Thanks everyone for the R/R/Cs, still much appreciated,
What has happened to the site? i can't ret...
Thanks everyone for the R/R/Cs, still much appreciated,
What has happened to the site? i can't return rates on my latest reviews, the new format is a little 'iffy' . What are you doing ciao...???
(still on dooyoo with same name)
Member since:04.09.2006
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Created by John Cleese and Connie Booth. Series 1 produced and directed by John Howard Davies. Series 2 produced by Dougkas Argent, Directed by Bob Spiers.
Starring John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Saches and Connie Booth.
Fawlty towers was a classic comedy, set in a fictional hotel in Torquay, which began in September 1975 until October 1979, creating 12 episodes into 2 series.
The main Characters being the hotel owners Basil Fawlty, (played by John Cleese), with his stressed out attitude and the tendency to create chaos out of calm. Also his wife Sybil (played by Prunella Scales), with her beehive hair style and laid back, if lazy, attitude.
Then there was the housekeeper Polly, (played by Connie Booth) and Manuel, (played by Andrew Saches), the Spanish waiter with his pigeon English and his willingness to please.
There are a few other regular characters who are guest at the hotel from hell, there's Major Gowen, (played by Ballard Berkeley) with his posh sounding voice and his forgetful manner, always asking for the newspaper. Then the lady residents, Miss Tibbs, (played by Gilly Flower) and Miss Gatsby, (played by Renee Roberts). These
two old ladies have a bit of a thing for Basil, treating him almost like a son. In the second series we see the regular chef, Terry, (played by Brian Hall) with his easy style of running the kitchens, sometimes irritating Basil.
The show relies on quick one liners and some fantastic timing and with Basil being everyone's worst nightmare for a hotel owner it brings out some hilarious results to the screen. Basil enjoys running the hotel but hates the guest and his relationship with his wife is as cold as the inside of a freezer.
The Box set gives you three DVDs and comes in a fold out sleeve type cardboards and plastic box, which slots into a rigid cardboards outer box. A good looking set which will sit nicely on the shelf.
Disc one Series one
1, A touch of class ( 19th September 1975) Basil is duped into believing that a Lord Melbury, (played by Michael Gwynn) is staying at the hotel. With Basil being a bit of closet snob he does everything in his power to make the Lords visit a pleasurable stay.
2, The Builders (26th September 1975) When the hotel needs a bit of a refit Basil decides to bring in some cheep builders called the O'Reilly's to the horror of Sybil, who hates the O'Reilly's with venom.
3, The Wedding Party (3rd October 1975) The hotel is inundated with guest for a wedding, but with the friendliness amongst the guest Basil soon jumps to the wrong conclusion with some hilarious consequences.
4, The Hotel Inspectors (10th October 1975) Basil is pre-warned that a trio of hotel inspectors are in town which leads him to be overfriendly with everyone he serves.
5, Gourmet Night (17th October 1975) With some VIPs coming for an upper class dinner, Basil's good intentions and general boot licking go totally wrong as he goes from insulting the VIPs to almost serving some questionable duck. In this episode we see Basils brilliant attempt at DIY car maintenance.
6, The Germans (24th October 1975) With Sybil in hospital undergoing an operation for an ingrowing toenail, Basil is left to run the hotel, becoming agitated when he learns that a group of Germans are coming to stay. With his comical way of welcoming the German guests this episode is a classic. (Watch out for Basils impression of Hitler and his funny walk).
Disc two Series 2
1, Communication problem, (19th February 1979) When Mrs Richards, (played by Joan Sanderson), a partially deaf guest with a cheap hearing aid comes to stay at the hotel it causes confusion with Basil and a small sum of money he won on the horses.
2, The Psychiatrist (26th February 1979) When a Psychiatrist stays at the hotel Basils attempts to act normal lead to some hilarious results. Any true psychiatrist would have a field day with Basil.
3, Waldorf Salad (5th March 1979) When two American guests come to stay at the hotel Basil is forced to make a Waldorf salad for them, leading to some seriously funny results.
4, The Kipper and the corpse (12th March 1979) When a guest is found dead in bed Basil instantly thinks the kippers he served for breakfast are the reason, his attempts to cover it up lead to more chaos and many laughs.
5, The Anniversary (26th March 1979) When Basil's and Sybil's wedding anniversary comes around Basils attempt at throwing a surprise party for Cybil go slightly wrong, forcing Polly to pretend to be Cybil. The more Basil tries to lie to his invited friends the more confused his story becomes
6, Basil the rat (25th October 1979) When the health inspector pays a visit, almost closing the hotel down, he gives Basil a few days to sort out the list of defects. The trouble really begins when Basil discovers Manuel's pet rat, (or Siberian Gerbil as Manuel believes). And when some veal is covered in rat poison it is not long before the meat is on the menu.
(These two disc give you the option of listening to the directors commentary whilst the show plays...very distracting indeed).
Disc three is full of special feature, such as .... Interviews with John Cleese, Prunella Scales and Andrew Saches A profile of the stars Some out takes, (only about 7 and not really that funny) A short film about Torquay.
There is also a short sketch involving John Cleese talking on the telephone.
In all, a great series of comical genius, well written and acted to perfection by all involved. Manuel plays his part hilariously, to the point that you really believe he is actually from Spain.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Can't believe they only made 18 episodes of this. I still chuckle that they got away with what they did particularly when they juggled the letters up on the sign outside to read "Flowery Tw*ts"
lizngaz 21.08.2008 00:33
I used to enjoy watching this round at a friends house when I was younger and always felt a bit naughty watching it because of the humour in there, I thought at the time it was an 18 or something!! xx
Often hailed as the greatest ever British sitcom,Fawlty Towersis closer to the more ... more
elaborate tradition of farce. Comprising two series made in 1975 and 1979, the total of just 12 episodes were painstakingly constructed by writers John Cleese and Conni...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Often hailed as the greatest ever British sitcom,Fawlty Towersis closer to the more ... more
elaborate tradition of farce. Comprising two series made in 1975 and 1979, the total of just 12 episodes were painstakingly constructed by writers John Cleese and Conni...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Fawlty Towers remains a timeless example of comic writing acting and characterisation at ... more
its very best. This fantastic complete collection set features all 12 episodes from this classic series. Episodes titles: 1. A Touch of Class 2. The Builders 3...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![The Complete Fawlty Towers [1975] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78514788.jpg "The Complete Fawlty Towers [1975] [DVD]")
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