Rating: 
Summary: Don't believe the hype
Review: If a comedy isn't funny-is it still a comedy? The episodes in this set are tedious-and what little humor there is, isn't vey funny at all. The characters are not very amusing or likeable and what little plot there is meanders along at a pace that slows time down to an unbearable level. I am a great fan of Britcoms--but this isn't one I'd recommend. It could be my own sense of humor--but rating Fawlty Towers as a 10--Black Adder and Father Ted as 9's--One Foot in the Grave and Ab Fab as 8's, Keeping Up Appearances and Vicar of Dibley as 7's etc etc--this show is over rated as a "1" Along with "Allo Allo"--this is one of the two worst Britcoms I've ever seen. *it could be this show improved with time--as the episodes in this set are the only ones I've seen--and so they are the episodes I specifically refer to
Rating: 
Summary: Last of the Summer Wine
Review: If you are a fan of The Last of the Summer Wine. You will love this DVD. It has shows from the second and third seasons. This DVD also has two movie specials. They are wonderful to watch.
Rating:
Summary: Gentle, slow, and relaxing humour
Review: If you are looking for Fawlty Towers, AB FAB, Father Ted, or other fast, loud, Britcoms on speed then you should think carefully before purchasing Last of the Summer Wine. I find Last of the Summer Wine, gentle, slow, with a relaxing sense of humour that is wonderful to watch while trying to forget the modern pace of life. The majority of episodes on this dvd set are early episodes, which if you have been brought up on Foggy, (the guy on the far right of the dvd cover, makes for an enjoyable change. The countryside of Yorkshire is wonderful to see and I will be buying the next dvd set when it comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Takes me to simpler times
Review: One of the thinks I like about this Program/DVD is that it allows me to escape the hectic busy day.
I can just kick back and enjoy the escapades of Foggy, Clegg and Combo. They are hilarious and what so great is that they do not need to be nasty to do it. The DVD includes some older scenes and the story about the origins and history for Last of the Summer Wine. It includes a tribute for Thora Hire as well. I cannot help but get drawn away to the pastoral scenes taken by the trio on their walks.
See you on the path Combo, D Dickens
Rating:
Summary: Great DVD Presentation of a Great Series
Review: Summer Wine fans rejoice, this is a first class DVD presentation of this superb series. The extras (described by others here) are all interesting and fun--the Christmas special (which we don't seem to get here in the US on public TV) is a real treat. The transfer is of an excellent quality. The "1995 Vintage" was a fine one and the episodes have that combination of humor and gentle commentary on human nature that makes this series so unique. Let's hope that the powers that be are sufficiently happy with sales of this to issue further "vintages".
Rating:
Summary: Kick back and relax
Review: The Christmas special and 30-year review are very, very good. It also has biographies.
The show itself is great. There seems to be quite a bit of Howard and Maureena in the '95 shows.
If you're not familiar with Last of the Summer Wine - it's a gentle, easy-going show, primarily about 3 old retired, unattached, guys getting themselves into trouble. I'm using it to map out my own retirement plans.
It's not raucous, rowdy or bawdy, just very very funny in a sweet, homespun way. The characters of Glenda and Barry should go down in history as two of the world's greatest lovers - these are two side characters who stick to and by each other despite being married - to each other.
It may take a show or two to get into it. I think you have to become familiar with the characters before the humor comes out.
Glad I got it. It's nice, after a hard day's work, to kick off your shoes, pour a drink, and kick back with Last of the Summer Wine. It's like having a good laugh with an old friend.
I would almost take 1/2 star off for commercials that were added in front of the show menu. You can put the dvd player on fast forward and it will automatically slow down to normal speed when the commercials are over. Still, I think that particular production decision was wrong, and I hope whatever vile, evil, wretch dreamed it up gets the fleas of the proverbial thousand camels.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Gold DVD Release
Review: The first and most important thing to point out about this DVD release is that it is inly suitable to play on either Region One or Multi Region DVD players. Although my own DVD player was for the UK region, I managed to find the code on the internet to change it to multi region, so I was able to play this amazing DVD. If you want to find your code, I suggest putting the model and number of your DVD player into a search on the internet. It is possible in a lot of cases to change the region code of your player...anyhow, the DVD... The cover of the double DVD is very eye catching - and the clear picture on the front cover of the three characters is very impressive, crisp and clear and gives in instant sense of fun. The back cover is actually, even better than the front with more pictures of Compo, Clegg and Foggy, along with Nora, Edie, Glenda, Ivy and Pearl. The only dissapointment to the DVD sleeve is that it doesn't actually provide the episode titles which are on the DVD. Now, in most cases of DVD releases of vintage BBC comedies, the special features have been very few, if not non existant, but on this DVD, they are something very, very special.... It includes the documentary Thora - A tribute to her Life and Career which is a delightful look back at the beloved actresses career in film, stage, radio and television, it includes a long since seen sketch from Compo, Clegg and Foggy called The Funny Side of Christmas, a short ten minuet section on how not to enjoy Christmas (although Compo has other ideas!). Also included are very informative biographies of the cast and crew plus, the special 2002 programme 30 Years of Last of the Summer Wine - an hour long programme starting from the very beginning in 1972 and bringing us right up to date, introducing Bill Hardcastle, Entwhistle and Alvin. The episodes included on the release are;
Leaving Home Forever, Or Till Teatime (3 Sep 95)
Bicycle Bonanza (10 Sep 95)
The Glamour Of The Uniform (17 Sep 95)
The First Human Being To Ride A Hill (24 Sep 95)
Captain Clutterbuck's Treasure (1 Oct 95)
Desperate For A Duffield (8 Oct 95)
The Suit That Turned Left (15 Oct 95)
Beware Of The Elbow (22 Oct 95)
The Thing In Wesley's Shed (29 Oct 95)
Brushes At Dawn (5 Nov 95)
A Leg Up For Christmas (24 Dec 95)
These are all very, very funny episodes - a personal favorite, A Leg up for Christmas. The very, very good thing about this DVD, is that it is almost like a time capsual all in one box. The episodes are from 1995, and are very, very crisp and clear and the music is great - plus, this is the very first time that these episodes have been seen in widescreen. Along with the series from 1995, is the documentary, which takes us back to the start and brings us up to date, plus the short sequence The Funny Side of Christmas which is almost like a mini episode in itself, so, whatever era of the series you like best, your are sure to see part of it on this DVD. I have no doubt in my mind at all that this will be a huge seller....and lets keep our fingers crossed for many more to come. I highly reccommend this title - it is pure gold for summer wine fans! Check out www.summerwine.co.uk for more information.
|
