Rating: 
Summary: An Lovely Collection Set of an Outstanding Britcom!
Review: It is high time this outstanding britcom (plus its sequel, Yes Prime Minister) was released in its entirety on DVD, but it was well worth the wait for the BBC has done an outstanding job. It contains all twenty-one 30-minute episodes (which ran from 1980 through 1982) in a beautifully packaged four-disc set. The quality of the picture is very crisp and clear for a 20-year-old production (I know I'VE never seen it look so good!), and the DVD extras are a real treat.This is an intelligent, extremely well-written series--a satire of the inner workings of government. Sources within the government provided the writers with all the fodder they needed, and it is highly accurate in its depiction of the corruption, politics, red tape, and manipulation that forms an integral part of the administration of government (ANY government, mind you--which is what gives this series such universal appeal). Indeed, Margaret Thatcher, herself a fan of the series, referred to it as being a "closely observed portrayal of what goes on in the corridors of power." The series opens with Jim Hacker (played by the late Paul Eddington (Good Neighbours), who sadly died of skin cancer in 1995 at age 68), who has just won the parliamentary seat for his riding (his party has won the election), being appointed as the new Minister of Administrative Affairs. Now that he's in a position of power (or so he thinks!), Hacker has high hopes for making some positive changes--things like instituting an open government policy, linking honours to economies for civil servants, and so on. But he's thwarted at every corner by he who wields the real power--the cunning, quick-witted, hilariously verbose and extremely manipulative civil servant, Sir Humphrey Appleby--the DAA's Permanent Secretary (the late Nigel Hawthorne (The Madness of King George, Mapp & Lucia)). Lastly is Hacker's Private Secretary, Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds (Heartbeat)). Bernard is a likeable, pun-loving, unassuming character with conflicting loyalties. He is himself a civil servant, and though there are times when he'd like to assist Hacker in achieving his goals, he must exercise extreme caution in doing so lest Sir Humphrey find out! DVD EXTRAS include a splendid 42-minute profile of the late Nigel Hawthorne who, having battled cancer of the pancreas for eighteen months, sadly died on Boxing Day 2001. He was 72. The profile was filmed over four months in 1999, during the period when Hawthorne was preparing to play King Lear for the RSC. The series provides a brief bio with photos and snippets of other productions in which he's been involved. Derek Fowlds, Helen Mirren (his co-star in The Madness of King George), Jimmy Perry & David Croft (writers of Dad's Army), and Trevor Bentham (Hawthorne's partner of 22 years) all provide contributions, but the vast majority are from Hawthorne himself. He touches on many of the themes which are elaborated on in his splendid autobiography entitled "Straight Face"--things like his uneasy relationship with his father and his homosexuality. The final features are "A Short History of Yes Minister" (1999) which features Fowlds, Hawthorne, and series' co-writer Jonathan Lynn (it's only 5 minutes but very informative); and a brief 3 1/2 minute interview with Jonathan Lynn from 1981. Lastly are text-based bios of the main and many supporting actors. This lovely collection set is truly a must-have for fans of the series. It is a unique, extraordinary britcom (a personal favourite of mine!)--one that is sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys the best in British comedy. I would also, however, recommend it unhesitatingly to anyone simply looking for an intelligent, brilliantly written, and impeccably acted series--British or otherwise. Highly, HIGHLY recommended!
Rating:
Summary: An Lovely Collection Set of an Outstanding Britcom!
Review: It is high time this outstanding britcom (plus its sequel, Yes Prime Minister) was released in its entirety on DVD, but it was well worth the wait for the BBC has done an outstanding job. It contains all twenty-one 30-minute episodes (which ran from 1980 through 1982) in a beautifully packaged four-disc set. The quality of the picture is very crisp and clear for a 20-year-old production (I know I'VE never seen it look so good!), and the DVD extras are a real treat. This is an intelligent, extremely well-written series--a satire of the inner workings of government. Sources within the government provided the writers with all the fodder they needed, and it is highly accurate in its depiction of the corruption, politics, red tape, and manipulation that forms an integral part of the administration of government (ANY government, mind you--which is what gives this series such universal appeal). Indeed, Margaret Thatcher, herself a fan of the series, referred to it as being a "closely observed portrayal of what goes on in the corridors of power." The series opens with Jim Hacker (played by the late Paul Eddington (Good Neighbours), who sadly died of skin cancer in 1995 at age 68), who has just won the parliamentary seat for his riding (his party has won the election), being appointed as the new Minister of Administrative Affairs. Now that he's in a position of power (or so he thinks!), Hacker has high hopes for making some positive changes--things like instituting an open government policy, linking honours to economies for civil servants, and so on. But he's thwarted at every corner by he who wields the real power--the cunning, quick-witted, hilariously verbose and extremely manipulative civil servant, Sir Humphrey Appleby--the DAA's Permanent Secretary (the late Nigel Hawthorne (The Madness of King George, Mapp & Lucia)). Lastly is Hacker's Private Secretary, Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds (Heartbeat)). Bernard is a likeable, pun-loving, unassuming character with conflicting loyalties. He is himself a civil servant, and though there are times when he'd like to assist Hacker in achieving his goals, he must exercise extreme caution in doing so lest Sir Humphrey find out! DVD EXTRAS include a splendid 42-minute profile of the late Nigel Hawthorne who, having battled cancer of the pancreas for eighteen months, sadly died on Boxing Day 2001. He was 72. The profile was filmed over four months in 1999, during the period when Hawthorne was preparing to play King Lear for the RSC. The series provides a brief bio with photos and snippets of other productions in which he's been involved. Derek Fowlds, Helen Mirren (his co-star in The Madness of King George), Jimmy Perry & David Croft (writers of Dad's Army), and Trevor Bentham (Hawthorne's partner of 22 years) all provide contributions, but the vast majority are from Hawthorne himself. He touches on many of the themes which are elaborated on in his splendid autobiography entitled "Straight Face"--things like his uneasy relationship with his father and his homosexuality. The final features are "A Short History of Yes Minister" (1999) which features Fowlds, Hawthorne, and series' co-writer Jonathan Lynn (it's only 5 minutes but very informative); and a brief 3 1/2 minute interview with Jonathan Lynn from 1981. Lastly are text-based bios of the main and many supporting actors. This lovely collection set is truly a must-have for fans of the series. It is a unique, extraordinary britcom (a personal favourite of mine!)--one that is sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys the best in British comedy. I would also, however, recommend it unhesitatingly to anyone simply looking for an intelligent, brilliantly written, and impeccably acted series--British or otherwise. Highly, HIGHLY recommended!
Rating:
Summary: True political humor.
Review: It's amazingly funny as well as a terrific political satire. An honest examination of how governments operate, without the sexual double-entendres and flirtation jokes that are the basis for American attempts at political humor. U.S. government functions the same way, substituting American titles for British. These actors really earned their paychecks delivering extraordinarily complicated dialogue in unbroken takes. I doubt anything like this will ever be duplicated in our age of soundbites and ten second attention spans. A genuine treasure!
Rating:
Summary: About time...
Review: Long overdue, these classic episodes on DVD are wonderful to behold. Humphrey Appeleby was apparenly based on Sir Richard Armstrong (cabinet scretary to Margaret Thatcher). I remember seeing these shows, live, back in the early 80s... hard to believe that is now over 20 years ago. The main actors are now (alas) long-gone, but this set of classic comedy lives on...
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely No Finer Comedy in English!
Review: The statements you have heard about this program are not exaggerations; Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister are literally the most brilliant comedies ever seen on television. The acting is superb, but what truly shines are the scripts. Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn have equaled and, in the opinions of many, surpassed even Neil Simon (were Oscar Wilde alive, he'd be shaking in his boots!). Like reading P.G. Wodehouse, once you experience this program, your notion of what is really funny will be redefined forever.
Rating:
Summary: The COMPLETE Collection ... MINUS ONE, but still a great set
Review: This four-disc set contains all the episodes from the entire run of "Yes Minister" -- with one GLARING exception: the one-hour Christmas Special, "Party Games", where Hacker becomes PM. (MAYBE that episode will be included in the Box Set of "Yes Prime Minister" due Aug. 26; still it would've been better on THIS one, if only for "continuity") Other than that, this is a GREAT box set! The DVD extras are NOT "plentiful" but what's there IS enjoyable. I liked the "Brief History of 'Yes Minister'," where it is revealed that the "Communications Roon / Booze Room" was based on an ACTUAL UK mission to the Middle East! Although the creator did not reveal specifics, he said that MANY of the story ideas were based on "leaks" from real senior officials in Whitehall! A must-buy!
Rating:
Summary: Some jolly good humor
Review: This is a real treat for those fans of the British brand of humor with its peculiar emphasis on understating things. Not to mention Bernard Wooley's jugglery of the English tongue - you might pick up a few latin phrases along the way. All in all - a superb commentary on modern day democracy. Cant wait to get my hands on Yes Prime Minister.
Rating:
Summary: Some jolly good humor
Review: This is a real treat for those fans of the British brand of humor with its peculiar emphasis on understating things. Not to mention Bernard Wooley's jugglery of the English tongue - you might pick up a few latin phrases along the way. All in all - a superb commentary on modern day democracy. Cant wait to get my hands on Yes Prime Minister.
Rating:
Summary: TIMELESS Political Humor
Review: Though done in the 80's Yes Minister is as fresh and funny as it was 20 years ago! What makes this series great is there isn't a weakness to be found. Nigel Hawthorne is Brilliant as Sir Humprhey and Paul Eddington as the bewildered yet good-intentoned MP James Hacker. Casting was perfect for these roles. At the same time, the supporting cast was mostly overlooked, including the "3rd lead" Derek Fowlds who plays Bernard, the MP's undersecretary who seems torn in allegiance between Civil Service and his MP. While the first season also had some great moments outside of Parliament, later series removed the emphasis on Jim Hacker's home life, which served well early on, but could of weighted down the series as it grew. Another strength is that the series had no real political affiliation. It didn't matter the issue, it found a way to have fun with it and cause mayhem. Often Imitated, Never Duplicated. This is the gold standard for Political Comedy. On the DVD specifics, do enjoy the special on Nigel Hawthorne on the 4th disk. I just hope that they can put together a similar tribute to Paul Eddington on the release of Yes Prime Minister.
Rating:
Summary: The best political comedy ever!
Review: Yes minister is truly the best political comedy series ever created for the TV (or the movies for that matter).
British humour at its very best.. The true strength of the series is the truth behind the jokes. Everything the script and the characters imply during the episodes is ideas and scandals taken from real live politics. Especially when referring to the dubious role of English Foreign Office regarding the EU is hilarious but absolutely true. To quote from the series itself "For the past 600 years the foreign policy of England has stayed the same, divide and conquer. We are part of the EU so that we can break it from inside". One of the true TV Classics of all times.
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