Well then, it's been a while, so please ignore if this is a little rusty! Scouring through the DVD's and CD's in my collection, I came across Big Train, which after watching, had to be reviewed!
Written by Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews, the people who brought us Father Ted, this is an awesome sketch show, which unfortunately was often overshadowed by the likes of the Fast Show. Starring actors and actresses at the time who were relative unknowns, they have since become big names in British comedy, such as Simon Pegg, Kevin Eldon, Mark Heap, Catherine Tate and Julia Davis.
The first series was produced in 1998, with a second not coming around until 2002, despite its popularity. Granted, although its audience figures weren't great, it developed a cult following, due to it's surreal sketch show style, not too dissimilar it must be said to Monty Python.
Only the sketches in the first series involving the infamous "Stare-out" World Championships reoccur in every episode, which distances itself from the likes of the Fast Show, Harry Enfield and Chums, and more recently Little Britain, with each sketch using a completely new story and set of characters.
As previously mentioned, the animated Stare-Out World Championship sketches, with Barry Davies on commentary are a particular memorable set, but there are many others, such as….
An "intergalactic tyrant" relaxing, whilst he watches the Teletubbies and does the hoovering. Firefighting show jumpers. A man attempting to run the hundred metres sprint, to no avail. The "jockeys" sketch. Beatles producer George Martin getting kidnapped by extremists, but continues to go on about working with the Beatles. Jesus and Satan trying to work in the same office. The tin man following someone home. And a selection of sketches in one episode, where various characters played by Mark Heap, such as him facing death by firing squad or being kept in permanent isolation, thinks of something to say, just when it's too late…that may sound a bit vague, but those that have watched it will understand me!!
The DVD, which comes on two discs of six episodoes each, includes the almost mandatory cast and crew commentaries that come with any DVD, and which I never choose to watch, so we'll skip that. Also there are a number of deleted scenes, some that could have easily made it into the final cut, and interestingly, seven minutes of material from "Geht's Noch" the German version of Big Train.
You can pick the DVD up from Amazon for just £10.97, and baring in mind this is a double disc with over five hours of series footage, that's a very decent price. You could pick it up for slightly cheaper, at £9.85, in their "Used & New" section, but that's for the students amongst us!!
Well then, as I said, this may be a bit rusty...come on, it's been a while!!! For those out there who like comedy that's a bit "different" then this is for. For those that like comedies that these actors and actresses have since appeared in, then you'll love this (E.g. Brass Eye, Spaced, I'm Alan Partridge, Nighty Night and Smack the Pony) For those that don't think it's for them...well, first off, I disagree with you entirely! Second of all, give it a go, you never know, you may learn to love it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Comedy genius - though, as you say, it is definitely similar to Monty Python. Hilarious - must look out for it on DVD.
missy0303 21.12.2006 12:54
I hadn't even heard this let alone seen it.....May check it out though...although the title makes it seem less interesting that it looks x
brereton66 07.12.2006 14:09
Missed out on this is the wake of Fast Show etc as you say but it sounds good, might see if it ever gets repeated rather than splash out on the DVD but a great review all the same.
Originally shown in 1998,Big Trainwas the eagerly awaited follow-up toFather Tedfrom ... more
writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews. Resisting the pressure to make another sitcom,Big Trainis, instead, a sketch show in the best Monty Python tradition, upd...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Series One - Packed with over ten years of extras (well, nearly seven hours), this is the ... more
one fans have been waiting for, and everyone else has been dreading.Like reality, only better, 'BIG TRAIN' was the much-imitated, never-surpassed sketch show from...
Originally shown in 1998,Big Trainwas the eagerly awaited follow-up toFather Tedfrom ... more
writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews. Resisting the pressure to make another sitcom,Big Trainis, instead, a sketch show in the best Monty Python tradition, upd...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Big Train steams out of the comedy tunnel as realism meets utter stupidity in a cavalcade ... more
of daft sketches performed by high-quality actors in a series of stunning costumes and vast sets reminiscent of the worst excesses of DW Griffith. There are also ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![Big Train : Complete BBC Series 1&2 [1998] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78519030.jpg "Big Train : Complete BBC Series 1&2 [1998] [DVD]")
Dec 4th, 2006
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