The Complete Fawlty Towers [1975] [DVD]

A Classic. from the days when people could laugh at themselves. Hilarious comedy before stupid political correctness stifled what people could say or do. From the days when we could laugh at ourselves and make fun of things, because in those days we knew it was to relax, have a laugh, not to offend others and be so sensitive. Simpler times when we knew how to laugh.John Cleese is absolutely fantastic as the landlord manager of a probably 0 star hotel!! With mishaps galore. He does and says all the wrong things to everyone, insulting the guests. But you have to love him cos you feel his pain when he realizes his mistakes...and tries to pretend he didn't do them!

It's hard to imagine Fawlty Towers being made in this day and age of health and safety, and political correctness gone mad.Foreigners are lampooned, the Irish are mocked, women are laughed at and dismissed with sexist disdain, and relations with Germany are re-set to 1945!Actually, it's impossible to imagine this getting past layers of BBC management, but none the less, Fawlty Towers remains one of the greatest sit-coms known to mankind.Like all good British sitcoms, the protagonist is an everyman blighted by bad luck, a victim of circumstance, or is just plain awful; his hopes and dreams crushed by a cruel world. Often he is in some petty employment, or is entrusted with the role of a minor official or manager, which only adds too the calamity, as he struggles to make sense of a changing world.Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way, Pink Flloyd once sang, - they may have well have been singing about Basil Fawlty, as he lurches from one disaster to the next, involving Irish builders, dead guests, incompetent staff, or mad army veterans. Mostly he's plain unlucky, but often, it's a result of Fawlty shooting himself in the foot, again, as he pays the price for acting like a cheapskate.The only fault with this series is its establishment of the 6 episode series, which became a strait-jacket for future comedy series. Imagine only 12 episodes of cheers or Frasier...No, neither can I!

As someone else said, what can possibly be said about this brilliant show that hasn't already been said? Inspired by observations of landlords and guests by the Monty Python team during stays in a myriad of small English South Coast hotels during the making of the Python series, and the subsequent amalgamation of the oddities observed there, with just a dash (?) of Python added, it remains ever fresh and funny. Basil Fawlty is a comic creation of genius, but his regular foils, waspish wife Sybille, incompetent waiter Manuel (que?) and Girl Friday Polly, are also wonderful. Brilliant entertainment. Pity there are only 12, but then it never wore out its welcome and became stale - and "why did you stop?" is always much nicer to hear than "why don't you stop?"

good picture and sound.this version identifiable by monochrome cast photo on front cover, says ‘complete collection rematered’ in yellow text within orange rectangle. all episodes and features work.basis of humour is often marital fear of a husband. §12x brilliantly acted and conceived farces- well done JC and BBC/ 2 entertainment. A RIOT.often

A ground-breaking and standard-setting comedy series.Really gets into its stride in episode 3. It was sadly (we all grieved) but wisely limited to 12 episodes. Because you couldn't get any better. If you've ever stayed in a hotel where you worry about the future safety and sanity of the staff more than your own, you will recognise Fawlty Towers.It's a unique and permanent delight.The performance of each and every actor is sublime. The production quality is BBC at its best.

Fawlty Towers must be the funniest television comedies ever produced: I saw it live first time round and have seen repeats and other peoples' videos and DVD's over the years. A superb piece of writing by John Cleese and Connie Booth, matched with excellent acting and timing from the whole cast. The characters - both the regulars and the occasionals - are all people that we've met over the years in real life, not quite so exaggerated, of course, but we've still met them; is that the secret, I wonder. John Cleese was wise not to continue as all possibilities had probably been used; we all know how endless comedies degenerate. So I decided to buy my own copy.Why have I deducted a star? The booklet is superfluous being somewhat forced with nothing new added and each episode begins with one of the most irritating introduction (while you set subtitles etc) I've come across; matched only by those of the otherwise excellent Jeeves and Wooster.Always worth seeing - but cut out those introductions.

Despite its age and natter how many times I have seen It I continue to enjoy it as though for the first timeThe comedy characters storylines all go to make this the best British TV comedy ever in my opinionAmazingly there were only 11 episodes made I think , it's a once off that never can be repeated which makes its timeless charm something you never tire of

Excellent service, fast delivery, box set in great condition. Bought these as the PC Brigade may want to ban our British comedy. Highly recommend.