were among the strongest for the series. This BBC boxed set, subtitled Vintage 1995, falls within that classic era and includes ten 30-minute episodes (the complete second series of episodes to be filmed during 1995) plus the 60-minute Christmas special entitled "A Leg Up for Christmas."
Special features include "30 Years of Last of the Summer Wine", a 60-minute look back at the show, the characters, how the series came about, the scoring of the music, etc.--even the odd blooper is included. The producer, writer, and many of the actors share their thoughts. Also included are a 6-minute skit entitled "The Funny Side of Christmas" (which dates between 1976-1985) and an enjoyable 30-minute "Tribute to Dame Thora Hird", who was unforgettable as the "motor-vehiclely challenged" Edie Pegden, the battle-axe wife of Wesley (who rarely appeared without his greasy overalls and could always be found tinkering in his shed with something mechanical--usually to a disastrous end!). Sadly, Gordon Wharmby (Wesley) passed away at age 68 in 2002 from lung cancer, whilst Dame Thora died at age 91 in 2003 after suffering a stroke.
This series is a classic example of British character comedy--and what a wealth of characters there are. Apart from the aforementioned, who can forget wily Auntie Wainwright, who sells antiques like a venus flytrap catches flies; or the hilarious antics of blind-as-a-bat Elie (sadly Danny O'Dea also died in 2003 aged 91). From the ladies' coffee mornings, to Compo's amorous advances towards Nora Batty, to Howard's ill-fated clandestine romance with Marina, this is a series our entire family enjoys (it's my dad's favourite). Although we enjoy the current episodes, with the loss of so many memorable characters, the 1995 Vintage hails back to a time when the series was truly at its zenith. One can only hope the BBC will continue to bring more episodes to DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Too early and too few DVDs
Review: First off, I tried two different versions of this DVD set and both were missing the 4th DVD.... so there appears to be some problem on the manufacturing end.As far as content.... these are the very,very early episodes of the series (actually 2 movies and some episodes), so if you are familiar with those currently run on some USA PBS stations, you may be disappointed. I'd say this set is for those who are true enthusiasts of the series and want to see it from the very start (early 1970's).... and who don't mind taking a chance of only getting 3 out of 4 DVDs.
Rating:
Summary: Love Summer Wine
Review: Having watched the last few seasons of Last of the Summer Wine on PBS for a few years now, it is very nice to see what the show was like in the beginning. I love the characters and the setting for the show. I wish more seasons were available on VHS or DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Hey Up! They're releasing in the States Again!
Review: Hey Folks -
Big-time fan of LOTSW here. Very very glad that they are releasing LOTSW here and hope lots of fans will support this release so they'll put out more & more great LOTSW on dvd. Please note that one of the (semi-negative) reviews here is for the 4-dvd set previously put out by BFS, and not actually about this Warner release.
What can possibly be said about the longest-running comedy in the history of the human laugh? It is more charming than it is funny, more adventurous than it is hilarious, more touching than it is humorous. People don't laugh AT Summer Wine, they laugh WITH it. I know that's cliche, but it's fully true in this case.
Anyone who wants to know more about Summer Wine and all the various releases, both in the UK and in the US, please contact me. I might be able to help guide you. I didn't mean for that to come out as arrogant as it looks on screen, though.
God Bless You - James
Rating:
Summary: Not for the uninitiated viewer!
Review: I find it sad that reviewers here expect LOSW to compare with Fawlty Towers, Father Ted, or even some of my own favorites, The Young Ones and Bottom. With the exception that all are in comic veins, LOSW is a different sort of humour. LOSW is a *quiet* comedy show. What I love most about the entire run of the series is that it portrays characters who obviously feel they are still the kids they once were. There is some slapstick comedy, and certainly the aspects of French farce are more involved since the intro. of Howard, Pearl, and Marina, but none of the wild or completely improbable situations of other Britcoms.
The writer of this show continually shows his love for Yorkshire, its strong and very human people, beautiful scenery, and the county's northern community standards. I love his feel for dialogue, relatioships, and community life. I'm still waiting for all the seasons to make it over here on VHS or DVD. I'd love to view the entire run of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Not for the uninitiated viewer!
Review: I find it sad that reviewers here expect LOSW to compare with Fawlty Towers, Father Ted, or even some of my own favorites, The Young Ones and Bottom. With the exception that all are in comic veins, LOSW is a different sort of humour. LOSW is a *quiet* comedy show. What I love most about the entire run of the series is that it portrays characters who obviously feel they are still the kids they once were. There is some slapstick comedy, and certainly the aspects of French farce are more involved since the intro. of Howard, Pearl, and Marina, but none of the wild or completely improbable situations of other Britcoms.
The writer of this show continually shows his love for Yorkshire, its strong and very human people, beautiful scenery, and the county's northern community standards. I love his feel for dialogue, relatioships, and community life. I'm still waiting for all the seasons to make it over here on VHS or DVD. I'd love to view the entire run of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Last of the Summer Wine Collection
Review: I had no problem at all with the DVD's, however, I was disapointed that the characters I was accustomed to seeing in the daily shows were not on the DVD's. Howard, Nora and others were missing. The DVD's were not as entertaining. There was one of the movies, Moving Sam, which was really funny. I have ordered the new set of DVD's being release as Foggy, Norman and the usual folks will be in them.
Rating:
Summary: Ms. Calladine
Review: I love this show and everytime I watch it I want to pack my bags and move there. It also feels as though I'm looking through a window and all I have to do is open up this window and I can step outside in that world. I can actually smell the breeze of summer, the smell of warm apple pie and many nights of summer joy without really needing to do anything. I see lace curtains blowing in the breeze and being nearer to an Englishman I once knew and lastly being there is like he's there too.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Show. Very funny!
Review: I love this show! It is very funny and entertaining. My husband and I watch it all the time. The English countryside and the small towns are very beautiful. We need more shows like this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Love the Series, Dislike the DVDs
Review: I was so looking forward to playing all 4 DVDs. I planned to pop them all in my player, and program it to play one DVD after the other without interruption (I do this all the time with other favorite DVDs; e.g., Absolutely Fabulous and Nikita). What I discovered is that these DVDs defy programming. It is necessary to start each one manually, and it is also necessary to start each episode in the last 2 DVDs manually; there is no way to select "Play All." The company that produced these DVDs, BFS Video, has also added very ominous and annoying sounding music to accompany the obligatory copyright warning at the beginning. While I love Summer Wine and its characters, and didn't mind paying the [$$$] and change to be able to visit them whenever I wanted, I will NEVER purchase another video produced by BFS.
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